Prostatitis

The prostate gland is located between the bladder and the penis. If the prostate becomes swollen, it is known as prostatitis.

There are two types of prostatitis – chronic and acute. Chronic comes and goes over the course of many months or years, acute is marked by severe pain and it comes on abruptly.

The symptoms of prostatitis depend on whether it is acute or chronic. Symptoms may include:

• Pain in the penis, testicles, anus, abdomen or lower back
• Pain during urination
• Pain during bowel movements
• Urgency to urinate
• Urinary retention (the inability to urinate)
• Difficulty starting or a “stop-start” sensation when urinating
• Bloody urine
• Erectile dysfunction
• Painful ejaculations
• Pain during or after sexual intercourse
• Aches, pains, high temperature or a general feeling of being unwell
• A large or tender prostate

Acute prostatitis is generally caused by bacteria entering any part of the urinary tract. Sometimes, in cases of chronic prostatitis, the cause is unclear, because evidence of bacteria is not present.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, you should speak to your consultant.

At your appointment your consultant will inquire about your symptoms and conduct a physical examination where they feel your abdomen. If more investigation is necessary, they might also recommend that you undergo:

• A rectal exam
• Urine tests
• Blood tests
• CT scans
• Post-prostatic exams – a test of the secretions in your prostate gland

The treatment depends on whether you have acute or chronic prostatitis. The treatment for prostatitis is antibiotics, but your consultant might also recommend that you take other medications (e.g. laxatives, pain killers) to help manage the symptoms.

You and your consultant can discuss which treatment would be best for you.

If you’re unsure what treatment you should go for, or the above treatments don’t work for you, our team of expert specialists are here to help.