Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Today, it is the most common urological disease affecting mainly sexually active men. According to various data, the prevalence of chronic prostatitis in the group of patients aged 20-40 varies from 20-35%. Moreover, along with benign hyperplasia of the prostate gland, this diagnosis is more common in the older age group.
Lack of effective treatment in time 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 infectious pathogen, the presence of leukocytes in prostate secretion, as well as clinical manifestations. Therefore, there are 4 categories of prostatitis, each of which has certain symptoms:
| Category of prostatitis | Symbols | Don't spread |
|---|---|---|
| Acute bacterial | 1. Frequent urination, burning sensation. 2. Difficulty urinating with pain. 3. Pain during palpation in the lower abdomen. 4. Pain during prostate palpation. 5. Many leukocytes, bacteria and mucus in the urine. 6. High fever, feeling sick. |
up to 5% |
| Chronic bacterial | Signs are the same as acute bacterial infections, but 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 large numbers of leukocytes in the semen and prostate secretions. | 5–10% |
| Chronic non-bacterial (inflammatory, non-inflammatory) | Signs are the same as in the previous categories, but microorganisms are not detected in prostate secretions, urine or semen. And with a non-inflammatory variant, there may be no increase in prostate secretion, leukocyte concentration in sperm and urine. | 80–90% |
| Asymptomatic inflammation | There are no clinical manifestations. Inflammatory process is observed in urine, sperm and prostate secretion. | Unknown |
Signs and symptoms of prostatitis
Symptoms of prostatitis can be laboratory and clinical. In the first case, characteristic changes are revealed in the general analysis of blood, urine and prostate secretion. Clinical signs refer to the symptoms accompanying this disease.
These include:
- Increase in body temperature.
- Pain in the perineum or lower abdomen.
- Frequent urination.
- Blood in the urine or stool.
- Pain while urinating.
Depending on the type of prostatitis, the severity of symptoms can be different. In acute forms, the first signs of prostatitis in men appear suddenly, which is a reason to consult a doctor. Chronic prostatitis, on the other hand, is asymptomatic and is felt only during periods of exacerbation. The first signs of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis are painful pain in the perineum and impaired urination in the form of slow urine flow and inability to urinate even with a strong desire. In the absence of timely treatment, the disease leads to the development of complications manifested by erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorder and infertility.
Diagnostics
With chronic prostatitis, the symptoms of the disease can vary significantly. Often, patients experience 4 main syndromes:
- Painful. As a rule, complaints consist of pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, sacrum and genitals. It can occur both at rest and during exercise.
- We are talking. Patients report frequent or difficult urination, thinning of the flow or its slowness, sudden urges to urinate, as well as incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- Gender. It is characterized by a violation of potency. Some scientists associate it with the pathological high excitability of the nerve endings of the prostate caused by long-term inflammation.
- Reproductive. There is not only a violation of sperm production, but also a decrease in the volume of ejaculation and a change in the composition of prostate secretion.
According to some authors, reproductive and sexual syndromes are more common in recent years.
In addition to subjective complaints, digital rectal examination of the prostate is important. It is important to assess the shape, position, consistency of the borders, the 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, CT, MRI, etc.
How to treat prostatitis symptoms
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 affect the immediate cause of 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 excretory function, increasing the tone of the bladder muscles. The drug also helps to improve microcirculation in the tissues of the prostate gland, reduces the risk of thrombosis of small vessels, relieves pain, restores urination and normalizes sexual function.
Activefirst stagetreatment, prostate extract is prescribed in the form of suppositories and forsecond stagetablets are used for treatment. there is alsoimproved formdrug with twice as many active ingredients as classic suppositories. Due to this diversity, the doctor can take an individual approach to prescribing treatment for each patient.