Prostatitis is a condition which only affects men. This condition is characterized by the inflammation and swelling of the prostate gland, which is located below the bladder in men. When this condition occurs, it can cause discomfort or pain during urination. Men may also have a difficult time trying to urinate when prostatitis presents itself. Other common symptoms include groin pain, genital area pain, flu-like symptoms and pelvic area pain. While a bacterial infection can be the cause of prostatitis, this is not always the case. Prostatitis can occur once or become recurring, which is called chronic prostatitis.

When a cause is not identified or when the cause it not a bacterial infection, taking quercetin supplements might be able to provide some relief. Quercetin is a flavonoid, which means that it is a phytochemical that naturally occurs is a diverse array of plants. In plants, the presence of quercetin serves to provide coloring or pigmentation. Plants where you can find naturally occurring quercetin include many popular fruits and vegetables, such as berries, onion and apples. The level of quercetin in these foods is much lower than what is available in quercetin supplements.

Quercetin has many properties that offer substantial health benefits. The flavonoid possesses antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. As a result of these properties, quercetin has shown promise in treating a variety of different illnesses and conditions. Prostatitis is one of those conditions.

Since prostatitis is characterized by inflammation of the prostate gland, it is the anti-inflammatory properties of quercetin which are most beneficial against the condition. A study done by the Encino, California based Institute of Male Urology tested the effectiveness of quercetin against the effects of chronic prostatitis.  In the study, 59 percent of the participants reported improvement after taking quercetin supplements.

A similar study was conducted by the Los Angeles based UCLA Medical Center’s Division of Urology. In this study, participants suffering from prostatitis were given a 500 mg dose of quercetin twice a day for a period of one month. And half of the group was given a placebo. At the end of the study, the researchers concluded that though both groups experienced a decrease in symptoms, there was considerable difference between the two groups. The placebo group experienced just a 6 percent decrease in symptoms while the quercetin supplement group reported a 40 percent decrease in prostatitis symptoms.  The same researchers conducted another study with the same dosage amount and reported a 25 percent decrease in symptoms from a group of chronic prostatitis participants.

Quercetin supplements come in pill form, with capsule or tablet choices. The dietary supplements range from 100 mg per pill up to 500 mg per pill. The most commonly reported side effect associated with quercetin supplement usage is increased energy levels. In some instances, consuming in excess of 1,000 mg of quercetin per day can result in more serious side effects, most notably kidney damage. If supplement usage is for a child under the age of 15, then the dosage amount should be cut by 50 percent to be safe.