Photo: JJ Jordan

Can dehydration cause prostatitis?

Who is at risk of acute prostatitis? Factors that increase your risk of UTIs, STDs, and urethritis also increase your risk of acute prostatitis. For example, these risk factors include: not drinking enough fluids.

healthline.com - Acute Prostatitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis - Healthline

Should males drink cranberry juice?

As you can see, cranberries are a healthful addition to any man's diet. If you choose cranberry juice, look for unsweetened, low-calorie varieties,...

Last updated Mar 30, 2021

What causes a man to have prostate problems?

The number of men with BPH symptoms increases with age. If you have a family history of BPH, you may be more likely to get BPH. Other factors that...

Last updated Feb 27, 2020

Promotion

What is acute prostatitis? Acute prostatitis happens when your prostate gland becomes suddenly inflamed. The prostate gland is a small, walnut-shaped organ located at the base of the bladder in men. It secretes fluid that nourishes your sperm. When you ejaculate, your prostate gland squeezes this fluid into your urethra. It makes up a large portion of your semen. Acute prostatitis is usually caused by the same bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Bacteria can travel to your prostate from your blood. It can enter your prostate during or after a medical procedure, such as a biopsy. It can also be caused by infections in other parts of your genitourinary tract. What are the symptoms of acute prostatitis? If you have acute prostatitis, you may develop: chills

a fever

pelvic pain

painful urination

blood in your urine

foul-smelling urine

a decreased urinary stream

difficulty emptying your bladder

difficulty starting to urinate

increased frequency of urination

painful ejaculation

blood in your semen

discomfort during bowel movements

pain above your pubic bone

pain in your genitals, testicles, or rectum

What causes acute prostatitis? Any bacteria that causes UTIs can cause prostatitis. Bacteria that commonly cause UTIs and prostatitis include: Proteus species

Klebsiella species

Escherichia coli Some bacteria that cause STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can also cause acute bacterial prostatitis. Other conditions that can lead to acute bacterial prostatitis include: urethritis, or inflammation of your urethra epididymitis, or inflammation of your epididymis, which is the tube that connects your testicles and vas deferens phimosis, which is the inability to pull back the foreskin of your penis injury to your perineum, which is the area between your scrotum and rectum bladder outlet obstruction, which can occur due to an enlarged prostate or stones in your bladder

urinary catheters or cystoscopy

using a urinary catheter

having multiple sexual partners

having unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse Other risk factors include: being over the age of 50

having a UTI

having a history of prostatitis

having certain genes that can make you more susceptible to prostatitis

having pelvic injuries from bike riding or horseback riding

Is it better to chug or sip water to pee?

While the voiding process is complex and depends on many different factors, research out of Canada has shown when we sip water regularly instead of...

Last updated Dec 20, 2021

Will BPH go away?

While it's difficult to completely reverse an enlarged prostate, there are several treatments that can relieve symptoms, reduce the size of the...

Last updated Aug 19, 2020

Promotion

having orchitis, or inflammation of your testicles

having HIV

having AIDS

being under psychological stress

How is acute prostatitis diagnosed? Your doctor will likely start by asking questions about your medical history. They’ll also conduct a physical examination. They’ll probably conduct a digital rectal examination (DRE). During this procedure, they’ll gently insert a gloved and lubricated finger into your rectum. Your prostate is located in front of your rectum, where your doctor can easily feel it. If you have acute bacterial prostatitis, it will likely be swollen and tender. During a DRE, your doctor may also massage your prostate to squeeze a small amount of fluid into your urethra. They can collect a sample of this fluid for testing. Laboratory technicians can check it for signs of infection Your doctor may also feel the lymph nodes in your groin, which may be enlarged and tender. They may also conduct or order additional tests, such as: a blood culture to rule out bacteria in your blood a urinalysis or a urine culture to test your urine for blood, white cells, or bacteria

a urethral swab to test for gonorrhea or chlamydia

urodynamic tests to learn if you have problems emptying your bladder

a cystoscopy to examine the inside of your urethra and bladder for signs of infection How is acute prostatitis treated? Your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics for four to six weeks to treat acute bacterial prostatitis. Your treatment may last longer if you have recurrent episodes. The specific type of antibiotic will depend on the bacteria causing your condition. Your doctor may also prescribe alpha-blockers to help relieve symptoms. These drugs relax your bladder muscles. They can help decrease urinary discomfort. Examples include doxazosin, terazosin, and tamsulosin. Your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Your doctor may advise you to adjust your daily habits to help relieve symptoms. For example, they may encourage you to: avoid bicycling or wear padded shorts to decrease pressure on your prostate