Prostatitis is the most common urinary tract pathology characterized by an inflammatory process of the prostate.According to statistics, nearly 40% of men will experience this condition; the main risk group is patients aged 30-45 years.Nearly every third visit to the urologist is related to this disease.
Important!
The information in this article is not intended to be used for self-diagnosis and self-medication.In order to make a correct diagnosis and develop a treatment plan, you should always consult a doctor.
Decreased immunity, hypothermia, bad habits and a sedentary lifestyle, lack of regular sexual activity, and sexually transmitted infections often contribute to the development of the pathology.Treatment of prostatitis can take considerable time, especially in the later stages of development.The sooner a person seeks medical help, the greater the chance of a successful recovery.If left untreated, the risk of serious consequences increases, including infertility, sexual function, and urinary problems.
In this article, we will discuss the mechanisms by which the disease develops, its symptoms and causes, as well as modern treatments.
What is the prostate?
The prostate (or prostate) is an unpaired male organ responsible for producing secretions to maintain sperm motility.This organ is located beneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra.It’s small – about the size of a walnut – but extremely important to men’s health.
The prostate supports the production of sperm cells, ensures their movement and ejaculation, participates in the formation of sexual desire and the onset of orgasm, affects the activity of the testicles and the synthesis of androgens (male sex hormones).
Any pathological process in the prostate affects the composition of prostate secretions.As a result, sperm quality decreases and fertilization ability decreases.Additionally, the risk of urinary tract infections increases because the prostate normally blocks bacteria from entering the urethra.
Unfortunately, conditions requiring prostate treatment are quite common.Typically we are talking about various neoplastic and hormonal processes.Prostatitis is considered one of the most common pathologies of this organ because of its different pathogenesis.
disease symptoms
Symptoms of prostate inflammation may vary depending on which form of the disease a man is diagnosed with.Regardless of the form, a comprehensive treatment designed to eliminate existing symptoms is chosen.
Prostatitis has 3 sets of characteristic symptoms:
- pain syndrome.Pain caused by prostatitis varies in intensity and location.Sometimes the pain syndrome spreads to the lower abdomen, scrotum, perineum, anus, and lower back.The more inflammation develops, the more miserable the patient becomes.The pain may become more severe during or after sexual activity or urination.
- dysuria syndrome.As the prostate increases in size, pressure in the ureters increases, causing the lumen to gradually shrink.The patient has difficulty urinating and still feels like his bladder is full after going to the toilet.
- sexual deviation.In some cases, men may experience frequent painful spontaneous erections or a complete lack of sexual arousal.Often with prostatitis, orgasmic sensations may be diminished, intercourse itself may become brief, or the erection may disappear completely during intercourse.
One of the first signs of prostatitis in men is frequent urination and discomfort in the groin area.Burning sensation in the urethra that worsens when going to the toilet.General fatigue, decreased sexual performance, accelerated ejaculation, or painful ejaculation may occur.However, the disease is not always characterized by symptoms.Some cases of prostatitis are asymptomatic in the early stages.This means that diagnosing pathology in this setting will be difficult.
reason
The disease usually occurs in the context of weakened immunity, the presence of sexually transmitted infections, or concomitant medical conditions.A common cause of prostatitis is a bacterial infection, which causes inflammation of the prostate tissue.
There are many risk factors for the development of the pathology, we focus on the main risk factors:
- hypothermia.Hypothermia can put severe stress on the body, leading to decreased immunity.As a result, pathogenic microbiota begin to actively multiply, leading to inflammatory processes.
- inactive lifestyle.Sedentary work and lack of physical activity can negatively affect blood circulation in the pelvic organs.This leads to stagnation and inflammation.
- Overweight.Often, overweight patients lead an inactive lifestyle, resulting in poor circulation to the internal organs.The prostate tissue becomes congested and inflamed.Therefore, weight normalization is considered one of the main ways to prevent prostate diseases.
- presence of chronic disease.Chronic sources of infection in the body increase the risk of prostate inflammation.
- chronic constipation.Feces remaining in the intestines can put pressure on the prostate, causing circulatory problems.In addition, constipation often promotes the proliferation of pathogens.
