The staff made me feel confident about my condition and not embarrased
"The staff were very reassuring and made me feel completely at ease"

Choice Healthcare Services

Prostatitis

  • Prostatitis. in which the gland becomes infected or inflamed - this is most common between the ages of 25-45.
  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), in which the gland slowly enlarges - this is a non-cancerous condition that tends to occur after the age of 45.
  • Prostate Cancer - this usually only affects men over the age of 55, although it can occur much earlier.

As the tube carrying urine runs through the prostate gland, any problem affecting the gland can cause urinary symptoms or 'waterworks' problems. Doctors refer to these symptoms as prostatism.

So, if you have difficulty with passing water, or think you may have a prostate condition, it is important to seek medical advice.

Prostatitis

The prostate gland contains millions of tiny passageway that can become infected, inflamed or clogged with thickened secretions. Symptoms may come on suddenly (acute prostatitis) or keep recurring to cause long-term problems (chronic prostatitis).

Infections in the prostate are usually caused by bacteria from the gut which find their way into the urinary system. Occasionally, they may be due to sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea.

Prostatitis in which no infection is found may be due to small gravel-like stones forming in the gland ducts or to urinary irritation.

Prostate pain in which there is no infection or inflammation is known as prostatodynia. This may happen when muscles in the prostate go into spasm or if the gland becomes blocked by thicker than usual secretions.

A digram of Prostatitis. It can have an impact on the quality of your life.

The symptoms of prostatitis vary and can include:

  • Feeling unwell, sometimes with chills or fever
  • Aching round the thighs, genitals or lower back
  • Deep pain between the scrotum and anus
  • Pain and difficulty on passing water
  • Passing water more frequently
  • Pain on ejaculation
  • Discharge from the penis which may be watery or stained with blood or puss

Acute and chronic prostatitis are treated with antibiotics that are usually taken for at least four weeks and sometimes for longer. Prostate inflammation, swelling and pain can be helped with anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or by natural rye pollen extracts that contain anti-inflammatory substances; Prostatodynia is sometimes helped by relaxation techniques.

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