Signs of prostatitis in men: symptoms, description and treatment

26 October 2023

Inflammation of the prostate today is the leader in the group of male diseases that are predominantly sexually transmitted. Its complications threaten infertility, decreased libido and impotence.

The symptoms of prostatitis are not only pain, urination disorders and inflammation of the spermatic cord. The most dangerous consequence of advanced inflammation can be cancerous degeneration of the prostate gland. While a timely diagnosed pathological process can be easily stopped.

Signs of the disease

If a man discovers at least two of the following symptoms of prostatitis, he should immediately contact a qualified specialist:

Micturition disorder with the presence of a weak, intermittent, unusually short stream of urine, causing splashing, difficulty and pain before urination. The frequent need to empty the bladder occurs mainly at night.
The pain, which is localized in the lower abdomen, radiates to the scrotum, perineum and rectum.
Sexual dysfunction.
Problems with ejaculation, changes in semen (consistency, quantity).

Acute prostatitis

The disease begins with a sharp increase in temperature (up to 40 degrees), painful headache and fever. The symptoms that appear are accompanied by pain in the groin, perineum, back, discharge from the urethra, frequent urination and constant need to urinate.

Emptying of the bladder occurs with delay and burning sensation. The urine itself becomes cloudy and may contain blood. Irritability and fatigue occur.

The outcome of acute prostatitis can be complete resolution of the process (if treatment is started in a timely manner). Since changes occur in many pelvic organs, they cannot be left to chance, otherwise the corresponding complications will arise:

Vesiculitis is an inflammation of the seminal vesicles, causing the appearance of pus in the spermatozoa, which not only reduces the quality of the ejaculate, but leads to the loss of reproductive function.
Colliculitis - inflammatory changes in the seminal tubercle become the reason for the development of severe pain during sex, disruption of orgasm and impotence of a psychological nature.
The formation of an abscess in the body of the prostate, its rupture and purulent damage to the rectum lead to an exacerbation of symptoms, severe intoxication of the body and even death.
Stagnation in the tissues of the prostate leads to changes in their structure, disruption of innervation, blood supply, both to the gland itself and to organs located nearby, with disruption of their functions. The erection becomes insufficient for full sexual intercourse, premature ejaculation and prolonged sexual intercourse without orgasm are observed.
Cicatricial changes in the gland and spermatic cord lead to infertility, decreased sperm quality and sperm motility. Narrowing of the urethra interferes with the normal urination process; Bladder obstruction can cause acute urinary retention, requiring emergency surgical care.

Chronic prostatitis

The main feature of the disease is the vagueness of clinical symptoms with a long and persistent course of the process. More often, the chronic form manifests itself independently, as a primary pathology against the background of stagnation of blood in the vessels (prostatosis), abacterial prostatitis.

The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis are:

fever;
pain occurs in the scrotum, perineum, anus, back;
urinary disorder;
mucous or mucopurulent discharge from the rectum, urethra, even in the absence of urination or defecation;
erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, interrupted sexual intercourse, prolonged intercourse without feeling of satisfaction.

Inaction and improper treatment of chronic prostatitis can cause complications:

Infertility is the result of chronic inflammation of the spermatic cord, vesicles, testes and their appendages.
Cystitis, pyelonephritis (other diseases of the genitourinary system) are a consequence of hematogenous and mechanical spread of microbes.
Sepsis.
Persistent decrease in immunity.
Untreated prostatitis can cause cancer in 35-40% of cases.

Diagnostics

The clinical picture of the disease is typical, so the diagnosis is not difficult. It is performed by a urologist based on the anamnesis, examination of the patient, a minimum of laboratory tests using the most modern medical devices:

Rectal examination of the gland, sampling of secretions for examination (culture with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics).
UAC, UAM, bacterial culture of urine.
Pap test for sexually transmitted diseases, UGI examination.
Daily monitoring of urinary rhythm, measurement of urination speed (uroflowmetry).
Ultrasound or TRUS is performed for differential diagnosis.
If it is necessary to exclude oncology, a biopsy is performed, urography is performed and PSA is determined: prostate specific antigen.
To diagnose infertility, a spermogram is prescribed, an analysis of ejaculate to determine a man's fertility.

Based on the results of the patient's examination, an individual scheme for the complex treatment of prostatitis is drawn up. When prescribing drugs, the form of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases are taken into account. The decision on where to conduct therapy (inpatient or outpatient) lies with the doctor. The course of treatment is carried out with careful laboratory monitoring of the results.

