Causes, signs and symptoms of prostatitis in men
Content:
- What should men know?
- How does prostatitis manifest?
- Prostatitis symptoms
- Causes of prostatitis
- Classification
- Why is prostatitis dangerous?
- Is it ok to have sex?
- How is it treated?
- Can you be cured?
- Diet for prostatitis
- Preventive measures
Prostatitis in men belongs to the group of andrological (exclusively male), urogenital pathologies. The disease occurs in the form of acute or chronic inflammation. This is the most common urological disease today. Previously, it was believed that it manifests itself only at the age of 45-65 years, now more and more often doctors diagnose "prostatitis" in young people aged 20-30 years. The disease has become much younger.
The nature of the lesion of the prostate gland depends on the sexual habit of a person.
- The defeat of the prostate gland in boys, before their puberty, could theoretically be, but inflammation of the undeveloped gland is not considered as an independent disease.
- In men who are sexually active, prostatitis often occurs as an acute inflammation.
- Pathology of the gland, in persons of mature and old age, can manifest itself in the form of three independent diseases (chronic prostatitis, adenoma - benign hyperplasia, adenocarcinoma - malignant hyperplasia).
- In persons subjected to (chemical, physical, radiation) castration, the gland is atrophied.
The prostate gland (prostate) is the accessory gland of the male genital area. It is located at the junction of the urethra and ejaculatory ducts. The significance of the gland before puberty is poorly understood. In a mature man, the prostate gland:
- produces a secret that dilutes sperm, ensures the vitality of sperm in the genital tract of a woman;
- produces prostaglandins, substances that promote increased blood supply to the penis before the onset of an erection, together with the testicles, participates in the production of the hormone testosterone;
- provides rapid evacuation (release) of sperm from the urethra and takes part in the formation of orgasm.
- by means of reflex mechanisms, it prevents the ingress of urine into the sperm during sexual arousal, participates in the complex mechanism of erection.
The prostate is a vulnerable organ for disease-causing agents. It is inevitably involved in the pathology of the walls of the urethra, bladder, vas deferens. A powerful flow of blood, lymph, circulating through the branched vascular system of the damaged gland, provokes the phenomena of stagnation, edema of the organ, aggravates the pathology. The gland is well innervated, the damage is accompanied by pain.
What should men know about prostatitis?
Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate gland (prostate gland), most often caused by an infectious agent that enters the prostate from the urethra itself, the bladder and the adjacent rectum. However, an infection in itself does not mean the development of the disease, for this, as they say, "a favorable combination of circumstances" is necessary.
What are the factors that predispose to the onset of prostatitis:
- Prolonged sedentary work and a sedentary lifestyle. The risk group includes drivers, programmers and everyone who spends their working day without getting up from a chair to walk and warm up
- Regular stool disturbance in the form of constipation
- Severe or repeated hypothermia of the whole body
- Excessively active sex life or prolonged abstinence. Both are by no means useful for the normal functioning of the prostate gland.
- Overeating, spicy food and alcohol abuse, constant stress.
The prostate is a very small organ 3 cm long and 4 cm wide. It weighs only 20-25 grams. However, the secret of the prostate has bactericidal properties, therefore, the inflammatory process in the gland can develop only in the presence of stagnation in this organ, when its secret loses its properties.
How does prostatitis manifest 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 has a high fever (the body temperature rises to 38-39 ° C), pain in the groin and perineum, painful urination and defecation.
- Chronic prostatitis worries a man less, so he may not immediately pay attention to the symptoms characteristic of the disease. The patient's body temperature occasionally rises to 37 ° C, sometimes he is disturbed by discomfort when going to the toilet, a little mucus or pus is released from the urethra. Such discharge is one of the typical signs of chronic prostatitis.
Signs of prostatitis in men
There are six signs (precursors) of prostatitis - dysuria syndrome. Use as clinical markers is conditional. However, the presence of two of the six symptoms is a reason to consult a urologist.
