Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that is caused by various infections. It often proceeds in an acute form and is accompanied by an increase in temperature up to 37–38⁰ C, pain in the perineum, and problems with urination.
Untreated acute prostatitis becomes chronic and in this condition is most common. In this case, the symptoms are less pronounced (pain in the lower abdomen, when urinating, sexual disorders, general weakening of the body) or completely absent. However, the consequences can be very serious. The inflammatory process is directly related to the problems of potency and is expressed in a decrease in libido, orgasm obliteration.
A neglected infection dramatically increases the chances of developing 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 time. Take care of your health now - and in return you will get excellent health, psychological comfort and increased self-esteem, the quality of sexual relations.
Causes of prostatitis
This question is relevant not only because many men are faced with this problem, but also because most 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 dysrhythmia is an irregular, unbalanced sex life.
- Physical inactivity is a sedentary lifestyle.
- Urolithiasis disease.
- The presence of foci of chronic infection in the body (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 happen when infected with an STI? The causative agents of genital infections, especially such as gonococcus, trichomonas, chlamydia, ureaplasma and mycoplasma, initially affect the urethra in men, causing venereal urethritis. But, like any living microorganism, these infections actively multiply in favorable conditions for 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 STDs, revealed the presence of a sexual infection and cured it, then there will be no reason for the occurrence 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 they are tried to be cured only by taking broad-spectrum antibiotics in tablets and not cured as a result, microbes penetrate into the posterior urethra and prostate gland, causing inflammation, that is, prostatitis, and is more often at once primary-chronic. In this case, it is very easy to avoid the development of prostatitis, absolutely everything depends on the patient himself.
All you need is:
- Seek immediate medical attention at the first sign of discomfort in the urethra
- Pass the tests recommended by the urologist for STIs
- Undergo comprehensive treatment of identified sexually transmitted infections
- Make control tests after treatment to determine the presence of a venereal infection not only in the urethra, but also in the prostate secretion
- And it is best to go through medical prophylaxis in the clinic after casual sex even before the onset of symptoms of STDs and protect yourself and loved ones from sexually transmitted diseases in general, and as a cause of prostatitis, in particular
Symptoms of prostatitis
How to recognize or suspect prostatitis to 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 its first signs, and how do they behave with the progression of the disease. We will talk about this in this article.
What other diseases can be confused with prostatitis:
- Sexually transmitted infections (STDs) are the most common situation when a man comes to see a venereologist after a casual relationship, thinking that he has an STI. And in fact, the prostate gland was inflamed.
- Urolithiasis can give similar symptoms, but at the same time, it can itself provoke an inflammatory process in the prostate.
- Cystitis is rare in men, but the symptoms are very similar to prostatitis.
- Pyelonephritis - inflammation of the renal pelvis has some commonality in symptoms with inflammation of the prostate gland.
- Diseases of the scrotum (epididymitis, orchitis, varicocele) - heaviness and pain in the scrotum can be with these diseases, including prostatitis.
- Diabetes mellitus - patients note an increase in urination, as in prostate diseases, 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 needs not only to know the symptoms of prostatitis very well, but also to be able to correctly prescribe tests and other diagnostic studies, as well as be able to adequately evaluate their results.
So, consider the signs or symptoms of prostatitis:
Group 1 is a pain syndrome. That is, the occurrence of pain in the perineum, in the groin, lower abdomen, scrotum, penis, rectum, sacrum, coccyx, inner thighs. It can be just aching, pulling, pressing sensations, or rather sharp, throbbing, severe pains. Sometimes a man simply complains about some discomfort in these areas, both during urination and outside of it. Often, aching pain intensifies when sitting for a long time in a chair or in a car.
In chronic sluggish prostatitis, pain may decrease after intercourse. If inflammation is strongly expressed in the prostate or large calcifications (stones) have formed in the gland, pain during ejaculation is possible.
Group 2 symptoms - 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 a pronounced difficulty in emptying the bladder. A man has to strain, wait a while to urinate.
