Prostatitis - When To Call a Doctor

When To Call a Doctor

Contact your health professional immediately if you have sudden fever, chills, and urinary symptoms, such as pain or burning with urination or blood or pus in the urine. These symptoms may indicate acute bacterial prostatitis.

Call your doctor if you have:

• Urinary symptoms and persistent pain in the low back, scrotum, penis, or the area between the scrotum and anus, or if you have pain with ejaculation or with a bowel movement.
• Recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Discharge from your penis or sores on your genitals.
• Problems urinating, such as excessive nighttime urination, trouble starting urinating, decreased urinary stream, or frequent urination that is not related to drinking lots of fluids.

Watchful Waiting

Most men will have some discomfort in their prostate (prostatitis) at some time during their lives. If you do not have a fever and chills or extreme pain, you may try home treatment for a few weeks. Take nonprescription pain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, to relieve pain. However, if your urinary symptoms and pain continue, you need to see a health professional.

Who To See

Health professionals who can evaluate and treat your prostatitis include:

• Family medicine doctors.
• Internists.
• Urologists.
• Nurse practitioners.
• Physician assistants.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment