What happens if prostatitis goes untreated?

Left untreated, acute bacterial prostatitis may cause sterility, inability to urinate, and even bacteremia (bacteria in the blood). Chronic bacterial prostatitis is also uncommon. Men with this condition experience less intense symptoms, but for a longer period of time.

unitedurology.com - Prostatitis - United Urology Group

Which vitamin block DHT?

Niacin aka Vitamin B3 Not only does niacin promote healthy blood flow in the scalp, which is good for your follicles and blocks the effects of DHT,...

Last updated Aug 22, 2019

What are the 4 stages of prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer stages range from 1 through 4. Stage 1 prostate cancer. ... Stage 2 prostate cancer means the cancer remains confined to the...

Last updated Oct 8, 2021

Promotion

Prostatitis

Prostatitis, an inflammation or infection of the prostate gland, can affect men of any age. As the most common urological problem in men aged 50 and older, prostatitis is not contagious and is not transmitted from sexual activity. The prostate is a walnut-sized male organ within the male urinary system that lies next to the bladder. Its main function is producing semen, or the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. Prostatitis often causes urinary symptoms because the prostate surrounds the urethra, the tube carrying urine out of the body.

Prostatitis Symptoms

Each distinct type of prostatitis has unique symptoms. They include:

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS): This is the most common type of prostatitis and affects about 90% of men who have the condition. Symptoms include painful ejaculation characterized by long-lasting pelvic pain, but without evidence of inflammation or bacterial infection. Bladder and rectal pressure or pain are common. The exact cause of CPPS is usually unclear. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis does not produce any symptoms, but a physician may find infection-fighting cells in the patient’s semen while diagnosing other conditions like prostate cancer or enlargement. Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common form of prostatitis, but easiest form of the condition to treat. The condition comes on suddenly, often accompanied by fever, severe burning during urination, inability to empty the bladder, and low back or groin pain. This condition requires immediate medical care. Left untreated, acute bacterial prostatitis may cause sterility, inability to urinate, and even bacteremia (bacteria in the blood). Chronic bacterial prostatitis is also uncommon. Men with this condition experience less intense symptoms, but for a longer period of time. They may have frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Bacterial prostatitis is caused by bacteria from infected urine that backs up into the prostate ducts. Men who have had catheterization, injury to the area or a recent bladder infection are at greater risk.

Prostatitis Causes

Although the cause of prostatitis is usually unknown, contributing factors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition include:

Infections not found during standard tests

Sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STIs/STDs)

Persistent bladder infections

Pelvic muscle spasm

Strenuous physical activity with a full bladder

Diagnosis

Before diagnosing prostatitis, your physician must rule other problems like prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate. Apart from taking a medical history, your doctor will perform physical exam that includes a digital rectal exam (DRE), where the prostate is checked for size, tenderness, and the possibility of cancer. Your doctor may order urine or semen tests to check for an infection to identify which bacteria are involved. The urethra, bladder, and prostate will be examined with a tiny telescope-like instrument (cystoscopy) and urine flow studies also may be ordered. In addition to identifying prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is diagnosed after other probable causes have been eliminated and when prostatitis has lasted for three or more months. Often, it is a diagnosis of exclusion after other conditions have been ruled out.

Prostatitis Treatment

Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis can be treated effectively with antibiotics. Patients must continue to take medication as prescribed (which may be for weeks or months), even if their symptoms improve. This helps prevent a new infection.

Effective treatments may include the following:

Does alcohol increase testosterone?

Does Alcohol Reduce Testosterone in Men? The short answer is yes, alcohol use decreases the amount of testosterone in men. Feb 12, 2020

Last updated Sep 11, 2022

Can prostate return after surgery?

It is possible for prostate cancer to return after a prostatectomy. One study from 2013 suggests that prostate cancer recurs in around 20–40...

Last updated Jun 8, 2018

Promotion

How does a urologist determine if you have prostatitis?

You'll need to have a urine test so the doctor can check for bacteria and other signs of infection. You might also need a blood test. You might have a digital rectal examination to see if your prostate is inflamed and painful, and the doctor may examine your stomach area (abdomen) and penis.

prostatecanceruk.org - Prostatitis tests

Tests for chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS)

There is no single test to diagnose CPPS. Your doctor will need to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms before they make a diagnosis. This can take some time. You might be diagnosed with CPPS if you’ve had some of the symptoms listed above for more than three of the last six months. But your doctor may diagnose CPPS sooner than this. They will ask you about your symptoms or give you a questionnaire to fill in. Your doctor may also ask about your medical history. This can help them work out what is causing your symptoms, and which treatments are most likely to help. You’ll need to have a urine test to make sure you don’t have a urine infection. You may also have a physical examination, including a digital rectal examination (DRE), and some other tests, such as a PSA test. Ask your doctor for more information about other tests you may have. For some tests, you might need to visit a doctor at the hospital who specialises in urinary problems (a urologist) or a specialist nurse.

Worried about having a DRE?

It’s natural to feel worried or embarrassed about having tests, but some men find the idea of having a DRE upsetting. For example, if you’ve ever been sexually abused, you might feel very upset about having this test. There’s no right or wrong way to feel, and it’s your choice whether or not to have a DRE. If you do decide to have a DRE, explain your situation to your doctor. They can talk you through the test and help to reassure you. It may also help to talk to a counsellor.

What is the best drink for your liver?

Coffee Coffee is one of the best beverages you can drink to promote liver health. Studies have shown that drinking coffee protects the liver from...

Last updated Sep 7, 2019

How hard is it to get into the Mayo Clinic?

It should come as no surprise, then, that admission to Mayo Medical School is extremely competitive, with an acceptance rate of just 4%....

Last updated Jun 12, 2018

Promotion

How do you make a guy crave you?

How to make him want you more: 8 tips to make him crave for you! Call him by cute names often: Keep him guessing: Touch him unexpectedly: Small...

Last updated Aug 10, 2021

Promotion

What vitamin makes hair stronger and thicker?

Biotin Biotin. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, stimulates the production of keratin to increase follicle growth. Biotin deficiencies tend to be...

Last updated Sep 1, 2022