The prostate produces the bulk of the ejaculated fluid. Prostatitis is an infection or an inflammation of the prostate. It is not contagious. It is not a venereal disease. It is not a sign of cancer. It is not inherited. It is not serious. Prostatitis causes symptoms which are bothersome, may recur regularly but are rarely serious. In a minority of cases, it is caused by bacteria that originate in the urethra and get into the prostate from the outside. In many cases, however, no specific causative agents can be found.
The symptoms may vary in intensity and duration. Symptoms of prostatitis vary widely. They range from frequent, painful urination to a feeling that the bladder cannot be emptied. There may be aching or pain in the rectum, groin, the end of the penis, the lower back, the legs or even the abdomen. There may be associated painful or premature ejaculation.
Your doctor has prescribed specific therapy for your prostatitis, depending on whether or not bacteria were found. Your doctor also wishes that you help the medication treatment by soaking in a hot tub of water for twenty minutes once a day. This will speed up the resolution process.
Doctors have also found that diminishing stress can help with the inflammation of the bladder and the prostate area. Four things you can do to alleviate this stress on the prostate are as follows:
Get a good night's sleep each night. Do not use a sleeping pill, but rather a warm beverage that makes you relax.
Drink plenty of water. Eight to ten glasses of water a day will flush the prostate of its normal secretions which are excessive during this period of inflammation.
Sex is okay. When sex is normal and ejaculation is normal, the prostate contracts with force like a sponge emitting about a teaspoonful of fluid. With prostatitis this fluid can be discolored from the usual snow-white to dull yellow, yellow-gray or even clear yellow. As the inflammation clears, this discoloration will clear and the usual white color will return. It is important to drain the prostate regularly.
Refrain from alcoholic beverages, caffeine, spicy foods or cigarettes. Ask about these if there are any questions. As you know, your doctor is very interested in supporting you in maintaining a good feeling of well-being. Remember that this condition may recur and symptoms may be prolonged, do not become discouraged!!
What is Urology?