The most common form of prostatitis, Category III, is also called chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Its symptoms resemble those of chronic bacterial prostatitis. However, no bacteria are evident, and pinpointing a cause or causes has been difficult. Research suggests that CP/CPPS may result from a cascade of interconnected events. The initiating event may be stress, an undetectable infectious agent, or a physical trauma that causes inflammation or nerve damage in the genitourinary area. Over time, this may lead to heightened sensitivity of the nervous system and have some relationship to stress. In other words, CP/CPPS may be an overactive pain syndrome. What's more, some physicians and researchers are beginning to think that the condition may affect the entire pelvic floor -- all of the muscles involved with bowel, bladder, and sexual function -- not just the prostate gland.
The most common form of prostatitis, Category III, is also called
chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Its
symptoms resemble those of chronic bacterial prostatitis. However,
no bacteria are evident, and pinpointing a cause or...
More
Dr. Marc Garnick answered:The most common form of prostatitis, Category III, is also called chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Its symptoms resemble those of chronic bacterial prostatitis. However, no bacteria are evident, and pinpointing a cause or causes has been difficult. Research suggests that CP/CPPS may result from a cascade of interconnected events. The initiating event may be stress, an undetectable infectious agent, or a physical trauma that causes inflammation or nerve damage in the genitourinary area. Over time, this may lead to heightened sensitivity of the nervous system and have some relationship to stress. In other words, CP/CPPS may be an overactive pain syndrome. What's more, some physicians and researchers are beginning to think that the condition may affect the entire pelvic floor -- all of the muscles involved with bowel, bladder, and sexual function -- not just the prostate gland.The most common form of prostatitis, Category III, is also called chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Its symptoms resemble those of chronic bacterial prostatitis. However, no bacteria are evident, and pinpointing a cause or... More
