Prostatitis
Cause
Most men with prostatitis have chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, inflammatory or noninflammatory. The cause of this type of prostatitis is not known. Few men with prostatitis have prostatitis associated with a bacterial infection.
Acute prostatitis and chronic bacterial prostatitis
Bacteria infecting the prostate cause acute prostatitis and chronic bacterial prostatitis. Bacteria most likely enter the prostate by:
- Traveling through the urethra.
- Being present in the urine because of a bladder infection.
- Being introduced through the use of a urinary catheter.
Chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, inflammatory (nonbacterial prostatitis)
The specific cause of chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, inflammatory, is usually not known. However, health professionals believe the possible causes include:
- Blocked urine flow.
- Abnormal movement of urine and prostate secretions into the prostate.
- Microorganisms that may infect the prostate. However, if they are present, they usually are not detectable in the urine.
- The immune system attacking the prostate (autoimmune disease).
- Chemicals normally found in the urine, such as uric acid, which may get into the prostate and cause irritation.
- Abnormal nerve or muscle function.
Chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, noninflammatory (prostatodynia)
The causes of chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, noninflammatory, may be the same as those for chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, inflammatory. Some health professionals think that the prostate may not be involved at all but that a combination of factors, including nervous system problems, strained pelvic floor muscles, and emotional issues, cause the pain.
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| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: December 27, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology | |
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