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Pain in your pelvis, groin and lower back? Trouble urinating? You may have prostatitis.

	Afflicting men of all ages, this painful and debilitating condition has no definite cause but ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you learn to recognize the symptoms and give you advice on what you can do to feel better.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out which treatments rate best for those afflicted with chronic prostatitis.

If you or someone you know suffers from chronic prostatitis, you're not alone. Consumer Reports Health is here to help with the best research for this syndrome, and expert evidence and advice about how to treat it.

Key points for people with chronic prostatitis

• No one knows what exactly causes prostatitis. Theories range from an infection to problems with the immune system to symptoms caused by tense muscles in the pelvis.
• Prostatitis is common but there hasn't been much research to help doctors recognize and treat it.
• There are two main types of prostatitis. In one type you have an infection in your urine or the fluid from your prostate, and in the other type there's no infection. Symptoms for both types are similar.
• Chronic prostatitis is when symptoms have lasted for at least six months.
• Many men say their symptoms get better over time, even without any treatment.

Chronic prostatitis is very common and men of any age can get it. About 1 in 10 American men are diagnosed with chronic prostatitis every year.

There are several treatments that can help you cope with the pain of chronic prostatitis. The treatment you have will depend on your symptoms. Certain massage and exercise therapies, alpha-blockers and antibiotics may also be helpful. We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about chronic prostatitis. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you will have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you willl be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.