Many people are still embarrassed or hesitant to talk about certain illnesses.This is especially true for urogenital problems, which simultaneously create discomfort and also affect sexual activity.More than 70% of men do not see a doctor in the early stages of the disease, even though treatment is more effective if the disease is not too advanced.Early identification of disease symptoms is important for prevention and early treatment.
What is prostatitis
The prostate or prostate gland is located in the center of the pelvis, connected to the bladder and the spermatic duct.The main function is the production of a substance responsible for the viability and motility of sperm.From a chemical point of view, this secretion is a base of immunoglobulins with the addition of vitamins, zinc, iodine - the basis of sperm nutrition and activity.The composition of the fluid is an important diagnostic parameter that helps recognize symptoms at an early stage.
As the name suggests, the disease involves inflammatory processes in the prostate.This pathology is always associated with the presence of a bacterial infection, even if it does not necessarily present itself in a form perceptible to humans.The type of progression of the disease largely depends on age, predisposition, associated factors and characteristics of the organism.
Normally, the prostate is not felt and does not attract attention.However, despite its fairly deep location in the pelvic region, this organ is one of the most vulnerable in the male body.There is an opinion that only older people can experience the symptoms of prostatitis, but this is not true: the disease is typical for mature men aged 20 to 60 years old.
At an early stage, it is quite difficult to identify the disease.Signs may appear from time to time, then bother you, then disappear without a trace.Doctors mention that the psychology of men, especially young men, also plays a role: not everyone is ready to go to the doctor and admit to a "shameful" illness.
At the same time, the disease is characterized by dangerous complications, including:
- Infertility due to impaired sperm motility.Sometimes asymptomatic or mild chronic prostatitis becomes the only reason for the absence of children in a couple.A woman can undergo examinations as much as she wants, but this will only help her when her husband decides to have himself examined for his own ability to fertilize.
- Prostate adenoma is a benign tumor which can, however, become very dangerous for a man.This is due to the anatomical structure - the urinary tract and vas deferens are located in such a way that if the prostate grows abnormally, it interferes with normal urination.There is a risk of a large number of complications, including bladder rupture.
- Prostate cancer is, according to statistics, one of the most common diseases among men.Oncological diseases are one of the ten leading causes of death among people over 50 years old;It is at this age that long-term chronic prostatitis tends to degenerate into a potentially fatal disease.
- Psychological problems associated with erectile dysfunction, infertility, problems with natural functions.This is a secondary symptom, but also significantly affects the patient's quality of life.
One in twenty men over thirty and more than half of those over fifty have experienced symptoms of prostatitis.It is one of the most common diseases.Prevention, early diagnosis and attentive treatment can relieve attacks and complications of the disease.
Acute (bacterial)
The disease can appear in men at any age.And if chronic forms of this disease are more typical in older people, then acute bacterial types of the disease can theoretically occur in anyone.The bacteria responsible for signs of prostatitis can be pathogenic or opportunistic.
Here are some things to remember about this form:
- You can become infected at any age, including during unprotected sex.
- Prostatitis is not the same as classic STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, but can manifest as a secondary infection against the background of another disease.
- You can become infected either from your partner if she has candidiasis, ovarian inflammation, vulvitis or vulvovaginitis, or by passing the infection to her.It happens that one of the couples becomes a “carrier” of the infection, and constant reinfection of the other is possible even within a constant couple.
- The main cause of acute bacterial prostatitis is unprotected sexual intercourse, followed by hypothermia and other situations reducing local immunity.
Chronic bacterial
In the absence of proper treatment and ignoring the symptoms in its acute form, as well as with regular reinfection, there is a high risk of developing a chronic pathological process.This is due to the fact that the prostate is a place conducive to the proliferation of pathogenic organisms: high temperature, humidity, nutrients.Chronic prostatitis is characterized by exposure to opportunistic strains that cause a slow but uncomfortable reaction that significantly deteriorates quality of life.
Features:
- Paroxysmal course: the symptoms almost do not differ from the acute form, but if it appears initially, the chronic form regularly recurs.Many people try to relieve the symptoms of prostatitis in men using painkillers and other emergency methods.This works, but does not solve the problem.
- Indeed, the symptoms often disappear on their own, without additional therapeutic methods, especially in young men: the body suppresses bacterial activity using the resources of its own immunity.As a rule, it is not possible to completely destroy the infection, so relapses return again and again.Each one can become heavier than the last.
- Relapses are dangerous due to the appearance of purulent foci and damage to neighboring organs: bladder, penis, testicles, kidneys.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the most common type of disease.Some men suffer from it for years, relieving the attacks with painkillers but not getting rid of the underlying problem.Over time, the situation gets worse.
Chronic non-bacterial
The treatment of this form of prostatitis will always be one of the most difficult.The disease is not associated with the activity of bacteria, which also makes it difficult to diagnose and identify provoking factors.Its causes are extremely diverse: from an unhealthy lifestyle to working conditions associated with heavy lifting - for example, it is often found among loaders, builders and other people whose professional activities are related to such activities.
An attack of the disease can be triggered by neurological problems, stress, poisoning, injuries to the prostate and pelvic muscles - this happens in professional athletes.In many cases it is treatable.Often the etiology remains unclear.
