Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. One of the most common diseases in men. Men over the age of 30 are most often affected. If left untreated, the disease progresses rapidly and leads to serious complications - infertility, impotence and cancer.
Prostatitis most often manifests itself in painful urination, purulent and bloody urination, and sexual dysfunction.
The prostate is the organ that produces sperm and controls urination. It is located below the bladder. It consists of three departments. During ejaculation, the prostate begins to contract and pushes the seminal fluid through the urethra. The gland is involved in the limitation of urinary incontinence, the formation of an erection and the production of sperm.
Prostate juice contains large amounts of protein, fat, enzymes and even some vitamins. The juice dilutes the seminal fluid, thereby promoting sperm viability. The prostate is an active organ. It depends on the hormone level and is itself involved in the formation of sex hormones.
Cause
It is difficult to identify the exact cause that triggered the development of prostatitis in a particular person. It will likely be a combination of factors that led to the problem at some level.
Consider the causes and factors that can contribute to the development of prostatitis:
- Hypothermia and stress. The body's defense ability decreases, which contributes to the appearance of inflammatory processes.
- Hormonal imbalances. The level of sex hormones affects the functioning of the prostate.
- Sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections.
- Various disorders of the mechanisms in the body: urinary disorders, congestion in the pelvis. A hypodynamic lifestyle and tight underwear interfere with blood circulation in the pelvis. Urinary problems contribute to the irritation of the glandular tissue and cause prostatitis. Constipation can also be considered a predisposing factor.
- Prolonged abstinence from intercourse, interrupted intercourse, or artificial prolongation of intercourse. This leads to enlargement and inflammation of the gland.
- Poor nutrition and alcohol consumption.
Prostate infection can occur in 4 ways:
- Enters with decreasing - urine flow.
- Ascending - rises along the urethra.
- Lymphogenic - with the flow of lymph.
- Hematogenous - with blood flow.
Symptoms and signs of prostatitis
Symptoms of prostatitis can vary. Depending on the nature of the course, there is acute and chronic prostatitis.
Common signs of prostatitis include:
- urination problems - frequent, intermittent and difficult;
- deterioration of erection;
- burning sensation in groin;
- the urine is cloudy and contains fibers;
- the orgasm is not bright;
- increased fatigue;
- reduced potency;
- depression, anxiety.
Acute prostatitis most often begins with an increase in body temperature of 39-40 degrees. The prostate swells and causes urination problems. It is difficult and painful.
During the exacerbation of prostatitis, the patient feels pain in the perineum, as well as in the rectum, groin and sacrum.
Acute prostatitis can be chronic, follicular and parenchymal. Characteristics of acute prostatitis:
- Follicular acute prostatitis is characterized by weak flow pressure during urination. It is accompanied by severe pain, which may radiate to the anal area, especially during defecation. A slight rise in temperature is possible.
- Parenchymal acute prostatitis is characterized by sudden pain with throbbing in the perineal area. Poisoning of the body can be observed, the temperature can reach 40 degrees. It is often accompanied by urinary retention.
- Chronic acute prostatitis causes pain in the perineum, frequent urination and pain during urination.
Chronic prostatitis can develop from an acute form, but more often it immediately turns into a chronic form. Symptoms disappear without clear signs and manifestations.
Symptoms and signs of chronic prostatitis:
- decreased erection and libido;
- decreased flow pressure during urination;
- cramps and pain during urination;
- aching pain 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 cause complications.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Medicine does not stand still, and diagnosing prostatitis is not difficult. After collecting the medical history, the doctor can prescribe various diagnostic methods to confirm the diagnosis of prostatitis.
- Rectal palpation of the prostate to diagnose prostatitis. It reveals pain and increased size, and these are characteristic signs of the inflammatory process in it, and during palpation, secretions from the prostate gland are released, which are sent for analysis.
- Ultrasonography.
- Microscopic examination of prostate secretion.
- Bacteriological examination of urine.
- Mucous membrane and gland secretion smear for infection.
- Analysis of urethral smears to determine sexually transmitted infections causing prostatitis.
- Blood test to determine sex hormones.
These diagnostic measures help not only to confirm the diagnosis, since usually the symptoms are quite pronounced, but also to identify the cause of the disease.