- organ damage.If there is trauma to the prostate or pelvic organs, blood flow worsens and local immunity decreases.This increases the risk of prostatitis.
- Characteristics of sexual activity.An overly active sex life or prolonged periods of abstinence can also lead to the disease.
Additionally, any condition that suppresses the immune system may contribute to the development of the disease.We’re talking about constant stress, sleep deprivation, overexertion.
disease type
In general, the symptoms of the pathology depend on its type and the nature of the course of the disease.There are many types of prostatitis, each with its own characteristics:
- Bacterial.The most common type of illness that occurs due to bacterial infections and weakened immunity.The pathology has acute and chronic forms.Typically, men worry about perineal pain and discomfort, urinary problems, worsening of overall health, and increased body temperature.In severe cases, blood or pus may appear in the urine.However, such symptoms are more typical in the acute and relapsing phases of the disease.With chronic prostatitis, symptoms may be "vague" or absent.
- non-bacterial.In this case, the disease has both inflammatory and non-inflammatory properties and is often called chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).With this form of prostatitis, destructive changes in the glandular musculature can be observed.Causative factors are autoimmune diseases, abnormal organ development and chronic cystitis.
- stagnant.This condition occurs against the background of chronic prostatitis and is associated with impaired microcirculation and blood circulation in the pelvic organs.In addition, long-term absence of sexual intercourse can also lead to pathological manifestations, since this can cause stagnation of prostate secretions.Most often, patients suffering from this disorder experience erectile dysfunction, urinary problems, and discomfort in the groin area.
- calculus.The occurrence of stones in the prostate tissue promotes the development of this form of prostatitis.Generally, this disease occurs in patients older than 55-60 years.The pathological cause is improper treatment of chronic prostatitis or urolithiasis.Typical symptoms of prostatitis in men include difficulty urinating, weakened erections, and blood in the urine.
- Purulent.A dangerous consequence of improper treatment of acute prostatitis may be the purulent form of the disease.In this case, an acute pain syndrome occurs, affecting the entire area of the perineum and groin.The man developed a sharp increase in body temperature, severe urinary problems, and purulent inclusions in his urine.Suppurative prostatitis is considered the most dangerous because if left untreated, it can lead to abscesses and death.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
The diagnosis of the disease is made by a urologist - if characteristic symptoms appear, it is worth making an appointment with him.During the initial consultation, the specialist takes the patient's medical history, asks about existing complaints, and performs a rectal examination of the prostate.Thereafter, some additional tests are needed to diagnose the existing type of prostatitis and initiate appropriate treatment.
Exam content includes:
- Pelvic organ ultrasonography (TRUS).
- Clinical blood tests.
- General urinalysis.
- Microscopic analysis of prostate secretions.
- Urethral smears and bacterial cultures of secretions are done to check for sexually transmitted infections.
If necessary, the patient may be referred for other tests: sperm test, CT (or MRI) of the pelvic organs.
Important!
The information in this article is not intended to be used for self-diagnosis and self-medication.In order to make a correct diagnosis and develop a treatment plan, you should always consult a doctor.
Treatment
Lack of proper treatment for prostatitis can lead to serious health problems.Patients are frequently diagnosed with complications such as cystitis, seminal vesiculitis, pyelonephritis, infertility, and erectile dysfunction.This is why choosing the right treatment is extremely important.
Typically, treatment of prostate inflammation requires a comprehensive approach that includes medications and supportive care.In difficult cases, patients undergo surgery.
As part of medical treatment, antibiotics are used to stop the inflammatory process.If the disease is of an infectious bacterial nature, additional antimicrobial therapy is performed.
Additionally, as part of medical treatment, medications are used to eliminate existing symptoms.These may be:
- Painkillers.
- Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants.
- Diuretics.
- NSAIDs.
- Medications that normalize prostate function.
- Drugs to restore erections.
Some recommendations must be followed:
- Drink enough water (1.5–2 liters) throughout the day.
- After a diet, eliminate spicy, greasy and salty foods from your diet.
- Eliminate alcohol.
Sometimes, herbal preparations with antiseptic properties are used to relieve inflammation.However, infusions and decoctions are allowed only after consulting a urologist.Keep in mind that folk remedies are not a panacea for this disease and can only relieve symptoms but not eliminate the cause.
