Prostatitis, inflammation of the prostate gland, is a common urological condition. During sexual climax, muscles in the prostate propel the semen through the urethra and out through the penis. An infected or inflamed prostate can cause painful urination and ejaculation, and can cause serious complications (e.g., infertility).
There are four types of prostatitis: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, nonbacterial prostatitis, and prostatodynia.
Acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP) is inflammation of the prostate gland caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella. Severe complications may develop if not promptly treated. ABP can be fatal if the bacterial infection is untreated and travels to the bloodstream (sepsis).
Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) is a recurrent infection and inflammation of the prostate and urinary tract. Symptoms are less severe than those associated with acute bacterial prostatitis.
Nonbacterial prostatitis is an inflamed prostate without bacterial infection.
Prostatodynia, sometimes called chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), is the occurrence of prostatitis symptoms, without inflammation or bacterial infection.
Urinalysis is used to determine the presence of leukocytes (white blood cells) in the urine. Leukocytes help the body to fight infection; a high number indicates a bacterial infection. A urine culture is used to analyse bacteria.
Treatments vary from simple antibiotics to surgery depending on the type of prostatitis, so patients should discuss their options with a doctor.