Prostatitis in men

In men, prostatitis belongs to the group of andrological (only male) urogenital pathologies.The disease occurs in the form of acute or chronic inflammation.Today it is the most common urological disease.Previously, it was believed that it manifested itself only at the age of 45-65, but now doctors are increasingly diagnosing prostatitis in young people in their 20s and 30s.The disease is significantly rejuvenated.

The nature of the prostate lesion depends on the sexual habitus of the person.

1. In boys, the prostate can in principle be affected even before puberty, but inflammation of the immature gland cannot be considered an independent disease.
2. In sexually active men, prostatitis often presents as an acute inflammation.
3. The pathology of the gland in mature and elderly people can manifest itself in the form of three independent diseases (chronic prostatitis, adenoma - benign hyperplasia, adenocarcinoma - malignant hyperplasia).
4. In persons who have undergone (chemical, physical, radiation) castration, the gland has atrophied.

The prostate (prostate) is an accessory gland of the male genital organ.It is located at the junction of the urethra and the ejaculatory ducts.The importance of the gland before puberty has been little studied.In a mature man, the prostate:

• it produces a secretion that dilutes the sperm and ensures the viability of the sperm in the female genital tract;
• it produces prostaglandins, which promote increased blood supply to the genital organ before the start of an erection, and participates in the production of the testosterone hormone together with the testicles;
• ensures the rapid evacuation (release) of sperm from the urethra and participates in the formation of orgasm;
• through reflex mechanisms, it prevents urine from entering spermatozoa during sexual excitement and participates in the complex mechanism of erection.

The prostate is a vulnerable organ against pathogens.It is inevitably involved in the pathology of the walls of the urethra, bladder and vas deferens.The strong blood and lymph flow circulating through the branching vascular system of the damaged gland causes stagnation, swelling of the organ and aggravates the pathology.The gland is well innervated, damage is accompanied by pain.

What men need to know about prostatitis

Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate (prostate), most often caused by an infectious agent entering the prostate from the urethra, bladder, and nearby rectum.However, the infection itself does not mean the development of the disease;for this, as they say, "a favorable combination of circumstances" is required.

What factors predispose to the development of prostatitis:

1. Long-term sedentary work and a sedentary lifestyle.The risk group includes drivers, programmers and all those who spend their working day without getting up from their chairs to walk and warm up.
2. Regular bowel dysfunction in the form of constipation.
3. Severe or repeated hypothermia of the whole body.
4. Excessively active sexual life or prolonged abstinence.Both are not at all helpful for the normal functioning of the prostate.
5. Overeating, abuse of spicy food and alcohol, constant stress.

The prostate is a very small organ, 3 cm long and 4 cm wide.Its weight is only 20-25 grams.However, the secretion of the prostate has bactericidal properties, so the inflammatory process in the gland can only develop in the case of stagnation in this organ, when the secretion loses its properties.

How does prostatitis manifest itself in men?

There are chronic and acute forms of prostatitis:

• Symptoms of acute prostatitis are characterized by severe inflammation in the prostate area.In this case, the patient experiences high fever (body temperature rises to 38-39 degrees), pain in the groin and perineum, painful urination and defecation.
• Chronic prostatitis worries men less, so it is possible that he does not immediately pay attention to the signs typical of the disease.The patient's body temperature sometimes rises to 37 degrees, sometimes he is disturbed by an unpleasant feeling when going to the toilet, a little mucus and pus is released from the urethra.Such discharge is a typical sign of chronic prostatitis.

Signs of prostatitis in men

There are six signs (precursors) of prostatitis - dysuria syndrome.Use as a clinical marker is conditional.However, the presence of two of the six symptoms is a reason to see a urologist.

1. The stream of urine falls slowly or its distance is less than 20 cm.
2. Difficulty, by drops, urinating.
3. Pain during urination.
4. Intermittency, bifurcation, spraying of the beam, duration of the process.
5. A feeling that the bladder is not emptying completely.
6. Frequent urination at night.

