From the Guidelines
Prostatitis symptoms include pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, painful urination, increased urinary frequency and urgency, difficulty starting urination, weak urine flow, and sometimes pain during ejaculation, as reported in the most recent study 1. These symptoms can vary depending on the type of prostatitis, with acute bacterial prostatitis often presenting abruptly with febrile UTI symptoms and chronic bacterial prostatitis involving more persistent symptoms or recurrent UTIs.
Key Symptoms
- Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area
- Painful urination
- Increased urinary frequency and urgency
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak urine flow
- Pain during ejaculation Men may also experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches, particularly with acute bacterial prostatitis.
Chronic Prostatitis Symptoms
Chronic prostatitis can cause persistent discomfort in the lower back, rectum, or perineum (area between scrotum and rectum), as noted in studies 1 and 1. Some men report pain in the testicles or penis, and may have blood in semen or urine. These symptoms occur when the prostate gland becomes inflamed, which can happen due to bacterial infection, immune system reactions, or nerve inflammation. If experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly as treatment varies based on the type of prostatitis. Acute bacterial prostatitis typically requires antibiotics, while chronic forms may need longer treatment courses and additional therapies such as alpha-blockers, anti-inflammatory medications, or pelvic floor physical therapy, although the optimal treatment duration is unknown and requires further high-quality studies 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis caused by Escherichia coli or Proteus mirabilis The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Symptoms of Prostatitis
The symptoms of prostatitis can vary depending on the type of prostatitis, but common symptoms include:
- Urinary symptoms, such as increased frequency and urgency, pain or discomfort while urinating, and nocturia 2, 3
- Pain in the pelvic area, including the perineum and testicles 3, 4
- Ejaculatory dysfunction 2
- Sexual dysfunction 4
- Lower urinary tract symptoms, such as dysuria and urinary frequency 3
Types of Prostatitis
There are several types of prostatitis, including:
- Acute bacterial prostatitis, which is characterized by recurrent urinary tract infections with the same organism identified on repeated cultures 3
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP), which is characterized by a disabling array of symptoms, including pain in the pelvic area and voiding symptoms 4
- Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP)/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), which is the most common type of prostatitis and is characterized by prostatic pain lasting at least three months without consistent culture results 3
- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the prostate without symptoms 3
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of prostatitis is based on a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and imaging studies 3. Treatment of prostatitis depends on the type and severity of symptoms, and may include:
- Antimicrobial therapy, such as fluoroquinolones, for CBP and CNP/CPPS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for urinary symptoms and pain 2, 3
- Pain management techniques, such as pelvic floor physical therapy and phytotherapy 3
- Surgical options, which are generally not recommended for CP/CPPS 2