Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis Symptoms
Medically reviewed by Dr. Paul Song M.D
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis Symptoms
Chronic bacterial prostatitis symptoms may include:
- Recurring urinary tract infections caused by the same bacteria
- Strong urge to urinate immediately
- Painful urination
- Burning during urination
- Blood in the urine
- A frequent urgent need to urinate
- Low-back pain
- Pain in the perineum (area between the anus and scrotum)
- Painful ejaculation
- Flu-like symptoms, such as chills and fever
- Pain in the testicles
- Penis pain
- Pain in genital/pelvic area
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak urinary stream once it starts
- Dribbling
- Frequent nighttime urination
Episodes of chronic bacterial prostatitis tend to come and go, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. In between flare-ups men may be symptom free or may experience just minor symptoms. When the infection returns and flares up, however, symptoms may be severe. The long-term complications from chronic bacterial prostatitis include infertility, semen abnormalities, and a reduced quality of life. It can be frustrating for men to have symptoms keep coming back for months or years.
How do you know if it you have chronic bacterial prostatitis? Your doctor will examine you and that will also include a microscope examination of your urine. Looking at the urine will reveal the presence of bacteria and white blood cells associated with chronic bacterial prostatitis. Even though repeating courses of antibiotic therapy can help to clear the prostatitis up, studies show that treatment for chronic bacterial prostatitis is much more successful at preventing recurrence when patients combine antibiotic treatments with natural prostatitis treatments (like pollen and quercetin supplements), dietary changes, and alternative therapies. You may want to look toward diet and lifestyle changes to help alleviate symptoms or possible causes. If you are seeking pain relief you may use over-the-counter pain medications. Drug-free alternatives exist too. Sitz baths are a drug-free way to help improve prostatitis symptoms, although men with acute bacterial prostatitis should avoid them. A sitz bath is a bath in really hot water for the lower half of your body.