Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis makes up almost a quarter of urology consultations so is an important disease for both patients and doctors, although similar symptoms can also be caused by other conditions which are non-inflammatory and these days also known as ‘pelvic pain syndrome.' Prostatitis most commonly affects men between the ages of 30 and 50.
Prostatitis is categorised by whether bacteria are present or not and whether the condition is acute (starting suddenly) or chronic (a long-term condition):
Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common form of prostatitis and is caused by an infection
Chronic bacterial prostatitis can be present for years before symptoms develop, which are less aggressive than in the acute condition but relapse and recur
Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis is the commonest form of prostatitis. This can appear when a man becomes aware of a cramp-like feeling or pain that appears to come from their prostate (in the perineum - the area between the scrotum and anus) or the surrounding area, but on investigation there does not appear to be any inflammation or infection. As a consequence, this condition is often referred to as pelvic pain syndrome,' especially where there is no inflammation or infection.
According to the National Institutes of Health in the United States and Canada, there are 4 types of prostatitis:
Type I - acute bacterial prostatitis
Type II - chronic bacterial infection of the prostate
Type III - chronic pelvic pain without evidence of prostatic infection (there are also 2 sub-categories related to whether there is inflammation or not - Type IIIa and Type IIIb)
Type IV - asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
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