Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that is caused by various infections. It often develops 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.
Acute untreated prostatitis becomes chronic and in this condition is the most common. In this case, the symptoms are less pronounced (pain in the lower abdomen, during urination, sexual disorders, general weakening of the body) or are completely absent. However, the consequences can be very serious. The inflammatory process is directly related to potency problems and is expressed by decreased libido, disappearance of orgasm.
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 receive excellent health, psychological comfort and increased self-esteem, the quality of sexual relations.
Causes of prostatitis
This question is important not only because many men face this problem, but also because most of them cannot understand where they got this disease.
Causes of prostatitis in men:
- Sexually transmitted infections.
- Inflammatory diseases of the urethra caused by conditionally pathogenic flora.
- Sexual dysrhythmia is an irregular and 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 foods.
- 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 gonococcus, trichomonas, chlamydia, ureaplasma and mycoplasma, first affect the urethra in men, causing venereal urethritis. But, like any living microorganism, these infections multiply actively 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, discovered the presence of a sexual infection and cured it, then there will be no reason for the appearance of prostatitis. Everything will end with recovery in 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 try to cure only by taking broad-spectrum antibiotics in tablets and as a result are not cured, microbes penetrate the posterior urethra. and the prostate gland, causing inflammation, that is, the prostate, and more often it is primary-chronic at the same time. 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 urethral discomfort
- Pass tests recommended by the urologist for STIs
- Undergo comprehensive treatment of identified sexually transmitted infections
- Do control tests after treatment to determine the presence of a venereal infection not only in the urethra, but also in the secretion of the prostate.
- And it is good to go through medical prophylaxis in the clinic after casual sex even before the onset of STD symptoms 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 in an ordinary person, because its symptoms are very similar to many diseases of the genitourinary system and even other organs? How does prostatitis appear? What are its first signs and how do they behave with the progression of the disease. We will talk about it in this article.
What other diseases can be confused with prostatitis:
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the most common situation when a man comes to visit a venereologist after casual intercourse, thinking 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 symptoms in common 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 notice an increase in urination, as in prostate diseases, but there is no slow flow 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.
To make an accurate 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, as well as be able to adequately evaluate the results oftheirs.
So consider the signs or symptoms of prostatitis:
Group 1 is a pain syndrome. That is, the appearance of pain in the perineum, in the groin, at the bottom of the abdomen, scrotum, penis, rectum, sacrum, coccyx, inner thighs. It can be just aching, pulling, pressing sensations, or rather sharp, throbbing, strong pains. Sometimes a man simply complains of some discomfort in these areas, both during urination and outside of it. Often, the pain intensifies when you sit for a long time in a chair or in a car.
In slow chronic prostatitis, the 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 flow of urine becomes slow, 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 strain, wait a while to urinate.
Group 3 - violation of sexual function. In the initial stage of prostatitis, there is an increase in sexual desire, hyperexcitability and premature ejaculation. Further, due to a decrease in the production of sex hormones, there is a decrease in sexual desire, the erection falls. A man either cannot have sexual intercourse, or once he has started, he 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 negatively affects his sexual function in the future due to prolonged abstinence. And this also leads to the progression of congestive prostatitis. A vicious circle appears.
Group 4 - these are general symptoms. There may be an increase in body temperature, fatigue, weakness, nervousness, which are associated with both the presence of an inflammatory process and hormonal imbalance, as well as failures in sexual life. Some patients experience hyperhidrosis (profuse sweating) of the inguinal region, redness of the glans penis.
With a fairly pronounced inflammatory process in the prostate from the urethra, there may be mucous or purulent discharge.
The clinical picture of each prostate patient is individual. Not all sets of symptoms are necessarily present and not all may be pronounced. With a chronic process in the prostate, a deleted clinic and minor symptoms are observed, but this does not make it less dangerous for a man's health.
Therefore, if you notice any of the above manifestations of prostatitis, make an appointment with a urologist immediately. Do not delay in contacting a doctor, because even if the discomfort has passed, this does not mean that the inflammatory process has stopped. It has just gone into a latent phase and will gradually harm 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. This is how you protect yourself from the negative consequences not only of advanced chronic prostatitis, but also of prostate adenoma and cancer.
Treatment of prostatitis
Modern methods of prostatitis treatment include the following varieties:
- drug treatment (prescription of antiviral and antifungal drugs);
- maintenance therapy (prescribing immunostimulating drugs, taking food supplements);
- urological massage (prostate massage);
- LOD-therapy (a method that uses low pressure to restore strength);
- 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 prostatitis (congestive).
The treatment of congestive prostatitis presents some difficulties, since the causes of this type of inflammation of the prostate gland are the way of life and the sexual activity of this man. Therefore, 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 eliminate the effects of blood stagnation in the venous plexus of the prostate and the secretion of the prostate in its channels and acini.
