Prostatitis - chronic
Definition
Chronic prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that develops gradually, continues for a prolonged period, and typically has subtle symptoms.
Alternative Names
Chronic bacterial prostatitisCauses
Chronic prostatitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. It may be associated with or follow urinary tract infection, urethritis, epididymitis, or acute prostatitis. The most common causes are Escherichia coli and proteus, Enterobacter, and klebsiella bacteria.
The disorder is diagnosed in 5 of every 1,000 outpatient visits. It is estimated that as many as 35% of men older than 50 may have chronic prostatitis.
Increased risk is associated with men over age 30. Certain factors may predispose a man to develop chronic prostatitis, such as excessive alcohol intake, perineal injury, and certain sexual practices (particularly anal sex without a condom). These factors may cause congestion of the prostate gland, which produces an excellent breeding ground for various bacteria.
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