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Test Your Knowledge About Prostate Inflammation
Prostatitis is inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. It's not a widely known condition, yet it affects a large number of men every year.
Find out how much you know about prostatitis by taking this quiz.
1. True or False. The prostate is part of the urinary system.
Answer: False. The prostate gland is part of a man's reproductive system. It makes some of the fluid for semen. The prostate is located just below the bladder and is about the size of a walnut. The urethra (the tube that carries urine away from the bladder) runs through it. When the prostate is inflamed, it may squeeze the urethra. This can cause urinary problems.
2. True or False. Prostatitis does not cause prostate cancer.
Answer: True. There is no evidence that prostatitis leads to prostate cancer.
3. True or False. You shouldn't have sex if you have prostatitis.
Answer: False. You may not feel like having sex. Symptoms may include frequent or painful urination, painful ejaculation and pain in the lower back, groin or genital area. But the symptoms often come and go. If you feel like you're having symptoms related to prostatitis, consult with your doctor. There may be no reason not to continue having sex.
4. True or False. Prostatitis is always caused by bacteria.
Answer: False. Bacteria cause acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis. But doctors often are not sure what causes the most common type, which is called chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Possible causes may include germs other than bacteria, pelvic nerve or muscle problems, or problems with the structure of the prostate, bladder or urethra. Some experts think it may be caused by a problem with the immune system.
5. True or False. Prostatitis is a sexually transmitted infection.
Answer: False. Prostatitis is not a sexually transmitted infection. It's not contagious and you can't pass it to your sex partner during intercourse.
6. True or False. Prostatitis mostly affects older men.
Answer: False. Prostatitis is most common in young and middle-aged men, but it can affect men of any age. It's the third most common urologic diagnosis in men older than 50, after enlarged prostate (BPH) and prostate cancer.
7. True or False. I should see a doctor if I think I have prostatitis.
Answer: True. If you have symptoms of prostatitis, see a doctor right away. Acute prostatitis can be a very serious and even life-threatening condition. Many conditions cause symptoms like those of prostatitis.
Getting the right diagnosis can help you get the treatment you need so you can feel better.
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Sources:
American Urological Association. Causes and management of prostatitis. Accessed April 28, 2008.
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National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Prostatitis: disorders of the prostate. Accessed April 28, 2008.
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Nickel JC. Inflammatory conditions of the male genitourinary tract: prostatitis and related conditions, orchitis and epididymitis. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. Accessed April 28, 2008.
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Pontari MA. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Urologic Clinics of North America. 2008;35(1):81-89. Accessed April 28, 2008.
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This article was reviewed by Melinda Ratini, D.O., M.S.
06/2008
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