Treatment of acute prostatitis

Acute prostatitis requires bed rest, a special salt-free diet and sexual rest.

Course treatment methods:

The most effective treatment for prostatitis is etiotropic therapy. If the basis of prostatitis is an infection, the priority is a course of antimicrobial agents that relieve the manifestations of inflammation.
Pain syndrome is relieved with analgesics, antispasmodics, rectal suppositories, microenemas with warm solutions of painkillers. NSAIDs can be used.
Immunostimulants, immunomodulators, enzymes, vitamin complexes and a combination of microelements have proven their effectiveness.
Physiotherapeutic methods are possible only in the subacute stage of the disease. They improve microcirculation and increase immunity: UHF, microwave, electrophoresis, laser, magnetotherapy.
Massage is another effective method to influence the prostate. Opens the ducts, normalizes blood circulation in the scrotum and pelvis.
Acute renal filtrate retention can be corrected by catheterization and trocar cystostomy.
The purulent process involves surgical intervention.
Psychological consultations.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

With a long-term effect (at least a month) on the prostate, there is no 100% cure guarantee. The priority goes to phytotherapy, immunocorrection, changing domestic habits:

Herbal preparations are widely used in urological practice. They are able to accumulate at the site of the most active pathological process, protect cells from oxidation, remove free radicals and prevent the proliferation of glandular tissue.
Antibacterial therapy is selected individually, based on the sensitivity of microbes to drugs.
Drugs that improve immunity not only help to cope with prostatitis, but also correct the negative effects of antibiotics that disrupt the function of the immune system.
The pain syndrome is relieved by the administration of alpha-blockers and muscle relaxants.
Prostate massage allows you to mechanically remove the "extra" secretion of the gland through the urethra, improve blood circulation and minimize congestion.
Physiotherapy: laser, magnet, ultrasound, iontophoresis, hot sitz baths or herbal microenemas.
In more severe cases, intravenous fluids with diuretics are indicated. This stimulates abundant urine production, prevents symptoms of intoxication, the development of ascending cystitis and pyelonephritis.
For constipation, herbal laxatives are used.
The urologist and psychologist, together with the patient, develop a long-term individual program including daily routine, necessary rest, diet, dosed physical activity and sexual activity.
If the chronic process is resistant to therapy and the outflow of urine is blocked, surgical intervention is prescribed: removal of all affected tissue (transurethral resection of the prostate) or complete removal of the gland with surrounding tissues (prostatectomy). Practiced in exceptional cases, it is fraught with impotence and urinary incontinence. Young people do not undergo surgery because it can cause infertility.

Symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis

Many men suffer from chronic prostatitis, but attribute the symptoms to other diseases or waste time with ineffective treatments. From our article you will learn comprehensive information about this male problem: causes, exact symptoms and diagnostic methods, various methods of treatment.

Despite all the successes of modern medicine, the diagnosis of a disease such as chronic prostatitis causes some difficulties. This also negatively affects the effectiveness of your treatment.

Causes of chronic prostatitis

The causes of chronic prostatitis are very different. Among the variety of negative factors affecting a man's health, it is difficult to single out exactly those that provoked the development of the disease. Often it is a complex of situations and circumstances that accompany a man's life.

The main causes of chronic abacterial prostatitis are the following:

arrhythmia (irregularity) of sexual intercourse;
physical inactivity, typical of overweight people;
long-term stressful conditions;
the predominance of high-fat foods in the diet;
negative impact on the body in hazardous industries.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the result of incompletely cured bacterial prostatitis. Or the man ignored the complaints and did not seek help from a urologist. Therefore no treatment was carried out.

Chronic prostatitis of the abacterial type develops due to exposure to infectious agents against the background of decreased immunity. As a rule, such patients are diagnosed with diseases of the endocrine system.

The factors that provoke the development of chronic bacterial prostatitis are:

prostate surgery (if antibacterial therapy was not performed before surgery);
refusal to use contraception;
lack of habit of keeping the body clean.

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

Today there are many myths regarding chronic prostatitis. For this reason, any temporary disturbances in sexual function are attributed to this disease. We often hear that decreased libido and erectile dysfunction are due to prostatitis and, if it is an elderly man, to chronic prostatitis.

This is not true, since sexual dysfunction has many other causes, and the main symptom of chronic prostatitis is pain. All other signs can be considered concomitant and indirect.

