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Prostatitis Services at UPMC

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Urologists at UPMC offer a range of procedures and tests to accurately diagnose and treat prostatitis.

What is Prostatitis?

Prostatitis occurs when a man's prostate gland becomes infected or inflamed. The prostate is a walnut-sized organ below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It produces seminal fluid, the substance that carries sperm.

Prostatitis doesn't lead to prostate cancer. Still, it can be uncomfortable and sometimes serious. Prostatitis can’t always be cured, but it can be treated.

Types of Prostatitis

There are four kinds of prostatitis:

  • Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome
  • Chronic bacterial prostatitis
  • Acute bacterial prostatitis
  • Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is the most common type of prostatitis. Th cause is not always known.

In CP/CPPS, inflammation in the prostate irritates the nerves and muscles in the pelvis, causing pain. The pain may be in the pelvic floor, genitals, lower back, or abdomen. The condition can come and go over a period of months or years.

Signs that you have CP/CPPS:

  • Pain and discomfort in the pelvic area lasting longer than three months
  • Pain during or after ejaculation
  • Pain during or after urinating
  • Frequent urination (more than eight times a day)
  • Urinary urgency (inability to delay urination)

Chronic bacterial prostatitis

Bacterial infection of the prostate causes this type of prostatitis. The bacteria travels from the urethra into the prostate. Sometimes it follows a urinary tract infection UTI.

Symptoms may be mild and take months to develop. After that, they may come and go.

Signs of chronic bacterial prostatitis include:

  • Frequent urination
  • Urinary urgency
  • Having to urinate several times each night
  • Burning feeling during urination
  • Pain in the groin, genital area, lower back, or lower abdomen

Acute bacterial prostatitis

This is the least common type of prostatitis, but the most serious. It shares the same symptoms as chronic prostatitis but comes on fast and is more severe.

Additional signs of acute bacterial prostatitis include:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Body aches
  • Inability to urinate

Acute bacterial prostatitis is a severe condition. You should seek medical care immediately if you have symptoms. Not treating it right away can bring on sepsis, a blood infection that can lead to death.

Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

Not all men have symptoms. They usually find out they have prostatitis during a blood test for prostate health. You don't need treatment for asymptomatic prostatitis.

Risk Factors for Prostatitis

Prostatitis is not contagious or transmitted through sex. However, having a sexually transmitted infection can raise your risk of an inflamed prostate.

Other conditions or previous medical procedures can also increase your chances of getting prostatitis. These include:

  • A recent urinary tract infection
  • An infection from a catheter
  • An enlarged prostate gland
  • A recent pelvic injury
  • A recent prostate biopsy
  • Psychological stress

How is Prostatitis Diagnosed?

Your urologist will ask you about your health history and your current symptoms.

They will do a physical exam that includes putting a gloved finger in your rectum to feel your prostate. If you have prostatitis, the prostate is tender and soft.

They may also order urine tests to see if bacteria are present. Blood tests, CT scans, or ultrasounds of the pelvis may also be ordered.

How is Prostatitis Treated?

Bacterial prostatitis (chronic or acute) is treated with antibiotics. You'll take them for six to 12 weeks.

Antibiotics don't work on CP/CPPS because bacteria do not cause this condition. Your urologist may prescribe medicine to control your pain and reduce inflammation. Here are some other treatments for CP/CPPS:

  • Special prostatic massage can help ease painful pressure in the prostate. A trained physiotherapist drains fluid from the prostate ducts and massages the gland.
  • Physical therapy includes myofascial release and pelvic floor exercises.
  • At-home treatments such as hot baths, hot water bottles, and heating pads can lessen pelvic pain.

Surgery is rarely used to treat prostatitis.

Why Choose UPMC Urology Services for Prostatitis Treatment

We offer high-quality, comprehensive treatment close to home. There are many other reasons to choose our services at UPMC, such as the caring, professional service that our team of consultants and nursing staff provides.

Additionally, we are long-term partners of the HSE (Health Service Executive) and private insurers and work diligently to ensure everyone has access to high-quality healthcare, delivered in a timely fashion.

Make An Appointment

To schedule an appointment, visit your GP and ask for a referral to see one of our urologists at the following UPMC locations: