Prostate diseases are common in men, and they can significantly affect their quality of life.

Prostate diseases can range from benign conditions like enlarged prostate, commonly referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to malignant conditions like prostate cancer.

1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

BPH is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. It is a common condition that affects men as they age, especially those over 50 years old. BPH occurs because of hormonal changes that cause the prostate gland to increase in size.

In most cases, the enlarged gland puts pressure on the urethra, leading to urinary problems like frequent urination, weak urine stream, and difficulty starting and stopping urination.

While BPH is a benign condition, it can significantly affect a man’s quality of life.

Treatments for BPH include medications that relax the muscles in the prostate, alpha blockers that help relax bladder neck muscles and improve urine flow, and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors that can reduce prostate size.

2. Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. It can be acute or chronic and can be caused by bacterial or nonbacterial factors.

Acute bacterial prostatitis is a severe bacterial infection of the prostate gland that can cause fever, chills, and pain in the lower back, genitals, and urinary tract. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is a recurring bacterial infection of the prostate gland that causes similar symptoms to those of acute bacterial prostatitis.

Nonbacterial prostatitis, on the other hand, is a chronic inflammation of the prostate gland that causes pain in the genital and urinary area but without any bacterial infection.

Treatments for prostatitis vary depending on the type and cause of the condition. Antibiotics are used to treat acute bacterial prostatitis, while alpha blockers are used to relax bladder neck muscles.

Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen can be used to manage pain in cases of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.

3. Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the prostate gland. It is the most common type of cancer in men after skin cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States.

Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, and symptoms may not appear until the cancer is advanced.

Early detection is the key to treating prostate cancer successfully. Screening tests like the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test can detect prostate cancer early. The PSA test measures the level of a protein produced by the prostate gland in the blood.

If the PSA levels are high, further testing like a biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for prostate cancer may involve surgery to remove the prostate gland, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy.

The choice of treatment depends on the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer and the patient’s overall health and preferences.

4. Prostate Stones

Prostate stones, also known as prostatic calculi, are tiny mineral deposits that develop in the prostate gland. These calcifications are relatively common in older men and are generally harmless.

However, in some cases, they can create urinary problems like difficulty urinating, painful urination, and frequent urination.

Treatment for prostate stones is generally not always necessary unless they cause symptoms. Treatment may involve alpha blockers or muscle relaxants to relieve urinary symptoms or minimally invasive surgery to remove the stones.

5. Prostate Abscess

A prostate abscess is a collection of pus within the prostate gland. It is a rare condition that can be caused by bacterial infections or the spread of bacteria from other parts of the body.

Symptoms of a prostate abscess include fever, chills, lower back pain, difficulty urinating, and blood in the urine.

Treatment for prostate abscess generally involves draining the abscess through a needle or catheter. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to treat the underlying infection.

6. Prostate Infarction

A prostate infarction is a rare condition that occurs when blood flow to the prostate gland is compromised. This condition can lead to severe pain in the lower back and pelvic area, difficulty urinating, and blood in the urine.

Prostate infarction is a medical emergency that requires urgent treatment to prevent complications like abscess formation and sepsis. Treatment may involve antibiotics, pain relief medication, and sometimes surgery.

7. Prostate Enlargement with Age

As men age, their prostate gland tends to enlarge. This condition is known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and it can cause urinary tract symptoms like frequent urination, urinary incontinence, and difficulty starting and stopping urination.

While BPH is a benign condition, it can significantly affect a man’s quality of life.

Treatments for BPH include medications like alpha blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors that can reduce prostate size, or minimally invasive procedures like Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

8. Prostate Infection

Prostate infection is a bacterial infection of the prostate gland. It can cause symptoms like frequent urination, pain or burning urination, and pain in the lower back, genitals, and urinary tract.

Treatment for prostate infection involves antibiotics to clear the bacterial infection. Pain relievers like ibuprofen may also be prescribed to manage symptoms.

9. Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis

Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the prostate gland without any symptoms. It is generally diagnosed after a biopsy of the prostate gland.

While the condition is not harmful, doctors may recommend monitoring the condition to ensure it does not progress to other prostate diseases.

10. Prostate Fibroids

Prostate fibroids, also known as fibromuscular hyperplasia of the prostate, are noncancerous growths in the prostate gland. These fibroids can cause urinary problems like difficulty urinating, frequent urination, and weak urine stream.

Treatment for prostate fibroids may involve medications like alpha-blockers or surgery to remove the fibroids.