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Prostatitis history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maliha Shakil, M.D. [2], Usama Talib, BSc, MD [3]

Overview

A detailed and thorough history from the patient is necessary. Specific areas of focus when obtaining a history from the patient include previous history of sexually transmitted diseases, any new sexual partners, urogenital disorders, and recent catheterization or other genitourinary instrumentation.[1][2] Common symptoms of bacterial prostatitis include frequency, urgency, dysuria, nocturia, urinary retention, genital pain, pain in groin, lower abdominal or lower back pain. Acute prostatitis can also present with fever, nausea, and vomiting.[3]

History

A detailed and thorough history from the patient is necessary. Specific areas of focus when obtaining a history from the patient include:[1][2]

Symptoms

Acute bacterial prostatitis Chronic bacterial prostatitis Chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Definition An acute urinary tract infection involving the prostate gland. Persistent bacterial infection of the prostate from the same bacterial strain, causing recurrent UTIs Pelvic pain ≥3 months in the absence  of infection, cancer, urinary obstruction/retention, or neurogenic bladder
Typical symptoms Sudden onset of lower urinary tract symptoms such as dysuria, urgency, and frequency, often accompanied by systemic features including fever, chills, and malaise; urinary retention may or may not be present. Recurrent urinary tract infections, with patients either asymptomatic or experiencing pelvic pain and/or lower urinary tract symptoms between infectious episodes. Chronic pain involving the perineum, suprapubic area, testes, or penis, frequently associated with discomfort during urination or ejaculation; lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction may or may not occur.

[4]

Acute Bacterial Prostatitis

Symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis have acute onset and are severe. Common symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis include:[3]

Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis

The symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis are similar to those of acute bacterial prostatitis, although not as severe. Symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis include:[3]

Chronic Prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome include:[3]

  • Pain or discomfort lasting 3 or more months in one or more of the following areas: between the scrotum and anus, the central lower abdomen, the penis, the scrotum, and the lower back
  • Pain in the urethra during or after urination
  • Pain in the penis during or after urination
  • Urinary frequency
  • Urinary urgency
  • A weak or an interrupted urine stream

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lipsky BA, Byren I, Hoey CT (2010). “Treatment of bacterial prostatitis”. Clin Infect Dis. 50 (12): 1641–52. doi:10.1086/652861. PMID 20459324.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Prostatitis – bacterial. NLM Medline Plus 2016. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000519.htm. Accessed on March 2, 2016
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Prostatitis: Inflammation of the Prostate. NIDDK 2016. http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/urologic-disease/prostatitis-disorders-of-the-prostate/Pages/facts.aspx#sec3. Accessed on March 2, 2016
  4. ↑ Borgert BJ, Wallen EM, Pham MN (September 2025). “Prostatitis: A Review”. JAMA. 334 (11): 1003–1013. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.11499. PMID 40788632 Check |pmid= value (help).

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