Symptoms
Acute prostatitis tends to strike suddenly, producing fever, chills, and pain Table 01. If you have acute prostatitis, you may have difficult and painful urination, and may also feel the need to urinate frequently. Urinating may produce a burning sensation. You may feel pain between the base of your penis and your rectum (perineal area), in and around the base of your penis, behind the scrotum, and in your lower back. Your rectum may feel full, producing the urge to evacuate your bowels.
Chronic prostatitis comes on more slowly, with less severe symptoms Table 01. Symptoms of chronic prostatitis include lower back pain, discomfort in the perineal area, pelvic pain, mild difficulty and pain upon urination, frequent urination, and inability to empty the bladder completely. Often men with chronic prostatitis will experience no symptoms, but will be diagnosed based on their recurrent urinary tract infections.
Table 1. Symptoms of Prostatitis
Acute prostatits Chronic prostatitis FeverChillsDifficulty and pain upon urinatingPus or blood in the urinePain in the area between the base of the penis and the anus, the testicle, around the base of the penis, or behind the scrotumFeeling of fullness in the rectumFrequent urination Difficulty and discomfort upon urinationNeed to urinate frequentlyDiscomfort in the pelvic or perineal area Risk Factors
Enlargement of the prostate is common in men over the age of 50, and causes an increased risk for developing prostatitis. Prostatitis is more common in men over the age of 50; especially in those who have an enlarged prostate gland, which can interfere with complete urine drainage. Incomplete urine drainage makes infection more likely because pooled urine provides a hospitable breeding ground for bacteria.
Men who must use a catheter to empty the bladder are more prone to prostatitis. Using a catheter may predispose men to prostatitis, as bacteria may be introduced into the urethra through the catheter itself. In addition, catheters often fail to fully drain the bladder. The resulting pooled urine in the bladder provides a breeding ground for bacteria that may proliferate into an infection.
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I'm Beth Isaac, PharmD. Welcome to PDR Health!
