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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have signs or symptoms of prostatitis, you're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in urinary tract and sexual disorders (urologist). Because your time with the doctor can be brief, it's a good idea to prepare ahead of time for your appointment.
What you can do
Write down information to share with your doctor. Your list should include:
- Symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to prostatitis
- Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes
- Medications that you're taking, including any vitamins or herbal supplements
- Questions to ask your doctor
List questions for your doctor from most important to least important in case time runs out. You may want to ask some of the following questions.
- What is likely causing my symptoms?
- What other conditions could be causing the pain I'm experiencing?
- What kinds of tests will I need?
- What type of treatment do you recommend?
- Are there other treatment options?
- Are there any brochures or other printed materials that I can take home with me? Are there any websites you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions at any time during your appointment.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
- When did you begin having symptoms?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or do they come and go?
- Were you recently diagnosed with a urinary tract infection?
- Have you had frequent urinary tract infections in the past?
- Have you had a recent injury to the groin area?
- Does anything, such as pain medication, seem to improve your symptoms?
- Meyrier A, et al. Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 21, 2011.
- Pontari M. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 22, 2011.
- 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.
- Murphy AB, et al. Pharmacotherapy strategies in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome management. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 2010;11:1255.
- Ramakrishnan K, et al. Prostatitis: Acute and chronic. Primary Care. 2010;37:547.
- 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.
- Castle EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz. Feb. 14, 2011.
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