What causes prostatitis?

There are two main types of prostatitis:

  • chronic prostatitis the symptoms come and go over a period of severalmonths; this is the most common type
  • acute prostatitis the symptoms are severe and develop suddenly; this is rare, but can be serious and requires immediate treatment

Acute prostatitis is usually caused by bacteria in the urinary tract (the kidneys,bladder, and thetubes that connect them) entering the prostate.

In chronic prostatitis, doctors can't usually find any infection in the prostate gland. The cause of symptoms in these cases is not clear.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018