Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate tissue. Today, this is the most common urological disease, affecting mainly sexually active men. According to various data, in the group of patients aged 20-40 years, the prevalence of chronic prostatitis ranges from 20 to 35%. Moreover, this diagnosis combined with benign prostatic hyperplasia is increasingly found in the older age group.
Lack of effective treatment in time leads to complications such as erectile dysfunction and infertility.
Types of prostatitis
The classification used today is based on the division of all types of prostatitis, depending on the presence of infectious pathogens, leukocytes in prostate secretions, as well as clinical manifestations. According to him, there are 4 categories of prostatitis, each with specific symptoms:
| Prostatitis category | Signs | Prevalence |
|---|---|---|
| Acute bacteria | 1. Frequent urination, burning sensation. 2. Difficulty urinating with pain. 3. Pain on palpation in the lower abdomen. 4. Pain on prostate palpation. 5. Many leukocytes, bacteria and mucus in the urine. 6. High temperature, feeling unwell. |
up to 5% |
| Chronic bacteria | The signs are the same as acute bacterial infection, but less pronounced and without systemic manifestations and purulent content in the urine. There may also be blood in the semen, pain in the perineum and testicles, and large numbers of leukocytes in the semen and prostate secretions. | 5–10% |
| Non-chronic bacteria (inflammation, not inflammation) | Signs are the same as for the previous category, but microorganisms are not detected in prostate secretions, urine, or semen. And with non-inflammatory variants, there may not be an increase in the concentration of leukocytes in prostate secretions, sperm and urine. | 80–90% |
| Inflammation without symptoms | No clinical manifestations. The inflammatory process is observed in urine, semen and prostate secretions. | Unknown |
Signs and symptoms of prostatitis
Signs of prostatitis can be laboratory and clinical. In the first case, characteristic changes are detected in the general analysis of blood, urine and prostate secretions. Clinical signs refer to the symptoms that accompany the disease.
This includes:
- Increased body temperature.
- Pain in the perineum or lower abdomen.
- Frequent urination.
- The presence of blood in the urine or ejaculation.
- Pain when urinating.
Depending on the type of prostatitis, the severity of symptoms may vary. In the acute form, the first signs of prostatitis in men appear suddenly, which is the reason to consult a doctor. Chronic prostatitis, on the other hand, is asymptomatic and makes itself felt only during periods of exacerbation. The first signs of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis are pain in the perineum and urinary disturbances in the form of slow urine flow and the inability to urinate even with a strong desire. Without timely treatment, this disease leads to the development of complications, which are manifested by erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorders and infertility.
Diagnostics
With chronic prostatitis, the signs of the disease can vary significantly. Most often, patients experience 4 main syndromes:
- painfulAs a rule, complaints are made of pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, sacrum, and genitals. It can happen at rest and during exercise.
- Scanned. Patients note frequent or difficult urination, thinning of the flow or lethargy, sudden urge to urinate, as well as incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- Sexually. Characterized by potential violations. Some scientists attribute this to pathologically high excitability of the prostate nerve endings, caused by prolonged inflammation.
- Breeding. There is not only a violation of sperm formation, but also a decrease in the amount of ejaculation and a change in the composition of the prostate secretion.
According to some authors, in recent years, reproductive and sexual syndromes have become more common.
Along with subjective complaints, a digital rectal examination of the prostate is important. It is important to assess the shape, border condition, consistency, state of the seminal vesicles, as well as the presence of pain.
Laboratory tests for prostatitis may include:
- General blood and urine analysis.
- Microscopy of prostate secretions or urine.
- Bacteriological examination of urine or prostate secretions.
- PCR test for sexually transmitted infections.
- Uroflowmetry and determination of residual urine.
Laboratory data can be accompanied by instrumental studies, including ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc.
How to treat the symptoms of prostatitis
Symptom management is only one area of treatment. It also aims to restore the normal function of the prostate and prevent complications.
In the case of the bacterial form of prostatitis, the treatment plan includes antibacterial drugs that eliminate the pathogen. In this case, it is possible to influence the immediate cause of inflammation. The treatment program is always selected individually after a thorough examination and final diagnosis.
One of the most prescribed drugs for the treatment of chronic abacterial prostatitis is prostate extract, which has an organotropic effect on the prostate gland.
Prostate extract helps reduce swelling, reduce inflammation and improve secretion function, improving bladder muscle tone. This medicine also helps improve microcirculation in the tissue of the prostate gland, reduces the risk of thrombosis of small vessels, reduces pain, restores urination and normalizes sexual function.
lifefirst stagetreatment, prostate extract is prescribed in suppository form, and forsecond stagetablets are used for therapy. There are alsoimproved formmedicine that contains twice as much active ingredient as the classic suppository. Due to this diversity, doctors can take an individual approach to prescribe treatment for each patient.