Prostatitis in men

30 April 2021

Prostatitis- a common disease in men of childbearing age and the elderly.

What is prostatitis? This is an inflammation of the prostate in men, this organ is also called the prostate. The prostate is located in close proximity to the neck of the bladder and is an important part of the male reproductive system. Inflammation of the prostate causes it to enlarge, as a result of which the urinary tract is compressed, and the process of emptying the bladder becomes difficult, and other unpleasant symptoms appear. Therefore, in case of inflammation of the prostate, it is not recommended to be inactive.

Symptoms and signs of prostatitis

Usually, men pay special attention to manifestations of prostatitis quite late. The clinical picture of each case is individual, even if we are talking about one form of the disease. However, the first symptoms of prostatitis in men are pretty much the same:

Difficulty urinating. . . The urethra, which is compressed under the inflamed prostate, does not urinate well. A feeling of incomplete emptying and a constant urge to urinate are also the first signs of prostatitis in men, and its symptoms will worsen in the future.
Sexual disturbances. . . These unpleasant signs of inflammation of the prostate appear in men mainly as a violation of the mechanism of erection and a weakening of orgasm. In addition, the symptoms of prostate inflammation include premature ejaculation.
Pain. . . Among the signs of inflammation of the prostate in men is pain during urination and ejaculation, a characteristic symptom is also constant pain in the lower back.
Nervous tension. . . Symptoms of inflamed prostate include increased nervousness in men, as an enlarged prostate causes some discomfort.

Causes of prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate occurs for a variety of reasons:

Poor blood circulation. . . Blood circulation can be impaired due to physical inactivity (sedentary and sedentary lifestyle) - this is a very common cause of inflammation of the prostate in men. In addition, the cause of a violation of the blood supply to organs is heavy weight, trauma to the small pelvis, constant hypothermia.
Infection. . . Infectious diseases also often cause prostatitis. The prostate is easily infected as a result of venereal and urological diseases, inflammatory processes in the rectum and complications after infectious conditions (tonsillitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis).
Immune failure. . . The weakening of the protective functions of the body due to past illnesses, stress, etc. often becomes the cause of prostatitis in men or the aggravation of an existing disease.

Types of prostatitis

Acute prostatitis develops rapidly with the rapid onset of characteristic symptoms. Chronic prostatitis often occurs with a gradual and almost imperceptible development of symptoms, it is typical in men over 55 years old.

In addition, prostatitis is classified by origin:

Bacterial.Most often occurs at a young age, but among other types of disease such cases are only 5-10%. Usually, acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis occurs due to the vulnerability of the body to pathogenic flora.
Infectious. . . Infectious prostatitis is caused not only by bacteria, but also by fungi, protozoa, which distinguish it from the bacterial variety. This type of disease can also occur in chronic and acute forms. One of its characteristic varieties is chlamydial prostatitis.
Purulent. . . One of the most serious types of infections is purulent prostatitis, with purulent discharge and hyperthermia from the body. The course of the disease is acute, with the appearance of new symptoms at each stage.
Calculation. . . Calculous prostatitis is the consequence of a prolonged chronic form and is seen mainly in older men. This form of the disease is characterized by the appearance of stones in the prostate.
Stagnant. . . Non-bacterial prostatitis, caused by insufficient blood supply to the tissues of the pelvic organs. Congestive prostatitis, as it is also called, is usually chronic. Of all the types, congestive prostatitis is the most common.

Why is prostatitis dangerous?

In any man, prostatitis without prompt treatment quickly becomes chronic and has serious consequences on reproductive health and general condition of the body. The most common complications of prostatitis include:

Vesiculitis. . . Inflammation of the seminal vesicles is the first thing that chronic prostatitis is dangerous for men. Vesiculitis can occur without any symptoms or be experienced by pain during urination, after sex, as well as the appearance of pus and blood in semen.
Posterior urethritis and colliculitis. . . The danger of prostatitis lies in the development of posterior urethritis and concomitant colliculitis. Colliculitis is an inflammation of the seminal tubercle which allows sperm to pass through. One of the symptoms of colliculitis is blood in the semen.
Prostate diseases. . . The consequences of prostatitis in men can be other more serious diseases of the prostate: abscess, sclerosis, cysts and stones, adenoma, cancer. These complications are treated much harder and longer than prostatitis, and the consequences of some of them are irreversible.
Sexual dysfunction. . . The consequences of advanced inflammation of the prostate can be problems in the genital area, including erectile dysfunction. Although the impotence resulting from prostatitis can be cured, it is often irreversible.
Infertility. . . Since the reproductive system of the male body with inflammation of the prostate does not perform its functions well, infertility usually becomes a consequence of chronic prostatitis. It all starts with a deterioration in the quality of sperm and the permeability of the vas deferens.

Diagnosis of prostatitis

Diagnosis of prostatitis in men begins in the first few minutes at a doctor's appointment, since the patient's complaints are an important part of it. In addition, to identify the disease and its features, other types of diagnostics are used:

Medical exam. . . During the medical examination, a digital-rectal examination is used, which is carried out through the anus and allows you to identify the size, shape, surface condition and other characteristics of the prostate. Since it is extremely easy to diagnose prostatitis this way, it is actually the first and main method of confirming the diagnosis.
Laboratory research. . . Male prostatitis tests are used to study blood, urine, semen, as well as the study of secretions from the prostate. One of the most effective methods is urinalysis for prostatitis (general, bacteriological, cytological). Also, with prostatitis, a general blood test is prescribed. In each case, the doctor determines what tests are done for prostatitis and whether more in-depth research methods are needed.
Non-invasive methods. . . These are ultrasound, X-ray diagnosis and MRI.

Treatment of prostatitis

Self-medication for prostatitis is strongly discouraged. If a man is unsure which doctor is treating prostatitis, you can talk to your therapist. But generally, all patients know that a urologist specializes in the treatment of prostatitis in men. It is also allowed to contact a therapist or surgeon, but only for the first appointment.

Many patients are faced with a natural question: is it possible to cure prostatitis? It all depends on the form of the disease. But in any case, the diagnosis and treatment of inflammation of the prostate in men is necessary at the first warning signs, because chronic prostatitis will require more time and financial costs. Modern methods of treating prostatitis allow you to cope with any form and stage of the disease with minimal consequences for the body.

How long is prostatitis treated?

The amount of prostatitis treated and the possibility of curing it without consequences depend on the complexity of the particular case. The earlier a man turns to a specialist, the higher the chances of successful treatment of prostatitis. The duration of treatment for prostatitis can range from 1 to 6 months, depending on the form of the disease. Consideration should be given to the time spent on diagnosis, which will also affect the duration of treatment for prostatitis.

How and what to treat

There is no single treatment regimen for prostatitis, since this disease is very diverse and requires an individual approach. But regardless of the form, the following methods of treating prostatitis are used:

Drug therapy. . . Antibiotics are used to treat chronic and acute prostatitis. It is an obligatory and essential part of the treatment of all types of inflammation of the prostate. During the acute course of the disease, the use of analgesics is allowed, since the treatment of prostatitis usually takes a long time.
Physiotherapy. . . The prostatitis treatment regimen certainly involves physiotherapy as a method of light prostate massage. In addition, herbal enemas and other procedures may be prescribed.
Diet. . . Since it is difficult to cure chronic prostatitis or its acute form with an unhealthy intestine, a diet or dietary adjustment is prescribed.
Physical exercises. . . This method of treating prostatitis is necessary to improve blood circulation in internal organs.

Prevention of prostatitis

To avoid prostatitis, both after a previous illness and in the absence of such an experience, you will need to follow simple recommendations:

Stable sex life. . . Sex life with a healthy partner will prevent not only sexually transmitted diseases, after which prostatitis often occurs, but also its stagnant form.
Rejection of bad habits. . . An unhealthy lifestyle reduces the body's defenses, so it is better to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol and unhealthy foods.
Sporting activities. . . Exercise keeps the body in good shape and improves blood flow to the prostate, reducing the risk of prostatitis.
Prostate massage. . . This is a secondary preventive measure of prostatitis in men for those who have had the disease in the past.
Preparations for prophylaxis. . . These are vitamin complexes that will help both prevent prostatitis and strengthen the immune system. Used as directed by a physician.

Prostatitis and conception of a child

Whether it is possible to get pregnant with chronic prostatitis in a husband is a question that worries many families. It should be understood that the prostate is responsible for many of the most important functions associated with conception, therefore, prostatitis increases the risk of male infertility. The presence of infections and inflammation in the prostate affects the quality of the ejaculate, and although it is possible to conceive a child with prostatitis, the chances of success are reduced.

Prostatitis and infertility are closely related, because with blockage of the vas deferens pregnancy after intercourse may not occur. The presence of purulent and bloody discharge in male semen with prostatitis significantly impairs its quality and reduces the likelihood of conception.

With prostatitis, you can conceive a child, but for the best result, you must first cure the disease and prevent possible infertility. It is only after a man has recovered from prostatitis that it is time to think about planning a pregnancy. For the treatment of prostatitis and the planning of childbirth, it is better to contact specialized centers, which will certainly help to solve any problems.