There is a difference between painful bladder syndrome and prostatitis, though some symptoms may be similar and the conditions in men are often mistaken for each other.
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which may or may not be caused by bacteria. About 90 percent of
chronic prostatitis cases are not bacterial, according to WebMD.
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Painful bladder syndrome, also known as interstitial cystitis, is a condition characterized by inflammation of the bladder walls. Like most cases of chronic prostatitis, interstitial cystitis is not caused by bacteria. Women experience painful bladder syndrome more frequently than men, but obviously do not experience prostatitis at all.
Both conditions have symptoms that include pain in the pelvic region, frequent need to urinate, and urgent need to urinate. Additionally, patients with either condition may experience pelvic floor musculature tightness, which can cause pain in the lower back,
says the Interstitial Cystitis Association.
Prostatitis and painful bladder syndrome may also cause bleeding. Additionally, some types of food, as well as sexual intercourse, may affect the severity of symptoms.
Both conditions may be aided by physical therapy. Talk with your doctor about whether this might be a beneficial option for you.
Patients with prostatitis might consider looking into painful bladder syndrome if general management and treatment techniques do not show results. Additional examinations and diagnostic tests can help to show the real cause of discomfort.
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Antibiotics may sometimes help in men with prostatitis, according to WebMD. They are not effective in patients with
painful bladder syndrome, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports.
In one study, 55 percent of patients who ultimately were diagnosed with interstitial cystitis had undergone at least once transurethral resection of the prostate, a procedure that aims at
relieving symptoms of prostatitis, Medscape reports.
Using potassium tests, where the element is put into the bladder to see if it causes pain in the patient, can be helpful in diagnosing painful bladder syndrome. Those with a normal bladder cannot differentiate between the potassium and water, according to Medscape.
Cystoscopic evidence of inflammation, glomerulations (bleeding at pinpoint places), and Hunner’s ulcers can also be effective in diagnosing,
says Right Diagnosis.
As a start, however, looking at a patient's medical history may be insightful when determining a diagnosis.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information notes the appearance of interstitial cystitis has been found to be more common than originally thought.
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