Treatment of prostatitis
Currently, there are many treatment options for prostatitis. These include traditional methods and methods of folk medicine. Traditional medicine can complement basic therapy. It is dangerous to self-medicate prostatitis, as it can lead to complications.
Doctors always use the traditional medical method of prostatitis. This helps to relieve swelling, severe inflammation and normalize the functioning of the prostate.
As a rule, a complex of various methods is prescribed:
- rectal cones. Reduces pain and relieves inflammation;
- injections;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- instillation - the drug is injected directly into the prostate;
- microenema;
- pill medicines. Most often, antibacterial drugs;
- alpha blockers.
The set of therapeutic measures is selected individually, depending on the degree of the disease, the manifestation of symptoms and the expected therapeutic effect of the patient.
If a bacterial cause of prostatitis is identified, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed, which can kill several strains of bacteria. They can be in the form of suppositories, tablets and injections.
Analgesics are used to relieve pain.
Alpha-blockers - help to relax the muscles of the urethra, which is a consequence of prostatitis. Various muscle relaxants are used to relieve tension in the perineal area.
Improving blood circulation, relieving congestion and taking vitamins would be a necessary step.
Various physiotherapy procedures and prostate massage are mandatory for the treatment of prostatitis. Prostate massage is used in all forms and stages of development of the disease, it improves blood circulation and squeezes secretions with a pathogenic environment into the urethra.
Some scientists have become skeptical about this method of treating prostatitis, arguing that the pathogenic environment further penetrates the urogenital system and contributes to the inflammation of other organs. Experiments are currently underway, this position has not been clinically disproved or proven, therefore massage is an organic way of treating prostatitis.
Traditional treatment at home
Traditional medicine is often used to treat prostatitis at home. If chronic prostatitis is diagnosed, then further therapy with folk remedies will be very useful. It will not be superfluous in case of acute manifestation of prostatitis, however, only home treatment is unacceptable.
Among the popular methods, the following can be called quite effective:
- Treatment of prostatitis with pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds contain a large amount of zinc, which is necessary for men, regardless of whether they suffer from prostatitis.
- Treatment of prostatitis with parsley - helps relieve inflammation and normalize sexual function. It contains a large amount of vitamins.
- Treatment of prostatitis with St. John's wort and celandine infusion. This method must be used with caution, as these herbs are poisonous, and the dosage and dosage regimen must be strictly adhered to.
- Treatment of prostatitis with wormwood. It is used to relieve inflammation and remove purulent infection.
- 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. Many different vitamins saturate the body, which plays a role in preventing the exacerbation of prostatitis.
Consequences of prostatitis
If you refuse, and if the treatment of prostatitis is not started in time, there is a high probability of developing serious complications. Complications include:
- infertility;
- impotence;
- BPH;
- prostate cancer and others.
If treatment is refused, the infection continues to penetrate into nearby tissues. Other prostate conditions can also develop, including stones and cysts.
In case of prostatitis, the level of sex hormones decreases, 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 the patients.
Sclerosis of the prostate may develop. In this case, the gland stops partially or completely. This problem is accompanied by severe pain, sexual disorders and urination problems.
Prostate adenoma and prostate cancer are the most dangerous complications of prostatitis.
The problems and complications caused by prostatitis affect a man's sex life in one way or another. This leads to psychological problems, stress and depression.
In order to recognize chronic prostatitis in time, it is important to carefully monitor the signs.
Prevention of prostatitis
Prevention of exacerbations is aimed at monitoring health and identifying problems in time. Since in most cases prostatitis is the result of untreated diseases of the urinary system, great attention should be paid to the treatment of such diseases.
Prostatitis is considered a disease that is easier to prevent than to cure.
Among the preventive methods, the most important are:
- Sports activities. They improve blood circulation in the pelvis, prevent the appearance of congestion and strengthen the muscles of the pelvis.
- Regular sex life. Medicines for the artificial prolongation of sexual intercourse, interrupted sexual intercourse and ejaculation suppression are undesirable.
- Denial of promiscuity. Violent sex leads to sexually transmitted infections.
- Correct, healthy diet.
- Avoiding alcohol.
- Strengthening the body's defenses, avoiding hypothermia.
- Minimizing stress.
Prostatitis has a low rate of self-healing or home treatment. Therefore, at the first signs, immediately consult a urologist to prescribe appropriate treatment. You should also carefully monitor the signs of chronic prostatitis and consult a doctor in time.