Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate. It is one of the most common diseases among men. Men over the age of 30 are predominantly affected. If left untreated, the disease progresses rapidly and leads to serious complications - infertility, impotence and cancer.
Prostatitis most often manifests itself as painful urination, purulent and bloody discharge in the urine, and sexual dysfunction.
The prostate is the organ that produces sperm and regulates urine output. It is located below the bladder. Consists of three departments. During ejaculation, the prostate begins to contract and pushes semen through the urinary canal. The gland is involved in limiting urinary incontinence, forming an erection and producing sperm.
Prostate juice contains a large amount of proteins, fats, enzymes and even some vitamins. The juice dilutes the seminal fluid and thereby promotes sperm viability. The prostate is an active organ. It is hormone dependent and is itself involved in the production of sex hormones.
causes
It is difficult to determine the exact cause that led to the development of prostatitis in a particular person. Most likely there will be a complex of factors that in some way led to the problem.
Let's consider the causes and factors that can contribute to the development of prostatitis:
- Hypothermia and stress. The body's defenses are weakened, which contributes to the occurrence of inflammatory processes.
- Hormonal imbalances. The level of sex hormones influences the activity of the prostate.
- Sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections.
- Various disorders of the mechanisms in the body: disorders of urination, congestion in the pelvis. A hypodynamic lifestyle and tight underwear impair blood circulation in the pelvis. And problems with urination contribute to irritation of the glandular tissue and cause prostatitis. Constipation can also be considered a predisposing factor.
- Prolonged abstinence from sexual intercourse, interrupted sexual intercourse or artificial prolongation of sexual intercourse. This leads to enlargement of the gland and its inflammation.
- Poor diet and alcohol abuse.
An infection of the prostate can occur in four ways:
- Descending – occurs with urine flow.
- Ascending – rises along the urethra.
- Lymphogenic – along with lymphatic flow.
- Hematogen – along with blood flow.
Symptoms and signs of prostatitis
The symptoms of prostatitis can be different. Depending on the type of course, there are acute and chronic prostatitis.
The most common signs of prostatitis include:
- Problems urinating – it is frequent, intermittent and difficult;
- worsening of erection;
- burning in the groin;
- Urine is cloudy and contains fibers;
- Orgasm is not bright;
- increased fatigue;
- reduced potency;
- Depression, anxiety.
Acute prostatitis usually begins with an increase in body temperature to 39-40 degrees. The prostate swells, causing problems with urination. It is difficult and painful.
During an exacerbation of prostatitis, the patient feels pain in the perineum, as well as in the rectum, groin and sacrum.
Acute prostatitis can be catarrhal, follicular and parenchymal. Features of acute prostatitis:
- Follicular acute prostatitis is characterized by weak jet pressure during urination. It is accompanied by severe pain that can radiate into the anal area and intensify particularly during bowel movements. A slight increase in temperature is possible.
- Parenchymal acute prostatitis is characterized by unexpected pain with pulsation in the perineal area. Intoxication of the body is observed, the temperature can reach 40 degrees. Often accompanied by urinary retention.
- Catarrhal acute prostatitis causes pain in the perineum, frequent urination, and painful urination.
Chronic prostatitis can develop from an acute form, but more often it immediately turns into a chronic form. The symptoms disappear without clear signs and manifestations.
Symptoms and signs of chronic prostatitis:
- decreased erection and libido;
- reduced flow pressure during urination;
- cramps and pain when urinating;
- aching pains in the perineum, anus, sacrum.
Since the signs of chronic prostatitis are not clearly expressed, the patient often does not pay attention to the symptoms for a long time, which aggravates its development and can lead to complications.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Medicine does not stand still and diagnosing prostatitis is not difficult. After collecting the anamnesis, the doctor may prescribe various diagnostic methods to confirm the diagnosis of prostatitis.
- Palpation of the prostate through the rectum to diagnose prostatitis. Pain and enlargement become visible, and these are characteristic signs of the inflammatory process in it, and during palpation the secretion of the prostate gland is released, which is sent for analysis.
- Ultrasound examination.
- Microscopic examination of the prostate secretion.
- Bacteriological examination of urine.
- A smear of mucous membranes and glandular secretions for infection.
- Analysis of a swab from the urethra to detect sexually transmitted infections that can cause prostatitis.
- Blood test to determine sex hormones.
These diagnostic measures help not only to confirm the diagnosis, since the symptoms are generally quite pronounced, but also to identify the cause of the disease.
Treatment of prostatitis
There are currently many treatment options for prostatitis. These include traditional methods and methods of folk medicine. Traditional medicine can serve as a supplement to basic therapy. It is dangerous to treat prostatitis on your own as it can lead to complications.
