Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland caused by various infections. It is often acute and is accompanied by a rise in temperature to 37-38⁰ C, perineal pain and problems with urination.
Untreated acute prostatitis becomes chronic and is most common in this condition. In this case, the symptoms are less pronounced (pain in the lower abdomen, when urinating, sexual dysfunction, general weakness of the body) or are absent altogether. However, the consequences can be very serious. The inflammatory process is directly related to the problems with potency and is expressed in a decrease in libido, extinction of orgasm.
Neglected infection dramatically increases the likelihood of complications. In particular, these are diseases such as:
- pyelonephritis;
- cystitis;
- prostate abscess;
- BPH;
- Infertility.
Such consequences can be avoided if you consult a doctor in a timely manner. Take care of your health now - and in return you will receive excellent health, psychological comfort and increased self-esteem, as well as the quality of sexual relationships.
Causes of prostatitis
This question is relevant not only because many men face this problem, but also because most of them cannot understand where they got this disease from.
Causes of prostatitis in men:
- Sexually Transmitted Infections.
- Inflammatory diseases of the urethra caused by conditionally pathogenic flora.
- Sexual arrhythmia is an irregular, unbalanced sex life.
- Physical inactivity is a sedentary lifestyle.
- urolithiasis disease.
- The presence in the body of chronic foci of infection (chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, proctitis and paraproctitis, etc. ).
- Abuse of alcohol and spicy food.
- Constipation.
- hypothermia.
- Pathology of the lumbosacral spine and spinal cord - due to a violation of the innervation and trophism of the prostate.
Why does prostatitis occur when infected with an STI? The causative agents of genital infections, especially gonococci, trichomonads, chlamydia, ureaplasma and mycoplasma, first attack the urethra in men and cause venereal urethritis. But, like any living microorganism, these infections actively multiply in conditions favorable to them, which are the mucous membranes of the urethra and prostate ducts.
Of course, if the patient turned to a urologist or venereologist in time, passed tests for sexually transmitted diseases, revealed the presence of a sexual infection and cured it, then there is no reason for the appearance of prostatitis. Everything will end with recovery at the stage of anterior urethritis. But with an advanced form of the disease, with a formal approach to the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, when trying to cure them only by taking broad-spectrum antibiotics in tablets and not being cured by this, microbes penetrate the posterior urethra and prostate gland, causes inflammation, i. e. , prostatitis, and is more often immediately primary-chronic. In this case, avoiding the development of prostatitis is very easy, absolutely everything depends on the patient himself.
All you need is:
- At the first sign of discomfort in the urethra, consult a doctor immediately
- Pass the tests recommended by the urologist for STIs
- Undergo comprehensive treatment for identified sexually transmitted infections
- After treatment, conduct control tests to determine the presence of a venereal infection not only in the urethra, but also in the prostatic secretion
- And it is best to go through medical prophylaxis in the clinic after casual sex even before the appearance of sexually transmitted symptoms and protect yourself and your loved ones from sexually transmitted diseases in general and as a cause of prostatitis in particular
Symptoms of prostate inflammation
How to recognize or suspect prostatitis for an ordinary person, because its symptoms are very similar to many diseases of the genitourinary system and even other organs? How does prostatitis manifest itself? What are the first signs and how do they behave as the disease progresses? We will talk about that in this article.
What other diseases can be confused with prostatitis:
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs) are the most common situation when a man goes to a venereologist after a casual relationship and thinks he has an STI. And indeed the prostate was inflamed.
- Urolithiasis can provoke similar symptoms, but at the same time itself provoke an inflammatory process in the prostate.
- Cystitis is rare in men, but the symptoms are very similar to those of prostatitis.
- Pyelonephritis – inflammation of the renal pelvis shares some symptoms with inflammation of the prostate.
- Diseases of the scrotum (perididymitis, orchitis, varicocele) - heaviness and pain in the scrotum can accompany these diseases, including prostatitis.
- Diabetes mellitus - patients note an increase in urination, as with prostate disease, but there is no sluggish stream, and the volume of urine is normal or even increased.
- Other diseases of the prostate: Cancer and adenoma (benign hyperplasia) of the prostate.
- urethritis.
