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What Are the Known Symptoms of Prostatitis? 

The symptoms of prostatitis are similar to other diseases of the prostate, yet there are some distinct differences. Prostatitis is different in that essentially it's an infection and/or inflammation of the prostate gland. There are several varieties of prostatitis, which fall into four categories. 

Current belief is that BPH (an enlarged prostate) and prostatitis do not increase your risk of getting prostate cancer or any other kind of prostate or kidney disease, although little research has been done. There is a lot less information available on prostatitis than other prostate conditions. 

Although many of the symptoms of prostatitis resemble that of BPH, it is known to occur in men of any age. One thing that differentiates prostatitis from BPH is possible pain in the perineum, testicles, lower back and abdomen. 

These are the four types of prostatitis: 

1. Acute bacterial prostatitis
2. Chronic bacterial prostatitis
   
3. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain
   
4. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
   

You may have discovered that you have prostatitis in various ways. For example, you may have had just one prostatitis symptom, you may have discovered it in a complete physical exam, a digital rectal exam (aka DRE) and/or other prostate tests. Personal and/or family history may have played a role. 

When it comes to diagnosis, the most crucial test is a urinalysis. Your doctor will use this to figure out which kind of prostatitis you have. All kinds of other tests might include the cystoscopy in which a camera is inserted up the penis to see the bladder and prostate, a CT scan, an ultrasound, an X-ray and a blood test. 

You may find the Prostatitis Foundation’s website to be a very useful resource.

• Frequent peeing throughout the day, but also at night
• Difficulty urinating, which is characterized by dribbling or hesitation
  
• Pain or burning feeling when peeing
  
• Urgency to urinate
  
• Pain in the abdomen, groin or lower back
  
• Pain in the perineum
  
• Pain in the penis or testicles
  
• Painful ejaculations
  

These symptoms of prostatitis may be present across the board for the four types, but each one comes with its own set of more individual, possible symptoms. Let's take a look.

Acute Prostatitis or Acute Bacterial Prostatitis 

Acute bacterial prostatitis may be due to bacteria, a virus or a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Men with acute bacterial prostatitis will likely suffer the classic symptoms of infections such as fever and chills, nausea, vomiting and an overall feeling of malaise or yuckiness. 

They'll have to urinate frequently, which will be painful and not very satisfying because it will be a weak flow. Prostatitis can also have quite the opposite effect - infrequent urination. Some men may experience lower back pain as well. 

Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis 

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is much less common and can be due to a bacterial condition or an inflammation of the prostate. It is considered chronic because it is an ongoing condition characterized by bacterial infection located in the prostate. 

Symptoms could include: 

• frequent urinary tract infections that are mild or flare up into bladder infections
• occasional or frequent bladder infections that are minor to acute
  
• frequent urination
  
• persistent pain in the lower abdomen or back

Chronic Prostatitis or Chronic Pelvic Pain 

This most common type of prostatitis is known by several names and accounts for 90% of all cases. It may be known as chronic prostatitis without infection, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. 

Why men chronic prostatitis is not well understood, but it's thought to be related to stress and irregular sexual activity. It may also be linked to activities like operating heavy machinery, driving a truck, or other activities that expose the prostate to strong vibrations, which may cause an inflamed prostate. Cycling and jogging may also cause irritation to the prostate gland. 

Chronic prostatitis symptoms range from mild to painful, or remain the same over a period of time, and can include: 

• recurrent pelvic, testicle/genital pain
• rectal pain
  
• painful urination or ejaculation
  
• erectile difficulties
  

Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis 

Lastly, if it's found that your prostate is inflamed while you are undergoing a test for other reasons, and you have no other symptoms of prostatitis or prostate issues, your case will be labeled as asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. 

According to the medical profession, bacterial infections similar to those found in bladder infections are the main cause of bacterial prostatitis, while possible causes of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain may include: stress, immune problems, infections, injury and prostate stones, a food allergy, or a virus. 

To learn more about treatment for prostatitis, visit this page. For an extensive examination of prostatitis symptoms and treatment, my book Healthy Prostate will cover these points and much more.

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