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Prostatitis - chronic - Overview

Alternative Names

Chronic bacterial prostatitis; Chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Definition of Prostatitis - chronic:

Chronic prostatitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the prostate gland that develops slowly and continues for a long period of time.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Chronic prostatitis is usually not caused by a bacterial infection. When it is caused by bacteria, chronic prostatitis may occur with or follow:

The most common bacteria species that cause chronic prostatitis include:

E. coli
Enterobacter
Klebsiella
Proteus

The disorder is diagnosed in 5 of every 1,000 outpatient visits. As many as 35% of men over age 50 may have chronic prostatitis.

Risks include:

Age over 30
Certain sexual practices (such as anal sex without a condom)
Excessive alcohol intake
Injury to the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus)

These factors may cause congestion of the prostate gland, which produces a breeding ground for bacteria.

Other possible causes are related to stress and tightness of the pelvic muscles.

Male reproductive anatomy

Reviewed last on: 9/7/2008
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.

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.

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