Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland, a small gland located below the bladder in males. While the condition has various causes, certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can trigger a form known as bacterial prostatitis. This occurs when bacteria from an STD spread from the initial site of infection to the prostate gland, causing inflammation and swelling.
The Pathway from STD to Prostatitis
The prostate’s anatomical position makes it susceptible to infections originating in the urinary tract. The urethra, the tube that expels urine from the body, passes directly through the prostate gland. When a person contracts an STD, the bacteria often first infect the urethra, a condition called urethritis.
From this initial site, the bacteria can travel “upstream” against the flow of urine, allowing them to ascend the urinary tract and enter the prostate tissue. This migration leads to an active infection within the gland, causing prostatitis. The infection can also begin in the epididymis, a small tube at the back of the testicles, and spread to the prostate.
Specific STDs Linked to Prostatitis
Several sexually transmitted infections are implicated in causing bacterial prostatitis. The most common bacterial culprits are Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the organisms responsible for chlamydia and gonorrhea, respectively. These infections establish a presence in the urethra, creating an opportunity to ascend into the prostate.
Other, less common sexually transmitted organisms can also be involved. Trichomonas vaginalis, a protozoan parasite, and Mycoplasma genitalium, a bacterium that can infect the urinary and genital tracts, are potential causes. In some cases, viral infections such as genital herpes have been associated with prostatitis, with the virus potentially traveling to the prostate.
Symptoms of STD-Related Prostatitis
Symptoms of prostatitis from an STD can be sudden. Individuals may experience a general feeling of being unwell, accompanied by fever and chills, as systemic signs of infection. More localized symptoms include pain in the perineum, the area between the scrotum and rectum, and in the genitals.
Urinary symptoms are also common, including a frequent and urgent need to urinate, pain or burning during urination, and difficulty starting or emptying the bladder. These symptoms may appear concurrently with or after initial signs of an STD, like discharge from the urethra.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Diagnosing STD-related prostatitis involves a review of symptoms and sexual history, along with a physical examination. This includes a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check the prostate for inflammation. Urine tests and STD screenings are performed to identify the specific pathogen.
Once a bacterial cause is confirmed, treatment centers on a course of antibiotics effective against the identified STD. Completing the entire prescribed course is necessary to eradicate the infection and prevent chronic bacterial prostatitis. Notifying sexual partners is also required to prevent reinfection and spread of the underlying STD.