Signs of prostatitis in men: symptoms, description and treatment

Prostate inflammation today is a leader in the group of mainly sexually transmitted male diseases. Its complications threaten infertility, decreased libido and impotence.

The symptoms of prostatitis are not only pain, difficulty urinating and inflammation of the spermatic cord. The most dangerous consequence of advanced inflammation can be cancerous degeneration of the prostate. While a pathological process diagnosed in time is easily stopped.

Signs of illness

If a man discovers at least two of the following symptoms of prostatitis, he should immediately contact a qualified specialist:

• Disorder of urination with the appearance of an intermittent, weak, unusually short stream of urine, causing splashing, difficulty and pain before urinating. The frequent urge to empty the bladder occurs mainly at night.
• The pain, located in the lower abdomen, radiates to the scrotum, perineum and rectum.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Ejaculation problems, changes in sperm (consistency, quantity).

Acute prostatitis

The disease begins with a sharp increase in temperature (up to 40 degrees), painful headache and fever. The symptoms that appear are accompanied by pain in the groin, perineum, back, discharge from the urethra, frequent urination and a constant urge to urinate.

Bladder emptying occurs with a delay and a burning sensation. The urine itself becomes cloudy and may contain blood. Irritability and fatigue appear.

The result of acute prostatitis can be a complete resolution of the process (if treatment is started on time). Since changes occur in many pelvic organs, they cannot be left to chance, otherwise the corresponding complications will arise:

• Vesiculitis is an inflammation of the seminal vesicles, causing the appearance of pus in the spermatozoa, which not only reduces the quality of ejaculate, but also leads to loss of reproductive function.
• Colliculitis - inflammatory changes in the seminal tubercle become the cause of the development of severe pain during sexual intercourse, interruption of orgasm and impotence of a psychological nature.
• The formation of an abscess in the body of the prostate, its rupture and purulent lesions of the rectum lead to exacerbation of symptoms, severe intoxication of the body, and even death.
• Stagnation of prostate tissues leads to changes in their structure, disruption of innervation, blood supply, both to the gland itself and to organs located nearby, with disruption of their functions. The erection becomes insufficient for complete sexual intercourse, premature ejaculation and prolonged sexual intercourse without orgasm are observed.
• Scar changes in the spermatic gland and cord lead to infertility, a decrease in sperm quality and motility. The stricture of the urethra interferes with the normal process of urination; Bladder obstruction can cause acute urinary retention, requiring emergency surgical care.

Chronic prostatitis

The main feature of the disease is the vagueness of clinical symptoms with a long and persistent course of the process. Most often, the chronic form occurs independently, as a primary pathology against the background of stagnation of blood in the vessels (prostatosis), abacterial prostatitis.

The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis are:

• fever;
• pain occurs in the scrotum, perineum, anus and back;
• urinary disorders;
• mucous or mucopurulent discharge from the rectum, urethra, even in the absence of urination or defecation;
• erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, interrupted sexual intercourse, prolonged sexual intercourse without a feeling of satisfaction.

Inaction and improper treatment of chronic prostatitis can lead to complications:

• Infertility is the result of chronic inflammation of the spermatic cord, vesicles, testicles and their appendages.
• Cystitis, pyelonephritis (other diseases of the genitourinary system) are a consequence of hematogenous and mechanical spread of microbes.
• Sepsis.
• Persistent decrease in immunity.
• Untreated prostatitis can cause cancer in 35 to 40% of cases.

Diagnostic

The clinical picture of the disease is typical, so the diagnosis is not difficult. It is carried out by a urologist on the basis of medical history, examination of the patient, a minimum of laboratory using the most modern medical devices:

• Rectal examination of the gland, collection of secretions for examination (culture with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics).
• UAC, UAM, urine bacterial culture.
• Smear for STDs, UGI examination.
• Daily monitoring of urination rhythm, measurement of urination rate (uroflowmetry).
• For differential diagnosis, ultrasound or TRUS is performed.
• If it is necessary to exclude oncology, a biopsy is performed, urography is performed and PSA is determined - prostate specific antigen.
• To diagnose infertility, a spermogram is prescribed - an analysis of ejaculate to determine a man's fertility.

Based on the results of the patient's examination, an individual complex treatment regimen for prostatitis is developed. When prescribing medications, the form of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases are taken into account. The decision about where to carry out treatment (inpatient or outpatient) is made by the doctor. The course of treatment is carried out with careful control of the laboratory results.

