How antibiotic overuse affects your prostate (and its consequences)

We have all had an illness for which we have been prescribed antibiotics in order to fight the infection that caused it. Antibiotics are, in many cases, the most effective treatment for bacterial infections . The problem comes when our treatment ends and we have pills or sachets of the antibiotic that the doctor prescribed.

Why? Because we believe that, when faced with similar symptoms, we can self-medicate and palliate the effects with the same effectiveness as when the doctor prescribed the guideline. And this leads to a series of consequences that are not usually noticeable in the short term . But the unsupervised consumption of antibiotics has a more profound impact on male intimate health than is usually imagined, even affecting organs such as the prostate.

And the fact is that these medications, although useful for fighting infections, can unbalance the microbiome and contribute to inflammation problems and even more serious conditions. For this reason, here we will delve a little deeper into these risks. Before we begin, however, we want to make it clear that this article is purely informational in nature and is intended to provide general lifestyle advice. It should not be construed as medical advice or diagnosis. If you have health problems or concerns related to your prostate or any other area of your intimate health, please consult a qualified medical professional. 

The microbiome¹ is the set of microorganisms that inhabit different parts of the body, such as the gut, skin and urogenital tract. These microbes, especially those present in the gut, play an important role in processes such as digestion, vitamin synthesis and regulation of the immune system. The microbiome contributes to overall good health when it is in balance, but when it is disturbed, it can predispose our body to infections, inflammation and other problems.

Imbalances in the microbiome, known as dysbiosis², are associated with a number of health problems. In the case of male intimate health, a dysbiosis could even affect the functioning of the prostate, which is a gland located near the bladder and is part of the male reproductive system. Several studies³ have shown that an altered microbiome often negatively influences the immune system and the regulation of inflammation it causes, which affects the overall health of the prostate.

As we said at the beginning, antibiotics are very useful when necessary, but they are medicaments designed to eliminate bacteria that do not distinguish between good and bad bacteria, which can alter the microbiome. Excessive use or inappropriate consumption of antibiotics leads to the elimination of bacteria that are good for the body, resulting in an imbalance that can have serious health consequences. Hence the relevance of only consuming them under clear professional guidelines, as the long-term effects can complicate the health of several organs, including the prostate⁴.

When the microbiome loses its balance, the immune system is affected, and this increases the likelihood of infections in the urinary tract and other related areas . For men, a microbiome weakened by antibiotics can make the prostate more prone to inflammation, especially in conditions such as chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. But don't worry if you don't understand what these concepts refer to, we explain them below.

The prostate, although small, performs important functions for reproduction, including the production of an essential fluid in semen. Over time, and due to factors such as age, lifestyle or antibiotic abuse, the prostate tends to suffer from inflammation or infections, such as prostatitis. Prostatitis is a condition that manifests itself in inflammation of the gland and may be related to imbalances in the microbiome and other infections in the urogenital system.

In addition, chronic prostatitis, a persistent inflammation of the prostate, is sometimes associated with dysbiosis induced by antibiotic abuse. Constant inflammation in this area usually causes pain, urinary problems and, in some cases, intimate health complications that affect male satisfaction and well-being. As we were saying, all this information is not a diagnosis and it is important to keep in mind that, in order to obtain a proper diagnosis or treatment in case of prostate symptoms or discomfort, you should consult a health professional.

Prostate cancer is a major health concern among men, especially as they age. Although genetic factors are important, we told you that an unbalanced microbiome or some chronic inflammation problems also play a role in its development.

What can you do about it? It is essential to be aware of symptoms that may indicate this condition, such as difficulty urinating, frequent need to go to the bathroom and, in some cases, pain or bleeding when urinating. These symptoms are not always due to cancer, but it is best to rule them out by having the tests your doctor considers appropriate.

How do you know if it is prostatitis or cancer?

Since prostatitis⁵ and prostate cancer can have similar symptoms, specific tests are necessary to differentiate between them . Prostatitis is usually accompanied by symptoms of pelvic pain or discomfort and recurrent urinary problems. In contrast, prostate cancer may be asymptomatic in the early stages and progress silently. That is why it is so important that you consult with a specialist who will perform the appropriate tests for a proper diagnosis.

What is the best test to detect prostate cancer?

The most common test for prostate problems is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a blood test that measures the levels of a specific prostate protein. An elevated PSA does not necessarily mean cancer, but may indicate problems with inflammation or cancer risk that require further attention. Other methods, such as digital rectal examination and biopsy, help confirm or rule out the presence of cancer cells.

Let's say you are a patient who follows medical guidelines, who does not self-medicate and who has all his or her tests done.and you have all your tests, but you are interested in knowing how to take care of your microbiome or restore it. It is important to restore the balance of the microbiome after antibiotic use to maintain good intimate health . Probiotics and prebiotics, present in certain foods and supplements, help to reintroduce beneficial bacteria into the system. It is also advisable to adopt a diet rich in fiber, as it feeds the intestinal bacteria and helps restore their balance. As you can see, nothing particularly difficult or complex to carry out.

If you want to be a health pro, avoid excessive consumption of sugars and ultra-processed foods, which tend to damage the intestinal microbiota. And of course, once again, follow professional guidelines, which suggest an approach that combines diet and, when necessary, the moderate use of probiotic supplements.

Attention! Probiotics should only be consumed under prescription. This is an effective measure to rebalance the microbiome and reduce the risk of inflammatory problems in the prostate and other organs.

Men's intimate health should not be neglected any day of the year and requires good habits that help prevent prostate problems and other complications such as those we have discussed. The three simple steps you can apply to your general health are the same ones you can take into account for your sexual health:

1. Maintain a balanced diet

2. Exercise frequently

3. Have regular medical check-ups

This way you can avoid inflammation and strengthen your immune system. Also, limit the use of antibiotics only to strictly necessary situations and under doctor's orders. Intimate health is an important aspect of overall well-being, and daily care contributes to maintaining a balanced microbiome and a healthy prostate. So, if you take care of yourself, you are improving your quality of life in all its dimensions. 

1. Lynch, S. V., & Pedersen, O. (2016). The Human Intestinal Microbiome in Health and Disease. The New England journal of medicine, 375(24), 2369–2379. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1600266

2. Petersen, C., & Round, J. L. (2014). Defining dysbiosis and its influence on host immunity and disease. Cellular microbiology, 16(7), 1024–1033. https://doi.org/10.1111/cmi.12308

3. Belkaid, Y., & Hand, T. W. (2014). Role of the microbiota in immunity and inflammation. Cell, 157(1), 121–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2014.03.011

4. Blaser M. J. (2016). Antibiotic use and its consequences for the normal microbiome. Science (New York, N.Y.), 352(6285), 544–545. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aad9358

Dutta, S., Sengupta, P., Slama, P., & Roychoudhury, S. (2021). Oxidative Stress, Testicular Inflammatory Pathways, and Male Reproduction. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(18), 10043. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221810043