title: Contemporary treatment options for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
abstract: The prostate gland, about the size a walnut, forms part of the male reproductive system and sits directly underneath the bladder surrounding the urethra. It is a fibromuscular exocrine gland that secretes a complex proteolytic fluid which constitutes one-third of the volume of the seminal fluid. Prostatitis refers to a group of disorders that affect the prostate and cause genitourinary pain, dysuria, urinary frequency and sexual dysfunction. The prevalence of prostatitis in the United States has been estimated to be around 9%, while the worldwide prevalence ranges from 2 to 10%, and 15% of men experience prostatitis-like symptoms at some point in their lives. There are a number of treatments which have been used for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), with only a small amount of high-level evidence. The current recommended treatment for CP/CPPS is predominantly a multimodal approach using a combination of antibiotics, α-blockers, antimuscarinic and anti-inflammatory drugs. The response to treatment and improvement in symptoms is very variable; therefore, as the evidence evolves, it is likely that treatment will become symptom specific rather than a generic, 'one strategy fits all' treatment for CP/CPPS.
authors.affiliation: Bristol Urological Institute, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hashim
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Genitourinary disorders; Levofloxacin; Obstruction; Prostatitis; Urinary tract