Frequent pain when urinating, perineal discomfort, pyrexia, decreased potency and libido are problems faced by 80% of men aged 45 to 50 years, but most postpone consulting 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 is an organ that resembles a brown fruit in size and shape, and is located under the bladder. Its lower part is limited by the groin. 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 gland's second name is popularly used to denote a common disease that affects about half of the male population: the older the man, the greater the risk of becoming ill - prostatitis is rarely diagnosed in men aged 20 to 25 years. The disease is dangerous with serious complications, so it is important to recognize it early on.
The therapeutic course lasts up to 14 days, for a few more months the patient is obliged to strictly adhere to preventive measures. If the disease has managed to take the chronic form, the risk of recurrence is 50%.
Classification
Prostate treatment in men is sometimes delayed for years. The disease temporarily takes an asymptomatic course to remember after a few months with a marked drop 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 the prostate tissues. Typical signs are severe pain syndrome, a critical rise in temperature. It is necessary to treat the disease in a hospital environment;
- Chronic bacteria. Periodic attenuation of symptoms is often perceived as a sign 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. This prostate in men is often detected by chance, according to the results of the urine analysis;
- Granulomatous. Termination of gland function due to overgrowth of connective tissue;
- Pelvic pain syndrome. Difficult to diagnose, accompanied by constant sensations of pain in the pelvic region, neurological and psychoemotional disorders.
What does prostate mean in men? First, the diagnosis means the need to reconsider the lifestyle, be patient and follow the doctor's recommendations - it can take a long time to be treated.
What causes the prostate gland in men?
The reasons
The exact algorithm for the onset of the inflammatory process in the prostate has not been established, but a pattern has been revealed: the likelihood of falling ill increases with decreased general immunity. Why is this happening? Infectious pathogens, reaching the mucous membranes of a healthy person, are in a "dormant" state and do not spread until the body's protective functions are weakened. This is how the male prostate begins to develop.
Factors that increase the risk:
- Hypothermia;
- Perineum injuries and bruises;
- STDs;
- Inactive lifestyle, sedentary work;
- Inadequate sex life;
- Contraception due to interruption of sexual intercourse (incomplete ejaculation occurs);
- Stress, neurosis, depression;
- Bad habits - alcohol abuse, smoking;
- Drug poisoning.
Doctors also point to a connection between the fashion of tight pants that tighten the genitals and the increase in morbidity. Prostate symptoms in men who prefer skinny jeans are much more common than among supporters of a wide cut.
Chronic etiology
Permanent prostatitis in men is a consequence of inadequate 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, use of tight synthetic fabric underpants.
An additional factor is congestion in the small pelvis due to low mobility. A patient who has experienced in himself what the prostate is in men acutely must take all measures to prevent relapse: first of all, walking more to activate blood circulation.
Inflamed prostate in men's symptoms
Acute prostatitis
There are three types of course of this form of the disease: catarrhal, follicular, parenchymal (the most dangerous). In the first case, the malaise begins with pain in the pubic area and a slight increase in temperature. Soon, the man perceives discomfort during urination or intercourse, a persistent feeling of fatigue.
The follicular type is characterized by severe pain in the penis and lumbar region: it does not allow the bowel and bladder to empty completely. If left untreated, the third type of disease develops.
Parenchymal prostate in men what is it? The difficulty in urinating turns into complete urinary retention, the body temperature reaches 39-40 degrees, mucous secretion from the rectum appears. The condition is serious and requires immediate hospitalization.
Chronic prostatitis
The symptoms in this way are often cloudy, not expressed, which complicates the diagnosis. The pain syndrome becomes permanent, is located in the lower abdomen and is easily tolerated. Discomfort increases after intimacy.
Urination is a little difficult - the stream of urine is intermittent. Desires become more frequent. After physical exertion, an unusual discharge appears on the head of the penis. Erectile dysfunction is possible. The temperature is maintained at around 37 - 37, 3 C.
If symptoms of chronic prostatitis are observed in men, treatment should not be delayed: slow inflammation can lead to infertility.
Diagnosis
A timely visit to a urologist is the best solution for suspected prostate inflammation. During the consultation, the doctor will ask some questions about the state of health and consult the patient's medical record to make an anamnesis. In addition, an external examination and palpation of the organ through the rectum is performed.
To clarify the diagnosis, several studies are attributed:
- Secret analysis;
- Prostate ultrasound;
- Sampling of material for PCR;
- Pelvic organs MRI.
If necessary, the rate of urine flow during urination is measured with a special device, a urofluxometer. Measurements are made at the clinic: the patient empties the bladder in a special vessel with a sensor, which, at the end of the process, displays a graphic image.
Prostate in the treatment of men
Before prescribing a course of treatment, it is important to identify all the factors that caused the inflammatory process. By discovering the exact cause of prostatitis in men, treatment is more productive. The urologist develops a comprehensive individual program that includes the following elements:
- Drug therapy. With viral etiology, antiviral drugs are prescribed and, with an infectious lesion, antibacterial drugs. In parallel, suppositories and anti-inflammatory creams, immunostimulants and, if necessary, analgesics are used;
- Physiotherapy. The method is determined based on the condition 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 patient. Massage improves the flow of purulent-inflammatory secretions from the prostate ducts.
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 medications and procedures and replace them with others.
Prophylaxis
Prostate in men, symptoms and treatment is a topic that every member of the strong sex who has reached reproductive age should study in detail. Awareness of preventive measures will help to prevent inflammation.
How to protect yourself from prostatitis? It is recommended to avoid hypothermia and unprotected sex, to regularly test for STDs. It is necessary to empty the bladder in a timely manner, to choose baggy pants.