Treatment of acute prostatitis

Acute prostatitis requires bed rest, a special salt-free diet and sexual rest.

Course processing methods:

• The most effective treatment for prostatitis is etiotropic therapy. If prostatitis is an infection, a course of antimicrobial agents is a priority, which relieve the manifestations of inflammation.
• Pain syndrome is relieved by analgesics, antispasmodics, rectal suppositories, microenemas with warm solutions of painkillers. NSAIDs may be used.
• Immunostimulants, immunomodulators, enzymes, vitamin complexes and a combination of microelements have proven their effectiveness.
• Physiotherapeutic methods are possible only in the subacute stage of the disease. They improve microcirculation and increase immunity: UHF, microwaves, electrophoresis, laser, magnetotherapy.
• Massage is another effective method of influencing the prostate. It opens the ducts, normalizes blood circulation in the scrotum and pelvis.
• Acute retention of renal filtrate can be corrected by catheterization and trocar cystostomy.
• The purulent process involves surgical intervention.
• Psychologist consultations.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

With a long-term (at least a month) effect on the prostate, there is no 100% guarantee of cure. Priority goes to medicinal plants, immunocorrection, changing household habits:

• Herbal preparations are widely used in urological practice. They are able to accumulate at the site of the most active pathological process, protect cells from oxidation, eliminate free radicals and prevent the proliferation of glandular tissue.
• Antibacterial therapy is selected individually, depending on the sensitivity of microbes to drugs.
• Medicines that strengthen immunity not only help to cope with prostatitis, but also correct the negative effects of antibiotics that disrupt the functioning of the immune system.
• The pain syndrome is relieved by the administration of alpha-blockers and muscle relaxants.
• Prostate massage allows you to mechanically remove "extra" secretion from the gland through the urethra, improve blood circulation and minimize congestion.
• Physiotherapy: laser, magnet, ultrasound, iontophoresis, hot sitz baths or herbal microenemas.
• In severe cases, intravenous fluids containing diuretics are indicated. This stimulates abundant urine production, prevents symptoms of intoxication, the development of ascending cystitis and pyelonephritis.
• For constipation, herbal laxatives are used.
• The urologist and psychologist, together with the patient, develop an individual long-term program including a daily routine, the necessary rest, diet, dosed physical activity and sexual activity.
• If the chronic process resists treatment and the flow of urine is blocked, surgical intervention is prescribed: removal of all affected tissues (transurethral resection of the prostate) or complete removal of the gland along with surrounding tissues (prostatectomy). Practiced in exceptional cases, it is fraught with impotence and urinary incontinence. Young people do not undergo surgery because it can cause infertility.

Symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis

Many men suffer from chronic prostatitis, but they attribute the symptoms to other illnesses or waste time with ineffective treatments. From our article you will learn complete information about this male problem: causes, exact symptoms and diagnostic methods, various treatment methods.

Despite all the successes of modern medicine, the diagnosis of a disease such as chronic prostatitis poses certain difficulties. This also negatively affects the effectiveness of its treatment.

Causes of chronic prostatitis

The causes of chronic prostatitis are very different. Among the variety of negative factors affecting a man's health, it is difficult to single out exactly those that provoked the development of the disease. It is often a set of situations and circumstances accompanying a man's life.

The main causes of chronic abacterial prostatitis are:

• dysrhythmia (irregularity) of sexual intercourse;
• physical inactivity, typical of overweight people;
• long-term stressful conditions;
• the predominance of foods high in fat in the diet;
• negative impact on the body in hazardous industries.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the result of incompletely cured bacterial prostatitis. Or the man ignored the diseases and did not seek help from a urologist. No treatment was therefore carried out.

Chronic prostatitis of the abacterial type develops due to exposure to infectious agents against the background of decreased immunity. As a rule, such patients are diagnosed with diseases of the endocrine system.

The factors that provoke the development of chronic bacterial prostatitis are:

• surgical operations on the prostate (if no antibacterial treatment was carried out before the operation);
• refusal to use contraception;
• lack of habit of keeping your body clean.

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

There are many myths about chronic prostatitis today. For this reason, any temporary disturbance in sexual function is attributed to this disease. We often hear the opinion that decreased libido and erectile dysfunction are due to prostatitis, and if it is an older man - chronic prostatitis.

This is not true, because sexual dysfunction has many other causes and the main symptom of chronic prostatitis is pain. All other signs can be considered concomitant and indirect.

