One of the most common diseases of the male genitourinary system is chronic prostatitis.Medical practice shows that one in twelve sexually mature men suffers from this disease, and about 40% of cases are diagnosed in patients aged 20-40 years.Chronic prostatitis brings physical pain to the owner, often worsening the patient's general condition and interfering with his normal sexual life and social activities.What is the nature of the disease, how to avoid an unpleasant diagnosis - and if you are among those affected, what is the prognosis of treatment?
Causes of chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is a long-term inflammatory process of the prostate, accompanied by pain and discomfort in the pelvic area, urinary disorders and male sexual dysfunction.
Prerequisites for the development of chronic prostatitis can be infection, prostatic congestion, benign hyperplasia, or a combination of these factors.There are several possible ways an infection can enter the prostate:
- There is blood flow from the focus of infection in the body (pneumonia, dental caries, pustular skin lesions, sinusitis, etc.);
- With the influx of lymph from other organs (dysbiosis, hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.);
- Through the urethra, sexual intercourse (one of the consequences of infectious urethritis).
Non-infectious or non-bacterial prostatitis is 8 times more likely to be diagnosed than bacterial prostatitis; it occurs based on congestion processes and circulatory disturbances in the prostate and adjacent organs.
Urologists have identified the main causes of stagnant prostate secretions as follows:
- Irregular sex life and long-term abstinence;
- Poor ejaculation, interruption of sexual intercourse;
- Often unrealized sexual arousal.
Men who experience reduced physical activity, severe or mild but frequent hypothermia, chronic stress, and alcohol abuse are at increased risk for chronic prostatitis.
main symptoms of disease
Chronic prostatitis occurs when acute prostatitis is not treated in time or is ineffective. It is a slow-acting inflammatory process in the prostate.
In most cases, since there are no symptoms, the disease is usually discovered in patients only during a physical examination, which is why it is recommended that every man regularly visit a specialist to check for the presence of urinary tract diseases.However, the so-called "latent" phase of chronic prostatitis may transform into an acute phase when men are exposed to stress, inflammation, hypothermia, interruption of intimate life, etc.In this case, the following symptoms should serve as signals that urgent medical attention is needed:
- Increased sweating, especially in the perineal area;
- Itching or discomfort in the groin area;
- Frequent urination, painful urination, urinary retention;
- After urination or defecation, prostate secretions are discharged through the external urethral orifice;
- Mild increase in body temperature (up to 37.5); weakness, sleep and performance disturbances;
- Sexual dysfunction (unstable or weak erection, decreased sexual desire, rapid ejaculation, orgasmic disorder, pelvic area pain during ejaculation, etc.);
- Pain of varying severity and intensity in the perineum, lumbosacral area, and external genitalia
Collectively, these symptoms of chronic prostatitis can lead to a nervous system disorder characterized by a neurotic state in which the patient is preoccupied with his own health.
If left untreated, the possible consequences of chronic prostatitis
Unlike acute prostatitis, chronic prostatitis is characterized by wavelike, cyclic exacerbations alternating with relatively long periods of remission during which men can feel absolutely healthy.The patient's failure to contact a specialist led to the further development of the inflammatory process.
If inflammation spreads through the genitourinary system, complications such as cystitis or pyelonephritis may occur and may transform into urolithiasis.But most commonly, late-stage chronic prostatitis results in seminal vesiculitis (inflammatory disease of the seminal vesicles) or epididymo-orchitis (inflammation of the testicles).Both diseases can lead to refractory infertility and sometimes irreversible damage to male reproductive function.
One of the most serious consequences of chronic prostatitis is scarring of prostate tissue and atrophy of the organ.This process often spreads to the urethra and back of the bladder, causing continued disruption of urine outflow.
The condition is significantly exacerbated by the disease's combination with prostate adenomas, which are most common in men over 50 years of age.By disrupting outflow from the prostate, adenomas can trigger the progression of chronic prostatitis, so if a patient requires surgical removal of a benign tumor, this must be done before treatment for prostatitis.
Diagnosis, methods and treatment prospects of the disease
The initial appointment with the doctor includes gathering information about the main symptoms of the disease, followed by a general examination, digital rectal examination, and collection of the patient's prostate secretions.Another diagnostic measure to make an accurate diagnosis is transrectal ultrasonography.
Before starting a course of treatment, patients with chronic prostatitis must undergo a urine culture test to study the sensitivity of prostate secretion flora to antibacterial drugs in order to optimize treatment.
Modern medicine treats chronic prostatitis using a combination of the following methods that have traditionally been used:
- Antibiotic treatment.The use of antimicrobial drugs is necessary to eliminate the pathogenic flora that cause inflammation.治疗的有效性直接取决于药物的正确选择，因为如果治疗过程中没有消灭所有微生物，疾病迟早会再次出现。Therefore, patients must complete their course of antibiotics completely and not interrupt or otherwise violate medical advice.
- physiotherapy.Prostate massage is one of the most effective treatments for this type of complex surgery.The essence of prostate massage is: the effect on the gland helps to squeeze out the accumulated inflammatory secretions into the duct and then into the urethra.At the same time, the quality of blood flow to the prostate is improved, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the antibacterial drugs the patient is taking.In addition to prostate massage, patients diagnosed with chronic prostatitis can also undergo treatment with laser, ultrasound or by electromagnetic influence on the inflamed area.
- Immunocorrection.Long-term inflammatory processes, such as chronic prostatitis, as well as past individual or incorrect use of antibiotics, may lead to a significant decrease in the patient's immunity.The goal of immune correction is to restore the body's protective functions as much as possible.Lifestyle normalization and visits to an immunologist can facilitate this.
Although not all cases of chronic prostatitis lead to complete recovery due to the complexity of its various forms, strict compliance with medical advice can guarantee long-term and possibly lifelong remission of the disease.
How to avoid an unpleasant diagnosis?
The prevention of chronic prostatitis includes the following basic rules:
- Change your lifestyle to a more active one.If exercise is not possible, perform daily warm-ups or gymnastics exercises.
- Avoid hypothermia.Do not sit on flagstones, metal curbs, etc.
- For constipation, use laxatives and see your doctor if constipation becomes chronic.
- Try to normalize your sex life.Excessive sexual activity and prolonged abstinence can negatively affect the condition and function of the prostate.
- Do not engage in casual sex; otherwise, prefer protected sex.
- Consult a specialist immediately if you suspect an STD; do not self-medicate.
- Visit your urologist at least once a year to rule out the possibility of a disease.
Pay attention to men's health, the diagnosis of "chronic prostatitis" will no longer hinder you!