09.07.2024.
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, which is a small gland found below the bladder in men. It can be serious and needs urgent medical help.
Check if you have prostatitis
Symptoms of prostatitis can affect anyone with a prostate gland.
Symptoms may include:
- pain when peeing, which may feel like stinging or burning
- difficulty peeing or straining to pee
- needing to pee more often than usual
- pain in your penis, scrotum, testicles or bottom
- pain when you ejaculate
- high temperature
Causes of prostatitis
Prostatitis is usually caused by an infection, such as a urinary tract infection. It’s not always known what causes long-term (chronic) prostatitis. It’s thought that an infection or inflammation may cause it, and may be a combination of these things.
Treatment for prostatitis
Prostatitis is treated with antibiotics. You’ll usually feel better within 2 weeks after starting treatment, but it may take several weeks for all your symptoms to get better.
Treatment for chronic prostatitis
If you’ve had symptoms of prostatitis for 3 months or longer (chronic prostatitis) you may be referred to a specialist (a urologist).
Treatment for chronic prostatitis may include:
- antibiotics and other medicines to help with your symptoms
- cognitive behavioural therapy or counselling
- physiotherapy
- alternative therapies, such as acupuncure, if this is available in your area
See a GP if you have symptoms of prostatitis. Try not to be embarrassed. The doctor will be used to talking about these symptoms.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from your health care provider if:
- you’re unable to pee
- you’ve been taking antibiotics for prostatitis for 48 hours but your symptoms have not got better, or they’ve got worse
Immediate action required if:
- you suddenly feel confused, have slurred speech, or are not making sense
- you have blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- you have a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- you have severe difficulty breathing – you cannot get your words out, you’re choking or gasping
These symptoms may mean you have a serious infection or sepsis.
