Chronic prostatitis: symptoms and treatment

Inflammatory processes observed in prostate tissue for three or more months are called chronic prostatitis.The long course of the disease suggests the beginning of the chronic stage.Statistics show that acute and chronic prostatitis often occurs against the background of complicated urethritis.

A special feature of chronic prostatitis is that in 50-70% of cases the disease does not manifest itself through pronounced symptoms.Only in 20% of cases do patients describe signs that indicate a chronic form of prostatitis.The remaining category of men only notesindirect symptoms of the disease, not directly related to prostatitis.Both young people, middle-aged men and the elderly are not immune to chronic prostatitis.

People who experience a lack of physical activity, engage in sedentary work and practice sexual abstinence are susceptible to prostatitis.So, truck drivers who spend most of their time behind the wheel experience the effects of negative factors: hypothermia and congestion of the pelvic organs.Representatives of contact sports and weightlifters are susceptible to microtrauma of prostate tissue.Men who show low sexual activity become hostages to this unpleasant disease due to stagnation of prostate secretions.They attack the prostate and cause acute and chronic prostatitis as well as various sexually transmitted infections through blood or lymph fluid.

Types and stages of chronic prostatitis

In urological practice, a distinction is made between:Forms of chronic prostatitis:

• Bacteria.The cause of the disease is an infection or pathogenic bacteria that have invaded the prostate.The most common is chronic prostatitis caused by chlamydia.The danger of this form lies in the possible infertility that awaits a man without timely treatment.
• Abbacterial.Chronic prostatitis of a non-infectious nature.Diagnosing the exact cause is quite problematic.Typically, such prostatitis arises due to the anatomical features of an individual man's prostate.The incorrect structure of the organ creates increased pressure on the urethra, which leads to frequent discharge of urine.Autoimmune diseases can also lead to degenerative changes in prostate tissue.
• Stagnant.Congestive chronic prostatitis occurs when the prostate does not empty completely and an excessive blood mass forms.Stagnation leads to an inflammatory reaction.
• Constant pelvic pain syndrome.A man complains of constant, unrelenting pain in the perineal area.
• Asymptomatic.Chronic prostatitis occurs in a latent form, without causing pain or discomfort, although inflammation is present.

Chronic prostatitis has its own stages of development

• Exudation stage.Rapid ejaculation and stabbing pain in prostate.
• Alternative stage.Painful sensations are replaced by discomfort, a shortening of the time of sexual intercourse and frequent urination.
• Proliferative stage.The frequency of the urge to go to the toilet increases, but problems with urine excretion appear.
• Stage of scar changes.Sclerosis of healthy prostate tissue occurs.Morphological changes lead to feelings of heaviness in the area of the sacrum and pubic bone, the urine stream becomes weaker and potency decreases.The sensations during orgasm are often blurred.

Causes

• infection.The source of pathogenic bacteria that enter the prostate is the blood and lymphatic vessels.Urological diseases and inflammation in the rectum are prerequisites for infection of the prostate tissue.Infection methods:
  • Descending- The infection enters the gland along with urine containing microbes.
  • Rising— The path of microbes that enter the prostate begins at the external opening of the urethra.
• Reduced protective functions of the body.One of the main culprits of chronic prostatitis is weakened immunity.This is promoted by hypothermia, frequent stressful situations, poor nutrition and bad habits.When immunity decreases, the body becomes susceptible to infections that cause inflammation of the prostate.
• Poor circulation.A sedentary and sedentary lifestyle is closely linked to chronic prostatitis.A man's internal organ systems suffer from a lack of physical activity: endocrine, cardiovascular, nervous.Blood microcirculation in the pelvis deteriorates, leading to hypoxia of prostate cells.
• Lack of regular sex life.Both denial of intimate life and excessive sexual activity lead to prostate problems.Many men with a strong sexual constitution engage in vigorous sexual activity.As a result of frequent sexual intercourse, her nervous system is exhausted, hormonal disorders occur and the erection gradually weakens.Incomplete sexual intercourse significantly harms prostate health.
• Chronic prostate injuries.The soft tissue of the prostate, which is often injured by excessive stress, shock, and vibration, can periodically become inflamed.
• Transurethral proceduresWithout accompanying antibiotic therapy, a prostate infection can occur.
• Urethral catheter, which a man has to live with for some time, also contributes to prostate infection.

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

The symptoms of chronic prostatitis are different.The first signs of chronic prostatitis that are noticed include pain during urination and impaired sexual function.Problems in the intimate area usually force a man to seek help from a doctor.For discomfort and pain in the pelvic areanot subside for longer than three months, then we can most likely speak of chronic prostatitis.

Most often, the pain syndrome spreads to the perineal area, but the discomfort can also be localized in the pubic and groin area.A man complains of pain in the anus, scrotum and glans.The pain radiates to the lumbosacral region.Attacks of pain can affect the inner thighs.Pain in one of the testicles usually does not indicate prostatitis.Complaints of pain after ejaculation are specific to the chronic course of the disease.

Common symptoms of chronic prostatitis also include increased sweating, feeling cold and trembling in the perineal area.Poor blood circulation in the pelvis can lead to thisto changes in skin color.

The chronization of the inflammatory process in the prostate leads to a disruption in its tone.In some cases, prostatorrhea develops.With this pathology, there is a spontaneous secretion of the gland that has no connection with arousal or ejaculation.

