Frequent, painful urination, discomfort in the perineum, hyperthermia, decreased potency and libido are problems faced by 80% of men aged 45-50 years, but most of them put off visiting a doctor until the pain becomes unbearable.Unpleasant symptoms indicate inflammation of the prostate, which requires immediate treatment: prostatitis in men quickly becomes chronic and can lead to infertility, sexual dysfunction, and oncology.
What is prostatitis
The prostate gland is an organ similar in size and shape to a chestnut fruit and located under the bladder.Its lower part borders the perineum.The prostate in men performs the following functions: secretory - the production of sex hormones and secretions that determine the quality of sperm, and barrier - the separation of the processes of ejaculation and urination.
The second name of the gland is popularly used to refer to a common disease that affects about half of the male population: the older the man, the higher the risk of getting sick - prostatitis is extremely rarely diagnosed in guys 20-25 years old.The disease is dangerous with severe complications, so it is important to recognize it at an early stage.
The therapeutic course takes up to 14 days, and the patient is required to strictly adhere to preventive measures for several more months.If the disease has become chronic, the risk of relapse is 50%.
Classification
Treatment of the prostate gland in men sometimes drags on for years.The disease temporarily takes an asymptomatic course, only to remind itself a few months later with a sharp decrease in immunity, disruption of the intestinal microflora and other stressful situations for the body.Male prostate disease has several forms:
- Spicy.Characterized by bacterial infection of prostate tissue.Typical signs are severe pain and a critical increase in temperature.The disease must be treated in a hospital setting;
- Chronic bacterial.Periodic attenuation of symptoms is often perceived as a signal of recovery, but this is an illusion - each subsequent exacerbation is more severe than the previous ones due to the development of purulent foci and the appearance of neoplasms;
- Asymptomatic.Absence of symptoms with active development of the disease.Such a prostate in men is often detected by chance, based on the results of a urine test;
- Granulomatous.Termination of the functioning of the gland due to overgrowth with connective tissue;
- Pelvic pain syndrome.A difficult form to diagnose, accompanied by constant aching sensations in the pelvic area, neurological and psycho-emotional disorders.
What does prostate mean in men?First of all, the diagnosis means the need to reconsider your lifestyle, be patient and follow the doctor’s recommendations - you may have to undergo treatment for a long time.
What causes prostate cancer in men?
Reasons
The exact algorithm for the occurrence of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland has not been established, but a pattern has been identified: the likelihood of getting sick increases with a decrease in general immunity.Why is this happening?Infectious pathogens entering the mucous membranes of a healthy person are in a “dormant” state and do not spread until the protective functions of the body are weakened.This is how the male prostate begins to develop.
Factors that increase risk:
- Hypothermia;
- Injuries and bruises of the perineum;
- STD;
- Inactive lifestyle, sedentary work;
- Inferior sex life;
- Contraception using the method of interrupting sexual intercourse (incomplete ejaculation occurs);
- Stress, neuroses, depression;
- Bad habits – alcohol abuse, smoking;
- Drug intoxication.
Doctors also point to a connection between the fashion for tight trousers that compress the genitals and the increase in morbidity.Symptoms of the prostate gland in men who prefer tight-fitting jeans are much more common, and in those who prefer loose-fitting jeans.
Etiology of the chronic form
Permanent prostatitis in men is a consequence of improper treatment (or its complete absence) of acute inflammation of the prostate.Causes of exacerbations: sexually transmitted diseases, stressful situations at work and in the family, forced restriction of emptying the rectum or bladder, wearing tight underwear made of synthetic fabrics.
An additional factor is congestion in the pelvis caused by low mobility.A patient who has experienced what prostate cancer is like in men in acute form must take all measures to prevent a relapse: first of all, walk more to activate blood circulation.
Inflamed prostate gland in men symptoms
Acute prostatitis
There are three types of course of this form of the disease: catarrhal, follicular, parenchymal (the most dangerous).In the first case, the malaise begins with nagging pain in the pubic area and a slight increase in temperature.Soon the man notices discomfort during urination or sexual intercourse, and a persistent feeling of fatigue.
The follicular type is characterized by severe pain in the penis and lower back: it does not allow the bowels and bladder to be fully emptied.If left untreated, the third type of disease develops.
What is parenchymal prostate in men?Difficulty urinating turns into complete urinary retention, body temperature reaches 39-40 degrees, mucous discharge from the rectum appears.The condition is serious and requires immediate hospitalization.
Chronic prostatitis
The symptoms of this form are often vague and unexpressed, which makes diagnosis difficult.The pain syndrome takes on a permanent character, is localized in the lower abdomen and is tolerated quite easily.Discomfort increases after intimacy.
Urination is slightly difficult - the stream of urine is intermittent.The urge becomes more frequent.After physical exertion, uncharacteristic discharge appears on the head of the genital organ.Erection disorders are possible.The temperature stays at 37 – 37.3 C.
If symptoms of chronic prostatitis are observed in men, treatment should not be delayed: low-grade inflammation can lead to infertility.
Diagnostics
A timely visit to a urologist is the best solution if you suspect inflammation of the prostate gland.During the appointment, the doctor will ask several questions about your health and review the patient’s medical record to collect anamnesis.Next, an external examination and palpation of the organ through the rectum is performed.
To clarify the diagnosis, a number of studies are prescribed:
- Secret analysis;
- Ultrasound of the prostate;
- Collection of material for PCR;
- MRI of the pelvic organs.
If necessary, the urine flow rate during urination is measured with a special device, a uroflowmeter.Measurements are made in the clinic: the patient empties the bladder into a special vessel with a sensor, which at the end of the process produces a graphic image.
Prostate gland in men treatment
Before prescribing a treatment course, it is important to identify all the factors that provoked the inflammatory process.When the exact cause of prostatitis in men is determined, treatment is more productive.The urologist develops an individual comprehensive program that includes the following elements:
- Drug therapy.For viral etiology, antiviral drugs are prescribed, and for infectious lesions, antibacterial drugs are prescribed.In parallel, anti-inflammatory suppositories and creams, immunostimulating agents, and, if necessary, analgesics are used;
- Physiotherapy.The method is determined based on the picture of the disease.This could be electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, laser sessions, UHF;
- Massage.The procedure is performed by a doctor or (after training) the patient's spouse - emotional comfort and family support are of great importance for the sick person.Massage improves the outflow of purulent-inflammatory secretions from the prostate ducts.
The effectiveness of the prescribed therapy is assessed after 10-14 days: if positive dynamics are observed, the course continues after a short break.If there is no improvement, a decision is made to discontinue certain medications and procedures and replace them with others.
Prevention
The prostate in men, symptoms and treatment is a topic that every representative of the stronger sex who has reached reproductive age should study in detail.Awareness of preventive measures will help avoid inflammation.
How to protect yourself from prostatitis?It is recommended to avoid hypothermia and unprotected sexual intercourse, and regularly get tested for STDs.You should empty your bladder in a timely manner and choose loose-fitting trousers.