What is prostatitis?
Prostatitis is a painful condition, where the prostate is inflamed. It’s usually caused by an infection, usually if bacteria from the bladder gets into the prostate.
There are two types of prostatitis:
- Acute prostatitis, where it comes on suddenly
- Chronic prostatitis, where it lasts for many months
Birmingham Prostate Clinic are a team of leading urologists and oncologists, who specialise in diagnosing and treating prostate, bladder and kidney conditions.
Our expert consultants know the importance of quickly diagnosing prostatitis, and getting treatment to help manage troublesome symptoms that affect your daily life.
The prostate is a gland found between the penis and the bladder, and plays an important role in male fertility by producing a fluid that transports and supports semen.
People with a prostate include:
- Men
- Trans women*
- Non binary people
- Some intersex people
* Trans women can still get prostatitis, even if they take hormones. The prostate is not routinely removed in gender confirmation surgery.
You’re more likely to get acute prostatitis if:
- You use a urinary catheter
- You’ve had a prostate biopsy
- You’ve had a urinary tract infection or sexually transmitted infection, including HIV and AIDS
- You have anal sex
- You’ve had a pelvic injury
Your chance of getting chronic prostatitis is higher if:
- You’re age 50 or older
- You’ve had prostatitis before
- You have other pain problems affecting your stomach (such as irritable bowel syndrome)
