Symptoms of chronic prostatitis are often mild and start slowly over weeks or months. Symptoms of acute prostatitis usually start suddenly and are severe.

When you have prostatitis, you may have pain when you urinate or ejaculate. You may urinate often or have trouble starting a stream of urine. You may pass only a little urine and feel like your bladder isn't completely empty. With acute prostatitis, you may also have a fever and chills.

A doctor can often tell if you have prostatitis by asking about your symptoms and past health. Your doctor will also do a physical exam, including a digital rectal exam to feel the prostate.

Your doctor may not be able to tell what type of prostatitis you have just from your health history and symptoms. You may need tests to help find out the cause of your prostatitis.

More tests may be needed if:

• Your symptoms don't improve with treatment.
• You keep having prostate infections.
• The symptoms could be caused by bladder or prostate cancer.
• Your doctor thinks that you might have a problem related to prostatitis, such as an abscess.

Tests may include:

• Complete blood count (CBC).
• Lab tests, such as urine and blood cultures. These check for bacteria in your urine or blood.
• A CT scan or MRI of your pelvic area.
• A transrectal ultrasound of your pelvic area.

Treatment depends on the condition you have.

• Acute prostatitis is treated with antibiotics. Your doctor may suggest home care such as over-the-counter pain medicines and stool softeners.
• Chronic prostatitis may be treated with medicines such as alpha blockers. Your doctor may suggest other treatments, such as physical therapy and over-the-counter pain medicines.