Frequent painful urination, perineal discomfort, pyrexia, decreased potency and libido are problems that 80% of men aged 45-50 face, but most of them postpone a visit to the doctor until the pain becomes unbearable. Unpleasant symptoms indicate an inflammation of the prostate that requires urgent 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 that resembles a chestnut fruit in size and shape, and is located under the bladder. Its lower part is bordered by the crotch. 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 used by the people to denote a common ailment that affects about half of the male population: the older the man, the higher the risk of getting sick - prostatitis is rarely diagnosed in guys 20-25 years old. The disease is dangerous with serious complications, so it is important to recognize it at an early stage.
The therapeutic course takes up to 14 days, for a few more months the patient is required to strictly adhere to preventive measures. If the disease has managed to take on a chronic form, the risk of recurrence is 50%.
Classification
Treatment of the prostate gland in men is sometimes delayed for years. The disease temporarily takes an asymptomatic course in order to remind of itself after a few months with a sharp decrease in immunity, violation of the intestinal microflora and other stressful situations for the body. Male prostate disease has several forms:
- Sharp. It is characterized by bacterial infection of prostate tissue. Typical signs are severe pain syndrome, a critical increase in temperature. It is necessary to treat the disease 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, the appearance of neoplasms;
- Asymptomatic. The absence of symptoms with the active development of the disease. Such a prostate in men is often detected by chance, according to the results of urine analysis;
- Granulomatous. Termination of the functioning of the gland due to overgrowth with connective tissue;
- Pelvic Pain Syndrome. Difficult to diagnose form, accompanied by constant aching sensations in the pelvic region, neurological and psychoemotional disorders.
What does the prostate mean in men? First of all, the diagnosis means the need to reconsider the lifestyle, be patient and follow the doctor's recommendations - it may take a long time to be treated.
What causes the prostate in men?
The reasons
The exact algorithm for the onset of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland has not been established, but a pattern has been revealed: the likelihood of getting sick increases with a decrease in general immunity. Why is this happening? Infectious pathogens, getting on the mucous membranes of a healthy person, are in a "dormant" state and do not spread until the moment when the protective functions of the body are weakened. This is how the male prostate begins to develop.
Factors that increase the risk:
- Hypothermia;
- Injuries and bruises of the perineum;
- STDs;
- Inactive lifestyle, sedentary work;
- Inadequate sex life;
- Contraception by interruption of intercourse (incomplete ejaculation occurs);
- Stress, neurosis, depression;
- Bad habits - alcohol abuse, smoking;
- Intoxication with medicines.
Doctors also point to a link between the fashion for tight pants that squeeze the genitals and an increase in the incidence. Symptoms of the prostate gland in men who prefer tight-fitting jeans are much more common than in those who like loose fit.
Chronic etiology
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 of the rectum or bladder, wearing tight synthetic underwear.
An additional factor is congestion in the small pelvis due to low mobility. A patient who has experienced on himself what the prostate in men is in an acute form should take all measures to prevent relapse: first of all, walk more on foot to activate blood circulation.
Inflamed prostate gland in men symptoms
Acute prostatitis
There are three types of the course of this form of the disease: catarrhal, follicular, parenchymal (the most dangerous). In the first case, the malaise begins with pulling pains in the pubic region and a slight increase in temperature. Soon, a man notices discomfort during urination or intercourse, 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 emptied in full. If untreated, the third type of disease develops.
Parenchymal prostate in men what is it? 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 symptomatology of this form is often blurred, unexpressed, which complicates the diagnosis. The pain syndrome becomes permanent, localized in the lower abdomen and is tolerated quite easily. Discomfort increases after intimacy.
Urination is slightly difficult - the stream of urine is intermittent. Desires become more frequent. After physical exertion, uncharacteristic discharge appears on the head of the penis. Erectile dysfunction is possible. The temperature is kept at around 37 - 37. 3 C.
If chronic prostatitis symptoms are observed in men, treatment should not be postponed: sluggish inflammation can lead to infertility.
Diagnostics
A timely visit to a urologist is the best solution for suspected inflammation of the prostate gland. During the appointment, the doctor will ask a few questions about the state of health and look at the patient's medical record in order to collect an anamnesis. Further, an external examination and palpation of the organ through the rectum is performed.
To clarify the diagnosis, a number of studies are assigned:
- Secret analysis;
- Ultrasound of the prostate;
- Sampling of material for PCR;
- MRI of the pelvic organs.
If necessary, the rate of 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 vessel with a sensor, which, at the end of the process, displays 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 finding out the exact cause of prostatitis in men, treatment is more productive. The urologist develops an individual comprehensive program that includes the following elements:
- Drug therapy. With viral etiology, antiviral drugs are prescribed, and with an infectious lesion, antibacterial drugs. 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, magnetotherapy, laser sessions, UHF;
- Massage. The procedure is performed by the doctor or (after training) by 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 ducts of the prostate gland.
The effectiveness of the prescribed therapy is assessed after 10-14 days: if there is a positive trend, the course continues after a short break. In the absence of improvements, a decision is made to cancel some drugs and procedures, replace them with others.
Prevention
The prostate in men, symptoms and treatment is a topic that every member 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 sex, regularly get tested for STDs. It is necessary to empty the bladder in a timely manner, choose loose-fitting trousers.