Prostatitis — inflammation of the prostate — is one of the most common urologic conditions in men, and unlike an enlarged prostate, it can affect men at any age. It ranges from a sudden, intense infection to a frustrating, lingering pelvic pain that has defied easy answers. Because the different types call for very different treatments, an accurate diagnosis is everything, and the right plan can bring real relief even when previous attempts haven’t.
Dr. Justin Houman is a board-certified urologist and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons whose subspecialty training in male reproductive medicine and microsurgery is held by fewer than 2% of urologists in the United States. An Assistant Professor of Urology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and a Top Doctor in Los Angeles as named by Los Angeles Magazine, he is well equipped to handle prostatitis in all its forms — including the chronic pelvic pain syndrome that so often frustrates men and their previous doctors. Featured in national media including Men’s Health and the New York Post, he takes a thorough, multimodal approach to a condition that rarely has a one-size-fits-all answer.
I was sent to Dr. Houman from another Urologist that was pretty confused about my situation. Dr. Houman’s team scheduled me quickly, and once we met, Dr. Houman took action immediately. He has a great team that is very nice. He is very personable, listens, jumps right into the trenches, explains everything, and is very responsive. I love working with Dr. Houman, definitely the best Doctor I’ve had!
What Is Prostatitis?
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, helping produce the fluid that carries sperm. Prostatitis is inflammation of this gland, and it’s remarkably common, affecting men of all ages. Depending on the type, it can develop suddenly or persist for months, and its symptoms can range from urinary trouble to pelvic pain and painful ejaculation. The encouraging news is that, once correctly identified, prostatitis is very treatable.
Symptoms of Prostatitis
Because the prostate sits next to the bladder and urethra, urinary symptoms are common, along with pain in the pelvic region:
- Pain or burning during urination
- Frequent or urgent urination, or difficulty emptying the bladder
- Pain in the lower abdomen, groin, perineum, penis, testicles, or lower back
- Pain during or after ejaculation
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Flu-like symptoms, particularly with acute bacterial prostatitis
What Causes Prostatitis?
The cause depends on the type. Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis stem from a bacterial infection that reaches the prostate, often by way of the urinary tract. CP/CPPS — the most common form — is less straightforward: it isn’t an infection, and it’s thought to involve a mix of nerve and muscle dysfunction, inflammation, pelvic floor tension, and sometimes stress. Injury to the area and certain medical procedures can also play a role.
Diagnosing and Treating Prostatitis
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. Dr. Houman evaluates your symptoms and history, performs an exam, and uses urine and other tests to identify the type and rule out conditions such as a urinary infection or, when appropriate, prostate concerns. Treatment then follows the diagnosis: bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotics — a longer course for chronic cases — while CP/CPPS calls for a multimodal plan that may combine medications like alpha-blockers and anti-inflammatories, pelvic floor physical therapy, and lifestyle measures. Because CP/CPPS overlaps with other causes of pelvic pain in men, Dr. Houman addresses the whole picture rather than chasing a single cause.
When Prostatitis Needs Prompt Care
Most prostatitis is managed in the office, but acute bacterial prostatitis can come on suddenly and severely — with high fever, chills, intense pain, and sometimes an inability to urinate. These symptoms warrant prompt medical care, as the infection needs timely treatment. If you develop them, don’t wait it out.
Types of Prostatitis
Prostatitis is grouped into four types, and telling them apart is the key to effective treatment:
Acute Bacterial Prostatitis
A sudden bacterial infection causing fever, chills, and severe urinary symptoms; though the least common type, it requires prompt treatment.
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
A recurring bacterial infection with persistent or returning urinary symptoms, often requiring a longer course of antibiotics.
Chronic Prostatitis / Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
The most common type, this involves ongoing pelvic pain without evidence of infection and usually responds best to a multimodal approach.
Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis
Inflammation found incidentally during testing for another reason, causing no symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prostatitis
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No — prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate and can affect men of any age, while an enlarged prostate (BPH) is a non-cancerous growth that’s more common with age.
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Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is by far the most common, and because it isn’t caused by infection, antibiotics alone usually aren’t the answer.
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Antibiotics treat bacterial prostatitis effectively, but the most common type, CP/CPPS, isn’t bacterial and responds better to a multimodal approach.
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Yes — pain during or after ejaculation is a common symptom, and it often improves once the underlying type is correctly treated.
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Prostatitis is not cancer, though some symptoms can overlap, which is why an evaluation helps confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions.
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Sudden high fever, chills, severe pain, or an inability to urinate can signal acute bacterial prostatitis and warrant prompt medical attention.
Why Choose Dr. Houman for Prostatitis Treatment in Los Angeles
- Expertise in All Four Types: Accurate diagnosis that distinguishes bacterial prostatitis from CP/CPPS.
- Multimodal Pelvic Pain Care: A comprehensive approach to chronic, hard-to-treat cases.
- Beyond Antibiotic Trial-and-Error: Treatment matched to the actual cause, not guesswork.
- Board-Certified Urologic Expertise: Experienced, thorough care for a frustrating condition.
Meet Dr. Houman
Expert in Men’s Health with Tower Urology and Cedars Sinai
Dr. Justin Houman, MD, FACS is a board-certified urologist and fellowship-trained microsurgeon at Tower Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His subspecialty training in male reproductive medicine and microsurgery is held by fewer than 2% of practicing urologists in the United States.
His clinical focus is narrow by design. Varicoceles, chronic testicular pain, male infertility, vasectomy, testosterone optimization, erectile dysfunction, penile implant surgery, and Peyronie’s disease are not add-on services here. They are the practice. Patients travel from across the country and internationally for procedures, particularly microsurgical varicocelectomy, spermatic cord denervation, and inflatable penile implant surgery, that require a level of subspecialty training and surgical volume most urology practices do not have.
Prostatitis Treatment in Los Angeles
If prostatitis has been disrupting your life — or if round after round of treatment hasn’t helped — a precise diagnosis can finally point the way to relief. Dr. Houman offers thorough, individualized prostatitis care for men across Los Angeles and Southern California. Contact the Los Angeles office to schedule a consultation and get to the bottom of it.