- The stream of urine falls sluggishly down or its range is less than 20 cm
- Difficulty urinating, drop by drop.
- Pain when urinating.
- Intermittent, split, spray, process time
- Feeling of not emptying the bladder completely.
- Frequent urination at night.
It is strictly forbidden to draw clinical conclusions when these signs are detected. Prostatitis has a complex pathogenesis, with the inclusion of various mechanisms in it. It is impossible to treat the disease, focusing on general clinical symptoms. Contact a urologist to determine the symptoms, the nature of the damage, the stage of the disease, the appointment of treatment. Diagnostics and treatment are carried out taking into account the organs and systems involved in the pathogenesis. In some cases, it is necessary to consult a venereologist, surgeon, oncologist.
Symptoms of prostatitis in men
Prostatitis can occur in the form of acute and chronic inflammation. Acute forms develop as catarrhal, follicular, parenchymal inflammation. The manifestations of chronic prostatitis are associated with a concomitant disease. The following symptoms are of greatest importance for recognizing the nature of the pathology, the causes and mechanisms of the body's defense 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 volume of urine in a healthy adult is 1000-2000 ml. The volume of urine, at which the urge occurs, is 120-170 ml, the accumulation of urine over 350 ml causes a strong desire to empty the bladder. The products of inflammation of prostatitis constantly irritate the receptors of the walls of the urinary organs, as a result of which urination:
- Frequent urination (pollakiuria), while the daily volume of urine is not increased;
- Urination in small portions, the products of inflammation send false signals to the receptors about the filling of a half-empty bladder, after emptying the feeling of its fullness remains;
- Painful urination (stranguria) due to narrowing of the urethra by 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);
- Urination at night (nocturia), irritated bladder walls give a constant signal for urine production;
Temperature with prostatitis. An increase in body temperature to subfebrile and febrile values is characteristic. High temperature accompanies purulent prostatitis in the early stages of septic shock. In the late stage of septic shock, on the contrary, a low temperature (hypothermia) is characteristic of up to 35-36 0 C. Low temperature is dangerous for humans due to the tendency of blood platelets to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC syndrome). The prognosis of prostatitis complicated by sepsis in the presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome is cautious or unfavorable.
Blood in urine with prostatitis. The symptom of hematuria (blood in the urine) is a rare but very dangerous symptom. Persistent bleeding is difficult to stop. There are several causes of hematuria in prostatitis, including:
- purulent fusion of the gland with a portion of a blood vessel and perforation of the vessel into the urethra;
- accidental injury during instrumental examinations of the genitourinary organs;
- prostatitis, complicated by hyperplasia, often of a malignant form.
Pain syndrome. Complicated prostatitis is accompanied by pain outside urination. Sometimes pain occurs intermittently, such as during a bowel movement. The cause of the pain is the constant irritation of the gland by the products of inflammation. Dull (aching) pain in the perineum and anus is often noted.
Causes of prostatitis in men
There are several groups of causes of prostatitis, including:
- Complication of the past diseases of a man (PPP infections, colds inflammation of the pelvic organs, complicated by staphylococcal and other bacterial infections, viral, fungal agents, especially against the background of reduced immunity and general resistance of the body), chronic gynecological infections in a woman - a sexual partner.
- Urethral reflux. Violation of the ability of the prostate to prevent urine from flowing back into the reproductive ducts is called urethral reflux. The result is bacterial seeding of the prostate. Urethral reflux is a consequence of improper catheterization, as well as previous inflammation of the urethra. In this case, urethrorrhagia occurs - a pathological increase in the lumen of the urethra. Urethral-vesiculoseminal reflux, bacterial contamination is combined with the formation of calculi (stones) in the prostate and ejaculatory ducts.
- Violation of the rhythm of sexual activity, including lack or excess of sex, regular delay in ejaculation.
- Stagnation of venous blood in the urogenital organs of the small pelvis of men is a consequence of a sedentary lifestyle (hemorrhoids, sexual disorder, other reasons);
- Hormonal imbalance associated with insufficient production of male hormones by the sex glands, resulting in a general weakening of skeletal and smooth muscle tone, impaired erectile function, and other disorders.
