Looking for enlarged prostate (BPH) treatment, UroLift or prostate artery embolization (PAE)? See Enlarged prostate (BPH).

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is infection or inflammation of the prostate. It can be caused by bacteria, but most cases occur without infection. It can affect men of any age, and it is called chronic when it lasts three months or more. Prostatitis is not linked to prostate cancer.

Symptoms

Fever
Burning with urination
Trouble emptying the bladder
Lower back pain
Painful ejaculation
Bladder or rectal pressure
Blood in the semen
Urinary spraying

Diagnosis

Urinalysis, urine culture, semen culture, ultrasound to look for an abscess, and cystoscopy to check for blockage.

Treatment

Antibiotics (take the full course), alpha blockers to help urine flow, urinary analgesics, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen, and cutting back on caffeine, spicy and acidic foods.

Prostate cancer screening

PSA blood test: measures prostate-specific antigen. A higher level can be a warning sign of prostate cancer, but it can also rise with BPH or infection, and a low level does not rule cancer out. You may be asked to avoid ejaculation and bicycle, horse or riding-mower use for 48 hours before the test.

Digital rectal exam (DRE): the physician feels the surface of the prostate for hard or uneven areas.

Resources

A patient's experience

“If you are reading this regarding Advanced Urology and Dr. Patel, you are one lucky person. I will confine my comments to those who are facing prostate gland issues and decisions. I had a radical prostatectomy on August 31, 2016.
I found Advanced Urology three years by doing a simple Google search when told by my primary care physician that my PSA values were climbing and he felt a nodule on my prostate gland. That was my lucky day.
A biopsy at Advanced Urology revealed that I had cancer, but given the limited number of affected sectors and Gleason score, Dr. Patel felt that a period of “watchful waiting” was justified. In other words, he did not “jump to the knife” conclusion. I was 69 at the time.
Fast forward three years: The number of affected sectors increased as well as the Gleason score. Dr. Patel calmly took me through the treatment options, pros and cons and said he would support my decision. At the same time, he was not reluctant to give me his recommendation that would give me the lowest risk possible, factoring in my good health and my age. I will emphasize that he did not “sugarcoat” the side effects of all options.
I made my decision based on my medical test results, his highly understandable interpretation of those results and his reputation as a preeminent Urologist and a highly skilled surgeon, especially using the robotic technology. According to the pathology report, the cancer was confined to the prostate gland. Therefore, I strongly feel his advice was sound and will always be grateful to him for leading me through a decision making process that lead to the current lowest risk scenario.
The side effects are not pleasant: Such is life.
To all of you going down this road, I have nothing but the highest regard for his knowledge, skill and ability to communicate with a patient. I am highly confident with his recommendation and my decision to use his practice. Without question, he has the most efficient, caring medical practice I have ever seen.
To reiterate and emphasize again, if you are reading this, YOU ARE ONE LUCKY PERSON. Best of luck to you!”

— J. K.

Prostate health