Prostatitis or inflamed prostate gland can present in men of all ages. There are different types of prostatitis, these are described below:
1. Acute bacterial prostatitis : this is caused by a bacterial infection. Its symptoms usually include fever, pain in the lower back, lower abdominal or perineal area or burning sensation during urination or the inability to urinate.
2. Chronic bacterial prostatitis: this too is caused by a bacterial infection however its onset is more gradual. Symptoms usually include pain in the lower back, lower abdominal or perineal area, occasional burning sensation during urination, loss of sex drive or even erectile dysfunction.
3. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is the most common form of Prostatitis. This form is not caused by infection and the onset of symptoms is slow. It can be classed as inflammatory or non-inflammatory. The symptoms are very similar to that of the chronic bacterial subtype and include pain in the perineal, testicular or pelvic area, bladder pains or pain during urination or ejaculation. These symptoms are often intermittent.
4. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis carries no symptoms. It often an incidental finding upon a routine examination or during a prostate biopsy.
The diagnosis of prostatitis is made from careful consideration of signs and symptoms together with a urine sample test, sperm sample test, prostate exam, prostate biopsy and via ultrasound.
The treatment depends of the type of prostatitis. In bacterial subtypes treatment usually involves the use of antibiotics, NSAIDS, alpha-blockers, muscarinic antagonists medication and heat application.ESWT (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy) can also be used to effectively treat chronic prostatitis, particularly the non-bacterial and the chronic pelvic pain syndrome subtypes. This is a revolutionary treatment and we are proud to be the first clinic in Slovakia to have started to provide these ESWT treatments. ESWT treatment consists of wireless shock wave therapy to break down calcifications within the prostate gland. These calcifications usually harbour bacteria which fuel the disease process. The shock waves break these calcifications into smaller fragments allowing your body’s natural immune system to adequately and easily eliminate them. This treatment is carried out on out-patient basis and doesn’t require hospital admissions. Our patients usually attend a minimum of 4 treatment cycles, which are usually 1 to 2 weeks apart