Chronic prostatitis is often confused with pelvic pain syndrome because the symptoms of these conditions are largely similar. This is due to the formation of myosfacial trigger zones near the prostate, which appear as a result of injuries and surgical procedures. Pain in these areas may be confused with a symptom of prostate inflammation.

When diagnosing the disease, complaints of pain and discomfort in the perineum and pelvis, lasting at least 3 months, are highlighted. The pain is localized near the prostate and radiates to the sacrum, rectum and scrotum. With prolonged exposure to negative factors (carrying heavy objects, excessive physical activity, standing for a long time), the pain intensifies.

A characteristic sign of the disease is premature ejaculation. Patients experience decreased sexual desire and erectile dysfunction. These symptoms are also characteristic of other genitourinary diseases. We cannot therefore say that they are characteristic of chronic prostate disease.

An important symptom is the disappearance of orgasm. If the patient begins to notice that the severity of sensations during ejaculation has disappeared, this is a reason for a more attentive attitude to his health and a signal about the need to consult a urologist.

The structure of the inflamed prostate becomes denser, the pressure on the urinary tube increases, and the quality of urination deteriorates. Patients with chronic prostatitis notice a frequent urge to urinate at night. The process of urinary excretion is accompanied by a burning sensation, tingling and pain. Urinary incontinence often occurs.

Signs of chronic prostatitis can be expressed in full or in part. Much depends on the patient's health status and the presence or absence of other diseases. Chronic prostatitis is characterized by a wave-like course, with waxing and waning symptoms. With this disease, the inflammatory process is not acute.

Laboratory research methods

If chronic prostatitis is suspected, first of all they find out what its nature is: bacterial or abacterial. In the first case, it is necessary to identify the pathogen(s) and to know which drugs they are sensitive to. To do this, laboratory analyzes of urinary and prostate secretions are carried out.

If, after a period of 10 days after DRE, the PSA test shows that the level of prostate specific antigen exceeds 4. 0 ng/ml, this is a reason to refer the patient for biopsy in order to exclude a processoncological.

The following search methods are recommended:

• urethral scraping;
• general and biochemical urine analysis;
• LHC culture of prostate secretion.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

Treatment of chronic prostatitis requires an integrated approach. Taking medication alone is not enough. Physiotherapeutic procedures and therapeutic exercises are necessary. In general, chronic prostatitis is difficult to treat and requires a radical lifestyle overhaul, changes in habits and, in some cases, a change of job. Urologists insist that only a set of measures will completely get rid of this disease or ensure long-term remission.

Whether the disease is bacterial or abacterial in nature, prostate congestion played a major role in its formation. The viscous secretion deposited in the ducts of the gland constitutes a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. Therefore, the main attention should be paid to eliminating stagnation.

The problem can be solved by changing the lifestyle and including physiotherapy classes in the daily schedule.

Exercise complexes have been developed, adapted to different life situations:

• for men who are forced to sit most of the time (drivers, office workers, managers);
• for people who are overweight;
• for those who don't have time to do exercises.

Having thought about how to treat chronic prostatitis, you should decide to seriously reconsider your attitude towards your health.

Treatment with medications

For chronic prostatitis, outpatient treatment is mainly carried out. If the pathological process persists and it is not possible to achieve remission with this method, hospitalization is recommended. In a hospital, under the supervision of medical staff, there are much more opportunities to comply with the regime and monitor the development of the patient's condition.

Chronic prostatitis in men develops against the background of endocrine disorders. In this regard, 5-alpha reductase inhibitor drugs and alpha 1-blockers are recommended. They help to normalize hormonal levels and eliminate symptoms of pathology.

An integrated approach includes taking medications such as:

Methods for treating chronic bacterial prostatitis

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotics. The most effective drug for a particular patient is determined using a preliminary laboratory study of prostate secretions.

There is no universal drug to suppress and destroy pathogenic microflora. What helps one patient may not help another. For this reason, there are many negative reviews regarding drugs advertised for the treatment of chronic prostatitis.

The drugs recommended for antibacterial treatment are fluoroquinolones. Most bacteria are sensitive to it.

Treatment with medicinal plants

Many people doubt whether chronic prostatitis can be cured using medicinal plants. The answer to this question was obtained thanks to many years of use of these healing agents in urological practice.

