Although the causes of prostatitis are not clearly known, there are many theories about why you may contract it.
Prostatitis from bacteria may be a result of a backward flow of urine into the prostate. This infected urine may be a result of a recent bladder infection, an abnormality of your urinary tract, a result of a catheterization or an instrument being inserted into your urethra.
Non bacterial prostatitis may be caused by other organisms, or clogging of the prostate ducts.
Another theory is that the nerves and muscles around the prostate are not working correctly, and may be causing too much tension in the urinary sphincter.
As a result of the causes of prostatitis being vague, or not well understood, and the symptoms of all the types very similar, it can be a frustrating experience for both the patient and the doctor.
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Your doctor will ask you questions regarding your medical
history, and about the symptoms you have and are currently
experiencing. If you have severe symptoms associated with
ABP, a urine specimen may be all that is required to diagnose
prostatitis. If the symptoms do not show a clear case of prostatitis,
a digital rectal exam will be done. The rectal exam will show
if the prostate is tender, enlarged, or if there are bumps
or irregularities. The doctor may massage the prostate during
this exam, and this forces fluid out of the prostate. A urine
specimen obtained after the massage will contain prostate
fluid, and this can be analysed.
Your family doctor may refer you to a urologist, who may repeat
some exams already performed. They may also request you to
have a cystoscopy to examine the prostate further. This test
is completed in the hospital, and takes about ten minutes.
A small telescope is inserted into the urethra after an anaesthetic
gel is applied. This telescope allows the urologist to visualize
your prostate and bladder, and see if there are any abnormalities
or inflammation.
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