Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate tissue. Today, this is the most common urological disease, affecting mostly sexually active men. According to various data, in the group of patients aged 20-40, the prevalence of chronic prostatitis ranges from 20 to 35%. Moreover, this diagnosis in combination with benign prostatic hyperplasia is increasingly found in the older age group.
Lack of timely effective treatment leads to complications such as erectile dysfunction and infertility.
Types of prostatitis
The classification used today is based on the division into all types of prostatitis, depending on the presence of an infectious pathogen, leukocytes in the secretion of the prostate, as well as clinical manifestations. According to him, there are 4 categories of prostatitis, each of which has certain symptoms:
| Category of prostatitis | Signs | Prevalence |
|---|---|---|
| Acute bacterial | 1. Frequent urination, burning sensation. 2. Difficult urination with pain. 3. Pain during palpation in the lower abdomen. 4. Pain when palpating the prostate. 5. Many leukocytes, bacteria and mucus in the urine. 6. High temperature, feeling bad. |
up to 5% |
| Chronic bacterial | The signs are the same as in acute bacterial infections, but they 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 non-bacterial (inflammatory, non-inflammatory) | The signs are the same as for the previous categories, but microorganisms are not detected in prostate secretions, urine or semen. And with the non-inflammatory variant, there may not be an 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 revealed in the general analysis of blood, urine and prostate secretions. Clinical signs refer to the symptoms that accompany this disease.
This includes:
- Increased body temperature.
- Pain in the perineum or lower abdomen.
- Frequent urination.
- The presence of blood in the urine or ejaculate.
- Pain when urinating.
Depending on the type of prostatitis, the severity of symptoms can 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 occurs only in periods of exacerbation. The first signs of exacerbation of chronic prostatitis are painful pain in the perineum and urinary disturbances in the form of slow urination and the inability to urinate even with a strong desire. Without timely treatment, the disease leads to the development of complications manifested by erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorders and infertility.
Diagnostics
In chronic prostatitis, the signs of the disease can vary significantly. Most often, patients have 4 main syndromes:
- Painful. As a rule, they complain 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 of the nozzle or its sluggishness, a sudden urge to urinate, as well as incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- Sexually. It is characterized by a violation of potency. Some scientists associate this with pathologically high excitability of the nerve endings of the prostate, caused by long-term inflammation.
- Reproductive. There is not only a violation of sperm formation, but also a decrease in the volume of ejaculate and changes in the composition of prostate secretions.
According to some authors, reproductive and sexual syndromes have become more common in recent years.
Along with subjective complaints, a digital rectal examination of the prostate is important. It is important to assess the shape, condition 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 secretions or urine.
- Bacteriological examination of urine or prostate secretions.
- 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 signs of prostatitis
Treating symptoms 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 influence the immediate cause of the 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.
Prostate extract helps reduce swelling, reduce inflammation and improve secretory function, increasing bladder muscle tone. The drug also helps to improve microcirculation in prostate tissues, reduces the risk of thrombosis of small blood vessels, reduces pain, restores urination and normalizes sexual function.
Hethe first stagetreatment, prostate extract is prescribed in the form of suppositories, and forthe second phasetablets are used for therapy. There is alsoimproved formmedicine that contains twice as much active ingredient compared to classic suppositories. Due to this diversity, the doctor can individually approach the prescription of therapy for each patient.