Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate that may be caused by an infection. The prostate is a male-specific gonadal organ and the prostate gland itself is said to be about the size of a "walnut", with bottom up, and it is close to the bladder. So the prostatitis is often coinfected with cystitis. The prostatic apex stands downwards and the front part is inside the public symphysis.

So, the patients with prostatitis often have lower abdominal pain and slight tenderness. The back of the prostate gland is close to the rectum, so long-term constipation or colitis would cause prostatitis. The urethra goes through the prostate gland, and the stimulation of inflammation to prostate makes the gland dropsical and obese, which constricts the urethra and hinders urination. Symptoms and signs of prostatitis in TCM include:

1. Syndrome of Heat-Toxin Accumulation
Main Symptoms: This syndrome is often seen in acute prostafitis complicated with abscess, manifested by burning pain in the urethra, dysuria, purulent blood in urine, severe pain in the perineum and abdomen, accompanied by chills, fever, thirst with desire for drinks, tenesmus, constipation, reddened tongue, yellowish coating, wiry and rapid pulse.

2. Syndrome of Downward Transmission of Dampness and Heat
Main Symptoms: Frequency and urgency of urination, burning pain in the urethra, descending distension and pain in the perineum, discharge of whitish or yellowish turbid fluid in the meatus urinarius, accompanied by hematuria, chills, fever, bitter and greasy taste in the mouth, yellow urine, constipation, reddened tongue, yellowish and greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse.

3. Syndrome of Insufficiency of Kidney Yin
Main Symptoms: Dibbling after urine, with discharge of white turbid substance, scanty and brown urine ,burning pain in urination, accompanied by insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, dizziness, blurred vision, soreness and weakness in the lumbus and knee, premature ejaculation, seminal emission, feverish sensation in the chest ,palms and soles, dry mouth and throat, reddened tongue ,scanty or peeled tongue, thready and rapid pulse.

4. Syndrome of Deficiency of Kidney Yang
Main Symptoms: Frequent urination, dribbling urine, insidious pain in the perineum, accompanied by low spirit, soreness in the lumbus, lassitude, spasm in the lower abdomen, cold sensation in the hands and feet, short breath, lustreless or dim complexion, poor appetite,and even impotence, premature ejaculation, pale tongue with teeth marks on the margin, thin and whitish coating, thready and feeble pulse.