Group 3 - violation of sexual function. In the initial stage of prostatitis, there is some increase in sexual desire, hyperexcitability and premature ejaculation. Further, due to a decrease in the production of sex hormones, a decrease in libido occurs, an erection falls. A man either cannot have sexual intercourse, or, having begun, cannot finish it. But, even when ejaculation occurs, the orgasm is dull or almost not felt at all. If an erection or ejaculation is accompanied by pain, then the man himself refuses new contacts, which adversely affects his sexual function in the future due to prolonged abstinence. And this also leads to the progression of congestive prostatitis. A vicious circle emerges.
Group 4 - these are general symptoms. There may be an increase in body temperature, fatigue, weakness, irritability, which are associated with both the presence of an inflammatory process and hormonal imbalance, and failures in sexual life. Some patients experience hyperhidrosis (high sweating) of the inguinal region, redness 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 groups of symptoms are necessarily present and not all of them 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 the above, urgently make an appointment with a urologist. Do not delay contacting a doctor, because even if the discomfort has passed, this does not mean that the inflammatory process has stopped. It just went into a latent stage and will gradually undermine your health and destroy the prostate gland.
The best option is a preventive examination every six months by a urologist with diagnostic palpation of the prostate, microscopy of its secretion, ultrasound and a blood test for PSA. So you protect yourself from the negative consequences of not only advanced chronic prostatitis, but also adenoma and prostate cancer.
Treatment of prostatitis
Modern methods of treating prostatitis include the following varieties:
- drug treatment (prescription of antiviral and antifungal drugs);
- maintenance therapy (prescription of immunostimulating drugs, taking food supplements);
- urological massage (prostate massage);
- LOD-therapy (a method using low pressure to restore potency);
- a set of special physical exercises for relaxation;
- doctor's recommendations in matters of nutrition, lifestyle, sexual relations.
In treatment, I use the best methods of leading medical centers and my own developments, which give excellent results.
Congestive (congestive) prostatitis
Treatment of congestive prostatitis presents certain difficulties, since the causes of this type of inflammation of the prostate gland 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 that allows you to remove 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, its venous plexus
- Ultrasound of the kidneys
A diagnosis of chronic congestive prostatitis is established, a complex of drug treatment and necessary procedures are determined, which include:
- Prostate massage through the rectum is necessary to remove leukocyte plugs, mucus and congestive inflammatory secretion of the prostate from the gland ducts. It is the main treatment procedure that also improves the blood flow in the prostate gland, 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 full course of treatment for congestive prostatitis, he must attend at least 10 massage sessions. Taking medication alone does not give the desired effect in the treatment of congestion in the prostate.
- Vibromassage of the prostate is a very good and effective procedure for the treatment of congestive prostatitis. With the help of a special device that creates vibration, a thermal and magnetic field, the blood supply to the gland improves, the attachment of leukocyte plugs to the walls of the prostatic ducts is weakened, which facilitates their removal during subsequent finger massage. It is usually done right before a massage session.
- Magnetic laser therapy improves blood flow and trophism of the gland, removes inflammation products from it, relieves swelling. Many patients feel the effect of it in the very first days of treatment in the form of a decrease in pain and a feeling of tension in the prostate area.
This treatment of congestive prostatitis has long established itself 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, achieving a long-term remission and significantly improving the quality of life of a modern man.
BPH
Prostate adenoma, or as it is now commonly called, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a chronic disease that occurs mainly in older men, at least after 50 years. After 70 years, more than 50% of men already have complications of this disease. Although there are cases of its earlier development.
Prostate adenoma is accompanied by the growth of its glandular and stromal (connective) tissue. As a result, nodules form 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 is associated with hormonal imbalance in older and older men, 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 content of the female hormone estradiol (especially in men with high body fat mass). A direct negative effect of female hormones on the prostate gland has been proven, as well as increased production of dihydrotestosterone in prostate cells, which causes active growth of its tissue and the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia, i. e. adenoma.
The reasons leading to the development and progression of BPH can also include:
- hypodynamia - a sedentary lifestyle
- alcohol abuse and smoking
- fatty, cholesterol-rich, spicy, spicy food
- low sexual activity
Chronic prostatitis, in principle, is not the cause of prostate adenoma, but with a simultaneous course, it contributes to more pronounced symptoms and the rapid development of complications of prostate hyperplasia.
