Chronic prostatitis is a common urogenital disorder with a notably high incidence rate in recent years, causing significant distress among many men. Surveys indicate that nearly 50% of men experience prostatitis symptoms at some point in their lives. The clinical manifestations of chronic prostatitis are complex and varied. Persistent prostatitis may impair male sexual function and fertility, severely affecting both physical and mental health.
Chronic prostatitis encompasses two main types: chronic bacterial prostatitis and nonbacterial prostatitis.
Its etiology is highly complex, with varying pathogenesis theories. Current understanding identifies the following primary causes:
1. Acute inflammatory infections that fail to receive thorough treatment, subsequently progressing to chronic prostatitis. This represents the primary cause for most chronic bacterial prostatitis cases.
2. Liver and kidney yin deficiency, excessive sexual indulgence damaging yin essence. Yin deficiency leads to uncontrolled fire energy, impairing lower jiao qi transformation or failing to retain and store properly. Frequent sexual activity can cause prolonged congestion and edema in the prostate area, resulting in symptoms of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.
3. Inflammation spreading from other male urinary or reproductive organs, such as urethritis, seminal vesiculitis, or epididymitis, may trigger prostatitis if left untreated.
4. Systemic infections from other parts of the body can spread via the bloodstream to affect the prostate, causing prostatitis.
5. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) posits that qi stagnation and blood stasis, liver damage from anger and depression, or emotional distress can impair lower jiao qi transformation, leading to urinary dysfunction.: Individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, hypochondria, hysteria, or other psychological abnormalities may develop autonomic nervous system dysfunction. This can cause neuromuscular dysfunction in the posterior urethra, leading to pelvic pain and urinary dysfunction. Alternatively, it may alter hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function, affecting sexual function and manifesting as symptoms of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.