Is prostatitis always an infection?

No. Only a minority of cases are bacterial. Most chronic prostatitis is pelvic pain syndrome, where antibiotics alone are not effective.

How long does treatment take?

Acute bacterial cases usually improve within days of starting antibiotics. Chronic bacterial cases require 4–6 weeks of antibiotics. CPPS often needs an 8–12 week multimodal program.

Can prostatitis cause prostate cancer?

No, prostatitis does not cause prostate cancer, but it can raise PSA and should be considered before a biopsy is recommended.

Prostatitis | NYC | Dr. Rastinehad

Overview

Acute bacterial prostatitis is a serious infection that needs prompt antibiotics and evaluation.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis causes recurrent UTIs from a smoldering prostatic focus and needs an extended antibiotic course.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), the most common form, is treated with multimodal therapy, not antibiotics alone.

Symptoms

Pelvic, perineal, lower-back, or groin pain.
Burning urination, frequency, urgency, weak stream.
Painful ejaculation or post-ejaculatory discomfort.
Fever, chills, and severe symptoms in acute bacterial prostatitis (a medical urgency).

How it is diagnosed

Symptom score (NIH-CPSI) and focused pelvic exam.
Urinalysis, urine culture, and post-prostatic massage urine cultures when indicated.
Pelvic-floor exam to identify muscle dysfunction.
Imaging or cystoscopy only when complications or alternative diagnoses are suspected.

Prostatitis