Have you had a PSA blood test as part of your annual exam, and found that your PSA level is above 4 (ng/mL)? In this case, there is reason to be concerned because a PSA level of 4 is considered by most doctors to be the cutoff point for concern about prostate cancer. In other words, if your PSA level is 4 or below, you probably don’t have to worry much about having prostate cancer.
PSA Level Higher Than 4
Your doctor will most likely do a digital rectal exam (DRE) in conjunction with the PSA blood test. He or she will insert a finger in your rectum and feel your prostate to see if it is enlarged. If it is enlarged but not tender and has no lumps, you most likely have a benign (non cancerous) condition such as prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
The Difference Between Prostatitis And BPH
BPH is a condition that comes with age. It is a common condition that can’t be prevented. About 80% of all men will develop BPH (an enlarged prostate) and 90% of men age 85 and older will have it.
In comparison, prostatitis is an infection of your prostate. At one time, it was thought to be a sexually transmitted disease. However, recent research has shown that only a small number of cases are actually passed through sex. Beyond this, it is not clear how a prostate becomes infected.
Risk Factors For Prostatitis
There are certain medical procedures and conditions that do increase the risk of developing prostatitis. These are:
- If you’ve had a medical procedure called urinary catheterization
- If you’ve engaged in rectal intercourse
- If you have had a recent bladder infection
- If you have an enlarged prostate
- If you have an abnormal urinary tract
The Symptoms Of Prostatitis
Do you have frequent urges to urinate or have difficulty urinating? Do you feel pain or a burning sensation when urinating? Are you experiencing chills and fever? These can all be symptoms of prostatitis.
In addition, there are other symptoms that can indicate you have prostatitis, such as pain that comes and goes in the lower abdomen, around the anus, in the groin or back. This is because, in some cases, bacteria can get into your vas deferens (the tube that carries your sperm from your testicles to the urethra), causing pain in your groin. Also, you may experience a less forceful urine stream, blood in the urine or painful ejaculations.
Diagnosing Prostatitis
If you have shown some or many of the symptoms listed above and a PSA level higher than 4, your doctor will most likely refer you on to a urologist – a doctor who specializes in diseases of the male reproductory system and the urinary tract.
The urologist will give you a comprehensive examination, including another DRE. If he is still not sure what you have, you will probably be given further tests such as a transrectal ultrasound, a test of your prostate fluid (for signs of an infection), a voiding study or even a biopsy.
The Three Types Of Prostatitis
There are three different types of prostatitis. They are acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis and chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common form of prostatitis and is caused by a sudden bacterial infection. The symptoms of this disease are usually severe. It needs to be treated quickly as it can lead to bladder infections, abscesses in the prostate or to a completely blocked urine flow. Acute bacterial prostatitis is usually treated in the hospital with intravenous antibiotics, pain relievers and fluids.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the result of recurring urinary tract infections that have gotten into the prostate gland. It is difficult to diagnose this condition, as it is often hard to find the bacteria in the urine. It is most often treated with antibiotics for four to 12 weeks and other drugs for pain.
The most common form of prostatitis is called chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. It accounts for about 90% of all cases of prostatitis. It is most often treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and alpha-blockers.
So, as you can see, even if you do develop some form of prostatitis, you can be treated and cured. The disease it not much fun but with a good urologist and the right care, you could be back to normal in as few as several weeks.
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