What Is Prostatitis?
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. It is the most common urological condition in men under 50. There are four types — only two are bacterial.
Types of Prostatitis
| Type | Cause | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Acute bacterial prostatitis | Bacterial infection | Sudden fever, dysuria, systemic illness — emergency |
| Chronic bacterial prostatitis | Recurrent bacterial infection | Recurrent UTIs, pelvic pain |
| Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) | Non-bacterial, unclear cause | Pelvic pain >3 months — most common type |
| Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis | Incidental finding | No symptoms — found on biopsy |
Symptoms
- Pelvic, perineal or lower back pain
- Pain or burning during urination
- Urinary frequency and urgency
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in semen
- In acute: fever, rigors, systemically unwell
Blood Tests
| Test | Finding |
|---|---|
| PSA | Elevated — prostatitis significantly raises PSA; this must be excluded before PSA is used for cancer screening |
| Full Blood Count | Raised WBC in acute bacterial prostatitis |
| CRP | Elevated in acute and chronic bacterial types |
| Urine culture | Identifies causative bacteria in bacterial types |
FAQs
Is prostatitis the same as prostate cancer?
No — prostatitis is inflammation, not cancer. However, it raises PSA, which is why a PSA should not be taken during or soon after prostatitis.
How long do antibiotics take to work?
Acute: 4–6 weeks of antibiotics. Chronic bacterial: 6–12 weeks. CPPS does not reliably respond to antibiotics.
Can CPPS be cured?
CPPS is often chronic and challenging to treat. Combinations of alpha-blockers, anti-inflammatories, pelvic floor physiotherapy and psychological support help many patients.
Medical Disclaimer: Acute prostatitis with high fever requires urgent medical assessment and possibly hospitalisation. Do not self-treat with antibiotics without a urine culture.