It is strictly forbidden to draw clinical conclusions when identifying these signs.Prostatitis has a complex pathogenesis involving different mechanisms.You cannot treat a disease based on general clinical symptoms.Contact a urologist to determine the symptoms, the nature of the damage, the stage of the disease and prescribe treatment.Diagnosis and treatment are carried out taking into account the organs and systems involved in pathogenesis.In some cases, a consultation with a venereologist, surgeon or oncologist is necessary.

Symptoms of prostatitis in men

Prostatitis can occur in the form of acute and chronic inflammation.Acute forms develop according to the type of catarrhal, follicular, parenchymal inflammation.Manifestations of chronic prostatitis are associated with concurrent diseases.

Symptoms of prostatitis can be detected by clinical methods and functional tests.The following symptoms are of the greatest importance in recognizing the nature of the pathology, the causes and mechanisms of the body's defensive reactions.

• Frequent urination with prostatitis.In a healthy person, the maximum number of urges to urinate does not exceed 10-12 times a day, usually 4-5 times.The daily amount of urine in an adult healthy person is 1000-2000 ml.The amount of urine at which the urge occurs is 120-170 ml;the accumulation of more than 350 ml of urine causes a strong desire to empty the bladder.The products of prostatitis inflammation constantly irritate the receptors of the walls of the urinary organs, which results in urination:
• Frequent urination (pollakiuria), while the daily amount of urine does not increase;
• When urinating in small doses, the inflammatory products send false signals to the receptors about the filling of the half-empty bladder, leaving a feeling of fullness after emptying;
• Painful urination (pain), due to narrowing of the urethra due to an inflamed prostate;
• Difficulty urinating due to compression of the urethra by the inflamed gland, sometimes prostatitis is accompanied by the inability to empty the bladder (ischuria);
• Urinating at night (nocturia), the irritation of the bladder walls, sends a constant signal to the production of urine.
• Temperature with prostatitis.A rise in body temperature to subfebrile and febrile levels is characteristic.High temperature accompanies purulent prostatitis in the early stages of septic shock.On the other hand, in the late stages of septic shock, a low temperature (hypothermia) of up to 35-36 °C is characteristic.Low temperatures are dangerous for humans because platelets are prone to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC syndrome).The prognosis of prostatitis complicated by sepsis in the presence of DIC syndrome is cautious or unfavorable.
• Blood in the urine with prostatitis.The symptom of hematuria (blood in the urine) is a rare but very dangerous symptom.Persistent bleeding is difficult to stop.Hematuria with prostatitis can have many causes, including:
• purulent melting of the gland with a vascular segment and perforation of the vessel into the urethra;
• accidental injury during instrumental examination of the urogenital organs;
• prostatitis, complicated by hyperplasia, is often malignant.
• Pain syndrome.Complicated prostatitis is accompanied by pain outside of urination.Sometimes the pain occurs intermittently, for example, during a bowel movement.The cause of the pain is the constant irritation of the gland by inflammatory products.Dull (aching) pain is often experienced in the perineum and anus.

Laboratory tests that confirm symptoms of prostatitis.It is used to clarify the presence of inflammation, to determine the severity of the inflammatory and septic process.

• General blood test.Indicators confirming prostatitis: an increase in the number of leukocytes, a shift in the leukogram towards an increase in the number of banded blood cells, an increase in ESR.
• Urine test.It detects hidden pyuria (pus in the urine) and bacteriuria (bacterial contamination) in the first part of the urine.Use the three-glass method to identify hidden pus and bacteria at the beginning, middle or end of urination.Repeated bacteriological examination of the urine is carried out at intervals of several days to determine changes in the species of the bacterial flora.
• Blood culture container.The method is indicated for symptoms of progressive sepsis accompanied by debilitating (hectic) fever.
• Investigating the cellular relationship of immunity to prostatitis adds to the understanding of the nature of pathogenesis and predicts the likelihood of developing sepsis.

Instrumental methods used to clarify the symptoms of prostatitis.The following methods have diagnostic value.

• Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) method.Its high diagnostic value should be noted.The method has contraindications related to the prohibition of gland massage in certain stages of the disease.
• X-rays of the bladder.Select the appropriate projections for examining the prostate.Before the image is taken, urografin, a radiopaque substance that is inert to the body, is injected into the bladder.
• Prostate puncture biopsies are strictly limited to prostatitis.