With chronic prostatitis, men may observe a small purulent or clear discharge from the penis, especially in the morning.Some patients find white flakes or threads in their urine.A sign of advanced calcareous prostatitis is the presence of traces of blood in the semen.

Many patients note the appearance of sexual dysfunction with a simultaneous decrease in libido and a deterioration in spontaneous erections.It is worth noting that the majority of patients suffer from impotencehas no critical connotation.In the early stages of chronic prostatitis, men experience premature ejaculation, which can become difficult over time.Some patients report a decrease in the intensity of sensations during sex.Urination problems are usually irritating in nature.

Diagnosis of the biological material of a man with chronic prostatitis shows a quantitative and qualitative violation of the secretion of the prostate gland.Morphological abnormalities of ejaculate parameters are rarely associated with male infertility.

During remission, most symptoms resolve and pain decreases.Many men calm down and attribute the situation to self-healing.But without appropriate therapy, foci of infection in the prostate remain during the exacerbation phaseThe symptoms worsen significantly, slight fever persists.

Diagnosis of the disease

For an experienced urologist, diagnosing chronic prostatitis is not difficult.Most likely, the most difficult thing is to determine the true cause that led to chronic prostatitis.

To confirm the diagnosisPerform the following procedures:

• Rectal examination with fingers.During a man's first visit to the urologist, a digital examination is performed.The back of the prostate gland is in contact with the rectum, which makes it possible to assess the condition of the prostate when a finger is inserted through the anus.By palpation of the posterior surface of the gland, the size and shape as well as consistency and pain of the inflamed organ can be determined.
• Microscopic examination of the prostate secretion.When examining biological material, a laboratory technician may notice an increased number of leukocytes - this signals the spread of pathogenic bacteria.
• Culture of glandular secretionB. about nutrient medium, bacterial species and antibiotic resistance using RIF and PCR methods.
• cystoscopy.An endoscopic imaging system is inserted into the bladder cavity.This diagnostic method of chronic prostatitis allows us to exclude cancer, cystitis and bladder injuries.
• Ultrasonic.The doctor may order an ultrasound scan before starting treatment for acute prostatitis so as not to miss the formation of an abscess in the organ.In men suffering from chronic prostatitis, ultrasound is performed to detect stones and cysts and to assess urethral pressure.Today, transrectal ultrasound, in which a sensor is inserted into the rectum, is more effective.
• Uroflowmetric diagnostic method.In this way, indicators of the urinary process are studied: the duration and speed of urine outflow.A rate above 10-15 ml/s indicates good urethral patency.Indicators below this norm indicate poor patency of the urinary canal due to chronic prostatitis.

Chronic prostatitis: treatment

Every clinical case requiresindividual selection of the treatment regimen.When choosing a therapy model, the causes of the disease, the duration of the disease and the presence of complicating factors are taken into account.

Drug treatment:

• Antibiotics.Antibacterial therapy is only indicated in cases of infection of the prostate with a bacterial pathogen that has been detected in the prostate secretion or urine.Antibiotics from the group of fluoroquinolones are prescribed.The treatment lasts two to eight weeks.After an antibacterial treatment, the symptoms often remain in full force as long as the infectious factor has been eliminated.
• Alpha blockersPrescribed to men to reduce hypertonicity of the bladder muscles and stabilize intraurethral pressure.They are ineffective if the patient has impaired muscle innervation and suffers from pelvic floor muscular dystrophy.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Help relieve pain syndromes.
• Selective antidepressants.Prescribed to men to improve their emotional background, relieve fears and self-doubt.
• Hormonal medications.Antiandrogens and androgens are used to adjust hormone levels.
• Immunostimulating drugs.Prescribed for proven immune deficiency.
• Regulators of uric acid levels.The appointment is justified if there are sand and stones in the prostate.
• Vitamin complexes.

Auxiliary methods for the treatment of chronic prostatitis

Some urologists believe that physical impact on the prostate significantly alleviates the patient's condition.However, most of these therapy methods have their contraindicationsprescribed under certain conditions:

• Prostate massage.Contraindicated in prostatic hyperplasia as acute urinary retention may occur.In addition, through massage you can spread the infection throughout the prostate and cause sepsis.If there are cystic formations in the prostate or venous stagnation, massage should be avoided.To free the gland from stagnation, natural drainage during ejaculation is considered the best option.
• Bubble gymnastics.Treatment consists of a group of special exercises aimed at improving the muscle tone of the bladder and its sphincter.
• Instillations.Infusion of medicinal solutions deep into the urethra.The procedure is very painful and often ends in complications.
• Physiotherapy.Treatment of the prostate with transrectal ultrasound, electrical stimulation, magnetic therapy and phonophoresis has a positive effect on poor tone of the pelvic floor muscles.Physiotherapy brings only temporary relief to the patient's condition.A lasting effect can only be achieved after eliminating the causes of prostatitis.
• Traditional medicine recipes.Honey with pumpkin seeds, alcohol tincture of horse chestnut and other folk methods are used after consulting the attending physician.

Surgical treatment of chronic prostatitis

Considering what pathological process provoked prostatitis, they usetransurethral resectionprostate gland.This is a modern surgical treatment method that replaces open surgery.With the help of an endoscope, the prostate cyst that has formed is emptied and, if the secretion is blocked, a surgical correction of the seminal vesicles is carried out.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis -long process, which requires patience and perseverance from a man.To prevent illness from catching you by surprise, you need to monitor your health, strengthen your immune system and treat colds in a timely manner.