Perplexing problem of persistently painful prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis has been a perplexing problem for urologists for decades. This review explores the perils and pitfalls urologists encounter with epidemiology, etiology, classification, diagnosis, and treatment of this syndrome. The major question involves the problem of developing rational treatment plans for patients with a medical condition associated with genitourinary pain, variable voiding, and sexual dysfunction but no obvious and accepted etiology. Exciting, innovative, ongoing research does offer some solutions and management strategies that urologists can even now incorporate into their practice while waiting for the fundamental questions to be answered.