Treatment of Chronic Prostatitis

The prostate is the auxiliary reproductive gland at the beginning of the urinary tract in men. Chronic prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland. Although prostatitis might develop secondarily due to bacterial infections, 90% of cases do not have bacterial infections. Prostatitis is mainly divided into 2 groups:

1. Acute bacterial prostatitis: This is a sudden and intense problem. It develops secondarily to the bacterial urinary tract infection. It is more common in the elderly.
2. Chronic prostatitis: Chronic prostatitis, in general, does not develop secondarily to a bacterial infection. The main problem here is the chemical inflammation caused by the urine moving back from the urinary tract to the prostate. This is more common among young men.

What are Chronic Prostatitis Symptoms?

Chronic prostatitis might show multiple clinical symptoms:

• Sexual symptoms: The prostate plays an important role in men’s sexual health. Therefore, chronic prostatitis is the most common sexual problem, with the highest complaint rate. These are listed as premature ejaculation, decreased sexual pleasure, pain during ejaculation, sexual disinterest, avoiding sexuality, blood in semen and decreased semen.
• Pain: Chronic prostatitis might cause pain in various regions. The pain can be under the abdomen, at the tip of the penis and under the testicles. Again, the characteristics of the pain might vary. Some people might experience a stinging pain, while others might have pressure pain.
• Urinating symptoms: The prostate is right under the bladder and at the beginning of the urinary tract. Therefore, prostatitis can display urinating symptoms. These are frequent urination, decreased urine pressure, dripping after urinating and not emptying the bladder after urinating.
• Psychological symptoms: Chronic prostatitis has negative effects on one’s sexual and social quality of life. Therefore, patients can experience certain psychological symptoms such as stress, depression and decreased enjoyment of life.

Chronic Prostatitis Diagnosis

Generally, chronic prostatitis has a clinical diagnosis. It is not possible to diagnose it with a special test. The clinical history and examination of the patient guide the doctor.

Why does Chronic Prostatitis Occur? Is it Possible to Prevent this?

Prostatitis can be divided into 2 types: bacterial and non-bacterial. Bacterial prostatitis is caused by urinary tract infection spreading to the prostate from sperm tubes, and inflammatory prostatitis is caused by urine spreading to the prostate from semen tubes. Urinary tract infections, prostate enlargement, urethra strictures and office work increase the risk of prostatitis.

What works for Chronic Prostatitis?

Chronic prostatitis is a hard-to-treat disease. The main aim of the treatment is to eliminate the symptoms. The treatment includes eliminating the inflammation with a 4- to 6-week antibiotic treatment, releasing urination with certain medication and interventions, decreasing stress levels and relieving pain or spasms.

The treatment takes at least 4–6 weeks and can go up to 2–3 months. Some patients might have attacks and experience symptoms later.

Does Chronic Prostatitis go Away with Surgery?

Chronic prostatitis is a chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Therefore, surgical treatments are debated. Additionally, the side effects (urinary incontinence and sexual problems) due to surgical treatment are problematic since this disease is seen among young men.

Will Chronic Prostatitis Completely go Away?

Chronic prostatitis can be controlled if treated. Nonetheless, there can be relapses. However, if patients follow a doctor’s recommendations, relapses can be prevented. Prostatitis patients should be careful about the following:

• Patients should avoid hot and spicy food.
• Patients should avoid acidic beverages.
• Cold weather and cold water can increase symptoms.
• Patients should quit smoking.
• Patients should avoid constipation.
• Hot sitting baths can decrease symptoms.

Will Chronic Prostatitis Cause Infertility?

Chronic prostatitis cases often do not experience infertility. However, advanced diseases might decrease semen amounts and decrease the chances of natural pregnancy.

What will Happen if Chronic Prostatitis is Not Treated?

One of the things chronic prostatitis patients ask about is prostate cancer risk in advanced ages. These studies show that chronic prostatitis does not increase prostate cancer risk.

The Medication didn’t work for me. What Should I do Now?

Chronic prostatitis treatment is difficult and a long journey for the patient and the doctor. Technological advancements offer doctors the chance to develop new approaches. The methods followed for the patients who didn’t experience benefits from the treatment are as follows:

• Shock wave treatment,
• Stem cells,
• Personalised microbiome analysis.

You can read our other articles to learn more about these methods.