Frequent painful urination, perineal discomfort, pyrexia, decreased potency and libido are problems faced by 80% of men between the ages of 45 and 50. However, most of them postpone seeing a doctor until the pain becomes unbearable. Unpleasant symptoms indicate inflammation of the prostate, which needs 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 under the bladder. Its floor is limited by the crotch. The prostate in men performs the following functions: secretion - production of sex hormones and secretions that determine the quality of sperm, and barrier - separation of the processes of ejaculation and urination.
The second name of the gland is popularly used to denote a common condition that affects roughly half the male population: the older the man, the higher the risk of the disease - prostatitis is found in men between the ages of 20 and 25Rarely diagnosed for years. The disease is dangerous with serious complications, so it is important to identify it early.
The therapeutic course lasts up to 14 days. For a few more months, the patient must strictly adhere to the preventive measures. If the disease has taken a chronic form, the risk of recurrence is 50%.
classification
Treatment of the prostate in men is sometimes delayed by years. The disease is temporarily asymptomatic, after a few months to remember itself 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 bacterial infection of the tissues of the prostate. Typical signs are severe pain syndrome, a critical increase in temperature. It is necessary to treat the disease in a hospital;
- Chronic bacteria. The periodic weakening of symptoms is often perceived as a signal of recovery, but this is an illusion - each subsequent exacerbation is more serious than the previous one, as purulent foci develop and neoplasms appear.
- Asymptomatic. The absence of symptoms with the active development of the disease. Such a prostate in men is often discovered accidentally, according to the results of urinalysis;
- Granulomatous. Termination of the function of the gland due to overgrowth with connective tissue;
- Pelvic pain syndrome. Difficult to diagnose form, accompanied by constant sensations of pain in the pelvic area, neurological and psychoemotional disorders.
What does the prostate mean in men? First of all, the diagnosis means the need to rethink the lifestyle, be patient and follow the doctor's recommendations - treatment can take a long time.
What causes the 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 that get on the mucous membranes of healthy people are in a "state of rest" and only spread when the body's protective functions are weakened. This is how the male prostate begins to develop.
Factors that increase risk:
- Hypothermia;
- Injuries and bruises of the perineum;
- Sexually transmitted diseases;
- Inactive lifestyle, sedentary work;
- Inappropriate sex life;
- Contraception by interrupting sexual intercourse (incomplete ejaculation occurs);
- Stress, neurosis, depression;
- Bad habits - alcohol abuse, smoking;
- Drug poisoning.
Doctors also point to a link between the fashion for tight pants that squeeze the genitals and the increase in morbidity. Symptoms of the prostate in men who prefer tight-fitting jeans are far more common than in looser-fitting followers.
Chronic etiology
Permanent prostatitis in men is a consequence of improper 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 the rectum or bladder, wearing tight underwear made of synthetic fabrics.
Another factor is the clogging of the small pelvis due to poor mobility. A patient who has experienced for himself what the prostate is in men in acute form must take all measures to prevent relapse: first, walk more to activate blood circulation.
Inflamed prostate in men symptoms
Acute prostatitis
There are three types of the 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 during sexual intercourse, a persistent feeling of tiredness.
The follicle type is characterized by severe pain in the penis and lower back: the intestines and bladder cannot be completely emptied. If left untreated, the third type of disease will develop.
Parenchymal prostate in men what is it? Difficulty urinating leads to complete retention of urine, body temperature reaches 39-40 degrees, there is a discharge of mucus from the rectum. The condition is severe and requires immediate hospitalization.
Chronic prostatitis
The symptoms of this form are often vague and unspoken, which makes diagnosis difficult. The pain syndrome becomes permanent, is localized in the lower abdomen and is quite easily tolerated. The discomfort increases after intimacy.
Urination is a little difficult - the flow of urine is intermittent. Wishes are becoming more common. An unusual discharge appears on the head of the penis after physical exertion. Erectile dysfunction is possible. The temperature is kept at 37-37. 3 ° C.
If symptoms of chronic prostatitis are observed in men, treatment should not be postponed: sluggish inflammation can lead to infertility.
diagnosis
A timely visit to the urologist is the best solution if inflammation of the prostate is suspected. During the appointment, the doctor will ask a few questions about the patient's health and review the patient's medical record to collect an anamnesis. An external examination and palpation of the organ through the rectum is also performed.
To clarify the diagnosis, a number of studies are assigned:
- Secret Analysis;
- Ultrasound of the prostate;
- Sampling of material for PCR;
- MRI of the pelvic organs.
If necessary, the urine flow rate during urination is measured with a special device, a uroflowmeter. The measurements are carried out in the clinic: the patient empties the bladder into a special vessel with a sensor that displays a graphic image at the end of the process.
Prostate treatment in men
Before prescribing a course of treatment, it is important to identify all the factors that triggered the inflammatory process. Finding out the exact cause of prostatitis in men will make treatment more productive. The urologist develops an individual, comprehensive program that includes the following elements:
- Drug therapy. With a viral etiology, antiviral drugs are prescribed, and with an infectious lesion, antibacterial drugs are prescribed. In parallel, anti-inflammatory suppositories and creams, immunostimulating agents and, if necessary, analgesics are used;
- Physical therapy. The method is determined based on the clinical picture. It can be electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, laser sessions, UHF;
- Massage. The procedure is carried out by the doctor or (after exercise) the patient's spouse - emotional comfort and family support are of great importance to the patient. Massage improves the outflow of purulent-inflammatory secretions from the ducts of the prostate.
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 improvement, it is decided to discontinue some drugs and procedures and 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 reproductive age should study in detail. Awareness of preventive measures will help prevent inflammation.
How do you protect yourself from prostatitis? It is recommended that you avoid hypothermia, unprotected sex, and get tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases. It is necessary to empty the bladder in a timely manner and choose loose-fitting pants.