Today, inflammation of the prostate gland is the leader in the group of male diseases that are predominantly sexually transmitted. Its complications threaten infertility, reduced libido and impotence.
Symptoms of prostatitis are not only pain, urination disorders and inflammation of the spermatic cord. The most dangerous consequence of advanced inflammation can be cancerous degeneration of the prostate. While the pathological process diagnosed in time is easily stopped.
Signs of illness
If a man discovers at least two of the following symptoms of prostatitis, he should immediately contact a qualified specialist:
- Urinary disorder with intermittent, weak stream of urine, unusually short, causing splashing, difficulty and pain before urination. The frequent urge to empty the bladder occurs mostly at night.
- The pain, which is localized in the lower abdomen, radiates to the scrotum, perineum and rectum.
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Problems with ejaculation, changes in sperm (consistency, quantity).
Acute prostatitis
The disease begins with a sudden rise in temperature (up to 40 degrees), painful headache and fever. The symptoms that appear are accompanied by pain in the groin, perineum, back, discharge from the urethra, frequent urination and a constant urge to urinate.
Bladder emptying occurs with a delay and a burning sensation. The urine itself becomes cloudy and may contain blood. Irritability and fatigue appear.
The outcome of acute prostatitis can be a complete resolution of the process (if treatment is started on time). Since changes occur in many pelvic organs, they cannot be left to chance, otherwise corresponding complications will arise:
- Vesiculitis is an inflammation of the seminal vesicles, the cause of the appearance of pus in the sperm, which not only reduces the quality of the ejaculate, but also leads to the loss of reproductive function.
- Coliculitis - inflammatory changes in the seminal tubercle become the reason for the development of severe pain during sex, interruption of orgasm and impotence of a psychological nature.
- Abscess formation in the body of the prostate, its rupture and purulent damage to the rectum lead to worsening of symptoms, severe intoxication of the body, and even death.
- Stagnation in prostate tissues leads to changes in their structure, disruption of innervation, blood supply, both to the gland itself, and to organs located nearby, along with disruption of their functions. Erection becomes insufficient for full sexual intercourse, premature ejaculation and prolonged sexual intercourse without orgasm are observed.
- Cicatricial changes in the gland and spermatic cord lead to infertility, reduced sperm quality and sperm motility. Narrowing of the urethra interferes with the normal process of urination; Bladder obstruction can cause acute urinary retention, requiring immediate surgical intervention.
Chronic prostatitis
The main feature of the disease is the vagueness of clinical symptoms with a long, persistent course of the process. More often, the chronic form occurs independently, as a primary pathology against the background of blood stagnation in the vessels (prostatosis), abacterial prostatitis.
The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis are:
- fever;
- pain occurs in the scrotum, perineum, anus, back;
- urination disorder;
- mucous or mucopurulent discharge from the rectum, urethra, even in the absence of urination or defecation;
- erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, interrupted sexual intercourse, prolonged intercourse without a feeling of pleasure.
Inaction and improper treatment of chronic prostatitis can cause complications:
- Infertility is the result of chronic inflammation in the spermatic cord, vesicles, testicles and their appendages.
- Cystitis, pyelonephritis (other diseases of the genitourinary system) are the result of hematogenous and mechanical spread of microbes.
- Sepsis.
- Constant decrease in immunity.
- Untreated prostatitis can cause cancer in 35-40% of cases.
Diagnostics
The clinical picture of the disease is typical, so the diagnosis is not difficult. It is performed by a urologist based on the anamnesis, examination of the patient, laboratory minimum using the most modern medical devices:
- Rectal examination of the gland, taking secretions for examination (culture with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics).
- UAC, UAM, bacterial culture of urine.
- Smear test for sexually transmitted diseases, UGI review.
- Daily monitoring of urination rhythm, measurement of urination speed (uroflowmetry).
- Ultrasound or TRUS is used for differential diagnosis.
- If it is necessary to exclude oncology, a biopsy, urography is taken and PSA - prostate specific antigen is determined.
- To diagnose infertility, a spermogram is prescribed - analysis of ejaculate to determine male fertility.
Based on the results of the patient's examination, an individual scheme for the complex treatment of prostatitis is drawn up. When prescribing drugs, the form of the pathology and the presence of accompanying diseases are taken into account. The decision on where to carry out the therapy (inpatient or outpatient) is made by the doctor. The course of treatment is carried out with careful laboratory monitoring of the results.
