Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Non-bacterial Prostatitis

Prostatitis is a painful condition that affects the prostate, a small gland between the bladder and the rectum that surrounds the urethra. There are four forms of prostatitis: chronic prostatitis, acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis, and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. Chronic prostatitis is the most common form of the condition. To diagnose prostatitis, a doctor will insert a finger into the rectum and palpate the prostate to check for swelling or tenderness. For prostatitis to be determined as chronic, other possible causes of urinary symptoms must be excluded.

Urinary Symptoms

• Men with chronic prostatitis not caused by a bacterial infection may experience pain or burning while urinating. Frequent urination at night is also common as is an urgent need to urinate, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some men may also have difficulty urinating, such as dribbling or hesitating.

Pain

• Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis can also cause pain in the lower abdomen or lower back, according to the National Prostatitis Foundation. The pain is often persistent and could also be an indication of a bladder infection, which is more common in men with chronic prostatitis.

Sexual Symptoms

• Men with chronic prostatitis may experience sexual symptoms of the condition, including painful erections and pain while ejaculating. There also may be pain or discomfort in and around the penis, testes and perineum.