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.