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Prostatitis

The prostate is one of the most important exocrine glands in the body of a male. It is a small walnut-sized gland which is normally located in front of the rectum, below the bladder where the urine is stored. It surrounds the urethra, which carries semen and urine out of the body.

The prostate gland mainly works to store and secrete a clear fluid which makes up for around 1/3rd of the semen’s volume. This makes it a vital part of the male reproductive system. A smooth muscle helps the prostate to expel the semen while ejaculating.

Problems with the prostate gland usually lead to impotence.

Prostatitis is mainly an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland. This can often be a temporary condition but is also seen for a longer term in many men. There are degrees of severity with which it affects a person, and the ease of treatment depends of the severity of the inflammation.

Prostatitis can also cause benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) which is an enlargement of the prostate that eventually become cancerous if left untreated.

What are the symptoms of Chronic Prostatitis?

The common symptoms of prostatitis are:

• Urinary retention

• Blocked urethra

• Nocturia

• Urgent urination

• Dribble after urination

• Penile discharge (blood/pus)

• Ejaculatory pain during sex

• Lower back pain

• Discomfort in groin area

• Weaker erections

• Lowered libido

• Premature ejaculation

• Frequent anxiety

 

How is Prostatitis diagnosed?

In most cases, the physical examination reveals the presence of prostatitis.
The prostate gland needs to be physically pressed to expel the fluid which is then sent for a detailed laboratory analysis for bacterial infections.

 

How is Prostatitis treated?

There are several treatment methods for prostatitis, including:

Medication

Initially, acute prostatitis is usually treated with antibiotics. This may be provided as an oral or intravenous dosage.
In case of chronic severe prostatitis (non-bacterial), the treatment measures are focused on addressing the urinary symptoms of the patient. In case of urethral obstruction, the surgeon may use a catheter to place an inflatable surgical balloon at the point of obstruction and restoring the free flow of urine in the urethra.

Surgery

Surgical treatment for prostatitis is required when bacterial prostatitis is not responding to medication and is resulting in frequent UTI (urinary tract infections).
Surgical treatment for chronic prostatitis involves removing the infected portion of the prostate gland or the prostate stones that are infected (prostatic calculi). This treatment is also called as ‘transurethral prostatectomy’ which is performed as a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

How Well It Works?

Although there are a couple of risks involved, this surgery may be worth trying if nothing else has worked, and in case your symptoms are severe.

Most patients with acute bacterial prostatitis are cured if they receive proper antibiotic treatment. When chronic prostatitis cannot be cured, it still is possible to keep urinary symptoms under control and keep the patient active by using low doses of antibiotics and other measures.

What are the risks of surgical treatment of Prostatitis?

• Urinary incontinence

• Inability to get or keep an erection (erectile dysfunction)

 

Can Prostatitis be prevented?

Potential sources of infection should be avoided. Good perineal hygiene should be maintained and sex should be avoided when one's partner has an active bacterial vaginal infection. If the kidneys, bladder, or other genitourinary organs are infected, prompt treatment may prevent the development of prostatitis.