Doctor Answers: Can You Have Sex with Prostatitis?

If you’ve been diagnosed with prostatitis, you may have concerns about how it affects your sex life. Some men fear that having sex might worsen their symptoms, while others worry about transmitting the condition to their partner. This raises a common question: Can you have sex with prostatitis? The short answer is yes, but with some considerations.

Prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland, affects about 10% of men across different age groups, with most cases occurring in their 40s. Despite common misconceptions, having prostatitis doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up sex.

To clear up the confusion, we spoke with Dr. Parra, a specialist in prostate health, to discuss the realities of prostatitis, its impact on sexual function, and how men can manage their symptoms while maintaining an active sex life.

Dr. Parra has provided research-based insights for this article. All medical information has been thoroughly reviewed to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Q: How Does Prostatitis Affect Your Sex Life?

Dr. Parra answers: Prostatitis is the most common prostate-related problem that affects sexual life in young adults. Contrary to benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, prostatitis is more common in younger men, especially during their sexually active age.

According to studies, prostatitis risk starts to increase at the age of 40 years, but 20-year-olds can also have symptoms. Since prostate inflammation causes pain and ejaculation problems, it can be distressing for men and their partners if they are sexually active.

A recent narrative review published in the Journal of Medical Research mentions there’s a relationship between prostatitis and premature ejaculation (PE). The authors show an increased incidence of prostatitis in patients with PE, considering this problem a type of acquired sexual dysfunction resulting from prostatitis symptoms.

However, not all patients with prostatitis experience sexual dysfunction. A proportion of them have mild symptoms that improve significantly with anti-inflammatory medications and respond to treatment without affecting their sexual life. In any case, a combination of medical treatment and psychological therapy for the patient and his partner shows encouraging results when prostatitis affects sexuality.

Q: Can You Have Sex With Prostatitis?

Dr. Parra answers:  Yes, most men with prostatitis can have sex. In most cases, sexual activity won’t make the prostatitis symptoms worse. However, for some men, prostatitis causes pain during ejaculation, which can lead to frustration and anxiety about intercourse.

Prostatitis is often caused by a bacterial infection, but this is not the type of infection that spreads through sexual contact. That said, if your prostatitis is linked to a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, you should avoid sex until treated.

If you notice unusual discharge, genital sores, or other STI symptoms, seek medical attention. 

People often confuse prostatitis with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. While prostatic hyperplasia is an enlargement of the prostate. The symptoms of your infection will depend on the type of prostatitis you are dealing with.

Since prostatitis shares symptoms with other conditions like interstitial cystitis or prostate cancer, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis. Prostate cancer, for example, can spread to the seminal vesicles, which could cause sexual health complications.

There are different types of prostatitis, including:

• Acute bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS)
• Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

Each type affects men differently, and your symptoms will depend on which type you have. If you experience pelvic pain, discomfort during ejaculation, or urination difficulties, consult a doctor. Your healthcare provider may recommend tests, such as evaluating prostatic fluid for bacterial infection. A specialist can help determine the best treatment approach to restore erectile function and relieve symptoms.

Q: What are the Best Tips for Sex with Prostatitis?

Dr. Parra answers: As mentioned above, symptoms vary depending on the type and severity of prostatitis. Sometimes, the symptoms are mild and only slightly discomforting. In others, they can be distressing, and pain symptoms can steal the moment, causing frustration and a decrease in quality of life.

Regardless of the intensity of your prostatitis symptoms, you can consider a few recommendations that will make it easier for you and your partner:

1. Practice Safe Sex

Unprotected sex, particularly with multiple partners, increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), some of which can lead to prostatitis. Infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia can inflame the prostate, causing symptoms that may affect your sex life.

STI rates have risen significantly in recent years. Between 2015 and 2019, the U.S. saw a 30% increase in STD cases, with the highest spike in congenital syphilis. To reduce risk, use protection like condoms and get regular STI screenings.

2. Manage the Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain is one of the most common complaints among men with prostatitis, especially those dealing with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). Managing pelvic floor dysfunction should be a top priority, especially when dealing with a urinary tract infection. Managing this discomfort can make sexual activity more enjoyable.

Here’s what can help:

• Take prescribed medications to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Empty your bladder before sex to minimize discomfort.
• Try Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor and ease tension.

3. Soak in a Warm Bath

A warm bath can temporarily relieve prostatitis naturally, particularly for men dealing with chronic inflammation. Cold temperatures often worsen symptoms, whereas heat improves blood flow to the prostate, reducing pain.

Soaking in a hot bath before sex can help ease discomfort, relax the pelvic muscles, and improve circulation.

4. Use a Heating Pad

A heating pad or hot water bottle applied to the perineal area (the space between the scrotum and anus) can reduce pain from chronic prostatitis.

Prostatitis often causes:

• Burning or hesitant urination
• Pelvic discomfort
• Painful ejaculation

Using heat therapy before or after intercourse can help alleviate these symptoms.