Classification of prostatitis
Distinguish between bacterial and non-bacterial prostatitis:
- Bacterial prostatitis is caused by pathogenic microorganisms that enter the prostate gland from the outside. These include streptococci, staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Proteus and others. Many bacteria are normal flora in our body, but under certain conditions they enter the prostate and cause inflammation. Prostatitis can also develop as a result of such sexually transmitted diseases as chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, gardnerellosis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis.
-
Not bacterial. The group of non-infectious prostatitis includes:
- Congestive prostatitis. It is caused by congestion in the small pelvis. Incomplete ejaculation, sexual excesses, prolonged abstinence, interrupted intercourse - all this contributes to venous stasis in the pelvic organs.
- Calculous prostatitis. The result of the development of calculous prostatitis is the presence of phosphate and oxalate stones in the gland. When they reach large sizes, they cause a sharp pain in the urethra. The method of treatment consists in dissolving the formed stones.
- Sclerotic prostatitis. It is characterized by a decrease in the size and functions of the prostate gland, the densification of its tissues as a result of the death of prostate cells with their replacement with sclerotic tissue. One of the reasons for the development of this form of the disease is frequent constipation, taking certain medications, and multiple infections. Such prostatitis, unfortunately, cannot be treated.
- Prostatopotic prostatitis. This disease causes chronic pain in the small pelvis, but its etiology is not fully understood. It is believed that it can be triggered by a reverse flow of secretion, 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 characteristic symptoms of prostatitis. The outcome of treatment depends on the duration of the disease, the activity of inflammatory processes, and the presence of complications.
If you do not deal with the treatment of prostatitis, then in its neglected form it leads to a decrease in potency, infertility, depression, exhausting pain in the perineum and other complications.
Why is prostatitis dangerous? Consequences of prostatitis
The consequences depend on age, the state of the immune system, and the presence of bad habits. So in persons of the older age group, with weakened immunity, with a history of alcoholism, drug addiction, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, the consequences of the disease are more severe.
Influence of prostatitis on potency. The damaged gland, with decompensation of functional activity, reduces the production of substances involved in the formation of an erection of the male genital organ. The consequence of prostatitis is a sluggish release of seminal fluid during intercourse, a decrease in the fullness of sensations during intercourse, in advanced forms of erectile dysfunction.
Influence of prostatitis on conception. A damaged prostate dramatically reduces the activity of producing a high-quality secretion necessary to maintain the activity of sperm in the birth canal of a woman. The secret of the inflamed prostate gland, getting into the birth canal of a woman during sexual intercourse, reacts with immune rejection of the female body, the development of gynecological diseases and the impossibility of conception.
Prostatitis provokes damage inside the gland and the body. Inflammation complicated by microflora increases the risk of prostate abscess. Abscess formation - purulent fusion of a part of the parenchyma of the gland with the formation of a capsule around the focus. The disease with the formation of mineralized calculi in the cavity is a consequence of the prostate complicated by reflux of the damaged prostate. The consequence of prostatitis is also: acute ischuria, urolithiasis, renal failure, inflammation of the genitourinary organs and other diseases.
Is it possible to have sex with prostatitis?
It has been proven that dysrhythmia of intimate life is one of the causes of inflammation of the gland. Regular ejaculation with moderate frequency has a positive effect on the pathogenesis of prostatitis with subclinical and moderate clinical manifestations of prostatitis. Some therapeutic manipulations and stages of the disease imply a temporary ban on sexual activity. For detailed recommendations, consult your doctor. Have sex with prostatitis, observe moderation and safety of intimate life.
Is prostatitis sexually transmitted? Prostatitis is a purely male disease that does not have a specific viral, bacterial, fungal origin. Meanwhile, inflammation of the prostate poses a danger to gynecological health. Semen, containing products of inflammation, getting into the female genital organs, against the background of a decrease in the protective barriers of the birth canal, is a real threat of conception and bearing of the fetus. A healthy lifestyle, reliable male contraception is an easy way to protect sexual partners from mutual problems.
