About 90% of men with prostatitis have inflammatory or noninflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome, a type of prostatitis in which the exact cause is unknown. The remaining 10% have prostatitis caused by a bacterial infection.
Acute Bacterial Prostatitis & Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
Bacteria that cause acute bacterial prostatitis and chronic bacterial prostatitis most likely enter the prostate by:
- Traveling through the urethra
- Being present in the urine because of a bladder infection
- Being introduced through the use of a urinary catheter
Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis (Inflammatory Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome)
The specific cause of inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome is usually not known. However, health professionals believe the possible causes include:
- Blocked urine flow
- Abnormal movement of urine and prostate secretions into the prostate
- Microorganisms that may infect the prostate (if they are present, they usually are not detectable in the urine)
- The immune system attacking the prostate (autoimmune disease)
- Chemicals normally found in the urine, such as uric acid, which may get into the prostate and cause irritation
- Abnormal nerve or muscle function
Prostatodynia (Noninflammatory Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome)
The causes of noninflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome may be the same as those for inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Some health professionals think that the prostate may not be involved at all but that a combination of factors, including nervous system problems, strained pelvic floor muscles, and emotional issues, cause the pain.
Factors that can increase your risk of developing prostatitis include:
- A recent urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Insertion of a urinary catheter or having a cystoscopy.
- Anal sex.
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).