Health Encyclopedia

Prostatitis - nonbacterial

Definition

Nonbacterial prostatitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the prostate gland with no known cause.

Alternative Names

NBP; Prostatodynia; Pelvic pain syndrome

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

There are many theories about the cause of nonbacterial prostatitis, including:

Bacteria
Fungi
Irritation caused by a backup of urine flowing into the prostate
Parasites (trichomonads)
Viruses

Life stresses and some psychological factors may also contribute.

Most patients with chronic prostatitis have the nonbacterial form.

Symptoms

Blood in the semen
Blood in the urine
Decreased urinary stream
Frequent urination
Pain
- Above the pubic bone (suprapubic)
- Between the genitals and anus (perineal)
- Low back
- Scrotum
- Tip of penis
- Urethra
Pain or burning with urination
Pain with bowel movements
Pain with ejaculation

The symptoms of nonbacterial prostatitis are the same as those of chronic bacterial prostatitis.

Signs and tests

A physical examination usually will not show anything unusual. However, the prostate may be swollen, soft or firm, warm, and tender.

Triple-void urine specimens may be collected for urinalysis and urine culture. For these tests, the urine is collected in the:

Initial stream
Mid-stream
After prostate massage by health care provider

Urine tests may show white blood cells, blood, and bacteria in the urine. A semen culture may show increased white blood cells and low sperm count with poor movement (motility).

Treatment

Treatment for nonbacterial prostatitis is difficult. Its goal is to control the symptoms.

MEDICATIONS:

Many patients are treated with long-term antibiotics to make sure that bacteria is not causing their prostatitis. Common antibiotics used for chronic bacterial prostatitis include the following:

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Penicillin derivatives such as amoxicillin or carbenicillin
Tetracycline
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)

Other medications are used to relieve prostatic urinary obstruction in patients with nonbacterial prostatitis, including:

Doxazosin
Tamsulosin
Terazosin

Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may relieve symptoms in some patients.

Some people have had limited success with pollen extract (Cernitin) and allopurinol. Stool softeners may be recommended to reduce discomfort with bowel movements.

SURGERY:

Transurethral resection of the prostate may be done if medical therapy is not successful. This surgical treatment is usually not performed on younger men because it carries risks such as sterility, impotence, and incontinence.

OTHER THERAPY:

Warm baths may help relieve some of the perineal and lower back pain.

Expectations (prognosis)

Many patients respond to treatment. However, others do not get relief even after many attempts at treatment. Symptoms often come back after treatment, and may eventually not be treatable.

Complications

Untreated symptoms of nonbacterial prostatitis may lead to sexual and urinary problems, which can affect your lifestyle and emotional well-being.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of prostatitis.

References

Barry MJ, McNaughton-Collins M. Benign Prostate Disease and Prostatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 130.

Review Date:9/7/2008
Reviewed By:David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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