From the Guidelines
Prostatitis symptoms typically include pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, painful urination, and increased urinary frequency and urgency, with the specific presentation varying between acute and chronic forms. According to the guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of urinary tract infections in pediatrics and adults: a wikiguidelines group consensus statement published in JAMA network open in 2024 1, the clinical presentation of prostatitis can differ significantly between acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP) and chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP).
Key symptoms of prostatitis include:
- Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area
- Painful urination
- Increased urinary frequency and urgency
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak urine flow
- Pain during ejaculation
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches, particularly with ABP
- Persistent discomfort in the lower back, perineum, testicles, and penis in chronic prostatitis
The diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis depend on the type, with bacterial forms typically requiring antibiotics, and non-bacterial forms potentially being managed with alpha-blockers, anti-inflammatory medications, and lifestyle changes, as noted in the clinical review 1. However, the optimal durations of treatment for ABP or CBP are unknown and have not been established by high-quality studies, highlighting the need for additional prospective studies to determine the appropriate duration of treatment for these conditions 1.
From the Research
Prostatitis Symptoms
The symptoms of prostatitis can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some common symptoms include:
- Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, genitals, or perineum 2, 3, 4
- Urinary symptoms such as frequency, urgency, or burning sensation while urinating 2, 3, 4
- Pain or discomfort during or after ejaculation 3, 4
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination 3
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine 3
- Fever and chills in cases of acute bacterial prostatitis 4
- Haematuria or haematospermia in some cases 4
Types of Prostatitis and Their Symptoms
There are four main types of prostatitis, each with distinct symptoms:
- Acute bacterial prostatitis: characterized by acute onset of pelvic pain, lower urinary tract symptoms, and systemic symptoms such as fever and rigors 4
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis: characterized by recurrent urinary tract infections with the same organism 3
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS): characterized by pain in the pelvic area, genitals, or perineum, without evidence of bacterial infection 3, 5
- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: characterized by inflammation of the prostate without any noticeable symptoms 2
Symptom Domains
The symptoms of prostatitis can be categorized into four main domains:
- Urogenital pain: pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, genitals, or perineum 6
- Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS): voiding or storage symptoms such as frequency, urgency, or burning sensation while urinating 6
- Psychological issues: anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns 6
- Sexual dysfunction: pain or discomfort during or after ejaculation, or other sexual health concerns 6