Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate tissue. Today, it is the most common urological disease, affecting mostly sexually active men. According to various data, in the group of patients aged 20-40 years, the prevalence of chronic prostatitis varies from 20 to 35%. In addition, this diagnosis in combination with benign prostatic hyperplasia occurs more and more often in the older age group.
Lack of timely effective treatment 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 an infectious pathogen, leukocytes in the secretion of the prostate, as well as clinical manifestations. According to him, there are 4 categories of prostatitis, each of which has certain symptoms:
| Category of prostatitis | Signs | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Acute bacterial | 1. Frequent urination, burning sensation. 2. Difficult urination with pain. 3. Pain on palpation in the lower abdomen. 4. Pain on palpation of the prostate. 5. Many leukocytes, bacteria and mucus in the urine. 6. High temperature, malaise. |
up to 5% |
| Chronic bacterial | The symptoms are the same as in acute bacterial infections, but are 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 a large number of leukocytes in the semen and prostatic secretions. | 5–10% |
| Chronic non-bacterial (inflammatory, non-inflammatory) | The signs are the same as in the previous categories, but microorganisms are not detected in prostatic secretions, urine or semen. And in a non-inflammatory variant, there may not be an increase in the concentration of leukocytes in the secretions of the prostate, semen and urine. | 80–90% |
| Asymptomatic inflammation | No clinical manifestations. An inflammatory process is observed in the urine, seminal fluid and prostatic secretion. | unknown |
Signs and symptoms of prostatitis
Signs of prostatitis can be laboratory and clinical. In the first case, characteristic changes are found in the general analysis of blood, urine and prostate secretions. Clinical signs refer to the symptoms that accompany this disease.
They include:
- Increased body temperature.
- Pain in the perineum or lower abdomen.
- Frequent urination.
- Presence of blood in the urine or ejaculate.
- Pain when urinating.
Depending on the type of prostatitis, the severity of symptoms can vary. In acute forms, the first signs of prostatitis in men appear suddenly, which is the reason for consulting a doctor. Chronic prostatitis, on the contrary, is asymptomatic and is felt only during periods of exacerbation. The first signs of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis are pain in the perineum and urination disorders in the form of a slow stream of urine and the inability to urinate even with a strong desire. Without timely treatment, the disease leads to the development of complications, which are manifested by erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorders and infertility.
Diagnosis
In chronic prostatitis, the signs of the disease can vary significantly. Most often, patients experience 4 main syndromes:
- Painful. As a rule, complaints are of pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, sacrum and genitals. It can occur both at rest and during exercise.
- Dysuric. Patients note frequent or difficult urination, thinning of the stream or its sluggishness, sudden urge to urinate, as well as incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- Sexual. It is characterized by a violation of potency. Some scientists associate this with pathologically high excitability of the nerve endings of the prostate, caused by prolonged inflammation.
- Reproductive. There is not only a violation of the formation of spermatozoa, but also a decrease in the volume of the ejaculate and a change in the composition of the prostate secretion.
According to some authors, reproductive and sexual syndromes have become more common in recent years.
Along with subjective complaints, the digital rectal examination of the prostate is important. It is important to assess the shape, the state of the borders, the consistency, the state of the seminal vesicles, as well as the presence of pain.
Laboratory tests for prostatitis may include:
- General analysis of blood and urine.
- Microscopy of prostate secretion or urine.
- Bacteriological examination of urine or prostate secretion.
- 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 signs of prostatitis
Symptom management is only one area of treatment. It also aims to restore normal prostate function and prevent complications.
In the case of bacterial forms of prostatitis, the treatment plan includes antibacterial drugs that eliminate the pathogen. In this case, it is possible to influence the immediate cause of the inflammation. The treatment program is always selected individually after a comprehensive 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 secretory function, increasing bladder muscle tone. The drug also helps improve microcirculation in the tissues of the prostate gland, reduces the risk of thrombosis of small vessels, reduces pain, restores urination and normalizes sexual function.
OnFirst stagetreatment, extract from the prostate is prescribed in the form of suppositories, and forsecond stageTablets are used for treatment. There is alsoimproved forma drug that contains twice as much active ingredient as compared to classic suppositories. Because of this diversity, the doctor can take an individual approach in prescribing treatment for each patient.