An important component of treatment is prostate massage.It is performed without contraindications.The essence of this surgery is to remove accumulated inflammatory secretions from the organs.Thus, blood circulation in the tissues can be improved, congestion eliminated, local immunity stimulated and patency of secretory ducts restored.
Another popular method is to use physical therapy.In the 21st century, it is difficult to imagine high-quality modern treatment of chronic prostatitis without the use of complex physical therapies.With its help, blood circulation to the pelvic organs is restored, the effect of the drug is enhanced and congestion is eliminated.This therapy utilizes ultrasound, laser, thermal or electromagnetic effects.
As the inflammatory process prolongs and immunity decreases, patients require immunotherapy.It involves taking immune modulators and multivitamin complexes designed to improve the body's protective functions and overall health.
Sometimes conservative treatment options for prostatitis do not bring the necessary results and the patient requires surgical intervention.
Of course, surgery requires a long recovery and often causes many complications, including infertility.That's why it's not done on young men of childbearing age.
Symptoms and treatment of acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis is characterized by rapid onset and progression.It's worth noting that this happens rarely - about 5% of the time.
The inflammatory process of the prostate develops gradually, therefore several stages of the acute form can be distinguished:
- catarrhal.The inflammatory process affects all lobes of the organ and affects the structure of the mucosa and submucosa.As a result, the glandular hair follicles become engorged.
- Follicular.Focal suppuration develops in the affected lobe.
- parenchyma.There are multiple injuries to the organs; almost all tissues are involved in the inflammatory process.An abscess forms, which can rupture and release purulent contents into the bladder, urethra, or rectum.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis include severe pain, increased body temperature, chills, profuse sweating, and weakness.This condition can be caused by a variety of microorganisms.The most common causes are E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae.
Pathological treatment must be started as soon as the first symptoms appear.Often, complications and health consequences can be avoided in this case.Patients are prescribed a combination of antibiotics that is effective against existing disease-causing microorganisms.In this case, observe the effect of treatment after 2-3 days.In men, almost all symptoms disappear, the urinary process normalizes, and signs of infection disappear.
Without necessary treatment, urinary tract obstruction and abscess may occur.This condition requires emergency hospitalization and often surgical intervention.
Symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis
The chronic form of the disease is characterized by slow progression.Symptoms are inconsistent or non-existent, so many men ignore their presence for years and do not seek medical help.
At the same time, at the beginning of the development of the pathology, patients notice an increase in sexual desire and spontaneous erections.But at the same time, symptoms of chronic prostatitis may also appear, such as shortened duration of sexual intercourse, painful ejaculation, etc.As the disease progresses, symptoms become less noticeable but health deterioration intensifies.Many people complain of insufficient morning erections, decreased libido, and increased sweating in the groin area.
During an exacerbation of prostatitis, men may experience pain in the genital area, difficulty urinating, and fever.However, other pathological symptoms may be absent, which often complicates diagnosis.
To make an accurate diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is required, including medical history, prostate-rectal examination, and multiple laboratory tests.In some cases, other instrumental methods are used.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis takes 3-4 weeks to 6-12 months.The most important thing is to eliminate the cause of the inflammatory process in the prostate.Otherwise, the recurrent nature of the pathology cannot be ruled out.
Precautions
To prevent male prostatitis, it is recommended to correct your lifestyle and quit bad habits.This is because if the factors that precipitated the disease persist, the disease is likely to reoccur.Proper nutrition, adequate sleep and physical activity, and regular sex play key roles in prevention.
In addition, urologists recommend following the following recommendations to avoid prostate inflammation:
- Avoid hypothermia.
- When working sedentary, take regular short breaks and light warm-ups.
- Incorporate physical activity and walking into your daily routine.
- Regulate your diet and get rid of constipation (it is better to consult a specialist for existing problems).
- Have regular sex with a regular partner.
- After 40 years, perform annual preventive exams with a urologist.
Of course, it is worth remembering that if any signs of prostatitis appear, you should consult a doctor immediately.This is the only way to eliminate dangerous health consequences.