Chronic Prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis is a widely misunderstood diagnosis. Causes of chronic prostatitis vary but can be divided up into categories—Category III B non-bacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain being one of the toughest. Dr. Bahlani has specialty training in treating this type of prostatitis, which is widely misdiagnosed and mistreated.

What is chronic prostatitis?

Chronic prostatitis is a long-term condition that causes pain and discomfort in the male pelvic area and can be challenging to diagnose and treat. A bacterial infection, inflammation from an injury, or other causes can trigger chronic prostatitis. There are four types of chronic prostatitis, and each type varies in severity, symptoms, and available treatment options:

Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis (CBP)

CPB results from a bacterial infection, and its symptoms develop gradually, taking longer to treat. Symptoms include:

Burning sensation while urinating
Frequent urination
Pain in the bladder, testicles, penis, and between the sexual organs and anus
Pain with ejaculation
Pain at the tip of the penis
Pain with sitting for long periods of time

Acute (Sudden) Bacterial Prostatitis (ABP)

Acute bacterial prostatitis is another bacterial infection that we must treat with antibiotics. Symptoms come on quickly and include:

Fever
Chills
Urinary changes
Pain with ejaculation
Pelvic pain
Painful burning while urinating
Trouble draining your bladder

Nonbacterial Prostatitis

This type of prostate inflammation is not caused by bacteria but presents with similar pain. Nonbacterial prostatitis may be caused by the following:

Stress
Nerve irritation
Injuries
Previous urinary tract infections
Previous STI's

Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS)

The most common type of chronic prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), occurs when the prostate or the nerves around it are inflamed. While this type isn’t due to an infection, the symptoms are the same and include the following:

Pain in the lower abdomen, groin, or lower back
Difficulty with urination
Sexual dysfunction
Fatigue
Frequent urge to urinate even when there is no need to do so
Blood in urine or semen
Painful ejaculation
Testicular pain

What is the difference between bacterial and non-bacterial prostatitis?

Bacterial prostatitis occurs when bacteria enter the prostate gland and cause an infection. This type of infection usually results from bacteria entering through the urethra during sexual activity or from bacteria present in the urinary tract as a result of poor hygiene. Symptoms include:

Fever
Chills
Painful urination and ejaculation
Abdominal pain
Tenderness around the prostate gland area

Treatment typically involves antibiotics, which should clear up the infection within a few weeks when taken as prescribed. Non-bacterial prostatitis occurs when there is inflammation of the prostate without any evidence of bacterial infection present. This type of inflammation can occur due to muscle tension around the prostate caused by stress or anxiety, without bacteria being found in testing and an examination. Symptoms are similar to those experienced with bacterial prostatitis; however, fever is not a symptom of this condition, as it does not involve a bacterial infection.

How is chronic prostatitis diagnosed?

Chronic prostatitis can be difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms can mimic other conditions, such as a bladder infection or kidney stones. These conditions require different treatments than those for treating chronic prostatitis. We must rule out these additional conditions before diagnosing chronic prostatitis. The diagnosis typically involves:

Physical examinations such as digital rectal exams, where a doctor will insert their finger into your rectum to feel for any abnormalities on your prostate
Lab tests, such as urine tests, can detect bacteria

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What is the treatment for chronic prostatitis?

Treatment for chronic prostatitis depends on the results of testing. Bacterial infections require antibiotics which should clear up any underlying infection within several weeks. Non-bacterial cases require lifestyle changes and medications (both oral or suppositories), such as reducing stress levels through relaxation techniques. The condition could trigger point injections or BOTOX in some cases.

Why choose Pelvic Pain Doc for your chronic prostatitis treatment?

Patients choose Dr. Sonia Bahlani to treat prostatitis due to her specialized expertise. She is fellowship trained in sexual and pelvic health, which sets her apart from many other doctors who do not have this training and experience. She is uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive care and treatment for men suffering from pelvic pain associated with chronic prostatitis.

At Pelvic Pain Doc, the goal is to empower patients with the tools they need to take control of their pain so it does not control them.

Dr. Bahlani offers advanced treatments for prostatitis and other conditions leading to pelvic pain by combining cutting-edge medical knowledge with a passion for patient care.