Prostatitis is a disease of the prostate gland.  It can cause pain in the groin, pain with urination, difficulty with urination and other related problems.   So what exactly does the prostate do?  The prostate gland produces components of semen.  It is about the size and shape of a walnut and sits directly below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that transports both semen and urine to the penis.

Prostatitis is a group of disorders with related symptoms.

To diagnose prostatitis, you must rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms and determining what kind of prostatitis you have. You will undergo an evaluation which may include a general physical exam and a series of diagnostic tests.  Some of the diagnostic tests are:

First, a symptom questionnaire which will give you a score of various factors such as pain, discomfort, urination, frequency and the impact of these symptoms on your body.  Your doctor will determine your total score in making a diagnosis and devising a treatment.

Second, you may have to undergo a digital rectal exam, in which your doctor manually examines your prostate gland.  To do this, your doctor will place a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum.  He will be able to feel the surface of your prostate to determine if it is enlarged, tender or inflamed.

Another test could be a urine and semen test.  Your doctor may want to evaluate samples of urine and semen for bacteria and to determine your white blood cell count.  Your white blood cells are important to your immune system and can help establish a diagnosis of prostatitis. You may have three samples taken, before, during and after massaging your prostate with a lubricated, gloved finger.

For a more extensive examination, the doctor may perform a cystoscopy, in which a cystoscope is used to examine your bladder and urethra.  This cystoscope is a small tube that in inserted through the urethra and into the bladder.  It contains a magnifying lens or camera and allows the doctor to view any problems and rule out conditions.

Finally, your doctor may order an urodynamic test, which is used to check your bladder and its ability to empty.  Again, this can help your doctor identify other disorders or understand how prostatitis is affecting your ability to urinate.

In performing these various exams, your doctor can rule out any conditions and narrow down your symptoms of prostatitis.  After a diagnosis is made, a treatment will be determined.