Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate tissue. Today, this is the most common urological disease, mainly affecting sexually active men. According to various data, in the group of patients aged 20 to 40 years, the prevalence of chronic prostatitis varies from 20 to 35%. Furthermore, this diagnosis in combination with benign prostatic hyperplasia is increasingly found in the older age group.
Lack of effective and timely 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 prostate secretion, as well as clinical manifestations. According to him, there are 4 categories of prostatitis, each of which presents certain symptoms:
| Prostatitis category | Signals | Prevalence |
|---|---|---|
| Acute bacterial | 1. Frequent urination, burning sensation. 2. Difficulty urinating with pain. 3. Pain on palpation in the lower abdomen. 4. Pain on palpation of the prostate. 5. Lots of leukocytes, bacteria and mucus in the urine. 6. High temperature, malaise. |
Up to 5% |
| Chronic bacterial | The signs are the same as 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 prostate secretions. | 5–10% |
| Chronic nonbacterial (inflammatory, non-inflammatory) | The signs are the same as in the previous categories, but the microorganisms are not detected in prostate secretions, urine or semen. And with a non-inflammatory variant, there may be no increase in the concentration of leukocytes in prostate secretions, sperm and urine. | 80–90% |
| Asymptomatic inflammatory | There are no clinical manifestations. An 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 this disease.
These include:
- Increased body temperature.
- Pain in the perineum or lower abdomen.
- Frequent urination.
- Presence of blood in urine or ejaculation.
- Pain when urinating.
Depending on the type of prostatitis, the severity of symptoms may vary. In acute forms, the first signs of prostatitis in men appear suddenly, which becomes a reason to consult a doctor. Chronic prostatitis, on the contrary, is asymptomatic and only makes itself felt during periods of exacerbation. The first signs of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis are pain in the perineum and urinary 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, signs of the disease can vary significantly. Most often, patients have 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 notice frequent or difficult urination, thinning or slow flow, sudden urge to urinate, as well as incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- Sexual. 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 sperm formation, but also a decrease in the volume of ejaculate and a change in the composition of prostate secretion.
According to some authors, in recent years, reproductive and sexual syndromes are becoming more common.
Along with subjective complaints, digital rectal examination of the prostate is important. It is important to assess the shape, state of the edges, consistency, state of the seminal vesicles, as well as the presence of pain.
Laboratory tests for prostatitis may include:
- General blood and urine test.
- 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, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, etc.
How to treat signs of prostatitis
Symptom management is just 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 medications 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 a final diagnosis.
One of the most prescribed medications for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis is prostate extract, which has an organotropic effect on the prostate.
Prostate extract helps reduce swelling, reduce inflammation and improve secretory function by increasing bladder muscle tone. The medicine also helps to improve microcirculation in prostate tissues, reduces the risk of thrombosis of small vessels, reduces pain, restores urination and normalizes sexual function.
Aboutfirst steptreatment, prostate extract is prescribed in the form of suppositories, and forsecond stagetablets are used for therapy. There are alsoimproved forma medicine that contains twice the active ingredient compared to classic suppositories. Due to this diversity, the doctor can take an individualized approach in prescribing treatment for each patient.