Causes of prostatitis in men

There are several groups of causes of prostatitis, including:

1. Complications of past diseases in men (PPP infections, pelvic colds, staphylococcal or other bacterial infections, viral, fungal agents, especially due to reduced immunity and general resistance of the body), chronic gynecological infections in women - sexual partner.
2. Urethral reflux.Disruption of the prostate's ability to prevent urine from flowing back into the genitals is called urethral reflux.As a result, bacterial contamination of the prostate occurs.Urethral reflux is a consequence of improper catheterization and previous inflammation of the urethra.In this case, urethrorrhagia occurs - an abnormal increase in the lumen of the urethra.Urethral-vesiculoseminal reflux, bacterial contamination is combined with the formation of tartar (stones) in the prostate and ejaculatory ducts.
3. Disturbance of the rhythm of sexual life, including lack of or excessive sexual life, regular delayed ejaculation.
4. Stagnation of venous blood in the pelvic urinary organs of men is the result of a sedentary lifestyle (golden artery, sexual dysfunction, other causes);
5. Hormonal imbalance, which is associated with insufficient production of male hormones by the gonads, which leads to a general weakening of skeletal and smooth muscle tone, impaired erectile function and other disorders.

Classification of prostatitis

There are bacterial and non-bacterial prostatitis:

1. Bacterial prostatitis is caused by pathogenic microorganisms entering the prostate gland from the outside.These include streptococci, staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Proteus and others.Many bacteria are the normal flora of our body, but under certain conditions they enter the prostate and cause an inflammatory process.Prostatitis can also develop as a result of sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, gardnerellosis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and mycoplasmosis.
2. The group of non-infectious prostatitis includes:
• Congestive (congestive) prostatitis.It is caused by pool congestion.Incomplete ejaculation, sexual excess, prolonged abstinence, interrupted sexual intercourse - all this contributes to venous stagnation in the pelvic organs.
• Sclerotic prostatitis.It is characterized by a decrease in the size and functions of the prostate gland, compaction of its tissues as a result of the destruction of prostate cells, and they are replaced by sclerotic tissue.One of the reasons for the development of this form of the disease is frequent constipation, taking certain medications and multiple infections.Unfortunately, this type of prostatitis cannot be treated.
• Calculous prostatitis.The result of calculous prostatitis is the presence of phosphate and oxalate stones in the gland.When they reach large sizes, they cause sharp pain in the urethra.The treatment method involves dissolving the resulting stones.
• Prostatopotic prostatitis.This disease causes chronic pelvic pain, but its etiology is not fully understood.It is believed to be caused by reverse flow of secretions, damage to the muscles of the perineum, pathology of the bladder neck, and psychological factors.
• Atypical forms.In the atypical form, the patient may complain of pain in the legs, lower back, and sacrum, which is unusual for the typical symptoms of prostatitis.The outcome of the treatment depends on the duration of the disease, the activity of inflammatory processes and the presence of additional complications.

If prostatitis is not treated, in its advanced form it leads to reduced potency, infertility, depression, debilitating perineal pain and other complications.

How dangerous is prostatitis, the consequences of prostatitis

The consequences depend on age, the state of the immune system and the presence of bad habits.Therefore, the consequences of the disease are more serious in people of the older age group, with weakened immunity, alcoholism, drug addiction, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

• The effect of prostatitis on potency.By decompensating the functional activity, the damaged gland reduces the production of substances involved in the formation of erection in the male genital organ.The consequence of prostatitis is the slow release of seminal fluid during intercourse, a decrease in the fullness of sensations during intercourse, and in its advanced forms, erectile dysfunction.
• The effect of prostatitis on conception.A damaged prostate sharply reduces the activity of the production of high-quality secretions, which is necessary to maintain the activity of sperm in the birth canal of a woman.When the discharge of the inflamed prostate gland enters the female birth canal during sexual intercourse, the female body reacts with rejection by the immune system, the development of gynecological diseases and the inability to conceive.
• Prostatitis causes damage to the gland and the body.Inflammation complicated by microflora increases the risk of prostate abscess formation.The formation of an abscess is the purulent melting of part of the parenchyma of the gland with the formation of a capsule around the injury.The disease with the formation of mineralized stones in the cavity is a consequence of the prostate, which is complicated by the reflux of the damaged prostate.The consequences of prostatitis are also: acute ischuria, urolithiasis, kidney failure, urinary tract inflammation and other diseases.

