Frequent, painful urination, discomfort in the perineum, hyperthermia, reduced potency and libido are problems faced by 80% of men aged 45-50 years, but most of them postpone a visit to the doctor until the pain becomes unbearable.Unpleasant symptoms indicate prostate inflammation that requires urgent treatment: prostatitis in men quickly becomes chronic and can lead to infertility, sexual dysfunction and oncology.
What is prostatitis
The prostate is an organ similar in size and shape to a chestnut and is located below the bladder.Its lower part borders the perineum.The prostate in men performs the following functions: secretory - production of sex hormones and secretions that determine the quality of sperm, and barrier - separation of the ejaculation and urination processes.
The second name of the gland is popularly used to denote a common disease that affects about half of the male population: the older a man is, the greater the risk of the disease - prostatitis is extremely rarely diagnosed in men aged 20-25.The disease is dangerous with serious complications, so it is important to recognize it at an early stage.
The therapeutic course lasts up to 14 days, and the patient must strictly adhere to preventive measures for several more months.If the disease has become chronic, the risk of recurrence is 50%.
Classification
Treatment of the prostate in men sometimes takes years.The disease temporarily passes asymptomatically, only to be reminded a few months later of a sudden decrease in immunity, disruption of the intestinal microflora and other stressful situations for the body.Male prostate disease has several forms:
- Spicy.It is characterized by a bacterial infection of the 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 weakening of symptoms is often perceived as a signal of recovery, but this is an illusion - each subsequent deterioration 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 disease development.Such a prostate in men is often discovered accidentally, based on the results of a urine test;
- Granulomatous.End of gland work due to overgrowth of connective tissue;
- Pelvic pain syndrome.A difficult form to diagnose, accompanied by constant painful 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 review your lifestyle, be patient and follow the doctor's recommendations - you may need long-term treatment.
What causes prostate cancer in men?
Reasons
The exact algorithm for the onset of the inflammatory process in the prostate has not been established, but a pattern has been established: the probability of getting sick increases with a decrease in general immunity.Why is this happening?Infectious pathogens that enter the mucous membranes of a healthy person are in a "dormant" state and do not spread until the body's protective functions weaken.This is how the male prostate begins to develop.
Factors that increase the risk:
- hypothermia;
- Injuries and bruises of the perineum;
- STD;
- Inactive lifestyle, sedentary work;
- Inferior sex life;
- Contraception by the method of stopping sexual intercourse (incomplete ejaculation occurs);
- Stress, neuroses, depression;
- Bad habits – alcohol abuse, smoking;
- Drug poisoning.
Doctors also point to a link between the fashion for tight pants that compress the genitals and an increase in morbidity.Prostate symptoms in men who prefer tight jeans are much more common, and in those who prefer loose 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 rectal or bladder emptying, wearing tight underwear made of synthetic fabrics.
An additional factor is congestion in the pelvis caused by poor mobility.A patient who has experienced prostate cancer in men in an acute form must take all measures to prevent recurrence: first of all, walk more to activate blood circulation.
Symptoms of prostate inflammation in men
Acute prostatitis
There are three types of course of this form of the disease: catarrhal, follicular, parenchymal (the most dangerous).In the first case, malaise begins with excruciating pain in the pubic region and a slight increase in temperature.Soon, a man notices discomfort during urination or sexual intercourse, and a constant 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 empty completely.If left untreated, a third type of disease develops.
What is parenchymal prostate in men?Difficult urination turns into complete retention of urine, body temperature reaches 39-40 degrees, mucous discharge appears from the rectum.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 part of the abdomen and is quite easily tolerated.Discomfort increases after intimacy.
Urination is a little difficult - the stream of urine is intermittent.The urge is becoming more frequent.After physical exertion, an unusual discharge appears on the head of the genital organ.Erection disorders are possible.The temperature is maintained 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 prostate inflammation.During the examination, the doctor will ask several questions about your health and review the patient's medical record to collect anamnesis.Then an external examination and palpation of the organs is performed through the rectum.
To clarify the diagnosis, a number of studies are prescribed:
- Secret analysis;
- Prostate ultrasound;
- Collection of material for PCR;
- MRI of pelvic organs.
If necessary, urine flow during urination is measured with a special device, a uroflowmeter.Measurements are made in the clinic: the patient empties the bladder into a special container with a sensor, which at the end of the process gives a graphic image.
Prostate treatment in men
Before prescribing a course of treatment, it is important to identify all the factors that caused the inflammatory process.When the exact cause of prostatitis in men is determined, the treatment is more productive.The urologist develops an individual comprehensive program that includes the following elements:
- Drug therapy.Antiviral drugs are prescribed for viral etiology, and antibacterial drugs are prescribed for infectious lesions.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.It can 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 to the sick person.Massage improves the outflow of purulent-inflammatory secretions from the prostate duct.
The effectiveness of the prescribed therapy is evaluated after 10-14 days: if positive dynamics are observed, the course is continued after a short break.If there is no improvement, a decision is made to discontinue certain drugs and procedures and replace them with others.
Prevention
Prostate in men, symptoms and treatment is a topic that every representative of the stronger sex who has entered reproductive age should study in detail.Awareness of preventive measures will help to avoid inflammation.
How to protect yourself from prostatitis?It is recommended to avoid hypothermia and unprotected sexual relations, and regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases.You should empty your bladder in time and choose loose pants.