Chronic prostatitis: symptoms, prevention and treatment

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

What is the role of the prostate in the body?

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

Causes of chronic prostatitis

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

The causes of the disease also include:

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

The causes of chronic prostatitis are divided into two types:

1. Infections.They enter the body in various ways - through the urethra, through the blood or lymph flow from foci of infection or inflamed organs in the body itself.
2. Poor circulation in the prostateor stagnation of its secretion, which occurs in the following cases:
   • sexual abstinence for a long time;
   • frequently interrupted sexual intercourse or unfulfilled arousal;
   • defective ejaculation.

Stress and alcoholism can also contribute to chronic prostatitis in the male body.Exacerbation is often observed after hypothermia, various infectious diseases, errors in the diet (too spicy food, alcohol).

Chronic prostatitis symptoms

The most common symptoms:

• feeling of discomfort or pain in the groin and suprapubic region, perineum, scrotum, rectum, lumbosacral region;
• frequent and painful urge to urinate;
• pain in the lower abdomen (constant or during urination);
• intermittent or slow stream of urine;
• reduction in the duration of sexual intercourse, deterioration of erection, decreased libido, premature ejaculation;
• periodic/constant absence of morning erection (spontaneous);
• a pain in the head of the penis after ejaculation, which disappears on its own 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 prostate inflammation.

Diagnosis of the disease

To accurately establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to carry out laboratory and instrumental examinations.Includes:

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

Complications that can be caused by chronic prostatitis

This disease causes many concomitant diseases that seriously complicate a man's life:

• Urinary disorders: frequent daytime and nighttime urination, weak urinary stream, sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
• Vesiculitis, coliculitis - inflammation of the seminal vesicles and seminal tubercle.
• Glandular abscess is a serious pathology that requires hospitalization and often surgical intervention.
• Prostate sclerosis – develops with prolonged prostatitis and requires surgical treatment.
• Cysts and, consequently, stones in the prostate.
• Impotence, infertility.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

Treatment of this disease should only take place under the constant supervision of a doctor.One of the best and most effective modern medicines used to treat chronic prostatitis is made from an extract of prostate tissue.Its use provides quick results and elimination of symptoms.

As the therapy must be complex, other medications must also be used:

• anti-bacterial,
• alpha blockers,
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

There are no universal cures.Therefore, doctors may recommend antibacterial drugs from different groups.Cephalosporins, protected penicillins, fluoroquinolones, nitrofurans and tetracyclines and others.They all affect the cause of the disease – a bacterial infection.

Alpha-blockers are medications for chronic prostatitis designed to relax the muscles of the prostatic urethra and bladder neck to facilitate the outflow of urine, relieving spasm.In fact, they do not treat, they only eliminate the painful symptoms of inflammation.

Among anti-inflammatories, urologists recommend those that reduce inflammation and pain.

Drug	Benefits	Disadvantages	Usage recommendations
Fluoroquinolones	Excellent penetration into prostate tissue. Good bioavailability. Equivalence of oral and parenteral pharmacokinetics. Good activity against typical and atypical pathogens.	Cross allergy. Phototoxicity. Effect on the central nervous system.	Recommended for use.
Diaminopyrimidines	Good penetration into prostate tissue. Does not require dosage selection. Good antimicrobial activity.	Negative against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae.	Second-line medications.
Macrolides	Moderate activity against gram-positive bacteria. Activity against atypical pathogens. Good penetration into prostate tissue. Low toxic.	Insufficient activity against gram-negative bacteria.	Used for specific pathogens.
Tetracyclines	Good activity against atypical pathogens.	Inactive against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Insufficient activity against staphylococci, Escherichia coli.	Used for specific pathogens.

An effective cure for chronic prostatitis

Among the medicines with a large evidence base are medicines made from bovine prostate tissue extract.Most often - in the form of suppositories or ampoules.The medicine is effective in treating 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 medicine is aimed at strengthening the walls of blood vessels and improving blood circulation at the micro level.

The effect of using the medicine for chronic prostatitis:

• Elimination of dysuric disorders and normalization of the urinary process.
• Improve the functional status of the prostate.
• Reducing congestion, reducing prostate swelling.
• Reduction of severe symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
• Normalization of total blood circulation in the pelvic region, reducing the likelihood of blood clots forming in blood vessels.
• Decrease in the concentration of leukocytes that infiltrate prostate tissue.

Treatment methods for chronic prostatitis

In most cases, chronic illnesses are successfully treated with conservative methods.But it must be remembered that therapy will only bring quick positive results with an integrated approach.It is recommended to reconsider the lifestyle that causes the disease, otherwise a 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, is performed manually through the anus.It is worth noting that the procedure is not very pleasant, but the effectiveness is very high.
• Physiotherapeutic procedures.Treatment of chronic prostatitis with thermal physiotherapy gives good results by improving microcirculation and absorption of medications by tissues.Physiotherapeutic procedures include ultrasonic heating and irrigation with an antibacterial solution using enemas.
• Balneotherapy.In many sanatoriums, this disease is successfully treated using balneotherapy methods, that is, with the help of mineral waters.For the treatment of patients with prostatitis, low-mineralized water is usually prescribed, both internally and in the form of baths.
• Diet therapy.You should start following a special diet at the first signs of prostatitis.First of all, alcoholic beverages should be avoided, as ethyl alcohol irritates the prostate ducts, increasing pain and inflammation.It is also necessary to limit the intake of fatty meats to avoid the formation of cholesterol plaques and further deterioration of blood circulation.Vegetables, mushrooms, offal, salty and spicy foods, tea and coffee, carbonated drinks and baked goods are prohibited.

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

Preventive measures

Chronic prostatitis usually does not develop if a man leads a healthy lifestyle: monitors his diet, exercise, etc.Prevention of prostatitis is facilitated by giving up bad habits and casual sexual relations.

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

Primary preventionit comes down to regular sexual intercourse, a balanced diet, adherence to a physical activity regimen, timely and complete treatment of any infectious (purulent) diseases of the body and timely sanitation of the oral cavity.

Secondary preventionprovides for regular examinations by a urologist and preventive treatment - multivitamins, restorative medications, exercise.

Asprophylaxis medicineprostate diseases, suppositories can be used.