Symptoms may range from generalized, chronic pain in the penis, testicles, scrotum, lower back, stomach or perineum (the area between the scrotum and the anus), to fever, chills, frequent or painful urination, blood in the urine or painful ejaculation. Symptoms may develop slowly or suddenly. They may be continual or recurrent.

More than a million patients visit their doctors annually for treatment of prostatitis. Physicians typically treat prostatitis with antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases more aggressive surgical treatments are necessary. Having prostatitis does not increase your risk of getting other prostate diseases.

There are four specific forms of prostatitis. It is important for physicians to diagnose them accurately, as each requires its own specific form of treatment.

• ACUTE BACTERIAL PROSTATITIS (ABP) is characterized by its rapid onset, chills, fever, pain in the lower back and genital area, body aches, burning or painful urination, increased urinary frequency and urgency, often at night, and occasionally visible blood in the urine.
• The symptoms of CHRONIC BACTERIAL PROSTATITIS (CBP) are similar to those of ABP. The most distinguishing feature of CBP is its high incidence of recurring bladder infections.
• NONBACTERIAL PROSTATITIS (NBP), also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), typically resembles chronic bacterial prostatitis, with the exception that urinary tract infections are rare. Symptoms come and go, disappearing and reappearing without warning or apparent reason.
• PROSTADYNIA (PD) technically is not a true form of prostatitis. Its symptoms are pain in the pelvis or perineum (the area between the scrotum and the anus).

Urology Group of New Mexico can help you determine which kind of prostatitis you have.

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The NIH Prostatitis Symptom Index can help you determine the severity of your symptoms. More information is available from The Prostatitis Foundation.