The prostate gland produces male semen. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. While it lies in close proximity to the urinary system, it is actually an integral part of the reproductive system. Prostatitis is a condition in which the prostate gland becomes inflamed and often painful. The Prostatitis Foundation estimates that up to half of all American men will experience a type of prostatitis in their lifetime. Prostatitis can originate from several different causes.
Bacteria
E. coli is felt to be responsible for most cases of bacterial prostatitis. This is often due to the penis having contact with a small amount of either one's own or someone else's feces. It originates as an infection of the urinary tract with the bacteria moving to the prostate gland, causing infection, inflammation, pain and swelling. The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists other potential bacterial culprits as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococci, Proteus mirabilis, Psuedomonas and Klepsiella.
STDs
Sexually-transmitted diseases are responsible for some cases of prostatitis. These include gonorrhea, chlamydia, Ureaplasma urealyticum and trichomonas.
Catheter Use
Catheter use can lead to prostatitis. This is especially true if sterile technique is not practiced during insertion and daily care or if an indwelling catheter is not discarded and replaced on a regular basis.
Physical Trauma
Prostatitis can be the result of physical trauma, such as an injury or a medical procedure. Scope insertion into the urethra, prostate biopsy and prostate surgery are examples of procedures that occasionally lead to the disorder.
Poor Immunity
A poorly functioning immune system--either due to a health problem or a medication--can lead to prostatitis. This type of prostatitis can be difficult to treat.
Psychosexual Problems
"Medical-Surgical Nursing" explains that, often, no cause can be found for non-bacterial prostatitis, leaving the physician to suspect a psychosexual cause. Similarly, Mayo Clinic indicates that psychological stress can cause prostatitis.
Foreskin Problems
Phimosis, a condition in which the foreskin of an uncircumcised male does not fully retract, is responsible for some cases of prostatitis. This usually causes a bacterial type of prostatitis, as bacteria collect due to an inability to properly clean the area.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Prostatitis: Causes
- Physician's Desktop Reference: Prostatitis
- Prostatitis Foundation
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Bacterial Acute Prostatitis
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
