Prostatitis is a group of diseases characterized by pain and discomfort in the pelvic region, abnormal urination and systemic symptoms in the prostate gland due to the action of pathogens and certain non-infectious factors. Patients experience urinary frequency, urgency, painful urination, perineal swelling and pain, and in severe cases, impotence or premature ejaculation. There are four types of prostatitis: acute bacterial prostatitis (type I), chronic bacterial prostatitis (type II), chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (chronic prostatitis)/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (type III), and asymptomatic prostatitis (type IV). Acute bacterial prostatitis (type I): often sudden onset, manifested by chills, fever, fatigue and other systemic symptoms.
The symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis (type II) and chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (chronic prostatitis)/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (type III) are similar, with pain and abnormal urination.
Type II may manifest as recurrent lower urinary tract infections. Type III mainly manifests as pain in the pelvic region, which can be found in the perineum, penis, perianal area, urethra, pubic bone or lumbosacral area. Abnormal urination may manifest as urinary urgency, frequency, painful urination and increased nocturia.
The patient’s quality of life decreases due to chronic pain that remains untreated, and may include sexual dysfunction, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and memory loss. Asymptomatic prostatitis (type IV): Because there are no clinical symptoms, it is often detected during the examination of other related diseases, so there is a lack of research data on the pathogenesis.