Frequent, painful urination, discomfort in the perineum, hyperthermia, reduced potency and libido are problems faced by 80% of men aged 45-50 years, but most of them postpone visiting a doctor until the pain becomes unbearable.Unpleasant symptoms indicate inflammation of the prostate, which requires immediate treatment: prostatitis in men quickly becomes chronic and can lead to infertility, sexual dysfunction and oncology.
What is prostatitis
The prostate gland is an organ similar in size and shape to a chestnut and located below the bladder.Its lower part borders the perineum.The prostate in men performs the following functions: secretory - the production of sex hormones and secretions that determine the quality of sperm, and barrier - separating the processes of ejaculation and urination.
The second name of the gland is popularly used to denote a common disease that affects about half of the male population: the older the man, the higher the risk of disease - prostatitis is extremely rarely diagnosed in boys aged 20-25.The disease is dangerous with severe complications, so it is important to recognize it at an early stage.
The therapeutic course takes up to 14 days, and the patient must strictly observe preventive measures for several more months.If the disease has become chronic, the risk of relapse is 50%.
Classification
Treatment of the prostate gland in men sometimes drags on for years.The disease temporarily passes without symptoms, only to be reminded a few months later with a sharp decrease in immunity, disruption of the intestinal microflora and other stressful situations for the body.Prostate disease in men has several forms:
- Spicy.It is characterized by a bacterial infection of the prostate tissue.Typical signs are severe pain and a critical rise in temperature.The disease must be treated in a hospital setting;
- Chronic bacterial.Periodic attenuation of symptoms is often perceived as a signal of recovery, but this is an illusion - each subsequent exacerbation is more severe than the previous ones due to the development of purulent foci and the appearance of neoplasms;
- Asymptomatic.Absence of symptoms during active development of the disease.Such a prostate in men is often discovered accidentally, based on the results of a urine test;
- Granulomatous.Cessation of gland function due to overgrowth with connective tissue;
- Pelvic pain syndrome.A difficult form to diagnose, accompanied by constant pain in the pelvis, neurological and psycho-emotional disorders.
What does prostate mean in men?First of all, the diagnosis means the need to review your lifestyle, be patient and follow the doctor's recommendations - you may need to be treated for a long time.
What causes prostate cancer in men?
Reasons
The exact algorithm for the occurrence of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland has not been established, but a pattern has been identified: the probability of disease increases with a decrease in general immunity.why this happens Infectious pathogens entering the mucous membranes of a healthy person are in a "sleeping" 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;
- Injuries and bruises of the perineum;
- STDs;
- Inactive lifestyle, sedentary work;
- Incomplete sex life;
- Contraception using the method of interruption of sexual intercourse (incomplete ejaculation occurs);
- Stress, neuroses, depression;
- Bad habits - alcohol abuse, smoking;
- Drug intoxication.
Doctors also point to a link between the fashion for tight pants that squeeze the genitals and the rise in morbidity.Prostate symptoms in men who prefer skinny jeans are much more common in those who prefer baggy jeans.
Etiology of the chronic form
Permanent prostatitis in men is a consequence of improper treatment (or 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 rectal or bladder emptying, wearing tight underwear made of synthetic fabrics.
An additional factor is pelvic congestion caused by low mobility.A patient who has experienced what prostate cancer in men is in an acute form should take all measures to prevent recurrence: first of all, walk more to activate blood circulation.
Symptoms of inflammation of the prostate gland in men
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 an unpleasant pain in the pubic area and a slight increase in temperature.Soon the man notices discomfort during urination or sexual intercourse and a constant feeling of fatigue.
The follicular type is characterized by severe pain in the penis and lower back: it does not allow the intestines and bladder to empty completely.If left untreated, the third type of disease develops.
What is parenchymal prostate in men?Difficult urination turns into complete retention of urine, body temperature reaches 39-40 degrees, mucous discharge from the rectum appears.The condition is serious and requires immediate hospitalization.
Chronic prostatitis
The symptoms of this form are often vague and unexpressed, which makes diagnosis difficult.The pain syndrome acquires a constant character, is localized in the lower abdomen and is quite easily tolerated.Discomfort increases after intimacy.
Urination is slightly difficult - the stream of urine is intermittent.The calls are becoming more frequent.After physical exertion, an unusual discharge appears on the head of the genital organ.Erectile dysfunction is possible.The temperature is maintained at 37-37.3 C.
If symptoms of chronic prostatitis are observed in men, treatment should not be delayed: mild inflammation can lead to infertility.
Diagnosis
A timely visit to a urologist is the best solution if inflammation of the prostate gland is suspected.During the appointment, the doctor will ask several questions about your health and review the patient's medical record to gather a medical history.After that, an external examination and palpation of the organ through the rectum is performed.
To clarify the diagnosis, a number of tests are prescribed:
- Secret analysis;
- Ultrasound of the prostate;
- Taking material for PCR;
- MRI of the pelvic organs.
If necessary, the rate of urine flow 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 container with a sensor, which at the end of the process produces a graphic image.
Treatment of the prostate gland in men
Before prescribing a course of treatment, it is important to identify all the factors that provoked the inflammatory process.When the exact cause of prostatitis in men is established, treatment is more productive.The urologist develops an individual complex program that includes the following elements:
- Drug therapy.Antiviral drugs are prescribed for viral etiology, and antibacterial drugs are prescribed for infectious lesions.In parallel, anti-inflammatory suppositories and creams, immunostimulating agents and, if necessary, analgesics are used;
- Physiotherapy.The method is determined based on the picture of the disease.It can be electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, laser sessions, UHF;
- massage.The procedure is performed by a doctor or (after training) the patient's spouse - emotional comfort and family support are of great importance to the patient.Massage improves the outflow of purulent-inflammatory secretion from the prostate ducts.
The effectiveness of the prescribed therapy is evaluated after 10-14 days: if positive dynamics are observed, the course is continued after a short break.If there is no improvement, a decision is made to stop certain drugs and procedures and replace them with others.
Prevention
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 to avoid inflammation.
How to protect yourself from prostatitis?It is recommended to avoid hypothermia and unprotected intercourse and to be regularly examined for sexually transmitted diseases.You should empty your bladder promptly and choose loose pants.