Two of conditions can rise your PSA level: prostatitis and BPH

What is a PSA level?

The prostate gland produces a substance called PSA, or prostate specific antigen. A small amount of PSA can be found in blood, but it is mostly present in semen. A blood test is done to measure the amount of PSA. Previously, the magic number of “4” was defined as being the upper limit of "normal." According to the American Cancer Society, a PSA level between 4 and 10, indicates a 25% chance of it being prostate cancer. A PSA higher than 10, increases the chance of having prostate cancer to 50% and above.

Two of these conditions can cause your PSA level to rise，which are prostatitis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate, can affect PSA levels. Because this inflammation can break down tissues in the prostate gland, it can enable quite a bit of prostate-specific antigen to escape fairly quickly into the blood. An acutely inflamed or infected prostate can increase a man's PSA level to 100 nanograms per millilitre (ng/ml) or higher. After treatment for prostatitis, it can take up to six months for PSA levels to return to normal.

Twenty-five percent of all men who have urinary problems have prostatitis. There are two forms of prostatitis: acute and chronic. Both are treated with antibiotics.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, can elevate PSA levels because a larger prostate manufactures more prostate-specific antigen. Also, any prostate condition can weaken the tissues in the prostate gland, allowing more PSA to leak into the blood. Usually, PSA levels caused by BPH do not go as high as those caused by prostate cancer, nor do the levels tend to rise as quickly. However, most likely, if you have a higher than normal PSA level or one that is steadily rising, your doctor will discuss the value of having a prostate biopsy to determine whether cancer or some other condition is to blame.

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Prostatitis and PSA