Treatment of congestive prostatitis
After a preliminary diagnosis, which includes:
- Analysis of prostate secretion for microscopy, STI, culture
- Blood test for PSA
- General urine and blood tests
- Blood chemistry
- Ultrasound of the prostate, its venous plexus
- kidney ultrasound
A diagnosis of chronic congestive prostatitis is established, a complex of drug treatment and the necessary procedures are determined, which include:
- Massage of the prostate through the rectum is necessary to remove plugs of leukocytes, mucus and inflammatory congestive secretion of the prostate from the ducts of the glands. It is the main treatment procedure that also improves blood circulation 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 of 10 per course. The cost is 600 rubles.
Even if the patient is not able to complete the full course of treatment for congestive prostatitis, he should 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 vibrations, a thermal and magnetic field, the blood supply to the gland is improved, the connection of leukocyte plugs to the walls of the prostate ducts is weakened, which facilitates their removal during the subsequent finger massage. It is usually done immediately before the massage session.
- Magnetic laser therapy improves blood flow and trophism of the gland, removes inflammatory products from it, relieves swelling. Many patients feel its effect from the first days of treatment in the form of reduced pain and feeling of tension in the prostate area.
This treatment of congestive prostatitis has been established for a long time and has been used successfully for many years, being constantly 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 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 associated with the growth of its glandular and stroma (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 is associated with hormonal imbalance in old and elderly 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 from the testicles and an increase in the content of the female hormone estradiol (especially in men with a 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 the active growth of its tissues and the development of benign prostate hyperplasia, d. m. th. adenoma.
Reasons that lead to the development and progression of BPH may also include:
- hypodynamia - a sedentary lifestyle
- alcohol abuse and smoking
- fatty, cholesterol-rich, spicy, spicy foods
- low sexual activity
Chronic prostatitis, in principle, is not the cause of prostate adenoma, but with a simultaneous course it contributes to the most 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 slow flow of urine, constant urging up to 15-20 per day, nocturia - urination at night.
- Then, as the bladder muscles weaken, pain in the lower abdomen is disturbed, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, urine is excreted in parts, point by point, you need to strain the abdominal muscles. It ends with a complete loss of the detrusor - the bladder muscles 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, there may be drops of blood.
- Sexual function is impaired.
- With the growth of the prostate adenoma towards the triangle of the bladder formed by the mouth of the ureters and the urethra, blockage of the ureters and a violation of the outflow of urine from the kidneys occurs, which ends with a faster development of chronic renal failure. failure and urolithiasis.
The main complications of prostate adenoma:
- Acute urinary retention - requires emergency bladder catheterization.
- As a result of urine stagnation, urolithiasis and inflammation of the kidneys (pyelonephritis), bladder (cystitis) and urethra develop.
- The appearance of blood in the urine.
Chronic kidney failure is a serious 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 benign prostatic hyperplasia in stage 1 and sometimes 2.
Surgical treatment of prostate adenoma is performed by decompensation, a large volume of prostate adenoma grows towards the triangle of the bladder. It comes in different types:
- starting with 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 waves and laser techniques, the urethra is freed from adenomic tissue or the hyperplastic areas of the prostate are completely removed.
In order not to be immediately offered an operation for prostate adenoma at the first visit to the urologist, 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 highly effective treatment and diagnostic procedures in urology and venereology is prostate massage. This manipulation has long been used by urologists and is known 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, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, gonorrhea, etc. ) in the prostate by PCR, PIF and others.
- Obtain material for culture 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 free the ducts of the gland from plugs of leukocytes and mucus
- to improve blood circulation in the prostate, which leads to better penetration of drugs into its tissues and elimination of congestion
When is prostate massage recommended?
Prostate massage is prescribed for a number of men's health problems, for example:
- chronic bacterial and bacterial prostatitis
- chronic vesiculitis - massage the prostate and seminal vesicles
- chronic and slow urethritis
- prostatitis caused by genital infections
- erectile dysfunction and infertility associated with prostate diseases
- with a preventive purpose in the treatment of STD in 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 sofa on his knees and arms bent at the elbow joints, bending at the waist.
In diseases of the spine, old age, heavy body weight, it is possible to position on the left side with legs bent at the knees, brought to the stomach.
During the massage of the seminal vesicles, the patient stands with his legs on the couch with his back to the doctor and is in a semi-sitting 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 pain of the gland, the size, consistency, surface, severity of the furrow and can take the prostate secretion for analysis.
During prostate massage, there may be some discomfort, urge to urinate, feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen, penis. With severe pain, the massage is stopped.
It is very important that this procedure is performed by qualified and experienced urologists or venereologists so that the man is not harmed and the prostate is not damaged.
Vibromassage of the prostate
Vibromassage of the prostate - the use of vibration, magnetic field and heat in the treatment of chronic prostatitis. This type of physiotherapy improves blood circulation and nutrition of the prostate tissue. Vibromassage helps to remove leukocyte plugs from the ducts of the gland. With stony prostatitis - one of the alternatives for finger massage. The duration of the session is from 10 to 20 minutes.
Prevention of prostatitis
Prevention of prostatitis consists in avoiding 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 right 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 completely compatible with a person's normal lifestyle and allows you to avoid many problems, not only prostatitis.
- Try to eat regularly and well, maintain an active lifestyle, do not get sick and, finally, just think about your health from time to time.
And also do not forget to visit a urologist regularly.