Chronic asymptomatic
Another “insidious” type of prostatitis in men, because it develops without symptoms characteristic of the disease, so a person does not suspect that he has the disease.The reasons may be different, but most often they are associated simultaneously with the activity of bacteria and lifestyle features.
The biggest risk is that in the absence of symptoms, it is rare for a person to consider getting tested.In this regard, doctors recommend that people over 40 years old undergo preventive diagnostics: give urine for leukocyte content, as well as fluid secreted by the prostate.Asymptomatic prostatitis is becoming one of the common causes of male infertility.
Causes of disease
The most obvious cause of symptoms is the entry of bacteria into the genitourinary tract.Systemic urogenital infections are extremely common, that is, a person simultaneously suffers from, for example, pyelonephritis.
Among the predisposing factors:
- unhealthy lifestyle - poor diet, alcohol abuse, excess weight is believed to also contribute to the development of the disease;
- hypothermia;
- irregular or promiscuous sex life;
- unprotected sex with people who may carry infection;
- physical inactivity, constant sitting - prostatitis is typical for professional drivers;
- injuries in the pelvic region.
The main factor still remains age: although there are not as many twenty-five-year-old men suffering from prostatitis, after fifty, more than half of all men.The quality of treatment of prostatitis depends on early diagnosis, so after forty everyone should consult a doctor for examination.
Symptoms
The intensity of the symptoms depends on the form of the disease.We should not forget about the asymptomatic type, which does not manifest itself at all, but also has a destructive effect on health.You should consult a doctor for prostatitis medication if the following symptoms appear:
- pain, burning when urinating;
- painful sexual intercourse, deterioration of potency;
- pain during bowel movements;
- difficulty urinating - a dangerous symptom that causes stones;
- high temperature - in acute form;
- blood in urine, semen.
All signs vary in intensity.Treatment of prostatitis should begin with diagnosis;even one of these manifestations is a reason to be examined by a doctor.Painful sensations can change location, but are most often felt in the lower abdomen and rectum.In acute cases, they are unbearable, increasing pain is a bad sign, indicating a purulent form of the disease.
Diagnosis
To treat prostatitis, a correct diagnosis is necessary.The patient is sent for a general urine test to identify the leukocyte formula, which indicates the presence of inflammation.Be sure to check blood as well as sperm - this helps determine sperm activity and often reveals infertility.Prostate secretions are taken for analysis, as well as a smear to identify specific pathogens and prescribe antibiotics for prostatitis.
Treatment
Methods for treating prostatitis are complex and include physiotherapy, medicinal techniques, correction of the patient's diet and lifestyle.Even advanced chronic forms can be cured without serious complications if you follow the recommendations and proper treatment.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used for chronic forms and is prescribed only by a doctor, since in some cases it is contraindicated.
Among the methods, the most effective are the following:
- prostate massage - helps eliminate congestion;
- warming up in hot baths;
- ultrasound therapy;
- electropheresis;
- acupuncture.
The technique depends on the type of disease, as well as the condition of the body.For example, heating to high temperatures and acute forms is contraindicated;you must first carry out treatment with drugs for prostatitis.
Medicine
For pain in the perineum, prostatitis medications with an analgesic effect are prescribed.Bacterial forms require the use of antibiotics, and a specific drug is prescribed only after BAC culture and identification of the sensitivity of microorganisms to a particular group.
Other medications:
- Drotaverine – prostatitis tablets to relieve spasms and pain;
- Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker, prostatitis tablets that improve smooth muscle contractions, thereby improving urine flow;
Self-administration of antibiotics is contraindicated, but drugs from the cephalosporin group are most often prescribed - they work well with almost all types of urogenital infections in men and women.
Candles
Rectal suppositories, also called prostatitis suppositories, are great for relieving pain, inflammation and reducing all discomfort associated with the condition.Most recommended by doctors:
- Prostate extract - suppositories for prostatitis with complex effect;
- Ketoprofen – relieves pain and swelling;
- Indomethacin.
Most medications are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Taking it as a rectal suppository not only improves effectiveness but also helps minimize side effects.
Diet
Diet therapy is also part of the overall therapeutic strategy.Overweight people are advised to normalize their weight in order to get rid of congestion in the pelvic region.It is prescribed to exclude fatty foods, limit carbohydrates and avoid alcohol, which is often not compatible with antibiotics.Seafood, nuts, avocados and lean meat are healthy if there are no other contraindications.A good diet also helps prevent prostatitis.
Forecast
With prompt diagnosis, complete recovery is possible.The most important thing is not to let the disease become chronic, otherwise complications are inevitable: from prostate adenoma to cancer.In general, with appropriate treatment and the patient's compliance with the treatment conditions, the prognosis is favorable.
Prevention
Prostatitis is a “young” disease: recently it has been diagnosed even in adolescents, and men aged thirty to thirty-five are increasingly faced with this problem.Therefore, the prevention of prostatitis is important and consists of:
- correct thermal regime - the pelvic organs should be neither overheated nor overcooled;
- avoid general hypothermia;
- sexual activity using personal protective equipment - condoms effectively block the path of bacteria;
- good nutrition;
- Avoid both a sedentary lifestyle and irrational stress, especially those associated with lifting heavy objects.
All these methods will help prevent the development of an unpleasant disease.In increasingly older people, even in the absence of complaints, it is necessary to consult doctors from time to time: a urologist and an andrologist.