Prostatitis in men is an inflammatory process involving prostate tissue.This disease is accompanied by pain that occurs in the lower back, perineum, and pelvis.The main manifestation is pain in the perineum and lower urinary tract dysfunction.
Among all urological diseases, urologists most often encounter prostatitis.It can develop unexpectedly (acute) against the background of general health, or it can last for a long time, with periods of exacerbation and remission, indicating a chronic course.Moreover, the second variant of the disease is diagnosed more often.
This disease can be independent, and can also be combined with prostate hyperplasia or prostate cancer.
Because of development
Inflammation does not appear by itself.Causes of prostatitis can be divided into bacterial and non-bacterial.
The acute infectious variant usually occurs in men under the age of 35 due to damage to the prostate gland by gram-negative bacteria - Escherichia coli, Proteus, Enterobacter.Inflammation also occurs due to infection with sexually transmitted infections - gonorrhea, chlamydia.In the chronic form, there may be many more reasons and the list will include atypical microbes.
Factors that provoke the development of bacterial variants are:
- unprotected sexual intercourse;
- AIDS or HIV infection;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- anal intercourse;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- inactive sex life;
- diabetes mellitus;
- hypothermia;
- violations in intimate hygiene.
Non-infectious prostatitis in chronic form is detected in men who complain of prolonged pain in the genitals, but tests do not diagnose bacteria that can cause inflammation.
The exact cause of the development of this type of prostatitis has not been studied, but the following are considered to be provoking factors:
- emotional disturbances;
- autoimmune diseases;
- increased physical activity;
- lack of regular sex life;
- work that involves heavy lifting;
- chronic stress;
- congestion in prostate tissue;
- previously confirmed fibrotic changes in the prostate (according to TRUS results).
It is believed that an inactive sex life, unprotected sexual intercourse, and hypothermia play a major role in the onset of the disease.Symptoms of prostatitis are experienced by 50% of the entire male population on the planet at least once in their lives.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis occurs in several stages, which will move from each other if you do not consult a specialist and stop the progression of the disease in time.
The first stage is called acute catarrhal prostatitis.It starts with complaints of frequent painful urination.In the lower back and sacrum, as well as in the perineum, a slight pain appears at first, which quickly increases.
Without treatment, the second stage occurs - acute follicular.At this time, the pain becomes very strong, radiates to the anus, and increases during defecation.Urination is very difficult, sometimes there is acute urinary retention.The temperature does not exceed 38 degrees and only in rare cases it can be higher.
Acute parenchymal prostatitis is expressed in severe intoxication, the temperature reaches 38 ° C and above, and chills appear.Urinary retention is often observed, sharp pain, throbbing appears in the perineum, and defecation is difficult.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis
Sometimes chronic prostatitis occurs against the background of an acute inflammatory process.This is a separate disease in which there is a primary chronic course that develops over a long period of time.
Often the chronic course begins as a complication of the inflammatory process caused by various infectious agents - chlamydia, trichomonas, gonococci.But clear manifestations are very rare;more often this disease occurs with minor pain during urination or in the perineum, and a slight discharge from the urethra.Often this manifestation is not noticed even by the patient for a very long time.
Signs of prostatitis in men can occur in different ways, but they are all grouped into three groups - pain, urinary disturbances, problems with sexual activity.Prostate tissue has no receptors and therefore cannot produce painful sensations.They appear when inflammation begins to spread to the pelvic organs, which are heavily innervated.The patient's pain can vary from barely noticeable discomfort to severe and severe pain that interferes with sleep and normal lifestyle.Pain can radiate to the sacrum, scrotum, lower back, perineum, so self-diagnosis is useless here.
Problems with urination begin at this time when the prostate increases in volume and begins to compress the urethra with a decrease in the lumen of the ureter.There is a frequent urge to urinate, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.Usually, such phenomena are expressed at the beginning of the disease, in the early stages, then they are compensated by the body, but at a later stage, without adequate treatment, they appear again.
Potency problems in men can also be expressed in different ways.Patients complain of worsening erections, accelerated ejaculation, and decreased sexual arousal.Gradually, sexual dysfunction becomes more pronounced, and at an advanced stage, symptoms of prostatitis are added to impotence.
Possible complications
During the inflammatory process in the prostate gland, neighboring organs are also involved in the pathological process.This can cause various consequences of prostatitis, for example:
- vesiculitis;
- posterior urethritis or colliculitis;
- abscess of the gland itself;
- sclerosis or fibrosis of the prostate;
- prostate cysts and stones;
- infertility;
- ejaculation disorders;
- erectile dysfunction.
To avoid the development of these serious complications, at the first symptoms of prostatitis and prostate adenoma, you should consult a urologist.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis and treatment of any form of prostatitis is carried out by a urologist.If a tumor is suspected, the patient may be referred to consult an oncologist.In the case of chronic long-term prostatitis, which is difficult to treat, consultation with an immunologist may be necessary.
The characteristic clinical picture and complaints of the patient help to make an accurate diagnosis quickly.The list of mandatory studies when diagnosing prostatitis looks like this:
- Bacteriological culture of urine.
- Analysis of prostate secretions for microflora and sensitivity to antibiotics.
- Rectal examination of the prostate.
- Ultrasound of the prostate gland, which allows you to identify tumors, cysts, adenomas, and also differentiate prostatitis from other urological and surgical diseases.
- Spermogram to rule out infertility.
It is difficult to independently determine the cause of a disease, let alone cure it.Therefore, to avoid the development of serious complications and not remaining fertile in the future, at the first signs of the disease, a man should immediately consult a urologist.
Treatment
Patients diagnosed with uncomplicated acute prostatitis are treated on an outpatient basis.Only with severe intoxication symptoms and suspected purulent process is hospitalization.
Antibiotics are the drug of choice to combat inflammation.It is also used for chronic forms of bacteria.This drug is selected individually and taken in a course of 4-6 weeks.In severe cases, antibacterial agents are given intravenously, in all other cases - orally, in the form of capsules or tablets.
Another drug used for prostatitis is alpha1-blockers, which are prescribed in the presence of residual urine confirmed by ultrasound.They help facilitate urination and relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder.Medicines from the NSAID group help relieve pain.
Prostatitis treatment is only carried out comprehensively and consistently.In addition to taking medication, the doctor will prescribe a course of prostate massage, and physiotherapy is used to improve blood circulation in this organ.Surgical treatment is only used when abscesses and suppuration of the seminal vesicles appear.
Prognosis and prevention
The acute form without treatment often becomes chronic, which periodically worsens.Complete recovery is not always possible, but if you consult a doctor on time and take all prescribed medications, you can get rid of discomfort, urinary problems and pain.
Self-treatment at home and the use of traditional methods can often be life-threatening.
To prevent prostatitis, it is recommended to avoid hypothermia, empty the bladder on time, limit the use of coffee, spices and alcohol, and remain sexually active as long as possible.