What causes prostatitis?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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Prostatitis is commonly found in young males, with the main clinical symptoms being frequent urination, urgent urination, and a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying. Prostatitis is primarily divided into bacterial prostatitis and non-bacterial prostatitis. Bacterial prostatitis is mainly caused by local infections, such as in patients with urethritis or epididymitis who have not received timely treatment, leading to the development of bacterial prostatitis. Some cases are due to prostate biopsies or the use of liquid catheters. Non-bacterial prostatitis, on the other hand, is largely associated with poor lifestyle habits, such as prolonged sitting, withholding urine, long-term alcohol consumption, frequent sexual activity, and extended periods of cycling or driving, which can lead to the onset of non-bacterial prostatitis.

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Can prostatitis heal itself?

Prostatitis can have a certain degree of self-healing capability. Generally, mild prostatitis can be managed by improving lifestyle habits, such as by increasing water intake, enhancing overall lifestyle habits, engaging in regular exercise, and maintaining controlled sexual activity, among others, which can all benefit the self-healing of the prostate. Additionally, when prostatitis occurs, it may be observed initially before considering medication. In cases of nonbacterial prostatitis, oral medication is generally not necessary; rather, treatments such as sitz baths can be used to achieve therapeutic goals. For bacterial prostatitis, it can generally be treated with anti-inflammatory medications to achieve some improvement. Of course, the best way to facilitate self-healing of prostatitis is by improving daily lifestyle habits. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

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What are the symptoms of prostatitis?

Prostatitis is commonly found in young males, with main clinical symptoms including frequent urination, urgent urination, and a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. Some patients may also experience discomfort and pain in the perineal, anal, and lower abdominal areas. If it is chronic prostatitis which has not healed for a long time, some patients may also experience irritability, depression, insomnia, and other negative emotions. After being diagnosed with prostatitis, it is necessary to go to the hospital's urology department for a thorough examination to identify the specific causes and pathogenic bacteria of prostatitis. Treatment should be conducted with appropriate antibiotics based on the sensitivity test results, generally for a duration of 3 to 4 weeks. Additionally, it is important to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and abstain from smoking and drinking. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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How to determine if you have prostatitis

To determine whether one has prostatitis, it is necessary to make a comprehensive judgment based on symptoms and relevant examinations. Prostatitis is divided into acute prostatitis and chronic prostatitis. Acute prostatitis tends to be severe and is mainly characterized by frequent, urgent, and painful urination. Patients may also experience pain and discomfort in the pubic and perineal areas. Due to the swelling of the prostate compressing the urethra, most prostatitis patients will have difficulty urinating, a thinning urine stream, or even intermittent urine flow. Examination of the patient's urine generally shows an increase in white blood cells. Chronic prostatitis has a longer course and also presents symptoms of frequent, urgent, and painful urination, with a white discharge dripping from the urethral opening after urination. Examination of the patient's prostate fluid generally shows abnormal changes, such as an increase in white blood cells in the prostate fluid.

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Urology
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Symptoms of prostatitis pain

Patients with prostatitis, in addition to experiencing urinary discomfort symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and incomplete emptying, also experience pain symptoms, primarily manifested as pelvic pain. The pain is mainly located in the perineum, anal area, lower abdomen, and some patients may also experience pain in the sacral and even testicular areas. The pain is generally a persistent discomfort similar to gastrointestinal bloating and is usually not severe. However, in cases of acute bacterial prostatitis, the pain can be intense. If these symptoms occur, prostatitis should be strongly considered, and it is advisable to visit a hospital's urology department for preliminary assessment through ultrasound, routine prostate fluid analysis, and rectal examinations, followed by targeted treatment.

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Prostatitis: Diagnosis Methods

For the diagnosis of prostatitis, it is necessary to diagnose through the patient's medical history, clinical manifestations, and related examinations. People with prostatitis often have obvious symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, incomplete urination, pain and heaviness in the perineum and lower abdomen. A routine prostate fluid examination will reveal a decrease in lecithin bodies and possibly an increase in white blood cells. If there is an increase in white blood cells, bacterial prostatitis should be considered. Further prostate fluid culture and drug sensitivity testing are needed to identify the pathogen causing prostatitis and the drugs it is sensitive to. Then, based on the test results, sensitive antibiotics are used for treatment for about 4 weeks. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)