The prostate is a small gland, around the size of a walnut, that’s only found in men. It lies just underneath the bladder and surrounds the top part of the urethra. It makes fluid that protects and feeds sperm, which is around 1/3 of the fluid ejaculated at orgasm. If the prostate gland becomes inflamed, this is called Prostatitis.
A short term infection is called Acute Prostatis. This usually gets better after a few days, or possibly weeks, of antibiotics.
A longer term infection is called Chronic Prostatitis. This is much less common – maybe 10% of prostatitis cases.
Over the years, pelvic pain in men has consistently been blamed on Chronic Prostatitis. While Prostatitis can cause pelvic pain, and may have been present at some stage, we now know that Chronic Prostatitis is present in only a small number of men with long term pelvic pain.