Treatment of prostatitis

Symptoms of prostatitis in menProstatitis (lat. prostatitis) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate and is diagnosed in 35-40% of men aged 25-55. The older the patient, the higher the risk of prostatitis.When inflamed, the prostate enlarges and begins to press on the urethra. This process causes the ureteral lumen to narrow, causing men to begin to experience frequent urges to urinate and a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying. In the early stages, symptoms of prostatitis may be mild. However, over time, prostatitis becomes a cause of sexual dysfunction. In addition, pathology can lead to many complications:
  • Prostate abscess;
  • Cystitis.

Prostatitis or prostate adenoma?

The two diseases are often confused or mistaken for the same thing. At the same time, they have different properties and flow patterns.
Features prostatitis Prostatic hyperplasia
patient age 20–45 years old Over 45 years old
nature of disease inflammatory process tumor
pain syndrome present in acute form Appears in stages 2-3 of the disease
fever obviously absent
urination disorder present in acute form always exist
Reduced effectiveness Observed in both cases
Prostatitis mainly requires medical treatment, while prostate adenoma is a benign tumor that can be removed surgically. At the same time, prostate adenomas can cause prostatitis, which is why any inflammatory process in the pelvic organs requires prompt examination and treatment.

Causes of prostatitis

contagiousProstatitis can be caused by:
  • Staphylococcus aureus;
  • Enterococci;
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
  • sexually transmitted infections;
  • Chronic infectious diseases (tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc. );
  • Other opportunistic pathogens.
stagnantProstatitis occurs due to:
  • Sedentary lifestyle;
  • Sedentary work;
  • long-term abstinence;
  • excessive sexual activity;
  • Intercourse interrupted.
The listed factors lead to disruption of capillary blood flow and the development of stagnant processes in prostate tissue.Prostatitis becomes more severe when favorable factors arise, including:
  • chronic constipation;
  • low temperature;
  • Unbalanced diet;
  • urinary tract disorders;
  • often under stress;
  • Poisoning of the body due to smoking or drinking;
  • Perineal injury.

Types and symptoms of prostatitis

According to its form of occurrence, male prostatitis is divided into:Acute prostatitis. The first sign of the disease process is a pronounced pain syndrome, which appears against the background of a rapidly developing inflammatory process. Exposure to disease-causing microbiota can trigger prostate swelling. This condition requires emergency medical attention. Acute prostatitis, in turn, can take the following forms:
  • Catarrhal (painful frequent urination, sacral and perineal pain, difficulty with defecation);
  • Follicles (the pain intensifies and begins to radiate to the anus, a thin stream of urine flows out when going to the toilet, and the body temperature rises to 37. 5°C);
  • Parenchyma (body temperature rises to 38–40 ° C, systemic intoxication is observed, severe throbbing pain in the groin area, acute urinary retention occurs).
Chronic prostatitis is virtually asymptomatic or has mild symptoms. Male body temperature often rises to 37-37. 5°C, and there is slight pain in the perineum, which worsens during urination or defecation. Additionally, you may encounter:
  • Weakened erection;
  • accelerated ejaculation;
  • The severity of sexual feelings decreases.
In some cases, chronic prostatitis becomes the result of an acute process when the patient notices so-called false improvement and refuses to see a urologist. Often, self-medication at home can lead to many complications: abscesses or prostate adenomas, bladder inflammation, loss of fertility, etc.
Depending on the cause, prostatitis may be:
  • herpes,
  • bacteria,
  • contagious,
  • fungi,
  • suppuration,
  • Chlamydia,
  • gonorrhea,
  • Good at calculation,
  • fibrous,
  • Stagnant.

Diagnosis of prostatitis

Palpation determines the size, shape, and structure of organ tissue.Laboratory research. Allows you to diagnose prostatitis and other prostate diseases at an early stage or in chronic cases without obvious symptoms.
  • General blood and urinalysis;
  • Biochemical blood tests are performed to clarify the condition of the disease and determine the involvement of other internal organs and systems in the inflammatory process;
  • PSA blood test;
  • Urine culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing.
  • Genitourinary tract infection smear to detect STDs.
Ultrasound can identify structural changes in prostate tissue and detect tumors (cysts, tumors).TRUS is performed through the rectum, giving you the most complete information about the condition of your glands and bladder.MRI allows you to obtain detailed, layer-by-layer images of the prostate and surrounding tissue in three different projections.

