Prostatitis Symptoms and Early Warning Signs

The prostate is an essential component of the male reproductive system. It is responsible for producing semen fluid and the area around the urethra that flows through the middle of the prostate. Sized almost like a walnut, it is located right below the bladder and in front of your rectum. Prostatitis is a painful inflammation of the prostate gland. At times, this disorder can be asymptomatic. However, acute prostatitis is considered a medical emergency. 

This detailed overview walks you through prostatitis symptoms, their definition, their causes, and more to help you recognise the early signs of it. 

What is Prostatitis? 

Before digging deep into the subject, it is essential to first understand the Prostatitis definition clearly. Prostatitis is an inflammation and infection of the prostate gland and its surroundings that results in pain and other urinary abnormalities. The gland becomes swollen causing discomfort in the lower pelvic region. 

What Are the Types of Prostatitis?  

Now that you completely comprehend the meaning of prostatitis, let's move to its types. Over the years, physicians have categorised prostatitis into four types. These are: 

Acute Bacterial Prostatitis (ABP)

This type of Prostatitis is caused by a bacterial infection in the prostate gland. Trouble, painful and frequent urination, fever and chills are some of its main symptoms. It requires proper medical care and antibiotics to cure completely. 

Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis

As the name implies, this bacterial infection takes longer to treat. Unlike the former one, this Chronic Prostatitis' symptoms do not include fever. Men with lower UTIs have more chances of getting Chronic or Acute Bacterial Prostatitis. 

Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) is not a bacterial infection. Rather, it is a medical condition that leads to serious pain around the pelvis, perineum, and genitals that can persist for months, even years. Individuals with nerve damage in the lower urinary tract due to trauma or surgery are more prone to this CPPS. 

Nonbacterial Prostatitis

This is also known as Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis. This type of prostatitis neither is a bacterial infection nor shows any symptoms. Most people get to know about this when being examined for other kinds of diseases. 

What Are the Symptoms of Prostatitis? 

 
Prostatitis symptoms vary in their types and causes. If your experience of acute pelvic pain or urination changes, ensure to reach out to your nearest healthcare provider. Following are some other symptoms of Prostatitis: 

• Constant pain in your lower abdomen, perineum, and genitals can even spread to your lower back.  
• Troubled urination (dribbling and hesitation)
•  Nocturia or frequent urge to urinate at night
• Dysuria or painful urination 
• Haematuria or blood in urine 
• Hematospermia or blood in semen 
• Dyspareunia or painful intercourse
•  Erectile dysfunction 
• Painful ejaculation 
• Body aches 
• Fever and chills 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Inability to empty bladder or urinary retention 

Causes of Prostatitis

  
The cause or reason behind Prostatitis is not always clear. Harmful bacteria flow in through the urethra when the urine moves backwards. This condition is called Vesicoureteral Reflux.

Here are some of the potential reasons for Bacterial Prostatitis: 

• Usage of urinary catheter 
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 
• Undergone a prostate surgery 
• Prostate stones 
• Urinary blockage or persistent retention 
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) 
• Injury to the pelvic region 
• Medical history of prostatitis 

Please note: Males over 50 with enlarged prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) are more likely to get Prostatitis than younger individuals. 

What Complications Does Prostatitis Bring? 

If you have been suffering from Acute Bacterial Prostatitis, you must get in touch with a doctor immediately. Otherwise, you may develop Sepsis. Sepsis, also known as septicaemia, is considered a life-threatening medical emergency. It is the ultimate response of a body to infection. 

In addition to this, some of the other complications are: 

●  Inflammation in the organs near the prostate 
●  Sexual dysfunction

When to See a Physician? 

Prostatitis is a medical condition that can become serious if left untreated. Ensure to get prompt medical care if you encounter: 

• Urination inability 
• Pain in the pelvic region 
• Severe discomfort in genitals 
• Blood in urine or semen.

How to Diagnose Prostatitis?  

Firstly, the doctor will assess all your Prostatitis symptoms and advise certain physical examinations. The type of examination depends on the severity of your medical condition.

Here are some physical tests that are required on the primary level: 

• Digital Rectal Exam: In DRE, your healthcare provider inserts a lubricated finger into the rectum to check for abnormalities in your prostate. Occasionally, this procedure also includes a massage to collect the sample of your prostate fluid.  
• Urinalysis: This urine test and culture helps detect the existence of bacteria and UTIs in urine. 
• Blood Test: A blood test indicates the level of PSA in your blood. High levels of PSA can lead to either Prostatitis, prostate cancer or enlarged prostate.

Here are some physical tests that are required on the secondary level: 

• Cystoscopy: This examination fails to diagnose Prostatitis, but it offers a clear view inside your bladder and urethra. It involves a cystoscopy and a pencil-size lighting tube with a viewing lens and camera on it. 
• Transrectal Ultrasound: This is suggested for patients with Bacterial Prostatitis if they do not improve after antibiotics. This test shows if there is any abnormality in the prostate gland. 
• Urodynamic Testing: This procedure measures muscle function, neural pressure in the bladder and the flow rate of urine. 

What Are the Most Beneficial Prostatitis Treatments? 

Prostatitis treatment relies on its type. Some treatment processes are: 

• Antibiotics: This is the first step to treat Bacterial Prostatitis. For Acute Prostatitis, a patient must take antibiotics for 14 days; for Chronic Prostatitis, the consumption period reaches up to 12 weeks. 
• Alpha-blockers: Alpha-blockers reduce the obstruction in the bladder helping you urinate easily. Thus, it brings down the discomfort associated with urination blockage due to Prostatitis to an extent. 
• Anti-inflammatory Medicine: Not-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine significantly helps with inflammation and pain of Prostatitis. 
• Surgery: In rare cases, surgery is advised to clear out the abscess in your prostate. This also helps in treating Prostatitis. 
  In addition to medical care, patients must adhere to certain home remedies in conjunction with professional treatment. These are: 
• Sitting in warm water for 2 to 3 minutes
• Taking warm bath 
• Avoiding alcohol and spicy food consumption 
• Saying no to strenuous activities
• Drinking plenty of non-caffeine fluids. 

Considering some alternative therapies might also pace up the recovery process, such as: 

●  Herbs and supplement 
●  Biofeedback 
●  Acupuncture 

Please note: The results of these therapies have not been proven scientifically. 
You can also consider a host of lifestyle changes to alleviate the risk of recurrent Prostatitis. These include: 

●  Avoid processed foods 
●  Consume a nutritious meal 
●  Maintaining a healthy weight 
●  Taking adequate protection against pelvic trauma 
●  Ejaculating once a week, if possible. 

Final Words  

Knowing the Prostatitis symptoms is important to recognise the condition early and help one receive an early treatment. Prostatitis is common. Males of any age can get affected, but are more likely to affect older individuals. 

However, with the right treatment it is curable. Similar to all other diseases, Prostatitis treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach. This is why knowing Prostatitis meaning, its types, symptoms and treatment procedures will help you to make an informed decision.
Therefore, if you feel persistent pelvic pain, urinary issues, or blood in your urine, you should seek medical advice immediately. Early diagnosis and care improve not only the quality of recovery but also life quality.