Doctors always resort to the traditional, medication-based method when treating prostatitis. This helps relieve swelling and severe inflammation and normalizes prostate function.
Usually a complex of different methods is prescribed:
- rectal suppositories. Relieve pain and reduce inflammation;
- injections;
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Instillation – the drug is injected directly into the prostate;
- microenemas;
- Tablet medications. Most commonly antibacterial drugs;
- Alpha blockers.
The selection of therapeutic measures is made individually, depending on the degree of the disease, the severity of the symptoms and the expected therapeutic effect for the patient.
If a bacterial cause of prostatitis is identified, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed that can destroy multiple strains of bacteria. They can be in the form of suppositories, in the form of tablets and in the form of injections.
Painkillers are used to relieve pain.
Alpha blockers – help to relax the urethral muscles, which is a consequence of prostatitis. Various muscle relaxants are used to relieve tension in the perineal area.
A necessary step would be to improve blood circulation, relieve congestion and take vitamins.
To treat prostatitis, various physiotherapeutic procedures and prostate massage are mandatory. Prostate massage is used for all forms and stages of disease development; it improves blood circulation and pushes secretions with a pathogenic environment into the urethra.
Some scientists are skeptical about this method of treating prostatitis, arguing that the pathogenic environment penetrates further into the genitourinary system and contributes to inflammation of other organs. Currently, experiments are being carried out, this point of view has not been clinically refuted or proven, therefore massage is an integral method of treating prostatitis.
Traditional home treatment
When treating prostatitis at home, traditional medicine is often used. If chronic prostatitis is diagnosed, additional therapy with folk remedies is very helpful. In the case of an acute manifestation of prostatitis, this will not be superfluous, but treatment only at home is unacceptable.
Among the popular methods, the following can be called very effective:
- Treating prostatitis with pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds contain a large amount of zinc, which is necessary for men regardless of whether they suffer from prostatitis.
- Treating prostatitis with parsley – helps relieve inflammation and normalize sexual function. Contains a large amount of vitamins.
- Treatment of prostatitis with infusions of hemlock and celandine. This method should be used with caution, as these herbs are poisonous and strict adherence to the dosage and dosage regimen is required.
- Treatment of prostatitis with wormwood. Used to relieve inflammation and eliminate purulent infections.
- Treatment of prostatitis with garlic, dill, hazelnuts, chestnuts, propolis, herbs, etc.
Most of these methods are aimed at relieving inflammatory processes and normalizing sexual function. A large number of different vitamins saturates the body, which plays a role in preventing exacerbations of prostatitis.
Consequences of prostatitis
If you refuse and treatment of prostatitis is not started on time, the likelihood of serious complications is high. Complications include:
- Infertility;
- Impotence;
- BPH;
- prostate cancer and others.
If treatment is refused, the infection will further invade surrounding tissues. Other prostate diseases can also develop, including stones and cysts.
With prostatitis, the level of sex hormones drops, which leads to a decrease in sexual desire (libido). Erectile dysfunction begins and premature ejaculation may occur. Impotence is possible.
Prostatitis also leads to infertility. This problem is especially common in patients who have developed chronic prostatitis. This complication is observed in half of these patients.
Sclerosis of the prostate can occur. In this case, the gland partially or completely stops functioning. This problem is accompanied by severe pain, sexual dysfunction and problems with urination.
Prostate adenoma and prostate cancer are the most dangerous complications of prostatitis.
The problems and complications that prostatitis leads to, one way or another, affect a man's sexual life. This leads to psychological problems, stress and depression.
It is important to carefully monitor the signs in order to detect chronic prostatitis in time.
Prevention of prostatitis
Prevention of exacerbations is aimed at monitoring health status and timely detection of problems. Since in most cases prostatitis is a consequence of untreated diseases of the genitourinary system, special attention should be paid to the treatment of such diseases.
Prostatitis is considered a disease that is easier to prevent than to cure.
Of the preventive methods, the most important are:
- Sports. They serve to improve blood circulation in the pelvis, prevent congestion and strengthen the pelvic muscles.
- Regular sex life. Drugs to artificially prolong sexual intercourse, interrupt sexual intercourse and suppress ejaculation are undesirable.
- Rejection of promiscuity. Violent sex life leads to sexually transmitted infections.
- Proper, healthy nutrition.
- Stop drinking alcohol.
- Strengthening the body's defenses, preventing hypothermia.
- Minimize stress.
Prostatitis has a low rate of self-healing or home treatment. Therefore, at the first signs, you should immediately contact a urologist to prescribe appropriate treatment. You also need to carefully monitor the signs of chronic prostatitis and consult a doctor in a timely manner.