PROSTATITIS

The term prostatitis is often used to describe a variety of inflammatory conditions of the prostate gland. The prostate is a gland which sits at the base of the bladder in men and functions in reproduction (see diagram). Prostatitis is a commonly occurring and confusing ailment. The diagnosis is sometimes difficult to make and the disease is sometimes difficult to treat effectively. This combination of difficulties often leads to frustration in both patients and doctors.

Symptoms of Prostatitis

The symptoms of prostatitis may vary. They often include: low back pain, burning upon urination, frequent urination, urgent urination, or pain deep in the rectum and scrotal areas. At times the symptoms may also include generalized malaise, joint aches, muscle aches, fever or pain almost anywhere within the pelvis and scrotum. The symptoms of prostatitis may be mild or they may be overwhelming.

Causes of Prostatitis

The causes of prostatitis are sometimes well understood but are more often obscure. Prostatitis is often caused by bacteria similar to those which cause other types of urinary infections. Some patients have no evidence of bacteria in their prostates and they are often thought to carry smaller microorganisms like Chalmydia or Ureaplasma. Still other patients have no evidence of any microorganisms at all and the reasons for their symptoms of prostatitis are poorly understood.

Your Examination

When your physician examines you, a digital rectal exam may reveal a very tender prostate gland. At times, however, your prostate may not be tender at all! Your physician may choose to massage your prostate gland and examine the secretions or he may choose to examine just your urine. Because there are such a wide variety of symptom . complexes and causes for prostatitis many physicians approach it differently. All examinations for prostatitis however should include a digital rectal exam.

Treatment for Prostatitis

Prostatitis is most commonly treated with antibiotics. This may be effective when in fact there is an infecting agent (bucteria). Many times, however, antibiotics are not effective in treating prostatitis either because they don't eradicate the infection or because there never was an actual infection. It is common for some patients to receive multiple courses of different antibiotics in an attempt to find one that works. Patients may respond to certain pharmscologic agents (drugs) which have a tendency to relax the muscles of the bladder neck and prostate gland. Some physicians use these commonly while others not at all. Prostatitis which is difficult to treat or stubbornly recurrent may be treated with surgery. This procedure is done through a scope and involves resecting parts of the prostate away. This is only a last resort for troublesome prostatitis.

Treatment Myths

Because it is often difficult to treat effectively with conventional methods, some have come to believe that a number of other factors may be relevant to prostutitis. These include: alcohol, caffeine, diet drinks, spicy foods, tight pants and more. While the medical data supporting these as important factors is weak, avoidance of these factors may be recommended if they seem to affect any one particular case.

Frustration

There are probably more unanswered questions regarding prostatitis than there are answers. Prostatitis can be very frustrating for patients and doctors alike. Usually with patience and care, a treatment regimen can be found which will afford relief.

Information provided by GU Logic (800) 451-8107.

The information provided in this section should in no way serve as medical advice. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources and seek medical advice from a physician. Neither the authors nor any other party who has been involved in the preparation or publication of this work warrants that the information contained herein is in every respect accurate or complete and they are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained for the use of such information.

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