Prostatitis Symptoms, Causes and Natural Remedies

Prostatitis is generally used to refer to inflammation of the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a walnut size organ that resides directly below the male bladder. The gland’s primary function is to product semen, the fluid used to nourish and protect sperm. Symptoms of prostatitis include pain or burning when urinating, frequent need to urinate, and is often accompanied by pain in the lower back and pelvic area.

Prostatitis appears in four forms. The acute form (acute bacterial prostatitis) is the least common but the most severe and debilitating form of the condition. Other forms include chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic non-bacterial prostatitis, and prostadynia. The symptoms of chronic forms for prostatitis usually develop more slowly and are not as severe as those associated with the acute form of prostatitis.

Prostatitis is often caused by mycoplasma, urinary tract infection or partial blockage of the male urinary tract leading to promulgation of bacteria.

While prostatitis is not always curable its symptoms can be controlled. There are a variety of treatments for prostatitis as well as measures can be taken to provide relief. There are also some natural remedies including saw palmetto preparations, zinc supplements and quercetin that have helped some men manage many of the symptoms of prostatitis.

Nutritional supplements that may be useful

Recently researchers have reported that quercetin may significantly improve the symptoms associated with two forms of prostatitis, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis and prostadynia. The results of an uncontrolled study reported that quercetin taken twice a day for two weeks markedly improved chronic prostatitis symptoms in 60 of study participants. A double-blind study showed similar results in nearly 70 of men suffering from prodtadynia or nonbacterial prostatitis.

Zinc supplementation has been associated with improvement of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in some males. However, no research to date has studied the effectiveness of zinc supplementation for prostatitis. Notwithstanding, many medical and naturopathic doctors recommend zinc for prostatitis.

Flower pollen may have some effectiveness in benign prostatic hyperplasia and in prostatitis. In one uncontrolled trial flower pollen extract taken twice daily for up to 18 months reported a substantial improvement in chronic nonbacterial prostatitis or prostadynia. In another trial nearly 80 of participants who were given flower pollen three times daily for 6 months reported noticable improvement of symptoms. No controlled studies have examined the effectiveness of flower pollen on prostatitis.

Herbs that may be useful

Saw palmetto is best know for its use with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) but has also been used by men with prostatitis. Studies indicate that the active constituents of saw palmetto may work to reduce inflammation, however, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support the effects of saw palmetto in prostatitis sufferers.

Pygeum is another herb that shows promise for helping men with prostatitis. In one preliminary trial, men given 200 mg of pygeum extract per day reported improvement in symptoms associated with prostitis. Other trials have reported similar findings.

Pau d’arco has also been used by men with prostatitis. Studies have show that pau d’arco exhibits antibacterial effects against E.coli bacteria, suggesting that it may be of benefit to men with certain forms of prostatitis caused by bacteria.

Supporting Literature

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Bush IM, Berman E, Nourkayhan S, et al. Zinc and the prostate. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Medical Association Chicago, 1974.
Buck AC, Rees RW, Ebeling L. Treatment of chronic prostatitis and prostadynia with pollen extract. Br J Urol. 1989; 64:496-499.
Carani C, Salvioli V, Scuteri A, et al. Urological and sexual evaluation of treatment of benign prostatic disease using Pygeum africanum at high doses. Arch Ital Urol Nefrol Androl 1991;63:341–354.
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Shoskes DA, Zeitlin SI, Shahed A, Rajfer J. Quercetin in men with category III chronic prostatitis: a preliminary prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Urology 1999.
Hollman PCH, Gaag MVD, Mengelers MJB, et al. Absorpotion and disposition kinetics of the dietary antioxidant quercetin in man. Free Red Biol Med. 1996; 21:703-707.
Buck AC, Rees RW, Ebeling L. Treatment of chronic prostatitis and prostatodynia with pollen extract. Br J Urol 1989.
Rugendorff EW, Weidner W, Ebeling L, Buck AC. Results of treatment with pollen extract (Cernilton N) in chronic prostatitis and prostatodynia. Br J Urol 1993.