Chronic prostatitis: symptoms and causes

Chronic prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, leading to disruption of its function.

Description of chronic prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, leading to disruption of its function.This disease is difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent relapses.There are two types of chronic prostatitis:

1. Infectious, resulting from damage by bacteria, infections or fungi.
2. Stagnant, developing with stagnation of prostate secretion and blood in its veins.The causes of congestive prostatitis are irregular sex life, sedentary work, and tight underwear.

Chronic prostatitis is the most common urological disease in men of reproductive age.

There are several factors influencing the development of prostatitis:

• weakened immunity associated with constant stress, nervous overload, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, regular lack of sleep;
• hormonal disorders;
• previous venereal diseases;
• untreated urinary tract infections;
• sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work (especially for drivers);
• work associated with prolonged exposure to vibration, for example, working with a jackhammer or lathe.

The disease significantly impairs the quality of life and leads to social and psychological problems.There is also a decrease in potency and impaired reproductive function.

Chronic prostatitis without appropriate treatment leads to a number of serious complications:

• pyelonephritis and cystitis - due to infection in the urinary tract;
• vesiculitis - inflammation of the testicles and appendages;
• adenoma and prostate cancer;
• inflammatory processes in the nerves responsible for erectile function, which lead to infertility.

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

The development of the disease is mainly asymptomatic.Therefore, the detection of prostatitis is often associated with diagnosis of suspected prostate cancer.

A few symptoms include:

• mild pain and discomfort in the perineal area, with projection to the rectum and sacrum, lasting more than three months;
• painful and premature ejaculation;
• burning in the perineum and urethra;
• discomfort during bowel movements;
• discharge from the urethra;
• sometimes there is painful difficulty urinating and urinary retention;
• decreased potency, problems with erection and lack of orgasm;
• state of depression;
• high general fatigue.

Not all signs appear immediately.In general, chronic prostatitis is characterized by a wave-like course of the disease, when the symptoms of the disease either intensify, weaken or completely disappear.This makes diagnosis and subsequent treatment significantly more difficult.

Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis

Diagnosis for suspected chronic prostatitis includes:

• patient survey;
• general urine and blood tests;
• three-glass urine test;
• tests for the presence of sexually transmitted infections;
• culture of prostate secretions to determine the sensitivity of its microflora to various antibacterial drugs;
• digital rectal examination of the prostate;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and prostate gland.

Additionally, the following may be prescribed:

• uroflowmetry (measurement of urine output parameters);
• biopsy of prostate tissue;
• PCR (polymer chain reaction) analysis of urethral smears for the presence of chlamydia and mycoplasma.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

The treatment method depends on several factors and is aimed primarily at eliminating the factors leading to the occurrence of chronic prostatitis:

• patient's age;
• stage of the disease;
• type of chronic prostatitis.

The effectiveness of therapy directly depends on the diagnosis of the disease at the initial stage, compliance with the diet, and an increase and regularity of physical activity.

The main method of therapy for chronic prostatitis is complex drug therapy, based on the results of bacterial culture of prostate secretions and urine.The duration of the course of treatment should be at least 4 weeks, with continuation in case of positive dynamics until the infection is completely eliminated.

Medicines used to treat chronic prostatitis are divided into the following groups:

• antibiotics and antibacterial drugs;
• alpha-blockers (drugs that cause dilation of blood vessels and channels and regulate metabolism in the prostate gland);
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• muscle relaxants and antispasmodics;
• immunostimulants;
• antidepressants;
• vitamin complexes;
• plant extracts;
• analgesics;
• drugs to improve microcirculation and reduce blood clotting.

An important place in the treatment of chronic prostatitis is occupied by prostate massage, which improves blood and lymph circulation, eliminates congestion, and increases the patency of the prostate ducts.

In recent years, the range of therapeutic measures has been expanded to include various methods of physiotherapy:

1. UHF therapy.
2. Laser therapy (improves microcirculation and eliminates congestion in the prostate gland).
3. Rectal electrophoresis.
4. Microwave hyperthermia.

Spa treatment is also indicated, especially mud therapy and thermal baths.

Surgical treatment methods are used only at the last stage of the disease - prostate sclerosis.In this case, transurethral resection of the bladder neck, prostate gland and seminal tubercle is performed.

Due to the lack of universal approaches to the treatment of chronic prostatitis, the main goal of therapy is to eliminate the source of infection, normalize the immune background and restore normal prostate function.

Prevention of chronic prostatitis focuses on eliminating the factors leading to the development of the disease.

The risk of chronic prostatitis is reduced if the following conditions are met:

• regular physical activity;
• healthy sleep pattern;
• good nutrition;
• regular sex life.