Prostatitis

Home Treatment

Acute or chronic bacterial prostatitis

If you have prostatitis caused by a bacterial infection (acute or chronic bacterial prostatitis), contact a health professional about your symptoms, especially if you have a fever. Antibiotics and other medications will be prescribed as needed.

However, there are some things you can do at home that may help you be more comfortable:

• Take non-prescription pain relievers, such as ASA, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or acetaminophen.
• Sit in a tub of warm water with the water just covering your buttocks, or try a sitz bath.
• Take care of yourself when you have an infection. Get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluids. This will make you feel better and may speed your recovery.
• Eat plenty of high-fibre foods, such as fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereal, and drink enough water to avoid constipation. Straining to pass a bowel movement may be very painful when your prostate is inflamed, so use a stool softener if necessary.

Chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, inflammatory or non-inflammatory

Home treatment may help control symptoms and relieve pain if you have chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, inflammatory or non-inflammatory. In addition to trying the above home treatment tips for acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis:

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods such as hot peppers, chili, pickles, and salsa, especially if they make your symptoms worse.
• Try stress management: deep breathing, relaxation, exercise, and elimination of stressful circumstances. Stress and anxiety may cause your symptoms to get worse. For more information, see the topic Stress Management.
• Ask your health professional about plant extracts, such as saw palmetto, quercetin (Prosta-Q), or bee pollen extract (Cernilton), which may provide some relief.¹

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Douglas Dana Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: February 19, 2008
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.