Prostatitis

Whakawaikura repe tātea

The prostate is a small gland that only men have. It sits just below the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries wee (urine) from the bladder. It's about the size of a walnut.

Prostatitis is swelling (inflammation) of the prostate gland.

There are two main types of prostatitis. The most common type is chronic (long-term) prostatitis. Long-term prostatitis develops slowly, and the symptoms come and go over several months.

The other type is acute prostatitis. This type is rare and can be serious. With acute prostatitis, symptoms are severe and come on suddenly. You often get a bladder infection at the same time.

Prostatitis can affect men of any age, though it's more common in men aged 50 and younger.

It is not clear what causes long-term prostatitis, though it is not usually caused by an infection. Acute prostatitis is always caused by an infection.

Risks factors for prostatitis include:

having a history of prostatitis
having had a recent urinary tract infection (UTI)
having a urinary catheter
having had a prostate biopsy
having HIV or AIDS
having had an injury to your pelvis.

Symptoms of prostatitis

The symptoms are similar to the ones you get with an enlarged prostate.

Both long-term and acute prostatitis symptoms can include:

a severe or nagging pain around your penis, testicles, lower back or stomach, which can be worse during or after sex
blood in your wee or cloudy wee
pain or a burning feeling when weeing (urinating), needing to go to the toilet more often (particularly at night), difficulty weeing such as dribbling or difficulty starting.

Acute prostatitis may cause general aches and pains. You can also sometimes have a high temperature and a discharge of thick fluid from the end of your penis.

If your symptoms come on suddenly, you need immediate treatment.

Diagnosing prostatitis

It can be hard to diagnose prostatitis as its symptoms can be quite vague. You can have various tests to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms.

Your GP may take a urine and blood test to look for signs of infection. They might also carry out a digital rectal examination. This is when they gently insert a lubricated gloved finger into your bottom to examine your prostate.

Treating Prostatitis

The treatment depends on the cause of your prostatitis and may include:

antibiotics to treat an infection caused by a bacteria (germ)
pain relief such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen
medicines such as doxazosin and finasteride to help relax the muscles, which may relieve symptoms.

If your symptoms are severe, you do not respond to treatment, or you need further investigation, your GP may refer you to a specialist.

HealthInfo recommends the following pages

NHS – Prostatitis
Information about the symptoms, causes and treatment of prostatitis.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2022.

Sources

The information in this section comes from the following sources, some of which may be clinically complex or not available to the general public

British Association of Urological Surgeons – Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate gland, retrieved October 2017.

Cancer Research UK Primary Care Education Research Group – PSA testing for prostate cancer (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/856976/
PSA_testing_for_prostate_cancer_information_for_well_men.pdf). Retrieved April 2016.

Cancer Society – Prostate cancer. Retrieved March 2022.

Canterbury Community HealthPathways – Prostate Cancer - Diagnosis, retrieved October 2017.

Kupe – Retrieved March 2022.

NHS – Prostatitis. Retrieved January 2019.

NHS – Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), retrieved September, 2017.

Patient.info – Prostate Gland Enlargement. Retrieved April 2016.

Patient.info – Prostatitis. Retrieved January 2019.

Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand. Retrieved March 2022.

Southern Cross – Enlarged prostate - benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (https://www.southerncross.co.nz/medical-library/mens-health/enlarged-prostate-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-symptoms-causes-and-treatment). Retrieved April 2016.

Urology Unit, Canterbury DHB. What happens after a prostate biopsy. Authorised by: Nurse Manager, Urology Unit. July 2016. Ref 237713.

WebMD – What is the prostate? (http://www.webmd.com/men/prostate-enlargement-bph/what-is-the-prostate#1). Retrieved April 2016.

Image and embedded video sources

Blood being taken image from Shutterstock (image ID 510475060). April 2018.

Illustration of an enlarged prostate (image ID 163615613). October 2023.

Male reproductive system image from Shutterstock (image ID 127210979). November 2015.

Man in countryside image from Shutterstock (image ID 54026611). August 2018.

Microscope analysis image from Shutterstock (image ID 606379304). April 2018.

Prostate surgery image from Shutterstock (image ID 167475845). April 2018.

Prostatitis video from DrER.tv on YouTube.

Tired man image from Shutterstock (image ID 284497310). December 2015.

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