Chronic prostatitis: symptoms, prevention and treatment

Chronic prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate that affects people of all ages.In most cases, it occurs due to sexually transmitted infections and the effect of opportunistic microflora on the prostate gland.In itself, gland inflammation is not scary, but in the absence of effective treatment, it can cause urinary disorders, pain, male infertility and impotence.In addition, the development of chronic prostatitis is often promoted by a sedentary lifestyle and lack of regular sex life.

What role does the prostate play in the body?

The chestnut-shaped prostate is located below the bladder.It prevents the entry of seminal fluid and also produces prostate secretion, which is an important component of sperm.

Causes of chronic prostatitis

The most common causes of chronic inflammation of the prostate are infections and sexually transmitted pathogens.For example, Trichomonas.A sedentary lifestyle also contributes to the development of such prostatitis.But prostatitis itself is not as scary as the fact that this disease is the root cause of the occurrence of more serious diseases - male infertility, prostate adenoma.

The causes of the disease are also:

• frequent hypothermia;
• low immunity;
• hormonal disorders;
• a person has bad habits;
• injuries of pelvic organs;
• sedentary lifestyle.

The causes of chronic prostatitis can be divided into two types:

1. Infections.They enter the body in various ways - through the urethra, through the flow of blood or lymph from the foci of infection or from inflamed organs in your own body.
2. Poor circulation in the prostate glandor stagnation of its secretion, which occurs in the following cases:
   • long-term sexual abstinence;
   • frequent interrupted sexual intercourse or unfulfilled excitement;
   • defective ejaculation.

Stress and alcoholism can also contribute to chronic prostatitis in men.Aggravation is often observed after hypothermia, various infectious diseases, nutritional errors (too spicy food, alcohol).

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

The most common symptoms are:

• discomfort or pain in the groin and suprapubic areas, perineum, scrotum, rectum, lumbosacral region;
• frequent and painful urge to urinate;
• pain in the lower abdomen (constant or during urination);
• intermittent or slow flow of urine;
• decrease in the duration of sexual intercourse, deterioration of erection, decreased libido, premature ejaculation;
• periodic/permanent absence of morning erection (spontaneous);
• a lingering pain in the head of the penis after ejaculation, which disappears by itself within half an hour.

Many men do not pay attention to the signs of chronic prostatitis, believing that the disease will go away on its own.However, it progresses, causing various complications: pyelonephritis, cystitis, vesiculitis.Over time, infertility and impotence develop against the background of inflammation of the prostate.

Diagnosis of the disease

In order to make an accurate diagnosis, a laboratory and instrumental examination must be performed.Includes:

• general urinalysis,
• general blood test,
• examination of prostate secretions,
• bacteriological examination of prostate secretions to identify the microflora by determining sensitivity to antibacterial drugs,
• blood test for PSA (prostate-specific antigen),
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and the prostate,
• digital examination of the prostate.

Complications that can be caused by chronic prostatitis

This disease causes a number of accompanying diseases that seriously complicate a man's life:

• Urinary tract disorders: frequent urination during the day and at night, weak urine flow, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
• Vesiculitis, colliculitis - inflammation of the seminal vesicles and testicles.
• An abscess of the gland is a serious pathology that requires hospitalization and very often surgical intervention.
• Sclerosis of the prostate – develops with prolonged inflammation of the prostate and requires surgical treatment.
• Cysts and consequently prostate stones.
• Impotence, infertility.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

This disease can only be treated under the constant supervision of a doctor.One of the best and most effective modern drugs used to treat chronic prostatitis is made from an extract of prostate tissue.Its use results in quick results and elimination of symptoms.

Since the therapy should be complex, other drugs should also be used:

• antibacterial,
• alpha blockers,
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

There are no universal cures.Therefore, doctors may recommend antibacterial drugs of different groups.Cephalosporins, protected penicillins, fluoroquinolones, nitrofurans and tetracyclines and others.All of them affect the cause of the disease - bacterial infection.

Alpha-blockers are drugs for the treatment of chronic prostatitis, which aim to relax the muscles of the prostatic urethra and bladder neck, facilitating the outflow of urine through antispasmodics.In fact, they do not treat, but only eliminate the painful symptoms of inflammation.