- Diseases of the rectum - fissures, hemorrhoids, tumors.
- Diseases of the lumbosacral spine.
In order to make a correct diagnosis, a urologist must not only know the symptoms of prostatitis very well, but also be able to correctly prescribe tests and other diagnostic studies and adequately evaluate their results.
So, consider the signs or symptoms of prostatitis:
Group 1 is a pain syndrome. That is, the appearance of pain in the perineum, groin, lower abdomen, scrotum, penis, rectum, sacrum, coccyx, inner thighs. It can only be aching, pulling, pressing sensations or more stabbing, throbbing, severe pain. Sometimes a man simply complains of some discomfort in these areas, both during urination and outside of it. Often the aching pain increases when sitting in a chair or in a car for a long time.
With chronic sluggish prostatitis, the pain may subside after intercourse. If there is severe inflammation in the prostate or if large calcifications (stones) have formed in the gland, pain during ejaculation is possible.
Symptoms of group 2 - urination disorders. There is an increase in urination, first at night, then throughout the day. The stream of urine becomes sluggish, the volume of each portion decreases, the transparency of urine decreases, blood may appear. With severe swelling of the prostate or fibrosis of the gland around the urethra, there is marked difficulty in emptying the bladder. A man has to make an effort, wait a while before he can urinate.
Group 3 - violation of sexual function. At the initial stage of prostatitis there is some increase in sexual desire, hyperexcitability and premature ejaculation. In addition, due to a decrease in the production of sex hormones, there is a decrease in libido, an erection falls. A man can either not have intercourse or, having started it, he cannot finish it. But even when ejaculation occurs, the orgasm is dull or almost non-existent. If an erection or ejaculation is accompanied by pain, then the man himself refuses new contacts, which affects his sexual function in the future due to prolonged abstinence. And this also leads to the progression of congestive prostatitis. A vicious circle arises.
Group 4 - these are general symptoms. There may be an increase in body temperature, fatigue, weakness, irritability associated both with the presence of an inflammatory process, and with hormonal imbalance and disruption in sex life. Some patients suffer from hyperhidrosis (profuse sweating) of the groin, reddening of the glans penis.
With a sufficiently pronounced inflammatory process in the prostate from the urethra, there may be mucous or purulent discharge.
The clinical picture of each patient with prostatitis is individual. Not all sets of symptoms are necessarily present, and not all may be pronounced. With a chronic process in the prostate, an erased clinic and minor symptoms are observed, but this does not make it the least dangerous for a man's health.
Therefore, if you notice any manifestations of prostatitis from above, urgently make an appointment with a urologist. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor, because even if the discomfort has passed, this does not mean that the inflammatory process has stopped. It has just entered a latent stage and will gradually erode your health and destroy the prostate.
It is best to have a six-monthly check-up with a urologist with a diagnostic scan of the prostate, microscopy of its secretions, ultrasound and a blood test for PSA. This protects you not only from the negative consequences of advanced chronic prostatitis, but also from adenomas and prostate cancer.
treatment of prostatitis
Modern methods of treating prostatitis include the following varieties:
- drug treatment (prescribing antiviral and antifungal drugs);
- maintenance therapy (prescribing immunostimulating drugs, taking dietary supplements);
- urological massage (prostate massage);
- LOD therapy (a low-pressure method of restoring potency);
- a set of special physical exercises for relaxation;
- medical advice on diet, lifestyle, sexual relationships.
In the treatment I use the best methods of leading medical centers and my own developments, which give excellent results.
Congestive (congestive) prostatitis
The treatment of congestive prostatitis is associated with certain difficulties, since the causes of this type of prostatitis are the lifestyle and sexual activity of this man. Accordingly, only the patient himself and not the doctor can directly influence these processes. But even in such a difficult situation, patients can be helped. For the treatment of congestive or congestive prostatitis, a special complex therapy has been developed, which allows you to eliminate the effects of blood stagnation in the prostatic venous plexus and the secretion of the prostate in its ducts and acini.