5. Increase Your Fluid Intake

Drinking more water helps flush out bacteria and prevents urinary retention, a common problem in men with bacterial prostatitis.

A weak urine flow is typical with prostatitis. Proper hydration promotes frequent urination, which can help clear the infection faster and improve overall urinary health.

6. Limit Alcohol & Caffeine Intake

While alcohol does not directly cause prostate enlargement, it can irritate the bladder and worsen prostatitis symptoms.

• Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urination frequency, which can lead to burning sensations and urgency.
• Caffeine has similar effects, often intensifying bladder irritation and causing frequent urination or incontinence.

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, opt for decaffeinated drinks to avoid flare-ups.

7. Avoid Acidic and Spicy Foods

Spicy and acidic foods irritate the bladder and prostate, making prostatitis symptoms worse. Overconsumption of these foods can:

• Affect the bladder lining
• Disrupt the nervous system that controls bladder function
• Increase inflammation in the prostate

Try reducing or eliminating spicy foods, citrus fruits, and carbonated beverages to prevent aggravation.

8. Avoid Activities That Irritate the Prostate

Certain activities put pressure on the prostate, worsening inflammation. Prolonged sitting and bicycling are two common culprits.

That said, the study suggests that regular exercise is beneficial. Physical activity reduces inflammation and boosts dopamine levels, which may ease pain associated with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).

If you’re experiencing symptoms, consult with a prostate specialist before making changes to your exercise routine.

9. Try Herbal Remedies

Some men use natural supplements to manage prostatitis. Popular options include:

• Green tea – Contains antioxidants that reduce inflammation.
• Ryegrass pollen extract – May help relax the muscles around the bladder.
• Saw palmetto – Often used for prostate health support.

While herbal remedies can complement treatment, they should not replace conventional medicine.

Q: Can a Prostate Infection Be Sexually Transmitted?

Dr. Parra answers: Prostatitis is not a sexually transmitted disease. In some cases, it is linked to a genitourinary infection, which includes sexually transmitted diseases. However, this is only one case scenario and does not mean that partners will get an infection after having sex with a man with prostatitis. Similar to urinary infections, prostatitis does not pass down an infection to your partner unless an associated STI was the initial prostatitis trigger.

Studies show that Escherichia coli is the most common bacterial agent in prostatitis, accounting for 50 to 80% of cases. Other microorganisms include Klebsiella, Proteus, and Enterococcus species. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, which cause sexually transmitted diseases, can also trigger prostatitis, but they are not always present. The most common bacterial agents are similar to those commonly found in urinary tract infections. Thus, it is safe to assume that, similar to urinary tract infections, prostatitis can’t spread to your partner after having sex.

But then a question arises. If prostatitis-causing bacteria are the same as those in UTIs, can prostatitis cause UTI in your partner? The short answer is no. Prostatitis does not spread to your partner as a UTI. They are separate entities with different transmission mechanisms, and sexual transmission is not one of them.

Common Questions about Sex with Prostatitis

Q: When should I avoid sex if I have prostatitis?

Dr. Parra answers: In most cases, abstaining from sexual activity won’t be required, even if you have prostatitis. Sex does not always worsen the symptoms, and the condition may trigger ejaculation problems, but not all patients experience them the same way. What’s more, according to an article by Prostate Cancer UK, some men with chronic prostatitis may find relief by ejaculating regularly, as doing so empties the prostate of fluids.

However, when sexual activity triggers more intense symptoms or a flare-up, this may affect sexual enjoyment and pleasure. Moreover, there are cases in which associated problems and not prostatitis itself may require avoiding sex for a while.

For instance, if you got prostatitis after having a sexually transmitted infection, you should solve the STI before resuming your sexual activity. As mentioned above, prostatitis is not transmissible, but a lingering STI that triggers prostatitis can be passed down to your partner. Thus, if you have prostatitis along with suspicious symptoms such as genital sores or an unusual penile discharge, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor and refrain from sex until that problem is solved.

As mentioned in this article, there are different types of prostatitis. One of them is acute prostatitis, and it usually has more intense symptoms that develop over a short course. During acute prostatitis episodes, sex may exacerbate your symptoms. Thus, it is recommended to abstain from sex until this acute phase is over. 

Q: Can sexual activity make prostatitis worse?

Dr. Parra answers: The answer to this question depends on the type of prostatitis and the intensity of the symptoms. In many cases, sexual activity won’t make prostatitis symptoms worse. In others, such as acute prostatitis, sex may exacerbate pain, especially during ejaculation. However, some patients may actually benefit from frequent intercourse or masturbation.

A study published in the International Journal of Urology considers ejaculation a part of the treatment in patients with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis. According to this study, an increase in the frequency of ejaculations in men with prostatitis (measured as two or more weekly) resulted in a complete improvement of the symptoms in 11% of participants, a marked symptomatic improvement in 33% of them. Only 22% of patients reported no change in their symptoms. Thus, sexual activity can sometimes be beneficial, depending on the type of prostatitis you have.

