Signs of prostatitis in men: symptoms, description and treatment

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

The symptoms of prostatitis are not just pain, urinary disorders and inflammation of the spermatic cord. The most dangerous consequence of advanced inflammation may be cancerous degeneration of the prostate. Whereas a pathological process diagnosed in a timely manner is easily stopped.

Signs of the disease

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

• Urination disorder with the occurrence of a weak and intermittent stream of urine, abnormally short, causing splashing, difficulty and pain before urinating. The frequent need to empty the bladder occurs mainly at night.
• The pain, located in the lower abdomen, radiates to the scrotum, perineum and rectum.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Problems with ejaculation, changes in sperm (consistency, quantity).

Acute prostatitis

The disease begins with a sharp rise 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 occur.

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

• Vesiculitis is an inflammation of the seminal vesicles, causing the appearance of pus in the sperm, which not only reduces the quality of ejaculation, but leads to the loss of reproductive function.
• Coliculitis - inflammatory changes in the seminal tubercle become the cause of the development of severe pain during sex, interruption of orgasm and impotence of a psychological nature.
• The formation of an abscess in the prostate body, its rupture and purulent damage to the rectum lead to an exacerbation of symptoms, severe intoxication of the body and even death.
• Stagnation of prostate tissues leads to changes in its 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 full sexual intercourse, premature ejaculation and prolonged sexual intercourse without orgasm are observed.
• Cicatricial changes in the gland and spermatic cord lead to infertility, decreased sperm quality and motility. The narrowing of the urethra interferes with the normal urination process; 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. More often, the chronic form occurs independently, as a primary pathology against the background of stagnation of blood in the vessels (prostatosis), non-bacterial prostatitis.

The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis are:

• fever;
• pain occurs in the scrotum, perineum, anus, back;
• urinary disorder;
• 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 inadequate treatment of chronic prostatitis can cause complications:

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

Diagnosis

The clinical picture of the disease is typical, so the diagnosis is not difficult. It is carried out by a urologist based on medical history, patient examination, laboratory minimum 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.
• Swab test for STDs, UGI exam.
• Daily monitoring of urinary rhythm, measurement of urination rate (uroflowmetry).
• For differential diagnosis, ultrasound or TRUS is performed.
• If it is necessary to exclude oncology, a biopsy is taken, urography is performed and PSA - prostate specific antigen is determined.
• 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 scheme for the complex treatment of prostatitis is drawn up. 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 the therapy (inpatient or outpatient) is up to the doctor. The course of treatment is carried out with careful laboratory monitoring of the results.

Treatment of acute prostatitis

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

Clear treatment methods:

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

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

With a long-term (at least a month) effect on the prostate, there is no 100% guarantee of a cure. Priority goes to herbal medicines, immunocorrection, changing domestic 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, remove free radicals and prevent the proliferation of glandular tissue.
• Antibacterial therapy is selected individually, based on the sensitivity of microbes to drugs.
• Immunity-enhancing drugs 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 microenemas with herbs.
• In severe cases, intravenous fluids with diuretics are indicated. This stimulates abundant urine production, prevents symptoms of intoxication, 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 of daily routine, necessary rest, diet, dosed physical activity and sexual activity.
• If the chronic process is resistant to therapy and the outflow of urine is blocked, surgical intervention is prescribed: removal of all affected tissue (transurethral resection of the prostate) or complete removal of the gland 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 attribute the symptoms to other illnesses or waste time with ineffective treatments. In our article you will learn comprehensive information about this male problem: causes, exact symptoms and diagnostic methods, various treatment methods.

Despite all the successes of modern medicine, diagnosing a disease such as chronic prostatitis causes certain difficulties. This also negatively affects the effectiveness of your treatment.

Causes of chronic prostatitis

The causes of chronic prostatitis are very different. From the variety of negative factors that affect men's health, it is difficult to single out exactly those that provoked the development of the disease. Often this is a complex of situations and circumstances that accompany a man's life.

The main causes of chronic bacterial prostatitis are the following:

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

Chronic prostatitis of the bacterial type is the result of incompletely cured bacterial prostatitis. Or the man ignored the ailments and did not seek help from a urologist. Therefore, no treatment was performed.

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

Factors provoking the development of chronic bacterial prostatitis are:

• surgical operations on the prostate (if antibacterial therapy was not carried out before the operation);
• refusal to use contraception;
• lack of habit of keeping the body clean.

Chronic prostatitis symptoms

Today there are many myths about chronic prostatitis. For this reason, any temporary disturbances in sexual function are attributed to this disease. You can often hear the opinion that decreased libido and erectile dysfunction are due to prostatitis, and if you are an older man, chronic prostatitis.

This is not true, as 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, since the symptoms of these diseases are very similar. This is due to the formation of myosfacial trigger zones near the prostate, which arise as a result of injuries and surgical interventions. Pain in these areas may be mistaken for a symptom of prostate inflammation.

When diagnosing the disease, complaints of pain and discomfort in the perineum and pelvis come to light, lasting at least 3 months. The pain is located near the prostate, radiating 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. Therefore, it cannot be said that they are characteristics 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 in the urinary tube increases and the quality of urination worsens. Patients with chronic prostatitis notice a frequent urge to urinate at night. The process of urine excretion is accompanied by a burning, stinging and pain sensation. Urinary incontinence occurs frequently.

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 an undulatory course, with waxing and waning symptoms. In this disease, the inflammatory process is not acute.

Laboratory research methods

If chronic prostatitis is suspected, first they find out what its nature is: bacterial or abacterial. In the first case, it is necessary to identify the pathogen or pathogens and find out which drugs they are sensitive to. For this, laboratory tests of urine and prostate secretions are carried out.

If, after a period of 10 days after rectal examination, 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 a biopsy to exclude an oncological process .

The following research methods are recommended:

• urethra scraping;
• general and biochemical analysis of urine;
• 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 required. In general, chronic prostatitis is difficult to treat and requires a radical review of lifestyle, changes in habits and, in some cases, a change of job. Urologists insist that only a set of measures will help to completely eliminate the disease or ensure long-term remission.

Regardless of whether the disease was bacterial or non-bacterial in nature, prostate congestion played an important role in its formation. The viscous secretion deposited in the gland's ducts is a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. Therefore, the main attention should be focused on eliminating stagnation.

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

Exercise complexes suitable for different life situations have been developed:

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

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

Drug treatment

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

Chronic prostatitis in men develops against the background of endocrine disorders. In this sense, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors 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:

Treatment methods for chronic bacterial prostatitis

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotics. The most effective medication for a specific patient is determined through a preliminary laboratory study of prostate secretions.

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

The recommended drugs for antibacterial therapy are fluoroquinolones. Most bacteria are sensitive to them.

Treatment with herbal remedies

Many people doubt whether chronic prostatitis can be cured with the help of herbal remedies. The answer to this question was obtained through many years of use of these healing agents in urological practice.

Today the following treatment complexes are recommended:

All these medicines have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the male genitourinary system. Effective treatment of chronic prostatitis is possible as long as urinary function is normalized. The components included in herbal medicines perform this task. They help reduce the frequency of urges 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.

The use of herbal medicines cannot be considered the main method of treatment. These health-enhancing agents are considered concomitants of drug therapy.

Non-drug treatment

Non-drug therapy methods allow you 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 are formed;
• pathogenic microflora is suppressed;
• The cell division process is activated, which promotes tissue regeneration.

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

This technique can have several positive effects:

Patients can, on their own initiative, undertake a course of laser therapy, if 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 gland tissues. To free it from the prostatoliths, transurethral resection is used.

Surgical intervention is performed under TRUS control.

If complications such as prostate sclerosis occur, transurethal electrosurgery is performed. If sclerosis of the bladder neck is observed in combination 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 patency. To do this, an incision is made in the seminal vesicles and excretory ducts. In case of abscess, complete removal of the gland is possible.

Exercises for the treatment of chronic prostatitis

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

Exercise #1

1. Lying on a gym mat, stretch both arms upwards.
2. Bend your knees and pull them towards you, simultaneously spreading them in different directions.
3. Raise your pelvis as much as you can. Repeat 10-12 times.

Exercise #2

Standing on the mat, do deep squats.

Repeat 10-12 times.

Exercise #3

1. Lie face down.
2. Raise one leg and then the other. Repeat 10-12 times.

Exercise #4

They stand aside.

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 are able to completely cure chronic prostatitis. Prostate inflammation often goes into a long-term remission stage. But when conditions arise for the activation of the pathology, a relapse occurs. An exacerbation begins with the occurrence of pain in the prostate. They are often accompanied by urinary disorders. At the first symptoms of relapse, you should seek help from a specialist.

It is recommended that patients regularly visit a urologist, at least once every six months. With the same frequency, they perform prostate health checks and take a PSA test. By systematically monitoring the state of the gland, the processes that provoke the 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 disturbed.

The patient must follow recommendations to prevent exacerbations of the disease. It is recommended to balance the diet by excluding fatty and spicy foods. The use of herbal medicine 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 alone?

If there are severe symptoms, it is best to seek a specialist, the time factor plays an important role in the treatment, as the longer the inflammation lasts, the greater the likelihood of irreversible changes in the organ.

But it's 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 path to effective prevention of prostatitis.