- There are 4 types of prostatitis. Most young man develop acute bacterial prostatitis with UTIs symptoms.
- It is the most common urinary tract problem for men younger than 50 year.
- Although Prostatitis can be caused by sexually transmitted disease, the majority of the cases happen in monogamous men. You cannot transmit prostatitis to your partner.
- Vague sensation of discomfort which is hard to pinpoint.
- Pain and discomfort between scrotum and anus
- Penis
- Scrotum
- Lower abdomen
- Pain during ejaculation is a common symptom.
- Pain can also occurs
Frequently Asked Questions
You mentioned that prostatitis is the most common urinary tract problem for men younger than 50. Why does it happen in younger men, and why does it often go undiagnosed?
As with every organ in the body, the prostate can get infected. In many, it is unclear why it happens in younger men, but when the source is isolated, it is usually related to a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. Unlike urinary tract infections, the symptoms of prostatitis can be vague and more challenging to pinpoint. Many patients may not have overt symptoms like fever or blood in the urine when they have prostatitis and, hence, are unaware that they have prostatitis and struggle to describe their symptoms.
What is the most suspicious symptom to look out for in cases of suspected prostatitis?
- Bloody or painful ejaculation is a suspicious symptom of prostatitis.
- Patients who report a pulling ache or a vague sensation in the perineal regions are more likely to have prostatitis. Urinary tract infections can occur together with or lead to prostatitis. Symptoms of UTIs like dysuria, burning sensation, and haematuria can also occur with prostatitis.
You mentioned, “Although sexually transmitted diseases can cause prostatitis, the majority of cases happen in monogamous men. You cannot transmit prostatitis to your partner”. Please elaborate on this.
Females do not have a prostate, and hence, it is not transmittable. While the ejaculate can contain bacteria, the female body has its protection against infections and can protect the body from such transmission.
How can prostatitis be caused by STD? If yes, what types? If it can be caused by STD, why won’t the infection be spread to the partner?
STDs like Neisseria gonorrhoea and chlamydia can cause urinary tract infections and lead to prostatitis. Other STDs like HIV weaken the host defences in general, which makes the patient susceptible to prostatitis.
What happens if prostatitis is not treated? Does it usually resolve on its own, or will treatment always be required?
In most cases, prostatitis is not life-threatening, and your immune system will handle the infection eventually. However, without treatment, the recovery journey will be with symptoms and take longer(months) to resolve. In patients with existing pre-mobility like diabetes, prostatitis can worsen and evolve into a prostatic abscess. Hence, treatment in the form of oral antibiotics for two weeks is usually recommended as it helps with symptomatology and prevent progression.
