Acute and chronic prostatitis

Prostatitis is a complex syndrome that spans a spectrum from acute prostatitis with a straightforward presentation to chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome with a complex array of symptoms. The National Institutes of Health system of prostatitis categorization is a refinement of the traditional classification of prostatitis. The identification of prostatic or pelvic pain becomes a requirement for the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis. The role of bacteria as a cause in chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome continues to be debated. The mainstream treatment of chronic prostatitis involves antimicrobials, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and alpha-blockers.