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Prostatitis: Diagnosis & Treatment

Prostatitis is a group of disorders affecting the prostate gland. Symptoms include painful or burning urination and pain in the abdomen and groin. There are four categories: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain, and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.

  1. Exam/Tests

    • Your doctor will collect a series of urine and semen samples to check for bacteria and white blood cells. You may also have a biopsy, MRI scan or ultrasound.

    Digital Rectal Exam

    • Diagnosis is also made through a digital rectal exam in which your doctor will use a gloved hand to manually feel the surface of the prostate.

    Cystoscopy

    • A cystoscopy test includes a small tube with a light and camera or magnifying lens which is inserted through your urethra and into your bladder.

    Urodynamic Tests

    • With urodynamic tests you may urinate in a cup to measure the time it takes to urinate, how much urine is left in the bladder after urination, difficulty urinating and a weak stream.

    Bacterial Treatment

    • Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotics. Severe cases may require hospitalization for antibiotic injections.

    Other Treatment

    • Other treatment includes pain relievers, alpha blockers to relax the bladder neck and the muscles connecting the prostate and bladder, and prostatic massage, a procedure in which your doctor manually massages your prostate.

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