You are likely to be given a course of antibiotics, as well as
pain-relieving drugs if you need them. You might also be offered
other treatments depending on the type of prostatitis you are
diagnosed with.
- Medicines to improve the symptoms such as alpha blockers (such
as tamsulosin), 5 alpha reductase inhibitors (such as finasteride),
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or
anti-depressants.
- Prostate massage, nutritional supplement, pelvic floor
excercises, acupuncture, a type of psychotherapy, pain relieving
drugs
Some men have found other treatments helpful, for example:
- Pelvic floor exercises - ask your doctor for
advice, or speak to our Specialist Nurses. Or
read our Tool Kit fact sheet, Pelvic floor muscle exercises.
- Acupuncture, which involves inserting fine
sterile needles just below the skin. Your specialist team or GP may
be able to give you details about having acupuncture on the NHS. If
you would prefer to find your own therapist, make sure that they
are properly qualified and belong to a professional body. The
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council will be able to give
you more advice about finding a therapist.
- Avoid or cut down on drinks that contain alcohol or
caffeine, such as tea, coffee or cola, as they may
irritate your bladder.
- Some men find that regular ejaculation and warm
baths can help relieve symptoms.
- It is also a good idea to avoid activities that put
pressure on the area between your back passage (rectum) and
testicles, such as cycling. These activities can make
symptoms worse.
There is no strong evidence that the following treatments work,
but some men have found them helpful:
- Prostatic massage. The doctor will massage
your prostate gland by inserting a gloved lubricated finger into
your back passage (rectum).
- A nutritional supplement called quercetin,
which may help reduce inflammation in the prostate. You can buy
this from most health food stores.
- A type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioural
therapy (CBT), which may help you cope with symptoms. You
may be able to get a referral from your doctor, or you can find a
therapist yourself by contacting the UK Council for
Psychotherapy.
Living with prostatitis
You may find it frustrating living with prostatitis. If you are
in discomfort, it can be difficult to carry out everyday tasks. You
may worry about travelling long distances or sitting in meetings
when you do not know when you will be able to reach a toilet. You
may feel that other people do not understand your symptoms. There
is still a lot we do not know about prostatitis and you may feel
frustrated by this lack of knowledge.
Treatment of prostatitis aims to relieve symptoms and improve
your quality of life, but you may find you need extra support. You
may find it helpful to talk to your doctor about how you are
feeling, or you can speak to our Specialist
Nurses. You may also find it helpful to talk to a partner,
friend or relative, or to a counsellor. You may be able to get a
referral to a counsellor through your doctor, or you can get a list
of private counsellors from the British Association for Counselling &
Psychotherapy.