Understanding Asymptomatic Prostatitis: What You Need to Know

Dr.Vikas Agarwal, 2 mins read

Understanding Asymptomatic Prostatitis: What You Need to Know:
Asymptomatic prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland wherein the disease often goes unnoticed due to the lack of symptoms. Though it does not cause noticeable discomfort, it is important to understand the problem and its potential implications on men’s health to manage this condition timely.

What is prostatitis?
Prostatitis refers to the inflammation of the prostate gland, often causing painful or difficult urination and pain in the pubic area.

The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland located just above the bladder in men. The gland is responsible for producing seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Problems with this gland can affect the genital health and overall wellbeing.

There are four types of prostatitis:

1. Acute bacterial prostatitis: Caused by bacteria that usually lead to sudden and severe symptoms.
2. Chronic bacterial prostatitis: Recurring or ongoing bacterial infection that typically leads to less severe symptoms.
3. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic syndrome: Recurring or ongoing pelvic pain and urinary tract symptoms. However, it usually doesn’t show any evidence of infection.
4. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: Signs of an inflamed prostate without causing any symptoms.

More about asymptomatic prostatitis:
Though asymptomatic prostatitis doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms, it can have long-term effects on men’s health. Studies show that if the condition is not treated properly and on time, it can turn into complications like urinary tract infections, chronic pelvic pain syndrome and even infertility.

When to see a doctor?
It’s important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing the following problems:

• Difficult or painful urination
• Fever
• Inability to urinate
• Pain or discomfort in the pelvic or genital area
• Blood in the urine

Diagnosis:
Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam, check your medical history and symptoms and recommend you a few tests. These tests may include a digital rectal exam, urine test, blood test and prostatic secretion test. Sometimes an urodynamic test and imaging test are also prescribed.

Treatment and management:
Those who are diagnosed with this problem should monitor the condition regularly and consult a doctor for a treatment regimen.

The treatment of prostatitis includes antibiotics to address any underlying bacterial infection. The doctor may also recommend pain and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and lifestyle changes like pelvic floor exercises and stress management to ease the pain.