Prostatitis, also known as a prostate infection, can cause slightly more than just uncomfortable symptoms. Without timely treatment, the infection can result in severe complications.
To ensure a reduced risk of contracting such an infection, you have to be aware of the causes of prostatitis. In fact, bacterial and viral STDs, such as gonorrhoea, HIV, and trichomoniasis, are known to be vital risks.
What is prostatitis?
Prostatitis, as mentioned earlier, is the inflammation and swelling of the prostate. It can occur at any age for men. However, statistics suggest that it is more common among men aged 30 to 50.
Prostatitis can be categorised into two, depending on the duration of the infection; Acute and chronic prostatitis. Acute prostatitis can occur all of a sudden and comes with rather severe symptoms, such as high fever, painful, burning, and bloody urine, tenderness in the lower stomach area, genital pain, and pain during bowel movements and ejaculation.
Chronic prostatitis, on the other hand, happens over a period of three months or longer. Men with chronic prostatitis suffer similar but milder symptoms. Older men and those who had acute prostatitis before are at a higher risk of developing chronic prostatitis.
Prostatitis is usually caused by a bacterium that gets into the urinary tract, making the surrounding tissue inflamed. However, for men over 35, the infection is generally caused by the bacterium E. coli.
Additionally, other factors, such as urinary blockages, phimosis (foreskin that cannot be pulled back fully), and perineal injury, are potential contributing causes of acute prostatitis.
Relationship between prostatitis and STDs
Most bacteria that result in the development of common STDs can enter the prostate, causing an infection to take place. Studies have also shown that a number of STDs contribute to the development of prostate infections, such as genital herpes, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia.
Gonorrhoea is typically caused by a bacterial infection, which thrives in warm and moist body parts. Genital herpes, unlike chlamydia and gonorrhoea, is caused by a viral infection. During an outbreak of genital herpes, blisters develop. Infected fluids from the blisters can travel up the prostate, causing an infection.
Ureaplasma urealyticum and trichomoniasis are other forms of STDs known to raise the risk level of contracting prostatitis.
HIV and prostatitis
HIV, on the other hand, boosts the risk of contracting prostatitis indirectly. When there is a delay in antiretroviral therapy, it allows the HIV virus to proliferate, damaging the immune system and compromising its response. Because of that, the individual becomes more prone to all sorts of infections, such as prostatitis. They are a terrible combination you had best avoid.
How to address prostatitis
Acute prostatitis can be resolved quickly and easily with a dose of antibiotics to destroy the bacterium responsible for causing the disease. Those with chronic prostatitis can be treated with antibiotics too, but for a longer duration.
Depending on the bacterium responsible for the infection breakout, one round of antibiotics may not be sufficient. There have been situations of recurring infection after going through rounds of antibiotics. If this were to happen to you, your doctor might administer another type of antibiotic.
Unless your case of prostatitis is caused by an STD, a diagnosis of prostatitis does not mean having to refrain from sexual activity. Nevertheless, it is still highly recommended to practise safe sex to prevent the cross-transfer of any unwanted bacteria infection to your partner.
Do note that prostatitis left untreated can lead to severe complications, such as infertility, sexual dysfunction, sepsis, urinary retention, and the formation of abscesses. We highly advise you to visit us should you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms.
Conclusion
Prostatitis can be a painful affair and should be treated as soon as possible, primarily when it can be caused by STDs, which opens up the door for even more problems and complications. Hence, getting regular STD testings at any established STD clinic in Singapore, such as Elyon Clinic, is vital and highly recommended for individuals who are sexually active or have multiple sexual partners.
At Elyon Clinic, we have STD tests for almost every common STD in Singapore. Getting tested assures that we can plan the next step of the treatment process properly and efficiently should you test positive. For more information about our range of services, you may reach us at https://elyonclinic.com.sg/ today!