Today, the following therapeutic complexes are recommended:

All of these drugs have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the male genitourinary system. Effective treatment of chronic prostatitis is possible provided that urinary function is normalized. The components included in medicinal plants fulfill this task. They help reduce the frequency of impulses and eliminate slow flow syndrome.

For patients with chronic prostatitis, herbal mixtures containing pumpkin extract or pumpkin seeds are recommended. The latter have a unique chemical composition and act in three directions at once:

• normalize metabolism;
• strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
• activate blood circulation in the pelvic organs.

Taking medicinal plants cannot be considered the main method of treatment. These health-enhancing agents are considered concomitant with drug treatment.

Non-drug treatment

Non-drug therapeutic methods make it possible to act directly on the prostate, increase the concentration of drugs in its tissues and help eliminate congestion.

Today, non-drug treatment focuses on laser therapy. The possibilities of this technique are wide. Under the influence of a laser, the following processes occur in the prostate:

• activation of redox reactions;
• blood microcirculation improves;
• new capillaries form;
• pathogenic microflora is suppressed;
• The process of cell division is activated, which promotes tissue regeneration.

During the period of research into the effects of laser therapy on patients with prostatitis, a side effect, but positive for therapeutic purposes, was noted. Those who completed the course increased their potency, eliminated erectile dysfunction and regained vitality. To achieve this result, it is necessary to use a beam of a specific wavelength. Generally, low-level laser radiation is used to treat chronic prostatitis.

This technique can have several positive effects:

Patients can, on their own initiative, undergo a course of laser therapy if it is not prescribed by the attending physician.

Surgical treatment of chronic prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis does not pose a threat to the patient's life, but can significantly reduce its quality. The most serious complication of this disease is the formation of stones in the tissues of the gland. In order to free it from the prostatoliths, a transurethral resection is used.

The surgical procedure is carried out under TRUS control.

If complications such as prostate sclerosis arise, transuretal electrosurgery is performed. If sclerosis of the bladder neck is observed in association with this pathology, partial resection of the prostate is performed.

When the seminal and excretory ducts are blocked, endoscopic operations are indicated to eliminate the obstruction of secretion permeability. For this purpose, an incision is made in the seminal vesicles and excretory ducts. In the event of an abscess, complete removal of the gland is possible.

Exercises for the treatment of chronic prostatitis

There are a number of effective exercises to stimulate the prostate, which helps relieve congestion. This complex was developed for patients suffering from hip joint problems. Practice has shown that these exercises are also useful for people with prostatitis. Classes can be held at a convenient time, the complex will take no more than 15 minutes.

Exercise #1

1. Lying on an exercise mat, straighten both arms.
2. Bend your knees and pull them towards you, simultaneously spreading them in different directions.
3. Raise the pelvis as much as possible. Repeat 10 to 12 times.

Exercise #2

Standing on the mat, do deep squats.

Repeat 10 to 12 times.

Exercise #3

1. Lie on your stomach.
2. Raise one leg, then the other. Repeat 10 to 12 times.

Exercise #4

They lie on their side.

When performing this set of exercises, all movements should be smooth. This is the main condition for obtaining a high therapeutic effect.

Treatment prognosis

Few men can completely cure chronic prostatitis. Prostate inflammation often enters a long-term remission phase. But when conditions arise for the activation of the pathology, a relapse occurs. An exacerbation begins with the appearance of pain in the prostate. They are often accompanied by urinary problems. At the first symptoms of relapse, you should seek help from a specialist.

Patients are recommended to visit a urologist regularly, at least once every six months. With the same frequency, they carry out examinations of the state of the prostate and take a PSA test. By systematically monitoring the condition of the gland, the processes provoking a relapse of the disease can be identified in a timely manner. But even with long-term remission, there is no guarantee that it will not be disrupted.

The patient should follow the recommendations to prevent exacerbations of the disease. It is recommended to balance your diet by excluding fatty and spicy foods. The use of medicinal plants and traditional medicine must be agreed with the attending physician. With this approach, you can minimize the risk of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis.

Is it possible to cure prostatitis yourself?

If there are serious symptoms, it is better to be treated by a specialist, the time factor plays an important role in treatment, because the longer the inflammation lasts, the greater the risk of irreversible changes in the organ. pupil.

But it is better to do prevention yourself: no doctor will do it for you.

Avoid hypothermia, stagnation during prolonged sitting, sexually transmitted infections, irregular sex life - all this is the means of effective prevention of prostatitis.