Can you have sex with prostatitis?

It has been proven that the rhythm disorder of intimate life is one of the causes of gland inflammation.Regular, moderate ejaculation has a positive effect on the pathogenesis of prostatitis with subclinical and moderate clinical manifestations of prostatitis.Some medical procedures and stages of the disease require a temporary ban on sexual activity.You should ask your doctor for detailed recommendations.Have sex if you have prostatitis, maintain moderation and safety in your intimate life.

Is prostatitis sexually transmitted?Prostatitis is a purely male disease, which does not have a specific viral, bacterial or fungal disease.Meanwhile, prostatitis poses a threat to gynecological health.Seminal fluid containing inflammatory products entering the female genital organs poses a real threat to conception and pregnancy against the background of the reduction of the protective barriers of the birth canal.A healthy lifestyle and reliable male contraception are simple ways to protect our sexual partners from mutual problems.

Is it possible to cure prostatitis once and for all?

Most men who have been treated for prostatitis several times are interested in one question - whether they can get rid of this unpleasant disease forever.According to experts, the effectiveness of the treatment largely depends on the presence and severity of irreversible consequences of the prostate.These can be scars, stones, calcifications.

The further development of the inflammatory process can be stopped at an early stage only by timely consultation with a doctor.In this case, irreversible complications do not develop in the prostate, and there is a possibility of a complete recovery.When sclerotic tissues - scars - have already formed, there are calcifications and small stones that cannot be gotten rid of, then there is a high probability of re-inflammation.This is chronic prostatitis.

In addition to the treatment, an important factor in overcoming the disease is how much the patient is willing to change his previous lifestyle - the irregular sex life and sitting in a constant chair.If you do not want such changes, then we can say with great confidence that the inflammatory process will soon return again.The patient refuses to eliminate these negative factors from his life, which is connected to the idea that prostatitis is incurable.

The duration and treatment regimen are determined by the doctor based on the results of physical, laboratory and instrumental examinations.Treatment of prostatitis is based on antibacterial drugs.The use of vitamins, physiotherapy procedures, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers and antibiotics is recommended.

Diet prostatitis

Adhering to a diet, using a certain set of products:

• reduces pain
• improves the microcirculation of blood and lymph in the vessels of the gland,
• strengthens the body's defense functions,
• normalizes bowel function,
• reduces nocturnal urination.

Products against prostatitis.Remove from use:

1. Strong coffee, spicy food - increases blood flow to the gland, stimulates pain;
2. Fat, fatty meat, eggs, flour - increases the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of the capillaries, reduces the microcirculation of blood flow in the gland;
3. Alcoholic drinks reduce immunity;
4. Products containing coarse fiber, salty, spicy foods - change bowel movements;
5. A large amount of liquid (in the evening), salty, smoked foods (during illness) - increases the amount of liquid and keeps it in the body.

It is advisable to include in your diet: vegetable salads seasoned with olive oil, vegetables and fruits grown in the region where you live, natural fruit juices, nuts, dried fruits, lean cooked meat.You can check the selection of prostatitis products with a nutritionist.

Preventive measures

Prevention is based on simple, easy-to-follow rules.

• Take regular long walks (this way of walking is the most physiological);
• Eat right, live a healthy lifestyle;
• Use male contraception.

In order to avoid the development of prostatitis and its complications, consult a urologist immediately for any disease of the genital organs.It is also not necessary to wait for symptoms to appear, but to see a doctor at least once a year.You will undergo a check-up at a medical facility and you will know for sure that everything is fine with your sexual health.

Those who suffer from constipation, who consume alcohol, spicy and smoked foods, who do not do active sports, and who have sexually transmitted diseases, should not postpone a visit to the urologist.Due to the high risk of the disease, such people should undergo a mandatory examination, even if there is no indication for this.

As you know, men do not like to go to the doctor, and when it becomes unbearable, it turns out that the disease has a chronic course.But the treatment could have been completed much earlier.Now chronic prostatitis should be treated for at least 1-2 months.