Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate (a gland beneath the bladder that produces components of semen). This inflammation can be acute (acute prostatitis) when it is commonly due to infection, or persistent or relapsing (chronic prostatitis).

Acute prostatitis
Caused by bacterial infection usually associated with spread from the bladder or urethra.

Chronic prostatitis
Family doctors are seeing increasing numbers of men, usually aged 35-45 years, who have genital or pelvic pain that persists for weeks or months. These symptoms have been blamed on chronic inflammation of the prostate gland that in the past was presumed to be due to infection. However, an infection will be found in less than 5 per cent of such patients, so the term chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is now often used instead of chronic prostatitis.

Acute Prostatitis
Burning on passing urine with severe pain felt deep between the legs. There may be a penile discharge if an STD is present.

Chronic Prostatitis
The common symptoms are:
penile, pelvic or rectal pain, often felt deep between the legs, which is worse on sitting.
frequency or discomfort on passing urine.
pain on or after ejaculation.
quick, delayed or unsatisfactory ejaculation.
rarely, blood in semen (haemospermia), more likely if infection present.