Treatment of acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis requires bed rest, a special salt-free diet and sexual rest.
Treatment course methods:
- The most effective treatment for prostatitis is etiotropic therapy. If the underlying cause of prostatitis is an infection, the priority is a course of antimicrobial agents that alleviate the manifestations of inflammation.
- The pain syndrome is alleviated with analgesics, antispasmodics, rectal suppositories, microenemas and warm solutions of painkillers. NSAIDs may be used.
- Immunostimulants, immunomodulators, enzymes, vitamin complexes and a combination of microelements have proven their effectiveness.
- Physiotherapy methods are possible only in the subacute phase of the disease. They improve microcirculation and increase immunity: UHF, microwave, electrophoresis, laser, magnetic therapy.
- Massage is another effective method of influencing the prostate. It opens channels, normalizes blood circulation in the scrotum and pelvis.
- Acute renal filtrate retention can be corrected by catheterization and trocar cystostomy.
- The purulent process involves surgical intervention.
- Psychologist consultations.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
With long-term, course (at least one month) effect on the prostate, there is no 100% guarantee of cure. The priority is herbal medicines, immunocorrection, change of household habits:
- Herbal preparations are widely used in urological practice. They are able to accumulate at the site of the most active pathological process, protect cells from oxidation, remove free radicals and prevent the proliferation of gland tissue.
- Antibacterial therapy is selected individually, based on the sensitivity of microbes to drugs.
- Medicines that strengthen immunity not only help in the fight against prostatitis, but also correct the negative effects of antibiotics that disrupt the function of the immune system.
- The pain syndrome is alleviated by using alpha-blockers and muscle relaxants.
- Prostate massage allows you to mechanically remove the "extra" secretion of the gland through the urethra, improve blood circulation and reduce congestion.
- Physiotherapy: laser, magnet, ultrasound, iontophoresis, warm sitting baths or microenemas with herbs.
- In severe cases, intravenous fluids with diuretics are indicated. It stimulates abundant urine production, prevents symptoms of intoxication, the development of ascending cystitis and pyelonephritis.
- Herbal laxatives are used for constipation.
- Together with the patient, the urologist and psychologist create an individual long-term program of daily routine, necessary rest, nutrition, dosed physical activity and sexual activity.
- If the chronic process is resistant to therapy and the outflow of urine is blocked, surgical intervention is prescribed: removal of the entire affected tissue (transurethral resection of the prostate) or complete removal of the gland with surrounding tissues (prostatectomy). Practiced in exceptional cases, it is full of impotence and urinary incontinence. Young people do not undergo surgery because it can cause infertility.
Symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis
Many men suffer from chronic prostatitis, but attribute the symptoms to other diseases or waste time on ineffective treatment. From our article you will learn comprehensive information about this male problem: causes, exact symptoms and diagnostic methods, different treatment methods.
Despite all the successes of modern medicine, diagnosing a disease such as chronic prostatitis causes certain difficulties. This also negatively affects the effectiveness of his treatment.
Causes of chronic prostatitis
The causes of chronic prostatitis are very different. From the multitude of negative factors that affect a man's health, it is difficult to single out exactly those that caused the development of the disease. It is often a complex of situations and circumstances that accompany a man's life.
The main causes of chronic abacterial prostatitis are as follows:
- arrhythmia (irregularity) of sexual intercourse;
- physical inactivity, which is typical for overweight people;
- long-term stressful conditions;
- predominance of foods rich in fat in the diet;
- negative impact on the body in hazardous industries.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the result of incompletely cured bacterial prostatitis. Or the man ignored the complaints and did not seek help from a urologist. Therefore, no treatment was carried out.
Chronic abacterial prostatitis develops due to exposure to infectious agents against the background of reduced immunity. As a rule, such patients are diagnosed with diseases of the endocrine system.
Factors that provoke the development of chronic bacterial prostatitis are:
- surgical operations on the prostate (if antibacterial therapy was not carried out before the operation);
- refusal to use contraception;
- lack of habit of keeping your body clean.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis
Today there are many myths about chronic prostatitis. For this reason, any temporary disturbances of sexual function are attributed to this disease. One can often hear the opinion that reduced libido and erectile dysfunction are the result of prostatitis, and if it is an older man, then chronic prostatitis.
This is not true, because sexual dysfunction has many other causes, and the main symptom of chronic prostatitis is pain. All other signs can be considered accompanying and indirect.
