There are many diseases men experience about which they do not open up. The prostate gland in men has multiple functions and each function is very vital. While it manages the excretory system it also manages their fertility. One of the major concerns in men, observed by urologists is prostatitis. Let us understand the condition better to help the men in our lives cope better with this disease.
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The prostate is a key part of the male reproductive system. Its main function is to prepare the fluid that goes into semen. This prostate fluid is therefore vital for male fertility. The prostate gland is a walnut-shaped structure that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. The urethra joins the bladder at its neck forming the lower urinary tract. The prostate has two or more lobes enclosed by a layer of tissue, located in front of the rectum, below the bladder. The urethra carries urine from the bladder to excrete. However, in men, the urethra is also responsible for carrying out semen through the penis.
Now that we understand what a prostate is, let us now understand in the next section, what prostatitis is.
A painful condition of an inflamed prostate gland and inflammation in the adjoining areas of the prostate is called Prostatitis. Based on the location and cause of the condition, prostatitis can be classified into 4 distinct types:
In the case of asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis, the symptoms are not visible and are mainly diagnosed when we are testing for other urinary tract disorders. This variant usually doesn’t cause complications and hence does not need any specific treatment.
Prostatitis is a seemingly common urinary tract-related condition for men aged less than 50 years, but seniors are also susceptible to this in old age but the frequency is lesser. Of all the variants, the highest reported cases belong to chronic prostatitis. Other than this the following have a higher risk of getting prostatitis.
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Each type of prostatitis has different symptoms and causes.
Chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome:
The exact cause is unknown. However, it may be linked to the chemicals or microorganisms in urine, excluding bacteria. Apart from this a weak immune system due to a previous illness such as UTI or traumatic nerve damage might also cause this type of prostatitis.
Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis:
As the name suggests it has to be a bacterial infection in or around the prostate gland that causes bacterial prostatitis. The acute variant happens suddenly and lasts a short while. Chronic variant develops slowly and last longer, sometimes even up to years. If this is an extension of a bacterial UTI, then the bacteria usually travels from the urethra into the prostate gland.
The symptoms will vary with each type of prostatitis. The range of symptoms varies depending on the cause and the body composition of different individuals.
Symptoms of Chronic Prostatitis:
Symptoms of Acute and chronic Bacterial Prostatitis:
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While prostatitis is treatable, the more severe condition is caused by a bacterial infection. Hence the commonly observed complications are:
If untreated, prostatitis can become much more severe and can also progress towards prostate cancer and permanent male infertility. So, you must get immediate medical attention when any of the above-mentioned symptoms show up.
Bladder issues, prostate pain and hyperplasia can also signal prostate cancer in the early stages. Therefore men must seek immediate medical help when they notice problems like
A urologist will examine your symptoms and conduct a physical test. Then you will be asked to do a urine sample test which will reveal if there is any bacterial intervention, if yes then the bacteria will be identified with a urine culture report.
Then to check your flow of urine, a uroflowmetry test will be performed where the doctor will check the pressure of your urine. Finally, the doctor will inquire about any family history of prostate-related issues.
Depending on the outcomes of initial tests, the urologist may suggest further blood tests, cystoscopy, transrectal ultrasound, sample biopsy, etc. if he has anything which suggests that the symptoms are early signs of prostate cancer.
To summarise, prostatitis is not a fatal disease or condition. However, it might be an indication of a bigger concern that may be brewing underneath. So it is always safe to get regular prostate exams, at least annually to ensure that you keep conditions like prostatitis at bay. But if you have a family history of this condition or are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms it is best to reach out or book an online appointment with our award-winning team of urologists at the CK Birla Hospital.
These are some of the common reasons which might make your urologist suspect that you might have prostatitis.
But always get checked and tested under the guidance of a urologist before self-diagnosing yourself.
Prostatitis is often caused due to unexplained inflammation and bacterial infection. Therefore it is not something that can be passed on through sexual intercourse. However, in some cases, it is seen that a sexually transmitted infection might be the cause of Prostatitis symptoms.
Practise safe sex and always consult an experienced specialist in case of any discomfort.
Prostatitis is caused by a bacterial infection. UTI is also caused by bacterial infection. And the symptoms for both are the same. In the case of Acute or Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis, it acts in the same manner as a UTI infection. Always get an experienced urologist’s opinion to ensure you get prompt and timely treatment.
