Complementary and Alternative Treatments
for Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis

Article by Michael J. Altamura, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Prostatitis means inflammation of the prostate and may be due to bacteria in which case it is called bacterial prostatitis. However, quite commonly there is no bacterial infection in which case we speak of nonbacterial prostatitis. The symptoms that a man may experience with this condition are similar to those of bacterial prostatitis and include urinary urgency and frequency, burning with urination, pain or discomfort in the pelvis or the genital area and, at times, pain with ejaculation.

Because the underlying cause of nonbacterial prostatitis has not been identified yet, a specific treatment is not available. The treatment is therefore symptomatic, that is, it consists of treating the symptoms. Traditionally, the pain or discomfort due to inflammation has been treated with anti-inflammatory medications. However, for people who cannot or prefer not to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory prescription medications, Dr. Altamura offers the option of treating this condition with phytotherapeutic agents (plant-derived medicines), also called herbal medicines, that have anti-inflammatory properties. Other measures which are helpful in treating this condition include avoiding alcohol and spicy foods when they trigger or aggravate the symptoms and the use of sitz baths to relieve painful episodes.