Frequent painful urination, perineal discomfort, pyrexia, decreased potency and libido are problems that 80% of men aged 45-50 face, but most postpone a visit to the doctor untilthat the pain becomes unbearable. Unpleasant symptoms indicate inflammation of the prostate, which 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 chestnut fruit in size and shape, and is located below the bladder. Its bottom is bordered by the crotch. The prostate in men performs the following functions: secretion - 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 second name of the gland is commonly used to refer to a common disease that affects around half of the male population: the older the man, the greater the risk of getting sick - prostatitis is rarely diagnosed in men over 20 years old. At 25 years. The disease is dangerous with serious complications, so it is important to recognize it at an early stage.
The therapeutic course takes up to 14 days, for a few more months the patient is required to strictly adhere to preventive measures. If the disease has managed to take a chronic form, the risk of recurrence is 50%.
Classification
Treatment of the prostate in men is sometimes delayed by several years. The disease temporarily follows an asymptomatic course in order to remember after a few months with a sharp decrease in immunity, a violation of the intestinal microflora and other stressful situations for the body. Male prostate disease has several forms:
- Sharp. It is characterized by a bacterial infection of the prostate tissue. Typical signs are severe pain syndrome, a critical increase in temperature. It is necessary to treat the disease in a hospital setting;
- Chronic bacterial. Periodic easing of symptoms is often perceived as a signal for recovery, but this is an illusion - each subsequent exacerbation is more serious 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. Such a prostate in men is often detected by chance, according to the results of urine analysis;
- Granulomatous. Stopping the functioning of the gland due to an overgrowth of connective tissue;
- Pelvic pain syndrome. Form difficult to diagnose, accompanied by constant painful sensations in the pelvic area, neurological and psycho-emotional disorders.
What does the prostate mean in men? First of all, the diagnosis means the need to reconsider the lifestyle, be patient and follow the doctor's recommendations - treatment can take a long time.
What Causes Prostate 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 getting sick increases with a decrease in general immunity. Why is this happening? Infectious pathogens, penetrating the mucous membranes of a healthy person, are in a "dormant" state and spread only when the protective functions of the body are weakened. This is how the male prostate begins to develop.
Factors that increase the risk:
- Hypothermia;
- Injuries and bruises of the perineum;
- MST;
- Inactive lifestyle, sedentary work;
- Inadequate sex life;
- Contraception by interrupting intercourse (incomplete ejaculation occurs);
- Stress, neurosis, depression;
- Bad habits - alcohol abuse, smoking;
- Poisoning with drugs.
Doctors also point to a link between the fashion for tight pants that constrict the genitals and increased morbidity. Prostate symptoms in men who prefer skinny jeans are much more common than in followers of a loose fit.
Chronic etiology
Permanent prostatitis in men is the consequence of improper treatment (or its complete lack 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, wearing tight underwear made of synthetic fabrics.
An additional factor is congestion of the small pelvis due to poor mobility. A patient who has experienced on himself what the prostate is in men in an acute form should take all measures to avoid relapses: first of all, walk more on foot to activate blood circulation.
Inflamed prostate gland in men 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 discomfort begins with pulling pains in the pubic area and a slight increase in temperature. Soon a man notices discomfort when urinating or having sex, a persistent feeling of fatigue.
The follicular type is characterized by severe pain in the penis and lower back: it does not allow the bowels and bladder to be completely emptied. If left untreated, the third type of disease develops.
What is the parenchymal prostate in men? Difficulty urinating turns into complete urinary retention, body temperature reaches 39-40 degrees, mucous discharge from the rectum appears. The condition is serious and requires immediate hospitalization.
Chronic prostatitis
The symptomatology of this form is often fuzzy, unexpressed, which complicates the diagnosis. The pain syndrome becomes permanent, is localized in the lower abdomen and is tolerated quite easily. Discomfort increases after intimacy.
Urination is slightly difficult - the urine stream is intermittent. Desires are becoming more frequent. After physical exertion, an unusual discharge appears on the head of the penis. Erectile dysfunction is possible. The temperature is maintained between 37 and 37. 3 ° C approximately.
If symptoms of chronic prostatitis are observed in men, treatment should not be postponed: slow inflammation can lead to infertility.
Diagnostic
A timely visit to a urologist is the best solution in case of suspected inflammation of the prostate. During the appointment, the doctor will ask a few questions about the state of health and examine the patient's medical file in order to collect a history. In addition, an external examination and palpation of the organ through the rectum is performed.
To clarify the diagnosis, a number of studies are assigned:
- Secret analysis;
- Prostate ultrasound;
- Sampling of PCR material;
- MRI of pelvic organs.
If necessary, the urine output during urination is measured with a special device, a uroflowmeter. Measurements are carried out in the clinic: the patient empties the bladder into a special container with a sensor, which at the end of the process displays a graphic image.
Treatment of prostate in men
Before prescribing treatment, it is important to identify all the factors that provoked the inflammatory process. When discovering the exact cause of prostatitis in men, treatment is more productive. The urologist draws up a complete 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, anti-inflammatory suppositories and creams, immunostimulating agents and, if necessary, analgesics are used;
- Physiotherapy. The method is determined depending on the picture of the disease. It can be electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, laser sessions, UHF;
- Massage. The procedure is carried out by the doctor or (after training) by the patient's spouse - emotional comfort and family support are of great importance to the sick person. Massage improves the outflow of purulent-inflammatory secretions from the prostate ducts.
The effectiveness of the prescribed treatment is evaluated after 10-14 days: if there is a positive trend, the course continues after a short break. In the absence of improvements, it is decided to cancel some drugs and procedures, replace them with others.
Prophylaxis
The prostate in men, symptoms and treatment is a topic that every member of the stronger sex who has reached childbearing age should study in detail. Knowledge of preventive measures will help to avoid inflammation.
How to protect yourself from prostatitis? It is recommended to avoid hypothermia and unprotected sex, to get tested regularly for STDs. It is necessary to empty the bladder in a timely manner, choose loose pants.