Prostatitis: 5 Symptoms Can Help Determine the Condition

Prostatitis is a common male urological disease. Over 50% of men will experience prostatitis at some point. The severity of the condition may vary among individuals, and many patients may be unaware of their prostatitis for years until they experience more severe symptoms, prompting them to seek medical attention. This delay in diagnosis and treatment significantly increases the difficulty of managing and recovering from the disease. There are early signs of prostatitis that can be observed.

So, what are the five common symptoms of prostatitis?

Urinary Symptoms:
Common urinary symptoms include milky white discharge at the urethral opening, especially during situations that increase abdominal pressure, such as bowel movements. Other urinary symptoms include frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, dribbling of urine after urination, a burning sensation in the urethra during urination, and increased nighttime urination.

Pain:
Discomfort or pain is mainly felt in the perineal area, anus, and posterior urethra. Additionally, there may be discomfort or dull pain in the pubic bone, groin area, sacral region, testicles, and penis, and varying degrees of reflexive pain below the hips.

Reproductive System Symptoms:
Reproductive system symptoms include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, hematospermia (blood in semen), nocturnal emission (nighttime involuntary ejaculation), and other sexual dysfunctions. Other observed phenomena may include poor semen liquefaction, decreased sperm vitality and motility, increased abnormal sperm, and semen coagulation.

Psychological Depression Symptoms:
Psychological symptoms may manifest as low mood, sadness, worry, restlessness, insomnia, vivid dreams, forgetfulness, anxiety, fear, anger, and low self-esteem. In severe cases, suicidal tendencies may be present.

Other Symptoms:
Other common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, lower back and knee soreness, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and bowel irregularities such as constipation or loose stools.

The dangers of prostatitis lie in its ability to cause systemic symptoms, discomfort, decreased sexual function, and psychological symptoms. Prostatitis can also easily lead to complications such as orchitis, resulting in infertility. If you suspect prostatitis, you should visit a hospital for a detailed prostate examination. Once the condition is confirmed, comprehensive treatment should be initiated.

How to diagnose prostatitis?

1. Diagnosis of Acute Prostatitis

A digital rectal examination (DRE) should be performed for patients with the above symptoms. During the examination, an enlarged, smooth, and tense surface of the prostate with obvious tenderness can be felt. The diagnosis of acute prostatitis can be confirmed through a DRE examination, but the prostate massage should be avoided to prevent the spread of inflammation. Urine analysis may reveal the presence of pus cells and red blood cells, while a B-ultrasound examination can also assist in the diagnosis.

2. Diagnosis of Chronic Prostatitis

A DRE should be performed to assess the prostate for patients with one or several of the above symptoms. Segmental localization of urine and prostatic fluid can be obtained through prostate massage, which is useful for diagnosing chronic prostatitis. Additionally, specific indicators such as increased pH value of prostatic fluid and decreased zinc content can be helpful in the diagnosis. It is also important to differentiate prostatitis from prostatodynia, prostate cancer, prostatic tuberculosis, prostate calculi, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The treatment of prostatitis generally involves medication. Antibiotics are effective for obvious bacterial infections. As for common chronic prostatitis, the herbal medicine Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill has shown excellent results in alleviating symptoms. With active cooperation in medical treatment, clinical cure of prostatitis can be achieved.