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PROSTATITIS: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

PROSTATITIS: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

03/09/2025

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, which can be confined to the gland or spread to the periprostatic region. This is not cancer. The prostate gland is only present in males from birth, located in front of the rectum and below the bladder, surrounding the urethra. The main function of the gland is to produce the fluid component of semen. 

Classification

  • Acute bacterial prostatitis: the least common, characterized by sudden onset with severe symptoms, including painful urination, urinary retention, fever, chills, lower back pain, and genital pain.

  • Chronic bacterial prostatitis: This is quite rare, characterized by recurrent infections that are difficult to treat. Symptoms are like acute prostatitis but milder and usually without fever.

  • Chronic asymptomatic prostatitis: This type has no clinical symptoms and is often discovered incidentally during prostate biopsy or testing of prostatic fluid/semen for inflammatory cells.

  • Chronic pelvic pain syndrome: This is the most common type. Symptoms may disappear and reappear without a clear cause. It cannot be completely cured, and only symptoms can be controlled.

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Causes

Most cases of prostatitis are caused by bacterial invasion, potentially from infected feces or urine. However, inflammation can also occur without a clear cause. This condition is not transmitted from person to person and is not a sexually transmitted disease; however, some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be an indirect cause.

Symptoms

Some common symptoms include:

  • Frequent urination; painful or burning urination; difficulty urinating or a weak stream; feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.

  • Pain in the rectal area or a feeling of pressure in the pelvic area; lower back pain; genital pain.

  • Systemic symptoms such as fever, chills (often seen in acute inflammatory forms).

  • Some cases may present with erectile dysfunction or decreased sexual desire.

  • More rarely, there may be urethral discharge or a stinging sensation in the genital/rectal area.

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Diagnosis

The diagnostic process typically includes: 

  • Clinical examination and medical history: focusing on symptoms and a history of urinary tract infections, urological procedures, genital trauma, and abnormal urinary tract structures.

  • Digital rectal exam (DRE): checking the size, softness – tenderness of the prostate gland.

  • Urine and glandular fluid tests: culture of urine, semen, or fluid obtained by glandular stimulation to find bacteria and inflammatory cells.

  • Imaging and endoscopic procedures: transrectal ultrasound, CT scan, cystoscopy or urethroscopy when structural damage needs to be evaluated.

Treatment

Treatment regimens depending on prostatitis type:

  • Acute bacterial prostatitis: 2–4 weeks of antibiotics, symptomatic treatment with analgesics, increased oral fluid intake; severe cases may necessitate hospitalization.

  • Chronic bacterial prostatitis: prolonged antibiotics for 4–12 weeks; if unresponsive, prolonged low-dose therapy may be used, and surgery to relieve bladder obstruction is rarely needed.

  • Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (chronic prostatitis): a trial of antibiotic therapy if infection is suspected; subsequently, combine periprostatic-bladder muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory/analgesic medications, thermotherapy, or prostate massage to reduce pressure.

  • Asymptomatic prostatitis: no symptomatic treatment needed; often incidentally discovered and does not affect function — only monitor or treat if related to another pathology.

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Prostatitis is a diverse group of inflammatory conditions, ranging from acute to asymptomatic, with treatment methods focused on symptom control and prolonged response, especially in chronic forms. The standard treatment regimen is based on definitive diagnosis and the type of prostatitis; therein, emergency treatment is for acute bacterial cases, while for other forms, the treatment aims at controlling and improving symptoms.

At the Department of Uronephrology - Andrology, AIH, patients will receive comprehensive and personalized care for each case from highly experienced urologists. Along with the support of modern diagnostic equipments, doctors can accurately diagnose complex diseases right from the first examination, leading to the highest possibility of successful treatment.

AIH is currently applying various treatment methods, from medication to minimally invasive surgeries such as endourology, endoscopic surgery, etc., with the goal of bringing the quickest comfort and recovery to patients.

For consultation and to schedule an appointment with specialists in Uronephrology - Andrology, please contact Hotline (028) 3910 9999 or INBOX our Fanpage https://m.me/aih.com.vn.

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AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL (AIH):
☎ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999
🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn
📍Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang Street) No.6, Bac Nam 3 Street, Binh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh
  • by Admin AIH

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