Chronic prostatitis: symptoms and causes

Chronic prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which leads to dysfunction.

Description of chronic prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which leads to dysfunction.This disease is difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent relapses.There are two types of chronic prostatitis:

1. Infectious, as a result of damage by bacteria, infection or fungus.
2. Reservoir, develops with stagnation of prostate secretions and blood in the veins.The cause of congestive prostatitis is an irregular sex life, sedentary work, and tight underwear.

Chronic prostatitis is the most common urological disease in men of reproductive age.

There are several factors that influence the development of prostatitis:

• weak immunity associated with constant stress, nervous overload, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, frequent lack of sleep;
• hormonal disorders;
• previous venereal disease;
• untreated urinary tract infection;
• sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work (especially for drivers);
• work related to prolonged exposure to vibration, for example, working with a hammer or lathe.

This disease significantly affects the quality of life and leads to social and psychological problems.There is also decreased potency and impaired reproductive function.

Chronic prostatitis without appropriate treatment leads to several serious complications:

• pyelonephritis and cystitis - caused by infection of the urinary tract;
• vesiculitis - inflammation of the testes and appendages;
• prostate adenoma and cancer;
• inflammatory process in the nerves responsible for erectile function, leading to infertility.

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

The development of the disease is mainly asymptomatic.Therefore, the detection of prostatitis is often associated with the diagnosis of suspected prostate cancer.

Some symptoms include:

• mild pain and discomfort in the perineal area, with projections to the rectum and sacrum, lasting more than three months;
• painful and premature ejaculation;
• burning in the perineum and urethra;
• discomfort during bowel movements;
• discharge from the urethra;
• sometimes there is painful difficulty urinating and urinary retention;
• decreased potency, problems with erection and lack of orgasm;
• depressive state;
• high general fatigue.

Not all signs appear immediately.In general, chronic prostatitis is characterized by a wave-like course of the disease, when the symptoms of the disease either increase, weaken or completely disappear.This makes diagnosis and subsequent treatment more difficult.

Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis

Diagnosis for suspected chronic prostatitis includes:

• patient survey;
• general urine and blood tests;
• three-glass urine test;
• tests for the presence of sexually transmitted infections;
• culture of prostate secretions to determine the sensitivity of its microflora to various antibacterial drugs;
• digital rectal examination of the prostate;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and prostate gland.

In addition, the following may be prescribed:

• uroflowmetry (measurement of urine production parameters);
• prostate tissue biopsy;
• PCR (polymer chain reaction) analysis of urethral smears for the presence of chlamydia and mycoplasma.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

Treatment methods depend on several factors and are mainly aimed at eliminating the factors that lead to the occurrence of chronic prostatitis:

• age of the patient;
• disease stage;
• type of chronic prostatitis.

The effectiveness of therapy directly depends on the diagnosis of the disease at an early stage, compliance with the diet, and the increase and regularity of physical activity.

The main method of therapy for chronic prostatitis is complex drug therapy, based on the results of bacterial cultures of prostate secretions and urine.The duration of the treatment course should be at least 4 weeks, with continuation in the case of positive dynamics until the infection is completely eliminated.

Medicines used to treat chronic prostatitis are divided into the following groups:

• antibiotics and antibacterial drugs;
• alpha-blockers (drugs that cause dilation of blood vessels and vessels and regulate metabolism in the prostate gland);
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• muscle relaxants and antispasmodics;
• immunostimulants;
• antidepressants;
• vitamin complex;
• plant extracts;
• analgesics;
• medicine to improve microcirculation and reduce blood clotting.

An important place in the treatment of chronic prostatitis is occupied by prostate massage, which improves blood and lymph circulation, relieves congestion, and increases the patency of the prostate ducts.

In recent years, various therapeutic measures have been expanded to include various physiotherapy methods:

1. UHF therapy.
2. Laser therapy (improves microcirculation and removes congestion in the prostate gland).
3. Rectal electrophoresis.
4. Microwave hyperthermia.

Spa treatments are also indicated, especially mud therapy and thermal baths.

Surgical treatment methods are used only in the last stage of the disease - prostate sclerosis.In this case, transurethral resection of the bladder neck, prostate gland and seminal tubercle is performed.

Due to the lack of a universal approach to the treatment of chronic prostatitis, the main goal of therapy is to eliminate the source of infection, normalize the immune background and restore normal prostate function.

Prevention of chronic prostatitis focuses on eliminating the factors that lead to the development of the disease.

The risk of chronic prostatitis is reduced if the following conditions are met:

• frequent physical activity;
• healthy sleep patterns;
• good nutrition;
• normal sex life.