What are the risk factors?

• Young or middle-aged adulthood
• Previous prostatitis
• Infection of the urinary or reproductive system
• HIV infection or AIDS
• Use of a tube inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder (urinary catheter)
• Diagnostic sampling of prostate tissue (biopsy)

Additional risk factors for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome may include:

• Psychological stress
• Nerve damage in the pelvic region due to surgery or trauma

What are the complications?

• Bacterial infection of the blood (bacteremia)
• Inflammation of the coiled tube attached to the back of the testicle (epididymitis)
• Pus-filled cavity in the prostate (prostatic abscess)
• Infection that spreads to the upper pelvic bone or lower spine

Complications of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome may include:

• Anxiety or depression
• Sexual dysfunction, such as the inability to get and maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• Changes in sperm and semen that may cause infertility

There’s no direct evidence that prostatitis can lead to prostate cancer. Researchers are investigating whether chronic inflammation of the prostate is a risk factor for cancer.