Chronic prostatitis is often confused with pelvic pain syndrome, because the symptoms of these diseases are mostly similar. This is due to the formation of myofascial trigger zones near the prostate, which appear as a result of injuries and surgical interventions. Pain in these areas can be mistaken for a symptom of prostate inflammation.
In the diagnosis of the disease, complaints of pain and discomfort in the perineum and pelvis, which last at least 3 months, come to the fore. The pain is localized near the prostate, radiating to the sacrum, rectum and scrotum. With prolonged exposure to negative factors (carrying heavy objects, excessive physical activity, standing on your feet for a long time), the pain intensifies.
A characteristic sign of the disease is premature ejaculation. Patients have reduced sexual desire and erectile dysfunction. These symptoms are also characteristic of other genitourinary diseases. Therefore, it cannot be said that they are signs of chronic prostate disease.
An important symptom is the weakening of orgasm. If the patient begins to notice that the heaviness of the sensation during ejaculation has disappeared, this is a reason for a more careful attitude towards his health and a signal of the need to visit a urologist.
The structure of the inflamed prostate becomes denser, the pressure on the urethra increases, and the quality of urination deteriorates. Patients with chronic prostatitis notice a frequent need to urinate at night. The process of passing urine is accompanied by a burning sensation, stinging and pain. Urinary incontinence is common.
Signs of chronic prostatitis can be expressed completely or partially. Much depends on the patient's state of health and the presence or absence of other diseases. Chronic prostatitis is characterized by an undulating course, with symptoms of waxing and waning. In this disease, the inflammatory process is not acute.
Laboratory research methods
If chronic prostatitis is suspected, first of all they find out its nature: bacterial or abacterial. In the first case, it is necessary to identify the pathogen or pathogens and find out which drugs they are sensitive to. To achieve this, laboratory tests of urine and prostate secretions are performed.
If after 10 days after DRE, the PSA test shows that the level of prostate specific antigen exceeds 4. 0 ng/ml, this is a reason to refer the patient to a biopsy to rule out an oncological process.
The following research methods are recommended:
- scraping from the urethra;
- general and biochemical analysis of urine;
- LHC culture of prostate secretion.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Treatment of chronic prostatitis requires an integrated approach. Just taking medication is not enough. Physiotherapy procedures and therapeutic exercises are necessary. In general, chronic prostatitis is difficult to treat and requires a radical revision of lifestyle, changes in habits, and in some cases, a change in job. Urologists insist that only a series of measures will help to completely get rid of this disease or ensure long-term remission.
Regardless of whether the disease is bacterial or abacterial in nature, congestion in the prostate played a major role in its development. The viscous secretion deposited in the ducts of the gland is a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. Therefore, the main attention should be focused on eliminating stagnation.
The problem can be solved by changing your lifestyle and including physical therapy classes in your daily schedule.
Complexes of exercises have been developed that are suitable for different life situations:
- for those men who are forced to sit most of the time (drivers, office workers, managers);
- for people with excess body weight;
- for those who do not have time for exercises.
Thinking about how to treat chronic prostatitis, you must decide to seriously reconsider your attitude to your health.
Drug treatment
Chronic prostatitis is usually treated on an outpatient basis. If the pathological process persists and it is not possible to achieve remission with this method, hospitalization is recommended. In the hospital, under the supervision of medical staff, there are many more opportunities to follow the regimen and monitor changes in the patient's condition.
Chronic prostatitis in men develops against the background of endocrine disorders. In this sense, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and alpha 1-blockers are recommended. They help normalize hormone levels and eliminate symptoms of pathology.
An integrated approach includes taking medications such as:
Methods of treatment of bacterial chronic prostatitis
Bacterial chronic prostatitis is treated with antibiotics. The most effective drug for a particular patient is determined by a preliminary laboratory study of prostate secretions.
There is no universal remedy for suppressing and destroying pathogenic microflora. What works for one patient may not work for another. For this reason, there are many negative reviews about advertised drugs for the treatment of chronic prostatitis.
The drugs recommended for antibacterial therapy are fluoroquinolones. Most bacteria are sensitive to them.
Treatment with herbal medicines
Many people doubt that chronic prostatitis can be cured with the help of herbal medicines. The answer to this question was obtained through the long-term use of these medicinal agents in urological practice.