Chronic prostatitis is often confused with pelvic pain syndrome, since the symptoms of these diseases are largely similar. This is due to the formation of myofascial trigger zones near the prostate, which appear following injuries and surgeries. Pain in these areas can be confused with a symptom of prostate inflammation.

In the diagnosis of the disease, complaints of pain and discomfort in the perineum and pelvis, lasting at least 3 months, come to the fore. The pain is localized near the prostate, radiating to the sacrum, rectum and scrotum. With prolonged exposure to negative factors (carrying heavy objects, excessive physical activity, standing for a long time), the pain intensifies.

A characteristic sign of the disease is premature ejaculation. Patients experience decreased sexual desire and erectile dysfunction. These symptoms are also characteristic of other genitourinary diseases. Therefore, they cannot be said to be hallmarks of chronic prostate disease.

An important symptom is the fading of orgasm. If the patient begins to notice that the severity of sensations during ejaculation has disappeared, this is a reason for a more attentive attitude to her health and a signal about the need to visit a urologist.

The structure of the inflamed prostate becomes denser, the pressure on the urinary tube increases and the quality of urination worsens. Patients with chronic prostatitis notice a frequent need to urinate at night. The process of excreting urine is accompanied by a sensation of burning, stinging and pain. Urinary incontinence often occurs.

Signs of chronic prostatitis can be expressed completely or partially. Much depends on the patient's state of health and the presence or absence of other pathologies. Chronic prostatitis is characterized by a wave-like course, with waxing and waning symptoms. With this disease, the inflammatory process is not acute.

Laboratory research methods

If chronic prostatitis is suspected, first of all we find out what its nature is: bacterial or abacterial. In the first case it is necessary to identify the pathogen or pathogens and find out which drugs they are sensitive to. To do this, laboratory tests are performed on urine and prostate secretions.

If, after a period of 10 days from the DRE, the PSA test shows that the level of prostate specific antigen exceeds 4. 0 ng/ml, this is a reason to subject the patient to a biopsy to exclude an oncological process.

The following search methods are recommended:

scraping from the urethra;
general and biochemical analyzes of urine;
LHC culture of prostate secretion.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

The treatment of chronic prostatitis requires an integrated approach. Taking the drugs alone is not enough. Physiotherapeutic procedures and therapeutic exercises are necessary. In general, chronic prostatitis is difficult to treat and requires a radical revision of lifestyle, changes in habits and, in some cases, a change of job. Urologists insist that only a set of measures will help completely eliminate this disease or ensure long-term remission.

Regardless of whether the disease is bacterial or non-bacterial in nature, prostate congestion played an important role in its formation. The viscous secretion deposited in the ducts of the gland constitutes a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. Therefore, the main attention should be paid to eliminating stagnation.

The problem can be solved by changing your lifestyle and including physiotherapy classes in your daily schedule.

Exercise complexes suitable for different life situations have been developed:

for men forced to sit most of the time (drivers, office workers, managers);
for people with excess body weight;
for those who don't have time to do exercises.

After thinking about how to treat chronic prostatitis, you must decide to seriously reconsider your attitude towards your health.

Treatment with drugs

For chronic prostatitis, treatment is mainly carried out on an outpatient basis. If the pathological process persists and remission cannot be achieved with this method, hospitalization is recommended. In a hospital, under the supervision of medical staff, there are much more opportunities to comply with the regime and monitor changes in the patient's condition.

Chronic prostatitis in men develops against the background of endocrine disorders. In this regard, 5-alpha reductase inhibitor drugs and alpha 1-blockers are recommended. They help normalize hormone levels and eliminate the symptoms of the pathology.

An integrated approach involves taking medications such as:

Treatment methods for chronic bacterial prostatitis

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotics. The most effective drug for a particular patient is determined using a preliminary laboratory study of prostate secretions.

There is no universal medicine to suppress and destroy pathogenic microflora. What helps one patient may not help another. For this reason there are many negative reviews about drugs advertised for the treatment of chronic prostatitis.

The drugs recommended for antibacterial therapy are fluoroquinolones. Most bacteria are sensitive to them.

Treatment with herbal remedies

Many people doubt whether chronic prostatitis can be cured with the help of herbal remedies. The answer to this question was obtained through many years of use of these healing agents in urological practice.

