Chronic bacterial prostatitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the prostate gland that develops slowly and continues for a long period of time. It is a chronic infection of the prostate gland.
See also:
-
Prostatitis - bacterial acute -
Prostatitis - nonbacterial chronic
Alternative Names
Chronic bacterial prostatitis; Chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Chronic prostatitis is usually caused by a chronic bacterial infection of the prostate gland. It may occur with or follow:
-
Acute prostatitis -
Epididymitis -
Urinary tract infection that often returns (is recurrent) -
Urethritis
The most common bacteria species that cause chronic prostatitis include:
- Escherichia coli
- Enterobacter cloacae
- Klebsiella pneumonia
- Proteus species
Risks include:
- Age over 30
- Certain sexual practices (such as anal sex without a condom)
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Injury to the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus)
These factors may cause congestion of the prostate gland, which produces a breeding ground for bacteria.
Other possible causes are related to stress and tightness of the pelvic muscles.
