Prostatitis syndromes

It is estimated that approximately 50% of men experience prostatitic symptoms at some point in their adult life, and it is also believed that, annually, prostatitis syndromes constitute about 25% of male office visits for genitourinary complaints. Despite the fact that numerous studies on prostatitis syndromes have been conducted, they remain a poorly understood and frustrating problem for both patients and clinicians. Part of the problem in treating prostatitis relates to confusion regarding the syndromes. Appropriate therapy depends on a clear understanding of each of the different types of syndrome as well as their corresponding etiologies, pathophysiologies, and proper diagnostic evaluations. Only when these precursors are met successfully can this common but difficult problem be most effectively addressed.