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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Image of normal prostate gland Normal prostate gland

Acute bacterial prostatitis is often caused by common strains of bacteria. The infection may start when bacteria carried in urine leaks into your prostate.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis may be the result of small amounts of bacteria that aren't eliminated with antibiotics because they "hide" in the prostate. Some men with chronic prostatitis have pain but no evidence of an inflamed prostate.

In most cases of prostatitis, the cause is never identified. Causes other than bacterial infection can include:

  • An immune system disorder
  • A nervous system disorder
  • Injury to the prostate or prostate area
Risk factors Symptoms
References
  1. Meyrier A, et al. Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 21, 2011.
  2. Pontari M. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 22, 2011.
  3. Nickel JC. Inflammatory conditions of the male genitourinary tract: Prostatitis and related conditions, orchitis, and epididymitis. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/117299121-3/794153691/1445/12.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50011-X--cesec1_747. Accessed Jan. 21, 2011.
  4. Murphy AB, et al. Pharmacotherapy strategies in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome management. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 2010;11:1255.
  5. Ramakrishnan K, et al. Prostatitis: Acute and chronic. Primary Care. 2010;37:547.
  6. Drezner JA, et al. Sports medicine. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/217852368-11/0/1481/488.html?tocnode=53394295&fromURL=488.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50043-9--cesec49_2509. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  7. Castle EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz. Feb. 14, 2011.
DS00341 March 18, 2011

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