In this Article

• What is the prostate gland?
• What is prostatitis?
• What are the types and symptoms of prostatitis?
• Acute bacterial prostatitis causes and symptoms
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis causes and symptoms
• Chronic prostatitis without infection causes and symptoms
• Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis causes and symptoms
• How is prostatitis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for prostatitis?
• What is the prognosis for prostatitis?
• Patient Discussions: Prostatitis - Describe Your Experience
• Prostatitis Glossary
• Prostatitis Index

Acute bacterial prostatitis causes and symptoms

Acute bacterial prostatitis is an infection of the prostate that is often caused by some of the same bacteria that cause bladder infections. These include E. coli, Klebsiella, and Proteus. While it may be acquired as a sexually transmitted disease, the infection can also spread to the prostate through the blood stream, directly from an adjacent organ, or as a complication of prostate biopsy.

Patients with acute bacterial prostatitis present with signs of an infection and may have:

• fever,
  
  
• chills, and
  
  
• shakes.

Commonly there is urgency and frequency of urination and dysuria (painful or difficult urination).

Chronic bacterial prostatitis causes and symptoms

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is an uncommon illness in which there is an ongoing bacterial infection in the prostate. Chronic bacterial prostatitis generally causes no symptoms, however, on occasion; the low grade infection may flare and be associated with a bladder infection.

Chronic prostatitis without infection causes and symptoms

Chronic prostatitis without infection, also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is a condition where there is recurrent pelvic, testicle, or rectal pain without evidence of bladder infection. There may be difficulties with painful urination or ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction. The cause of chronic prostatitis without infection is not clearly understood.

Prostatitis - Describe Your Experience

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Please describe your experience with prostatitis.

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