How is it treated?
We described the methods of treatment with a description of the use of drugs in detail in other articles on the site:
- Treatment of an acute bacterial form
- Treatment of the chronic form
- Operative and other clinical methods
Can prostatitis be cured once and for all?
Most of those men who have already undergone treatment for prostatitis more than once are interested in one question - is it possible to get rid of this unpleasant disease forever. According to experts, the effectiveness of treatment largely depends on the presence and severity of the irreversible consequences that have occurred in the prostate. These can be scars, stones, calcifications.
In the early stages, the further development of the inflammatory process can only be stopped by a timely visit to a doctor. In this case, no irreversible complications in the prostate develop and there is a possibility of complete cure. When areas of sclerotic tissue have already formed - scars, there are calcifications and small stones, which cannot be eliminated in any way, then, most likely, repeated inflammation may occur. This is chronic prostatitis.
In addition to treatment, an important factor in overcoming this ailment is also how much the patient is ready to change his previous lifestyle - irregular sex life and constant sitting in a chair. If he does not want such changes, then with a great deal of confidence we can say that soon the inflammatory process will return again. It is with the patient's unwillingness to exclude these negative factors from his life that the idea that prostatitis is incurable is connected.
The duration, treatment regimen is determined by the doctor, based on the results of physical, laboratory and instrumental studies. Antibacterial drugs are at the heart of prostatitis therapy. The use of vitamins, physiotherapeutic procedures, anti-inflammatory, painkillers, antibiotics is shown.
Diet for prostatitis
Compliance with the diet, the use of a certain set of products gives the following results:
- reduces pain,
- improves microcirculation of blood and lymph in the vessels of the gland,
- strengthens the protective functions of the body,
- normalizes bowel function,
- reduces the formation of urine at night.
Products for prostatitis. Exclude from use:
- Strong coffee, spicy dishes - increase blood flow to the gland, stimulate pain;
- Fat, fatty meat, eggs, flour - increase the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of the capillaries, reduces the microcirculation of the blood flow in the gland;
- Alcoholic drinks - reduce immunity;
- Products containing coarse fiber, salty, spicy foods - change intestinal motility;
- A large amount of fluid (in the evening), salty, smoked foods (during illness) - increase the volume of fluid, retain it in the body.
It is advisable to include in the diet: vegetable salads seasoned with olive oil, vegetables and fruits grown in the region of residence, natural juices, nuts, dried fruits, lean boiled meat. A set of products for prostatitis can be checked with a nutritionist.
Preventive measures
Prevention is based on simple rules and it is easy to follow them.
- Take long walks regularly (this walking style is the most physiological);
- Eat right, lead a healthy lifestyle;
- Use male contraception.
For more information, see the article "Prevention of prostatitis"
To avoid the development of prostatitis and its complications, you should immediately contact a urologist for any ailments of the genital organs. It is also not necessary to wait for any symptoms to appear, but at least once a year to see a doctor yourself. In a medical institution, you will undergo an examination and you will know for sure that everything is in order with your health in the genital area.
You should not delay visiting a urologist and those who suffer from constipation, abuse alcohol, spicy and smoked food, those who are not actively involved in sports and who have a history of sexually transmitted diseases. Due to the high risk of illness, such people should undergo a mandatory examination, even if there is no indication for this.
As you know, men are not fond of going to doctors and when it is already unbearable, it turns out that the disease has taken on a chronic course. But the course of treatment could have been completed much earlier. Now, with chronic prostatitis, it will take at least 1-2 months to be treated.
Author of the article: Lebedev Andrey Sergeevich | Urologist
Education: Diploma in the specialty "Andrology" received after completing residency at the Department of Endoscopic Urology of the Russian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education in the urological center of the Central Clinical Hospital No. 1 of JSC Russian Railways (2007). Postgraduate studies were completed here by 2010.