Today the following therapeutic complexes are recommended:

All these drugs have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the male genitourinary system. Effective treatment of chronic prostatitis is possible provided that urinary function is normalized. The components included in herbal medicines perform this task. They help reduce the frequency of impulses and eliminate slow flow syndrome.

For patients with chronic prostatitis, herbal mixtures containing pumpkin extract or pumpkin seeds are recommended. The latter have a unique chemical composition and act in three directions simultaneously:

normalize metabolism;
strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
activate blood circulation in the pelvic organs.

Taking herbal medicines cannot be considered the main method of treatment. These health-enhancing agents are considered concomitant with drug therapy.

Non-pharmacological treatment

Non-drug therapy methods allow you to act directly on the prostate, increase the concentration of drugs in its tissues and help eliminate congestion.

Today, non-drug treatment focuses on laser therapy. The possibilities of this technique are wide. Under the influence of a laser, the following processes occur in the prostate gland:

activation of redox reactions;
blood microcirculation improves;
new capillaries are formed;
pathogenic microflora is suppressed;
The cell division process is activated which promotes tissue regeneration.

During the research period on the effects of laser therapy on patients suffering from prostatitis, a side effect, but positive for the purposes of treatment, was noted. Those who completed the course increased potency, eliminated erectile dysfunction and restored vitality. To achieve this result it is necessary to use a beam with a certain wavelength. In general, low-intensity laser radiation is used to treat chronic prostatitis.

This technique can have several positive effects:

Patients can, on their own initiative, undergo a course of laser therapy unless prescribed by their doctor.

Surgical treatment of chronic prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis does not pose a threat to the patient's life, but can significantly reduce its quality. The most serious complication of this disease is the formation of stones in the gland tissues. To free it from prostatoliths, transurethral resection is used.

The surgery is performed under TRUS control.

If complications such as prostatic sclerosis occur, transuretal electrosurgery is performed. If sclerosis of the neck of the bladder is observed in combination with this pathology, partial resection of the prostate is performed.

When the seminal and excretory ducts are obstructed, endoscopic interventions are indicated to eliminate the obstruction of the patency of the secretion. For this purpose, an incision is made in the seminal vesicles and excretory ducts. In case of abscess, complete removal of the gland is possible.

Exercises for the treatment of chronic prostatitis

There are numerous effective exercises to stimulate the prostate, helping to relieve congestion. This complex was developed for patients with hip joint problems. Practice has shown that these exercises are also useful for those diagnosed with prostatitis. Lessons can be held at a convenient time; completing the complex will take no more than 15 minutes.

Exercise no. 1

Lying on an exercise mat, stretch both arms straight up.
He bends his knees and pulls them towards you, simultaneously spreading them in different directions.
Raise your pelvis as much as possible. Repeat 10-12 times.

Exercise no. 2

Standing on the mat, perform deep squats.

Repeat 10-12 times.

Exercise no. 3

Lie on your stomach.
Raise one leg, then the other. Repeat 10-12 times.

Exercise no. 4

They are on their side.

When performing this series of exercises, all movements should be smooth. This is the main condition for obtaining a high therapeutic effect.

Treatment prognosis

Few men can completely cure chronic prostatitis. Prostate inflammation often enters a long-term remission phase. But when the conditions arise for the activation of the pathology, a relapse occurs. An exacerbation begins with the appearance of pain in the prostate. They are often accompanied by urinary disorders. At the first symptoms of relapse, you should seek help from a specialist.

Patients are recommended to visit a urologist regularly, at least once every six months. With the same frequency they carry out examinations of the condition of the prostate and do the PSA test. By systematically monitoring the condition of the gland, it is possible to timely identify the processes that provoke a relapse of the disease. But even with long-term remission there is no guarantee that it will not be stopped.

The patient must follow the recommendations to prevent exacerbations of the disease. It is advisable to balance your diet by excluding fatty and spicy foods. The use of herbal remedies and traditional medicine must be agreed with the treating doctor. With this approach it is possible to minimize the risk of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis.

Is it possible to cure prostatitis yourself?

If the symptoms are severe, it is better to seek treatment from a specialist; the time factor plays an important role in treatment, since the longer the inflammation lasts, the greater the likelihood of irreversible changes in the organ.

But it is better to do prevention yourself, no doctor will do it for you.

Avoiding hypothermia, stagnation during prolonged sitting, sexually transmitted infections, irregular sex life - all this is the way to effectively prevent prostatitis.