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.