However, these findings require extensive reproduction in new articles with more participants before considering sexual activity a part of the treatment in prostatitis patients. Each person should evaluate how they feel before, during, and after intercourse if they have prostatitis. In any case, if there’s any worsening of the symptoms, it will be transient and reversed with appropriate rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and sexual abstinence.

Q: Are there specific sexual positions that are more comfortable for men with prostatitis?

Dr. Parra answers: There is limited research that translates into practical recommendations in terms of sexual positions and what to avoid during sex to make it more comfortable for men with prostatitis. However, an article published in The Journal of Urology can help locate different trigger points we want to avoid activating during intercourse. They include the puborectalis/pubococcygeus trigger points, which are located around the anus, and the abdominal muscles. Thus, as much as possible, we want to avoid stimulating the perineum and the abdominal section.

Some sexual positions can relieve the pressure on the perineum, such as the side-lying or spooning position and almost any standing position where your partner is bent over a surface in front of you. In such cases, pressure on your perineum is low and less likely to trigger acute symptoms. 

Another option you can try is the missionary position with support. This is the basic missionary with you lying on your back with your partner on top, but in this case, you will place a pillow under your hips to provide additional support and prevent activation of your pelvic floor trigger points.

In any case, trigger points may vary from one patient to another, and it is a good idea to experiment with different sexual positions until you find one that suits you and your partner.

Q: When should I see a doctor about prostatitis and my sex life?

Dr. Parra answers: Most males can recover from prostatitis by adhering to therapeutic recommendations and following medical advice. Thus, if you have prostatitis symptoms and have not yet decided to see a doctor, we encourage you to schedule a visit as soon as possible. After receiving a diagnosis, you will know what type of prostatitis you have and the treatment options to recover as quickly as possible.

However, some patients have to live with a condition known as Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome, which is a type of prostatitis more difficult to deal with. If you were diagnosed with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome or Chronic Prostatitis and started to experience problems in your sex life, you can follow the recommendations in this blog and consult your doctor if your symptoms keep interfering with your quality of life.

Since Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome is a heterogeneous condition, management of the symptoms may take a while before improving your quality of life. However, studies show that pelvic floor physical therapy and cognitive behavior therapy can help deal with problems, including those related to our sexual health.

Do not hesitate to look for professional help if your symptoms are interfering with your everyday life, causing problems with your partner, or becoming distressful and challenging to deal with emotionally.

Q: How long after prostatitis treatment can I resume normal sex life?

Dr. Parra answers:  Recommendations to resume normal sex life may vary from one specialist to another depending on the symptoms and the type of prostatitis you have. In general terms, you are safe to resume your regular sexual activity after prostatitis symptoms are gone.

If you have been diagnosed with acute prostatitis, it is more likely that doctors gave you the advice to abstain from sex or reduce the frequency of sexual activity. If you received such advice, it is because your symptoms are more likely to aggravate during intercourse, and it is a good idea to follow the recommendation until your treatment course is finished and you don’t have symptoms anymore. If you still have symptoms after completing your treatment, talk to your doctor to see when it is appropriate to resume your normal sex life.

In the case of chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome, the answer depends on the treatment and recommendations you receive. As mentioned above, some studies show that frequent ejaculation may sometimes improve the symptoms of chronic prostatitis in some patients. Others may get the recommendation of reducing the frequency of intercourse until their symptoms are controlled. If you’re a part of the latter group, ensure all symptoms have resolved and consult your healthcare provider before resuming sexual activity.

Q: Can pelvic floor dysfunction contribute to sexual pain in prostatitis?

Dr. Parra answers:  Yes. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is a problem that usually happens in women after giving birth or during their menopause. However, it can also happen in men, and has similar symptoms, including constipation, difficulty to start urination, and incontinence. Pelvic and groin pain are also common in these patients, and prostatitis can be linked to this problem and worsen the symptoms.

Chronic prostatitis/Chronic pelvic pain syndrome can arise from different causes, and one of them is pelvic floor dysfunction. Patients contract their pelvic floor muscles, usually in moments of high stress levels and anxiety, resulting in the formation of trigger points in the pelvic floor, which may cause pain during sexual intercourse, erectile problems, and ejaculation abnormalities. That’s why some authors consider this condition a psychoneuromuscular disorder.

Thus, one of the therapeutic options to reduce pain and improve sexual life is pelvic floor physical therapy. Reducing tightness in your pelvic floor and improving its function may reduce symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, and pain during intercourse.

Conclusion

So, can you have sex with prostatitis? Yes, but it depends on your symptoms and overall health. While prostatitis may cause discomfort during intercourse, proper treatment and symptom management can help you maintain a satisfying sex life. If you experience ongoing pain or complications, consult a healthcare professional for tailored advice.

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