What Is Prostate Inflammation? Prostate inflammation, medically known as prostatitis, is the swelling of the prostate gland, often caused by a bacterial infection.
Prostatitis can result in pain or discomfort during urination, groin pain, pelvic discomfort, or genital pain. Some cases of prostatitis are linked to bacterial infections.
The prostate gland, roughly the size of a walnut, is located just below the bladder in men. It surrounds the upper part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. The prostate and other reproductive glands produce the fluid that transports sperm during ejaculation.
Types of Prostatitis
Prostatitis is categorized based on whether the underlying cause is bacterial or non-bacterial.
1. Bacterial Prostatitis
A bacterial infection causes this type of prostatitis and can be classified into:
- Acute bacterial prostatitis: Develops suddenly and may present with symptoms like fever, pain, or blood in the urine. It requires immediate antibiotic treatment.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis: Often results from a previously untreated infection and persists for over three months.
2. Non-bacterial prostatitis (Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome – CPPS)
Factors such as stress, lifestyle, and autoimmune responses are commonly related to this prostatitis instead of a bacterial cause. Symptoms include pelvic pain, genital discomfort, and urinary difficulties.
3. Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis
Doctors usually detect this prostatitis incidentally during medical examinations since it does not produce noticeable symptoms.
Summary of Prostatitis Classifications
- Acute bacterial prostatitis: Sudden infection of the prostate gland.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis: Recurrent urinary tract infections and chronic prostate infection.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis/Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS): Persistent pelvic or perineal pain for at least three months, with urinary or sexual symptoms but no confirmed infection.
- Inflammatory CPPS: White blood cells are detected in semen, prostate fluid, or post-massage urine sample.
- Non-inflammatory CPPS: No white blood cells are detected in the prostate fluid or urine samples.
- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: Inflammation found in biopsy, semen analysis, or prostate fluid without symptoms.
Causes of Prostatitis
According to specialists at the University of Navarra, multiple theories explain the underlying causes of prostatitis:
- Obstructive Theory: Narrowing of the urethra, bladder neck, or bladder wall contributes to prostate inflammation.
- Intraprostatic Reflux Theory: Urine leaks into the prostate gland, triggering irritation and inflammation.
- Autoimmune Theory: The immune system attacks the prostate due to bacteria or urine-induced immune responses.
- Venous Theory: Poor venous circulation, as seen in hemorrhoids or varicoceles, leads to congestion and prostate inflammation.
- Infectious Theory: Bacteria enter the prostate through the urethra or bloodstream, causing infection.
A New Perspective: Stem Cells and Prostatitis Treatment
Innovative treatments, such as stem cell therapy, are emerging as potential solutions for chronic prostatitis. To learn more about how stem cells could revolutionize prostate health, check out our article “Stem Cells and Prostate Inflammation.”
