What causes prostatitis and urinary tract infections?

Patient's question:

Please ask the doctor, what are the ways that can lead to prostatitis and urinary tract infections? Thank you

Doctor's answer:

Hello: The pathways of prostatic infection are generally divided into three aspects:
1. Direct spread via the urethra: This is a relatively common route of infection. Bacteria ascend through the urethral orifice into the urethra and then invade the prostate via the prostatic ducts, causing acute or chronic prostatitis. It is worth noting that gonococcal urethritis is a major cause of prostatitis. With the rapid spread of gonorrhea in China in recent years, it has become an important etiological factor for chronic prostatitis. Prostatic hyperplasia or the presence of stones can deform and twist the prostatic urethra, leading to congestion and difficulty in urination. This also weakens the immune capacity of the prostatic urethral mucosa against non-pathogenic bacteria that normally coexist in the urethra, making it easier to develop prostatitis. Hypersexuality or excessive masturbation can cause repeated congestion of the prostate, triggering prostatitis. Catherization or urethral instrumentation can introduce bacteria into the urethra, leading to prostatitis.
2. Hematogenous infection: Pathogenic bacteria from other infection foci in the body can reach the prostate through the bloodstream, causing prostatitis. Common sources include bacteria from skin, tonsillar, dental, respiratory, or intestinal infections entering the bloodstream and invading the prostate.
3. Lymphatic infection: This is relatively rare and can occur when adjacent inflammatory conditions such as the rectum, colon, bladder, or urethra spread infection through lymphatic channels to the prostate.
Prostatitis is classified in a complex manner. In addition to the common bacterial prostatitis, which can be divided into acute and chronic prostatitis, there are also specific types of prostatitis, including those caused by pathogens such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Treponema pallidum, fungi, and parasites (e.g., Trichomonas).