Treatment of congestive prostatitis
After a preliminary diagnosis, which includes:
- Analysis of prostate secretion for microscopy, STIs, cultures
- Blood test for PSA
- General urine and blood tests
- blood chemistry
- Ultrasound of the prostate and its venous system
- Ultrasound of the kidneys
A diagnosis of chronic congestive prostatitis is made, a complex of drug treatment and necessary procedures are appointed, including:
- Prostate massage through the rectum is necessary to remove leukocyte plugs, mucus and inflammatory secretions of the prostate from the ducts. It is the main treatment procedure that also improves blood flow in the prostate, which serves as a factor in the fight against blood stasis.
The massage is performed by a urologist. Session duration from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Quantity from 10 per course. The cost is 600 rubles.
Even if the patient does not have the opportunity to complete the entire course of treatment for congestive prostatitis, he must attend at least 10 massage sessions. Taking medication alone does not bring about the desired effect when treating prostate congestion.
- Vibromassage of the prostate is a very good and effective method of treating congestive prostatitis. With the help of a special device that creates vibrations, a thermal and magnetic field, the blood supply to the gland improves, the adhesion of leukocyte plugs to the walls of the prostate ducts weakens, which facilitates their removal during subsequent finger massage. It is usually performed right before a massage session.
- Magnetic laser therapy improves blood circulation and trophism of the gland, removes inflammatory products from it and relieves swelling. Many patients already feel the effect in the first days of treatment in the form of pain relief and a feeling of tension in the prostate area.
This treatment of congestive prostatitis has long been established and has been successfully used for many years, constantly being updated, including new modern methods and approaches. Chronic congestive prostatitis can and should be treated to achieve long-term remission and significantly improve the quality of life of a modern man.
BPH
Prostate adenoma, or as it is commonly known today, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a chronic condition that occurs mainly in older men, at least after the age of 50. After the age of 70, more than 50% of men have complications from this disease. Although there are cases of its earlier development.
The prostate adenoma is accompanied by the growth of its glandular and stromal (connective) tissue. As a result, nodules are formed in the thickness of the gland, which, when they reach a large size, begin to compress the surrounding tissues - the bladder, urethra, rectum, and sometimes the ureters, disrupting the normal functioning of these organs.
Reasons for the development of prostate adenoma
The development of prostate adenoma in men of ever older age is associated with hormonal imbalance, that is, a kind of manifestation of "male menopause". Over the years there is a decrease in the production of the main male hormone testosterone by the testicles and an increase in the level of the female hormone estradiol (especially in men with high body fat mass). A direct negative effect of female hormones on the prostate was detected, as well as increased production of dihydrotestosterone in prostate cells, which promotes active growth of their tissues and the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia, i. H. Adenoma, caused.
Reasons leading to the development and progression of BPH may also include:
- Hypodynamia - a sedentary lifestyle
- alcohol abuse and smoking
- fatty, high-cholesterol, spicy, spicy foods
- low sexual activity
Chronic prostatitis, in principle, is not the cause of prostate adenoma, but with a simultaneous course contributes to more pronounced symptoms and the rapid development of complications of prostatic hyperplasia.
Symptoms of a prostate adenoma
Symptoms of prostate adenoma depend on the stage of the disease, its decompensation, the development of complications and the direction of tumor growth.
- First, there are signs of difficulty urinating, a sluggish stream of urine, constant urges up to 15-20 per day, nocturia - urination at night.
- Then, when the muscles of the bladder weaken, pain in the lower abdomen, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, urine is excreted in portions, drop by drop, you have to tighten the abdominal muscles. It ends with a complete loss of the detrusor - the muscles of the bladder that expel urine.
- In combination with chronic prostatitis, there is pain in the perineum, rectum, fever, discharge of mucus and pus from the urethra.
- Urine changes color, becomes cloudy, drops of blood may be present.
- Sexual function is impaired.
- With the growth of the prostate adenoma in the direction of the triangle of the bladder formed by the mouths of the ureters and urethra, there is a blockage of the ureters and a violation of the outflow of urine from the kidneys, which ends with a faster development of chronic kidney failure and urolithiasis.
The main complications of prostate adenoma:
- Acute urinary retention - requires emergency bladder catheterization.
- As a result of stagnation of urine, urolithiasis and inflammation of the kidneys (pyelonephritis), bladder (cystitis) and urethra develop.
