Prostatitis: Symptoms

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Symptoms

The symptoms are similar for all forms of prostatitis, with the exception of acute prostatitis and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.

Symptoms of the chronic forms of prostatitis, including chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, inflammatoryand noninflammatory, may include:

• A frequent urge to urinate, although you may pass only small amounts of urine.
• A burning sensation when urinating (dysuria).
• Difficulty starting urination, interrupted flow (urinating in waves rather than a steady stream), weaker-than-normal urine flow, and dribbling after urinating.
• Excessive urinating at night (nocturia).
• A sensation of not completely emptying the bladder.
• Pain or discomfort in the lower back, in the area between the testicles and anus, in the lower abdomen or upper thighs, or above the pubic area. Pain may become worse during a bowel movement.
• Pain or vague discomfort during or after ejaculation.
• Pain in the tip of the penis.

With acute prostatitis, symptoms are severe, come on suddenly, and include fever and chills. Signs of chronic bacterial prostatitis may be milder and come on suddenly or gradually over weeks or months, and the symptoms may come and go. Symptoms alone cannot be used to determine the type of prostatitis you have.

Numerous other conditions, such as a bladder infection or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), can cause symptoms similar to those of prostatitis.

Last updated:	December 27, 2007
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC