Signs of prostatitis in men: symptoms, description and treatment

Today, inflammation of the prostate gland is the leader in the group of male diseases that are mainly sexually transmitted. Its complications threaten infertility, decreased libido and impotence.

Symptoms of prostatitis are not only pain, urinary disorders and inflammation of the spermatic cord. The most dangerous consequence of advanced inflammation can be cancerous degeneration of the prostate gland. However, the pathological process diagnosed in time is easily stopped.

Symptoms of the disease

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

• Disturbance of urination, causing an unusually short, splashing, difficulty and pain before urinating, with an intermittent, weak stream of urine. The urge to urinate frequently occurs mostly at night.
• Pain localized in the lower abdomen spreads to the scrotum, perineum and rectum.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Problems with ejaculation, changes in sperm (consistency, quantity).

Acute prostatitis

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

Bladder emptying occurs with delay and burning sensation. Urine itself is cloudy and may contain blood. Irritation and fatigue occur.

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 relevant complications will arise:

• Vesiculitis is an inflammation of the seminal vesicles, which is the cause of the formation of pus in spermatozoa, and this not only reduces the quality of ejaculation, but also leads to loss of reproductive function.
• Coliculitis - inflammatory changes in seminal tuberculosis cause the development of severe pain during sexual intercourse, cessation of orgasm and psychological impotence.
• The formation of an abscess in the body of the prostate gland, its rupture, and purulent damage to the rectum cause aggravation of symptoms, severe intoxication of the body, and even death.
• Stagnation in the tissues of the prostate causes changes in their structure, disruption of innervation, disruption of blood supply to both the gland itself and nearby organs, and disruption of its functions. Erection is insufficient for full sexual intercourse, premature ejaculation and long sexual intercourse without orgasm are observed.
• Cicatricial changes in the gland and spermatic cord lead to infertility, reduced sperm quality and sperm motility. The narrowing of the urethra prevents the normal urination process, the blockage of the bladder can cause acute urinary retention, requiring urgent surgical assistance.

Chronic prostatitis

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

The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis:

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

Inactivity and improper treatment of chronic prostatitis can lead to 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 the result of hematogenous and mechanical spread of microbes.
• Sepsis.
• Continuous decrease in immunity.
• Untreated prostatitis can lead to cancer in 35-40% of cases.

Diagnostics

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

• Rectal examination of the gland, taking secretions for examination (culture with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics).
• UAC, UAM, bacterial culture of urine.
• Smear test for STD, UGI examination.
• Daily monitoring of the rhythm of urination, measurement of the rate of urination (uroflowmetry).
• Ultrasound or TRUS is performed for differential diagnosis.
• 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 ejaculation 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 the drug, the form of the pathology and the presence of accompanying diseases are taken into account. The doctor decides where the treatment will be carried out (inpatient or outpatient). 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 abstinence.

Course treatment methods:

• The most effective treatment of prostatitis is etiotropic therapy. If the basis of prostatitis is an infection, a course of antimicrobial agents that eliminate the manifestations of inflammation is a priority.
• Pain syndrome is eliminated with analgesics, antispasmodics, rectal suppositories, microenemas with warm solutions of painkillers. NSAIDs can be used.
• The combination of immunostimulants, immunomodulators, enzymes, vitamin complexes and trace elements has proven its effectiveness.
• Physiotherapy methods are possible only in the subacute stage of the disease. They improve microcirculation and increase immunity: UHF, microwave oven, electrophoresis, laser, magnetic therapy.
• Massage is another effective way to affect the prostate. It opens the channels, normalizes blood circulation in the scrotum and pelvis.
• Acute renal filtrate retention can be corrected by catheterization and trocar cystostomy.
• The purulent process involves surgical intervention.
• Psychologist advice.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

There is no 100% guarantee of treatment with a long-term, course (at least one month) effect on the prostate gland. Priority is given to herbal medicines, immunocorrection, changing household habits:

• Herbal preparations are widely used in urological practice. They can 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.
• Medicines that strengthen immunity not only help to cope with prostatitis, but also correct the negative effects of antibiotics that disrupt the function of the immune system.
• The pain syndrome is relieved by taking alpha-blockers and muscle relaxants.
• Prostate massage allows you to mechanically remove the "extra" secretion of the gland through the urethra, improve blood circulation and minimize blockage.
• Physiotherapy: laser, magnet, ultrasound, iontophoresis, hot sitz baths or microenemas with herbs.
• In severe cases, intravenous fluids with diuretics are indicated. It stimulates the production of abundant urine, prevents the symptoms of intoxication, the development of ascending cystitis and pyelonephritis.
• Herbal laxatives are used for constipation.
• Together with the patient, the urologist and psychologist 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 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 with surrounding tissues (prostatectomy). It is applied in exceptional cases, it is fraught with impotence and urinary incontinence. Young people are not operated on because it can cause infertility.

Symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis

Many men suffer from chronic prostatitis, but they associate the symptoms with other diseases or waste time on ineffective treatment. From our article, you will get comprehensive information about this men's 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 causes certain difficulties. This has a negative effect on the effectiveness of its treatment.

Causes of chronic prostatitis

The causes of chronic prostatitis are very diverse. It is difficult to separate the various negative factors that affect a person's health from those that lead to the development of the disease. Often it is a complex of situations and circumstances that accompany a person's life.

The main causes of chronic abacterial prostatitis are as follows:

• dysrhythmia (irregularity) of sexual intercourse;
• physical inactivity characteristic of overweight people;
• long-term stressful situations;
• predominance of fat-rich foods in the diet;
• adverse effect on the body in hazardous industries.

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

Abacterial chronic prostatitis develops due to exposure to infectious agents against the background of reduced immunity. As a rule, such patients are diagnosed with diseases of the endocrine system.

Factors leading to the development of chronic bacterial prostatitis:

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

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

Today there are many myths about chronic prostatitis. For this reason, any temporary disorders in sexual function are attributed to this disease. You can often hear the idea that decreased libido and erectile dysfunction are caused by prostatitis, and in older men, 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 accompanying and indirect.

Chronic prostatitis is often confused with pelvic pain syndrome, because the symptoms of these diseases are basically similar. This is due to the formation of myofascial trigger zones near the prostate, which appear as a result of injuries and surgical interventions. Pain in these areas can be mistaken for a sign of inflammation of the prostate gland.

In the diagnosis of the disease, complaints of pain and discomfort in the perineum and pelvic area lasting at least 3 months come to the fore. The pain is localized near the prostate, spreads to the sacrum, rectum and testicle. When exposed to negative factors for a long time (carrying heavy objects, excessive physical activity, standing for a long time), the pain intensifies.

A characteristic symptom of the disease is premature ejaculation. Sexual desire and erectile dysfunction decrease in patients. These symptoms are also characteristic of other genitourinary diseases. Therefore, it cannot be said that they are a symptom of chronic prostate disease.

An important symptom is the fading of orgasm. If the patient begins to notice that the intensity of sensations during ejaculation disappears, this is a reason for a more attentive attitude to his health and a signal of the need to visit a urologist.

The structure of the inflamed prostate becomes denser, the pressure on the urethra increases, and the quality of urine deteriorates. Patients with chronic prostatitis report a frequent urge to urinate at night. The process of urination is accompanied by a burning sensation, stinging and pain. Frequent urinary incontinence occurs.

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis can be expressed completely or partially. Much depends on the patient's state of health and the presence or absence of other diseases. Chronic prostatitis is characterized by a wave-like course, with signs of waxing and waning. The inflammatory process with this disease is not acute.

Laboratory research methods

If you suspect chronic prostatitis, first of all they find out what its nature is: bacterial or bacterial. 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 examinations of urine and prostate secretion are performed.

If the PSA test 10 days after DRE shows a prostate-specific antigen level greater than 4. 0 ng/ml, this is a reason to send the patient to a biopsy to rule out an oncological process.

The following research methods are recommended:

• scraping from the urethra;
• general and biochemical urine analysis;
• LHC culture of prostate secretion.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

Treatment of chronic prostatitis requires a complex approach. Just taking medicine is not enough. Physiotherapy procedures and therapeutic exercises are necessary. In general, the treatment of chronic prostatitis is difficult and requires a radical revision of lifestyle, change of habits, and in some cases, change of workplace. Urologists insist that only a complex of measures will help to completely get rid of this disease or ensure long-term remission.

Regardless of whether the disease is bacterial or not, blockages in the prostate gland have played a major role in its development. Viscous secretion accumulated in the ducts of the gland is a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. Therefore, the main focus should be on eliminating stagnation.

The problem can be solved by changing the lifestyle and incorporating physical therapy classes into the daily schedule.

Complexes of exercises suitable for different life situations have been developed:

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

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

Treatment with drugs

Chronic prostatitis is mainly treated on an outpatient basis. If the pathological process continues and remission cannot be achieved using this method, hospitalization is recommended. In a hospital, under the supervision of medical staff, there are more opportunities to follow the regimen and monitor changes in the patient's condition.

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

An integrated approach includes taking medications such as:

Methods of treatment of bacterial chronic prostatitis

Bacterial chronic prostatitis is treated with antibiotics. The most effective drug for a particular patient is determined using a preliminary laboratory study of prostate secretion.

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 about drugs advertised for the treatment of chronic prostatitis.

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

Treatment with herbal remedies

Many people doubt that chronic prostatitis can be treated with the help of herbal remedies. The answer to this question was obtained as a result of many years of use of these therapeutic agents in urological practice.

Today, the following treatment complexes are recommended:

All these drugs have a beneficial effect on the activity of the male genitourinary system. Effective treatment of chronic prostatitis is possible with normalization of urinary function. The components included in herbal medicines perform this task. They help reduce the frequency of urges and eliminate sluggish flow syndrome.

Herbal mixtures containing pumpkin extract or pumpkin seeds are recommended for patients with chronic prostatitis. The latter has a unique chemical composition and acts in three directions at once:

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

Taking herbal medicines cannot be considered as the main method of treatment. These health-enhancing agents are taken at the same time as drug therapy.

Non-drug treatment

Non-drug therapy methods allow you to act directly on the prostate, increase the drug concentration in its tissues and help to eliminate the blockage.

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

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

During studies on the effect of laser therapy on patients with prostatitis, side effects, but positive for the treatment, were noted. Those who completed the course increased potency, eliminated erectile dysfunction and regained vitality. To achieve this result, it is necessary to use a beam with a certain wavelength. In general, low-intensity laser radiation is used in the treatment of chronic prostatitis.

This technique can have several positive effects:

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

Surgical treatment of chronic prostatitis

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

Surgical intervention is performed under TRUS control.

If complications such as sclerosis of the prostate gland occur, transurethral electrosurgery is performed. If sclerosis of the bladder neck is observed along with this pathology, a partial resection of the prostate is performed.

When the seminal and excretory ducts are blocked, endoscopic operations are indicated to eliminate the obstruction of the excretory opening. For this purpose, an incision is made in the seminal vesicles and excretory ducts. In the case of an abscess, it is possible to completely remove the gland.

Exercises for the treatment of chronic prostatitis

There are a number of exercises that are effective in stimulating the prostate, which helps to relieve congestion. This complex is designed for patients with hip joint problems. Experience has shown that these exercises are also useful for those 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 the gym mat, raise both arms up.
2. Bend your knees and pull them towards you, spreading them in different directions at the same time.
3. Raise the bowl as high as they can. Repeat 10-12 times.

Exercise number 2

While standing on the floor, do deep squats.

Repeat 10-12 times.

Exercise No. 3

1. Lie on your stomach.
2. Lift one leg up, then the other. Repeat 10-12 times.

Exercise # 4

They lie on their sides.

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

Treatment prognosis

Very few men can completely cure chronic prostatitis. Inflammation of the prostate often goes into a long-term remission phase. However, when the conditions for the activation of the pathology are created, relapse occurs. Exacerbation begins with the occurrence of pain in the prostate. Often they are accompanied by urinary tract disorders. At the first signs of relapse, you should seek help from a specialist.

Patients are advised to regularly visit a urologist at least once every six months. At the same frequency, they conduct an examination of the state of the prostate and conduct a PSA test. By systematically monitoring the condition of the gland, it is possible to identify the processes that lead to the relapse of the disease in time. But even with long-term remission, there is no guarantee that it will not be broken.

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

Is it possible to treat prostatitis yourself?

If there are severe symptoms, it is better to be treated by a specialist, the time factor plays a big role in the treatment, because the longer the inflammation lasts, the higher the probability of irreversible changes in the body.

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 a way to effectively prevent prostatitis.