Prostatitis is an umbrella term for a variety of medical conditions that incorporate bacterial and non-bacterial origin illnesses in the pelvic region. In contrast with the plain meaning of the word (which means "inflammation of the prostate"), the diagnosis may not always include inflammation. Prostatitis is classified into acute, chronic,
asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis, and
chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
In the
United States, prostatitis is diagnosed in 8% of all male
urologist
Urology (from Greek οὖρον ''ouron'' "urine" and ''-logia'' "study of"), also known as genitourinary surgery, is the branch of medicine that focuses on surgical and medical diseases of the urinary-tract system and the reproductive organ ...
visits and 1% of all
primary care physician visits for male genitourinary symptoms.
Classification
The term ''prostatitis'' refers to
inflammation of the tissue of the
prostate gland. It may occur as an appropriate physiological response to an infection, or it may occur in the absence of infection.
In 1999, the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) devised a new classification system.
For more specifics about each type of prostatitis, including information on symptoms, treatment, and prognosis, follow the links to the relevant full articles.
In 1968, Meares and Stamey determined a classification technique based upon the culturing of bacteria.
This classification is no longer used.
The conditions are distinguished by the different presentation of pain,
white blood cell
White blood cells, also called leukocytes or leucocytes, are the cell (biology), cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders. All white blood cells are produced and de ...
s (WBCs) in the urine, duration of symptoms and
bacteria cultured
Culture () is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups.Tylor ...
from the urine. To help express prostatic secretions that may contain WBCs and bacteria,
prostate massage
Prostate massage is the massage or stimulation of the male prostate gland for medical purposes or sexual stimulation.
The prostate takes part in the sexual response cycle, and is essential for the production of semen. Due to its proximity to th ...
is sometimes used.
See also
*
Interstitial cystitis — a related disease
*
Granulomatous prostatitis
Granulomatous prostatitis is an uncommon disease of the prostate, an exocrine gland of the male reproductive system. It is a form of prostatitis (prostate inflammation), resulting from infection (bacterial, viral, or fungal), BCG vaccine, malaco ...
*
IgG4-related prostatitis
*
Male accessory gland infection
Male accessory gland infection (MAGI) is a condition with signs of inflammation involving one or more sites in the male genital tract. Diagnosis is made according to parameters defined by the World Health Organization, and it is particularly made i ...
(MAGI)
References
External links
Prostatitis Self Assessment Calculator
{{Male diseases of the pelvis and genitals
Inflammations
Inflammatory prostate disorders
Men's health