Prostate diseases often come first in men of childbearing age. Their causes and types are different. The most common pathology is prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate. The insidious nature of the disease lies in the fact that the symptoms of prostatitis in men have been latent for a long time.
What is the prostate in men?
The prostate, prostate gland is a sexual accessory gland in the male reproductive system. In its form, it resembles a chestnut. The mass of the organ is between 12 and 20 g. In its structure, the prostate resembles a sponge, consisting of many small cavities in which the secretion of the prostate is formed. Through many tiny channels, the secret enters the urinary canal during sex.
The body is divided into 3 zones:
- cranial;
- medium;
- tail.
According to the observations of doctors, pathologies are mainly affected by the middle and tail areas. Neoplasms, malignant tumors are localized directly in them. Given these features, if a pathology is suspected, specialists examine these areas of the prostate among the first.
Where is the prostate located?
The prostate in men is activated and begins to grow with the onset of puberty. This process is controlled by sex hormones. This androgen-dependent organ is located under the bladder. Through the prostate passes the initial part of the urethra. The excretory ducts of the prostate open into the urethra.
Considering the pelvis as a whole, we can say that the prostate is in the center. It wraps around the neck of the bladder and the proximal urethra. Through its apex, the prostate gland is in contact with the pelvic diaphragm, above which lies the external urethral sphincter. Dorsally, the gland borders the ampulla of the rectum, through which a digital examination of the prostate is often performed.
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What is the prostate responsible for?
The functions of the prostate are:
- The production of fluid which forms the liquid part of semen.
- Conversion of testosterone into its active form, dihydrotestosterone.
- The formation, together with the muscles of the neck of the bladder, of the internal sphincter, involved in the process of urination.
- Participation in the process of the act of ejaculation.
Prostatitis - types
Before highlighting the main symptoms of prostatitis in men, it is necessary to consider the existing types of the disease. Inflammation of the prostate, depending on the form of the violation, the clinical picture is divided into the following types:
- Acute prostatitis- severe inflammation of the prostate, which develops as a result of bacterial infection.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis- characterized by a slow course, periods of exacerbation alternate with remissions.
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome- a difficult to diagnose form of prostatitis, manifested by constant pain in the pelvic region.
- Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis- does not have a pronounced clinical picture, is detected by chance, according to the results of a urine test.
- Granulomatous prostatitis- is considered a side effect of drug treatment for other diseases. Prostatic tissue is gradually replaced by connective tissue.
Inflammation of the prostate - causes
Inflammation of the prostate in men can cause various causes. However, in most cases they are associated with a negligent attitude of the stronger sex to their health.
Among the factors provoking the development of pathology, doctors call:
- infections of the genitourinary system;
- circulatory disorders in the pelvic organs due to a sedentary lifestyle;
- prolonged absence of sexual relations, interrupted sexual intercourse;
- decreased local immunity;
- frequent hypothermia;
- hormonal imbalance in the body;
- lack of vitamins and minerals;
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
Infectious prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate of an infectious nature is a consequence of the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into the prostate. The process can proceed in an acute or chronic form.
Provoking factors play an important role in the development of infectious prostatitis, including:
- severe hypothermia of the body;
- stressful situations;
- increased physical activity;
- bad habits (nicotine, alcohol);
- Diabetes;
- hypothyroidism;
- HIV.
Non-infectious prostatitis
Chronic inflammation of the prostate is in most cases non-infectious. The factors contributing to the development of this form of pathology are not fully understood.
Possible specialists include:
- irregular sex life;
- hormonal disturbances in the body;
- increased body weight;
- type of sedentary work;
- constant stress;
- genetic predisposition;
- constipation.
Signs of prostatitis in men and its symptoms
Symptoms of prostatitis in most cases go unnoticed for a long time. Periodic pain in the groin area, a violation of sexual function, which many men consider a temporary phenomenon. In 90% of cases, the development of inflammation of the prostate is manifested by a decrease in sexual activity, problems with ejaculation and difficulty urinating. In the acute form, the disease is accompanied by a deterioration in general well-being.