- The appearance of blood in the urine.
Chronic kidney failure is a formidable complication that can lead to death.
Treatment of prostate adenoma
The clinic treats prostate adenoma non-surgically, that is, drug therapy, which is most effective in stage 1 and sometimes 2 benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Surgical treatment of prostate adenoma is performed with decompensation, with a large volume of prostate adenoma growing towards the bladder triangle. It comes in different types:
- starting from open transvesical adenomectomy - removal of the tumor through the bladder
- to minimally invasive methods, in which through the urethra with the help of an electric knife, radio wave and laser techniques, the urethra is cleared of adenoma tissue or hyperplastic areas of the prostate are completely removed.
An annual prostate exam, ultrasound, and blood test for PSA are required to prevent you from being immediately offered surgery for prostate adenoma the first time you see a urologist.
prostate massage
One of the most common and very effective treatment and diagnostic procedures in urology and venereology is prostate massage (prostate). This manipulation has long been used by urologists and is familiar to almost all patients with diseases of the prostate, seminal vesicles and STIs.
Why is prostate massage used?
The prostate massage can be used in two cases:
for diagnostic purposes for:
- Collection of prostate secretion for microscopic analysis
- Determination of the presence of sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, gonorrhea, etc. ) in the prostate by PCR, PIF and others
- Collection of culture material with determination of microflora and sensitivity to antibiotics
- Obtaining subjective data on pain, density, size of the gland - the so-called diagnostic palpation of the prostate
for therapeutic purposes:
- to clear the ducts of the gland from leukocyte plugs and mucus
- to improve blood flow to the prostate, which leads to better penetration of drugs into tissues and elimination of congestion
When is a prostate massage prescribed?
Prostate massage is prescribed for a variety of male health issues, such as:
- chronic bacterial and nonbacterial prostatitis
- chronic vesiculitis - massage of the prostate and seminal vesicles
- chronic and sluggish urethritis
- Prostatitis from genital infections
- erectile dysfunction and infertility associated with prostate disease
- with preventive purpose in the treatment of end-stage sexually transmitted diseases
Prostate massage is not performed in acute purulent inflammation of the genital organs!
How is a prostate massage performed?
There are several classic positions for prostate massage.
The most common is the knee-elbow position, when the patient is on his knees on the couch, and his arms are bent at the elbow joints, bending at the waist.
With diseases of the spine, old age, large body weight, it is possible to position yourself on the left side with legs bent at the knees, brought to the stomach.
When massaging the seminal vesicles, the patient stands with his feet on the couch with his back to the doctor and is in a semi-squatting position.
During prostate massage, the urologist's index finger is inserted into the patient's rectum and begins to alternately massage the right and left lobes of the prostate, ending with the interlobar groove (isthmus). During this manipulation, which lasts from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, the doctor receives information about the pain of the gland, its size, consistency, surface, severity of the furrow and can take the secret of the prostate for analysis.
During the prostate massage, there may be discomfort, urinary urgency, a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen, penis. If the pain is severe, the massage stops.
It is very important that this procedure is performed by qualified experienced urologists or venereologists in order not to harm the man and not to injure the prostate
Vibromassage of the prostate
Vibromassage of the prostate - the use of vibration, magnetic field and heating in the treatment of chronic prostatitis. This type of physical therapy improves blood flow and nutrition to the prostate tissue. Vibromassage helps to remove leukocyte plugs from the gland ducts. With calculous prostatitis - one of the alternatives to finger massage. The session duration is 10 to 20 minutes.
prevent prostatitis
Prostatitis prophylaxis consists in avoiding the predisposing factors that cause prostatitis, as well as:
- If you are going to be in a cold room or on the street for a long time, try not to freeze for a long time, be sure to wear appropriate clothing.
- If you are constipated, use laxatives and do not torture yourself.
- If you have a sedentary job, give yourself a "fitness break" (or at least just get up and walk around) every hour.
- Try to lead a regular sex life, as this is fully consistent with a person's normal lifestyle and allows you to avoid many problems, not just prostatitis.
- Try to eat regularly and well, lead an active lifestyle, not get sick and finally think about your health from time to time.
And don't forget to visit a urologist regularly.