HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Prostatitis
When To Call a Doctor
Contact your doctor 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 point to Reference acute prostatitis.
Call your doctor if you have:
- Urinary symptoms and persistent pain in the low back, Reference scrotum Opens New Window, penis, or the area between the scrotum and anus, or if you have pain with ejaculation or with a bowel movement.
- Recurring Reference urinary tract infections Opens New Window (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 medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, to relieve pain. But if your urinary symptoms and pain continue, be sure to see a doctor.
Who to see
Health professionals who can evaluate and treat your prostatitis include:
- Reference Family medicine doctors Opens New Window.
- Reference Internists Opens New Window.
- Reference Urologists Opens New Window.
- Reference Nurse practitioners Opens New Window.
- Reference Physician assistants Opens New Window.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Reference Making the Most of Your Appointment.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference December 3, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference J. Curtis Nickel, MD, FRCSC - Urology |
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