When an exacerbation of prostatitis occurs, the symptoms in a man are:
- increased body temperature;
- general weakness;
- increased sweating;
- pain in the perineum, radiating to the anus and pubis;
- difficult urination.
The first symptoms of prostatitis
The first symptoms of prostate inflammation in men that you should pay attention to are sexual dysfunctions. A man complains of a worsening erection or its complete absence. Ejaculation is also disturbed, orgasm is weakened. Similar symptoms of prostatitis in young men negatively affect sexual relations, so they soon begin to avoid them so as not to fall into the eyes of their lovers. This leads to mental depression, constant tension and anxiety, which aggravates the situation.
Symptoms of prostatitis - what does it hurt?
Painful sensations with inflammation of the prostate occur mainly with the development of an acute form of the disease. Their location may be different. Thus, back pain with prostatitis is resolved by about 50% of patients. In most cases, men feel excruciating pain in the perineum, scrotum, which radiates to the sacrum.
The intensity of painful sensations can vary: from painful and unpleasant sensations to pains that do not allow you to fall asleep at night. Increased pain can be noted during intercourse, with excessive sexual activity, during ejaculation. These symptoms of prostatitis in men often appear among the first.
Urination with prostatitis
Given the inflammation of the prostate, symptoms of the disease, among other signs, doctors distinguish a violation of the process of urination.
Patients often complain of the following nature:
- frequent urge to urinate;
- lack of feeling of an empty bladder after going to the toilet;
- difficulty urinating.
Characteristic manifestations:
- In most cases, it all starts with the fact that a man cannot empty his bladder normally. The prostate, becoming inflamed, increases in volume and gradually compresses the urethra.
- Progressive inflammation leads to the development of sclerosis of the bladder neck. As a result, the patient has frequent urges to go to the toilet.
- The chronic form is characterized by nocturnal urination: a man is forced to get out of bed and go to the toilet in the middle of the night.
- All this is accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the groin area. Sometimes these are the only symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
Allowances for prostatitis
Speaking about the symptoms that can be observed with prostatitis, doctors also cite discharge from the genital tract among the possible manifestations of the disease. The most common of these disorders is prostorrhoea. It occurs with a decrease in prostate tone and indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the gland. In such cases, the discharge appears after the act of urinating or defecating.
The consistency of discharge from the genital tract resembles a thick, whitish, milky liquid. When in the prostate, in addition to inflammation, infectious agents are also present, the color of the discharge becomes translucent with a yellowish tint. At the same time, the man notes significant discomfort in the anus and itching in the urethra.
Allocations are more often noted in the daytime, after active movements, the implementation of prostate massage. Similar symptoms of prostatitis in men are obliged to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.
temperature for prostatitis
Acute inflammation of the prostate gland in men is always accompanied by hyperthermia. Body temperature with a similar disease often rises to 39 degrees.
A man notices the appearance of the following symptoms:
- sharp pains in the lower abdomen;
- pain in the perineum;
- pain in the process of emptying the bladder;
- discomfort and discomfort during bowel movements.
Temperature in most cases occurs only at the beginning of the inflammatory process. Over time, after taking antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs, its normalization is observed. The lack of treatment and medical care at this stage is fraught with the progression of prostatitis and the transition of the disease into a chronic form.
Why is prostatitis dangerous?
Doctors recommend starting treatment when the first clinical symptoms of the disease appear. For this, a man should already contact a urologist if he is suspected of having a disease. The consequences of prostatitis can be very diverse: from sexual dysfunction to conception problems and secondary infertility. The probability of developing such a pathology is 40% in the absence of proper treatment. The most formidable complication is prostate adenoma - a tumor of a malignant nature.
Other negative effects include:
- neurosis;
- abscess;
- depression and apathy.