A Guide To Prostate Gland Infection

Prostate gland is a delicate, chestnut-sized organ right under the bladder, and many men suffer from various conditions of prostate such as enlargement, inflammation, infection or cancer. Enlarged prostate is one of the most common prostate gland problem, and more than 50% of the men suffer from it.

Prostate Gland Infection

Prostate gland is a part of reproduction system of a man, and it secrets fluids that help in transportation of sperm. Prostate gland infection causes the inflammation and swelling of the gland. This infection is most common in the men aged 30-50 years, but it can occur in older men as well.

Prostate gland infection is also known as prostatitis, and can be classified into four main types- acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic abacterial prostatitis and prostatodynia. Despite the fact that prostatitis is a common urologic problem, it has not been well studied and understood so far.

Causes Of Prostate Gland Infection

Only 5% of the prostate gland infections are caused by bacterial infections, and for other 95%, the causes are largely unknown. However, various organisms such as fungi, parasites and genital viruses have been implicated. Sometimes, streptococcal and staphylococcal organisms have also been found to be the cause.

Acute bacterial prostate gland infection is usually associated with infection in the other parts of urinary tract, and the symptoms include increase urinary frequency, pain while urination, urgency to pass urine, difficulty is producing a normal stream, pain with ejaculation, pain in the genital area, generalized fatigue or malaise and high fever with chills.

Chronic prostate gland infection causes the recurrent urinary tract infections in men, and the symptoms include increased urinary frequency with pain, difficulty in urinating, sexual dysfunction and pain in testes, penis and lower back.

If feeling urinary burning, pain in the genital area, pain during ejaculation, or difficulty is starting the urination, it is advisable to seek the medical help. Prostate gland infection is usually treated on outpatient basis. Firm, tender and enlarged prostate is enough evidence of a condition, and start the treatment. Doctor will also perform culture and urinalysis to determine any bacterial cause. If the symptoms indicate that the infection is outside prostate, blood culture is done. Doctor may also perform ultrasound to complete the diagnosis, and make sure that there is no abscess.

There is not therapy that can provide the relive at home. Over the counter pain medications can offer temporary pain relief. Doctors prescribe the antibiotics to cure it, and in some rare cases, if the medication is ineffective, prostate gland surgery may be required. These are however extreme steps, and in most of the cases, the infection can be treated with the help of medications.