Among anti-inflammatory drugs, urologists recommend drugs that reduce inflammation and pain.

Drug	Advantages	Disadvantages	Usage suggestions
Fluoroquinolones	Excellent penetration into prostate tissue. Good bioavailability. Equivalence of oral and parenteral pharmacokinetics. Good activity against typical and atypical pathogens.	Cross allergy. Phototoxicity. Effects on the central nervous system.	Recommended for use.
Diaminopyrimidines	It penetrates well into the prostate tissue. It does not require dose selection. Good antimicrobial activity.	Negative against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae.	Second-line drugs.
Macrolides	Moderate activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Activity against atypical pathogens. It penetrates well into the prostate tissue. Low toxicity.	Inadequate activity against gram-negative bacteria.	It is used to treat specific pathogens.
Tetracyclines	Good activity against atypical pathogens.	Inactive against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Inadequate activity against staphylococci, Escherichia coli.	It is used to treat specific pathogens.

It is an effective remedy for chronic prostatitis

Medicines with a large evidence base include those derived from bovine prostate gland tissue extracts.Most often - in the form of suppositories or ampoules.The drug is effective in the treatment of acute and chronic forms of the disease.This medicine is available in the form of suppositories (rectal suppositories) and ampoules (injections).

The effect of the use of the drug on chronic prostatitis:

• Elimination of dysuria disorders and normalization of the urination process.
• Improving the functional state of the prostate.
• Reduces congestion, reduces swelling of the prostate.
• Reduction of severe symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
• Normalization of the entire blood circulation in the pelvic area, reducing the likelihood of blood clots in the blood vessels.
• A decrease in the concentration of leukocytes infiltrating the prostate tissue.

Treatment methods of chronic prostatitis

In most cases, chronic diseases are successfully treated with conservative methods.But it must not be forgotten that therapy brings quick positive results only with an integrated approach.It is recommended to reconsider the lifestyle that caused the disease, otherwise relapse is likely.Abuse of alcoholic beverages, unbalanced diet, sedentary lifestyle and promiscuous sexual relations are extremely harmful to the male reproductive system.

Treatment procedures:

• Prostate massage, manually, through the anus.It is worth noting that the procedure is not very pleasant, but the efficiency is very high.
• Physiotherapy procedures.Thermal physiotherapy treatment of chronic prostatitis gives good results by improving microcirculation and absorption of drugs into tissues.Physiotherapy procedures include ultrasonic heating and irrigation with an antibacterial solution using an enema.
• Balneotherapy.In many sanatoriums, this disease is successfully treated with balneotherapy methods, that is, with the help of mineral waters.For the treatment of patients with prostatitis, low-mineral water is usually prescribed, both internally and in the form of baths.
• Diet therapy.At the first signs of prostatitis, a special diet should be started.Above all, alcoholic beverages should be avoided, as ethyl alcohol irritates the ducts of the prostate, increasing pain and inflammation.It is also necessary to limit the intake of fatty meats to prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques and further deterioration of blood circulation.Legumes, mushrooms, offal, salty and spicy foods, tea and coffee, carbonated drinks, and baked goods are prohibited.

A chronic prostatitis diet should include foods rich in zinc (found in seafood and pumpkin seeds).It is recommended to eat as many vegetables as possible (except those that contribute to gas formation, e.g. cauliflower), dairy products, cereals and dried fruits.

Preventive measures

Chronic prostatitis usually does not develop if a man leads a healthy lifestyle: he watches his diet, exercises, etc.The prevention of prostatitis is facilitated by giving up bad habits and casual sex.

There are primary, preventive, and secondary ones aimed at preventing the occurrence of the disease, the task of which is to prevent relapse (exacerbation) of existing chronic prostatitis.

Primary preventionRegular sexual intercourse, a balanced diet, adherence to a physical activity regimen, timely and comprehensive treatment of any infectious (purulent) disease of the body, and timely disinfection of the oral cavity occur.

Secondary preventionprescribes regular examination by a urologist and preventive treatment - multivitamins, restorative drugs, exercise.

Howdrug for prophylaxisprostate diseases, suppositories can be used.