What is Prostatitis?
Prostatitis is an inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. It is a very common disorder. In fact, it is the most commonly diagnosed urologic disease in men. About 50% of adult men in the United States will be treated for prostatitis during their lifetime.
Infections by bacteria or other organisms cause prostatic inflammation in 50%-70% of men. These bacteria usually come from a bladder infection. However, they may also come from sexual contact
with someone who is infected with a sexually transmitted disease. Another cause of prostatitis is inflammation caused by a chemical reaction caused by BPH. For example, if the urine flow is slowed down or cut off by BPH, some urine may remain in the urethra after urination and back up into the prostate gland.
Specific treatment for prostatitis will be determined by your physician based on:
Your age, overall health, and medical history
Extent of the condition
Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
Expectations for the course of the condition
Your opinion or preference
Treatment depends upon the type of prostatitis diagnosed. Acute infectious prostatitis is treated with anti-microbial medications for 7 to 14 days. Chronic infectious prostatitis requires antibiotics for 4 to 12 weeks. About 60 percent of all cases of chronic prostatitis clear up with this type of treatment.
Tub baths or changes in diet may help to alleviate symptoms. Prostatitis is a treatable condition.
Even if the problem cannot be cured, one can get relief from the symptoms. It is not a contagious disease, however, bacteria contained in semen could be transmitted to your partner during sexual intercourse.