Prostatitis - bacterial chronic

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Male reproductive anatomy

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the prostate gland that develops slowly and continues for a long period of time. It is a chronic infection of the prostate gland.

See also:

• Prostatitis - bacterial acute
• Prostatitis - nonbacterial chronic

Chronic bacterial prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis is usually caused by a chronic bacterial infection of the prostate gland. It may occur with or follow:

• Acute prostatitis
• Epididymitis
• Urinary tract infection that often returns (is recurrent)
• Urethritis

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The most common bacteria species that cause chronic prostatitis include:

• Escherichia coli
• Enterobacter cloacae
• Klebsiella pneumoniae
• Proteus species

Risks include:

• Age over 30
• Certain sexual practices (such as anal sex without a condom)
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Injury to the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus)

These factors may cause congestion of the prostate gland, which produces a breeding ground for bacteria.

Other possible causes are related to stress and tightness of the pelvic muscles.

Review Date: 09/30/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).