Symptoms of 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 - nighttime urination.
- Then, as the muscles of the bladder weaken, pain in the lower abdomen worries, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, urine is excreted in portions, drop by drop, you have to strain the abdominal muscles. It ends with a complete loss of the detrusor - the muscles of the bladder that expel urine.
- When combined 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 prostate adenoma towards the triangle of the bladder formed by the mouths of the ureters and the urethra, blockage of the ureters and a violation of the outflow of urine from the kidneys occur, which ends with a more rapid development of chronic renal failure and urolithiasis.
The main complications of prostate adenoma:
- Acute urinary retention - requires emergency catheterization of the bladder.
- 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 renal failure is a formidable complication that can lead to death.
Treatment of prostate adenoma
The clinic treats prostate adenoma without surgery, that is, drug therapy, which is most effective for stage 1 and sometimes 2 benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Surgical treatment of prostate adenoma is carried out with decompensation, a large volume of the prostate adenoma growth towards the triangle of the bladder. It comes in different types:
- starting from open transvesical adenomectomy - removal of the tumor through the bladder
- ending with minimally invasive methods, when through the urethra with the help of an electric knife, radio wave and laser techniques, the urethra is freed from adenoma tissue or hyperplastic areas of the prostate are completely removed.
In order not to get so that at the first visit to the urologist you will immediately be offered an operation for prostate adenoma, it is necessary to undergo an annual examination of the prostate gland, ultrasound and a blood test for PSA.
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 gland, seminal vesicles and STIs.
Why is prostate massage used?
Prostate massage can be used in two cases:
for diagnostic purposes for:
- Obtaining prostate secretion for microscopic analysis
- Determination of the presence of sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, ureaplasmas, mycoplasmas, gonorrhea, etc. ) in the prostate by PCR, PIF and others
- To take material for culture with the determination of microflora and sensitivity to antibiotics
- Obtaining subjective data on soreness, density, size of the gland - the so-called diagnostic palpation of the prostate
for medicinal purposes:
- to release the ducts of the gland from leukocyte plugs and mucus
- to improve blood circulation in the prostate, which leads to better penetration of drugs into its tissue and the elimination of congestion
When is prostate massage prescribed?
Prostate massage is prescribed for a variety of men's health problems, for example:
- chronic bacterial and abacterial prostatitis
- chronic vesiculitis - massage the prostate and seminal vesicles
- chronic and sluggish urethritis
- prostatitis caused by genital infections
- erectile dysfunction and infertility associated with prostate diseases
- with a preventive purpose in the treatment of STDs at the final stage
Prostate massage is not performed in the presence of acute purulent inflammation of the genital organs!
How is prostate massage performed?
There are several classic prostate massage positions.
The most common is the knee-elbow position, when the patient stands on the couch on his knees and arms bent at the elbow joints, bending at the waist.
In diseases of the spine, old age, large body weight, it is possible to position 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 lobe 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 soreness of the gland, its size, consistency, surface, severity of the furrow, and can take the secret of the prostate for analysis.
During prostate massage, there may be some discomfort, urge to urinate, a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen, penis. With severe pain, the massage stops.
It is very important that this procedure is performed by qualified experienced urologists or venereologists so as not to harm the man and not 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 physiotherapy improves blood flow and nutrition of the prostate tissue. Vibromassage helps to remove leukocyte plugs from the ducts of the gland. With calculous prostatitis - one of the alternatives to finger massage. The duration of the session is from 10 to 20 minutes.
Prevention of prostatitis
Prevention of prostatitis consists of avoiding the predisposing factors that cause prostatitis, as well as:
- Try not to freeze for a long time, if you have a long stay in a cold room or on the street, take care of the appropriate clothing.
- For constipation, use laxatives and do not torture yourself.
- If you have a sedentary job, give yourself a "gym break" every hour (or at least just get up and walk around).
- Try to have a regular sex life, as this is fully consistent with the normal lifestyle of a person and allows you to avoid many problems, not only prostatitis.
- Try to eat regularly and well, keep an active lifestyle, not get sick and, finally, just think about your health from time to time.
And also do not forget to visit a urologist regularly.