Today, the following treatment complexes are recommended:
All these drugs have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the male genitourinary system. Effective treatment of chronic prostatitis is possible provided that urinary function is normalized. The components included in herbal medicines perform this task. They help to reduce the frequency of urges and eliminate slow flow syndrome.
Herbal mixtures containing pumpkin extract or pumpkin seeds are recommended for patients with chronic prostatitis. The latter have a unique chemical composition and act in three directions at once:
- normalize metabolism;
- strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
- activate blood circulation in the pelvic organs.
Taking herbal medicines cannot be considered as the main method of treatment. These health-enhancing agents are considered to be used concurrently with drug therapy.
Treatment without drugs
Medicine-free therapy methods allow you to act directly on the prostate, increasing the concentration of drugs in its tissues and helping to remove congestion.
Today, non-drug therapy focuses on laser therapy. The possibilities of this technique are wide. Under the influence of the laser in the prostate, the following processes occur:
- activation of redox reactions;
- blood microcirculation improves;
- new capillaries are formed;
- pathogenic microflora is suppressed;
- The process of cell division is activated, which promotes tissue regeneration.
During the period of research on the effects of laser therapy on patients with prostatitis, a side effect was observed, but positive for treatment purposes. Those who completed the course increased potency, eliminated erectile dysfunction and regained vitality. To achieve this result, it is necessary to use a beam of a certain wavelength. In general, low-intensity laser radiation is used to treat chronic prostatitis.
This technique can have several positive effects:
Patients can undergo laser therapy on their own initiative if it is not prescribed by the attending physician.
Surgical treatment of chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis does not pose a threat to the patient's life, but it can significantly reduce its quality. The most serious complication of this disease is the formation of stones in the gland tissues. In order to get rid of prostatolith, transurethral resection is used.
Surgical intervention is performed under the control of TRUS.
If complications such as prostate sclerosis occur, transurethral electrosurgery is performed. If sclerosis of the bladder neck is observed in combination with this pathology, a partial resection of the prostate is performed.
When the seminal and excretory ducts are blocked, endoscopic operations are indicated in order to remove the obstruction of secretion passage. For this purpose, an incision is made on the seminal vesicles and ducts. In the case of an abscess, it is possible to completely remove the gland.
Exercises for the treatment of chronic prostatitis
There are a number of exercises that are effective in stimulating the prostate, which helps relieve congestion. This complex was developed for patients with hip joint problems. Practice has shown that these exercises are also useful for people diagnosed with prostatitis. Classes can be held at a convenient time; the complex will last no more than 15 minutes.
Exercise no. 1
- Lying on the gym mat, extend both arms upwards.
- Bend your knees and pull them towards you while spreading them in different directions.
- Lift your pelvis as high as you can. Repeat 10-12 times.
Exercise no. 2
Standing on the mat, do deep squats.
Repeat 10-12 times.
Exercise no. 3
- Lie on your stomach.
- Lift one leg, then the other. Repeat 10-12 times.
Exercise #4
They are lying on their side.
When performing this set of exercises, all movements should be smooth. This is the main condition for achieving a high therapeutic effect.
Treatment prognosis
Few men can completely cure chronic prostatitis. Prostate inflammation often goes into a phase of long-term remission. But when the conditions for the activation of the pathology appear, relapse occurs. Exacerbation begins with the appearance of pain in the prostate. They are often accompanied by urinary disorders. At the first symptoms of relapse, you should seek the help of a specialist.
Patients are recommended to visit a urologist regularly, at least once every six months. They perform prostate condition examinations and PSA tests with the same frequency. By systematically monitoring the condition of the gland, the processes that cause the recurrence of the disease can be identified in a timely manner. But even with long-term remission, there is no guarantee that it will not be disturbed.
The patient must follow the recommendations to prevent the disease from worsening. It is recommended that you balance your diet by excluding fatty and spicy foods. The use of herbal medicines and traditional medicine must be agreed with the attending physician. With this approach, the risk of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis can be minimized.
Is it possible to cure prostatitis by yourself?
If there are pronounced symptoms, it is better to be treated by a specialist; the time factor plays a big role in treatment, because the longer the inflammation lasts, the greater the probability of irreversible changes in the organ.
But it is better to do the prevention yourself, no doctor will do it for you.
Avoid hypothermia, stagnation when sitting for a long time, sexually transmitted infections, irregular sex life - all this is the way to effective prevention of prostatitis.