Impact of prostatitis NIH IIIB (prostatodynia) on ejaculate parameters

OBJECTIVES: Prostatitis NIH IIIB is defined by chronic pelvic pain without evidence of inflammation in prostate secretions or ejaculate. The relations between chronic prostatitis and fertility are discussed controversially. In this context, we analysed fertility data of a well defined collective of patients with prostatitis NIH IIIB. METHODS: We analysed prospective fertility data of a group of 30 patients with chronic prostatitis NIH IIIB and compared these data with the duration of symptoms as well as with an age-matched control group. RESULTS: The prostatitis group and the control group differed significantly in terms of ejaculate volume, motility and fructose concentration. The remaining parameters did not differ significantly. An azoospermia was present in 3 patients of the prostatitis group versus none of the control group. The duration of symptoms did not correlate with the sperm parameters (sperm density, motility and morphology). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with prostatitis NIH IIIB have changes in their ejaculate with a reduction of motility and a reduced fructose concentration. This supports a somatic aetiology of the chronic pelvic pain syndrome.