Treatment of prostatitis

Treatment depends on the identified causative agent of prostatitis, so the patient needs to undergo a thorough examination.

Treatment of acute prostatitis

Antimicrobial treatment. Before prescribing antibiotics, doctors will recommend that patients undergo tests to determine the causative agent of the infection. After this, drugs are selected that help inhibit the activity of pathogenic microorganisms and eliminate the inflammatory process.Symptomatic treatment. In addition, a urologist may prescribe fever reducers, pain relievers, diuretics, laxatives, vitamins, immune modulators, and other medications.Surgery. Performed in case of complications. For example, if an abscess is present, the doctor may perform a transurethral or transrectal incision into the abscess; if acute urinary retention occurs, a cyst may need to be treated.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

Antimicrobial treatment. The course of treatment lasts for 14-28 days and must be completed even if the prostatitis symptoms disappear after a week. Antibiotics are used to eliminate infections and suppress inflammatory processes in the body.Symptomatic treatment. Depending on the indication, a urologist may prescribe analgesics, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory drugs, immunomodulatory drugs, vascular drugs, and other medications.Manual or hardware massage. One of the most effective ways to treat male prostatitis. Prostate massage helps clear stagnant secretions, improves the flow of blood and lymph fluid, and restores the metabolism of the affected organ.Physiotherapy. Depending on the indication, a urologist may prescribe electrical stimulation, laser, or magnetic therapy. These surgeries help improve circulation, have anti-inflammatory effects, and help restore reproductive function.

Prevent prostatitis

It's much easier to prevent prostatitis than to treat it afterward. To do this, just follow these suggestions:Annual inspection. Even if there is nothing wrong with your health, it is necessary to visit a urologist every year.Sports activities. Regular physical activity helps improve metabolic processes throughout the body, including the prostate.Say no to promiscuity. Sex is very important to men's health, but frequent changes in sexual partners can cause bacterial prostatitis and related complications.Balanced diet. You need to eat it at least 3 times a day. The diet should include low-fat fish and meat, grains, fermented dairy products, fresh vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to limit consumption or completely avoid carbonated drinks, fatty and smoked foods, baked goods and spices. Say no to bad habits. Drinking alcohol and smoking can reduce immunity, put additional stress on the body, and create favorable conditions for the occurrence of many diseases.

Questions and Answers

Question: How to distinguish acute prostatitis from chronic prostatitis?Answer: We should first consider the fact that acute attacks of this disease usually occur in people under the age of 30-35 years. Chronic prostatitis is considered non-aging. The acute form of the disease usually causes the following symptoms to appear quickly:
  • Rapid increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees);
  • severe headache;
  • A fever begins.
Acute prostatitis is also characterized by persistent pain in the groin, back, and perineum.In contrast, chronic forms of prostatitis may not cause symptoms for a long time. Over time, a person develops a fever and periodic pain in the anus, scrotum, back, and perineum.
Urination is impaired and purulent discharge begins in the anus and urethra. Chronic prostatitis can also lead to erectile dysfunction. Ejaculation becomes painful and sexual intercourse becomes unpleasant.
Question: What will happen if prostatitis is not treated?Answer: If a man does not receive treatment for diagnosed prostatitis, complications and accompanying conditions may develop
  1. Seminal vesiculitis. This disease is characterized by an inflammatory process in the seminal vesicles. As a result, pus enters the semen and sperm quality decreases. Seminal vesiculitis often results in complete loss of reproductive function.
  2. Qiuyan. Diseases in which the inflammatory process affects the spermatozoa. As a result, men experience severe pain during sexual intercourse, leading to an interrupted orgasm. Without treatment, a man can develop psychogenic impotence.
  3. abscess. It forms in the prostate and causes poisoning in the body. Its rupture can lead to worsening symptoms and, in some cases, death.
  4. Infertility. It occurs against the background of deterioration of sperm quality and inflammatory processes in the testicles, spermatic cord and vesicles.
  5. Against the background of prostatitis, immunity often decreases. About one-third of all cases of the disease that go untreated eventually develop tumors. Prostatitis must be treated in specialized men's clinics.
Question: Where should prostatitis be treated?A: The diagnosis is usually made by a urologist based on a study of symptoms. To confirm prostatitis, various studies are usually performed:
  • General blood and urine tests;
  • STD smear test;
  • secret research;
  • Uroflowmetry;
  • Ultrasonography.
In some cases, a biopsy and sperm test are also required.