Prostatitis treatment can be done with the use of medications, such as levofloxacin, azithromycin or ceftriaxone, orally or injectably, as they have antibacterial action, eliminating bacteria that cause acute or chronic prostatitis.
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland most often caused by bacterial infections, but it can also arise due to prostate injuries or surgery, causing pain, frequent urge to urinate or fever, for example. Know how to identify the symptoms of prostatitis.
In addition to treatment with medications for prostatitis, the doctor may also recommend exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles, physical therapy or surgery, which varies depending on the severity of the symptoms and the cause of the inflammation in the prostate.
14 treatments for prostatitis
The main treatments for prostatitis that may be recommended by a urologist are:
1. Levofloxacino
Levofloxacin is an antibiotic that may be recommended by a urologist for acute or chronic prostatitis, when it is caused by bacterial infections.
Another antibiotic from the same class as levofloxacin that may be indicated is ciprofloxacin.
Generally, antibiotic treatment for prostatitis lasts from 2 to 12 weeks, which varies depending on the type of prostatitis.
2. Doxycycline
Doxycycline is another medication for prostatitis that has antibacterial action and may be indicated for acute or chronic prostatitis caused mainly by sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia. Learn how to use doxycycline.
This remedy can be used after the initial treatment of acute prostatitis with intramuscular ceftriaxone in a single dose, or it can be associated with phosphomycin for the treatment of chronic prostatitis, for example.
Read too: Chlamydia: what it is, symptoms, transmission and treatment
3. Ceftriaxone
Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic in injection form indicated in cases of acute or chronic infectious prostatitis caused by bacteria.
These prostatitis remedies can be applied directly to the muscle or vein, which varies according to the severity of the infection.
4. Azithromycin
Azithromycin, like clarithromycin, is an antibiotic from the macrolide class, which may be indicated for prostatitis in cases of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria or Chlamydia trachomatis. See how to take azithromycin.
In addition to macrolide antibiotics, depending on the type of bacteria that caused acute or chronic prostatitis, the doctor may also recommend the use of sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim or carbenicillin, for example.
5. Metronidazole
Metronidazole may be indicated for the treatment of acute or chronic prostatitis caused by trichomoniasis, as it acts by eliminating the bacteria Trichomonas sp.
Read too: 8 symptoms of trichomoniasis in men and women
6. Piperacillin + tazobactam
Treatment for prostatitis with piperacillin + tazobactam may be recommended by a urologist in cases of severe acute prostatitis or sepsis.
This medication for prostatitis is made in the hospital, as it is applied directly into the vein by the nurse, under medical supervision.
7. Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that may be used to reduce prostate inflammation and relieve symptoms of pain or discomfort caused by acute or chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Another medicine that may be indicated to alleviate symptoms is paracetamol, which has analgesic action.
8. Finasteride
Finasteride, like dutasteride, is an alpha-reductase inhibitor drug, which helps reduce prostate size and vascularity, also reducing PSA levels.
These remedies may be recommended by a urologist in cases of chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome, helping to alleviate symptoms and improve urine flow.
9. Doxazosina
Doxazosin is a drug from the alpha-blocker class that relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder, helping to improve urinary flow, and is normally indicated in cases of chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Other alpha-blockers that may be indicated are silodosin, alfuzosin or Prazosin, for example.
10. Sildenafil
Sildenafil, like tadalafil, is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that may be indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in cases of chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. See other remedies for erectile dysfunction.
11. Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline, like fluoxetine, is a medicine normally indicated for the treatment of depression, but may be indicated for chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome, as it helps to alleviate neuropathic pain.
In addition to antidepressants, anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin or pregabalin, may also be indicated to relieve neuropathic pain.
Read too: Neuropathic pain: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment
12. Pelvic exercises
Exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles, such as Kegel exercises, help relieve urinary symptoms, mainly caused by chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Learn how to do Kegel exercises for men.
13. Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy may also be recommended by the urologist for the pelvic floor, myofascial release or muscle relaxation treatments, for example.
Furthermore, the physiotherapist can use devices, such as TENS, to relieve pain in these cases. Find out how TENS is done.
14. Surgery
Surgery can be performed by a doctor in some cases, especially when there is obstruction of urinary flow.
However, surgery is only done when other treatments have not been effective in improving urine flow.
Natural Treatment Options
Some natural treatment options for prostatitis are warm sitz baths, which help relieve prostate inflammation and relieve pressure. Find out how to take a sitz bath.
Additionally, the use of special cushions with a hole in the center may be recommended to relieve pressure on the prostate when sitting.
Additionally, the use of some natural supplements, such as quercetin, curcumin, lycopene, selenium or palmetto salt, can also help reduce prostate inflammation and alleviate symptoms.
Read too: Saw palmetto: what it is for and how to use it
However, it is important to emphasize that natural treatment does not replace medications for prostatitis, physiotherapy or surgery, recommended by a urologist, but can be used to complement medical treatment.
Signs of prostatitis improvement
The main symptoms of improvement in prostatitis appear approximately 3 to 4 days after starting treatment with antibiotics and include pain relief, reduction in fever and disappearance of difficulty urinating.
Although these symptoms appear in the first week of treatment, it is important to continue using antibiotics until the end of the package or until recommended by your doctor, to prevent prostate inflammation from recurring and the emergence of bacteria resistant to the antibiotics used.
Read too: Bacterial resistance: what it is, why it happens and how to avoid it
Signs of worsening prostatitis
Signs of worsening prostatitis are rare and usually only appear when treatment is not started or when it is being done incorrectly, including increased pain, chills, increased fever or blood in the semen.
In these cases, it is advisable to quickly consult a urologist or go to the emergency room.
