Chronic prostatitis: symptoms, prevention and treatment

Chronic prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that affects men of all ages.In most cases, this is due to the impact of sexually transmitted infections and opportunistic microflora on the prostate gland.In itself, inflammation of the gland is not scary, but in the absence of effective treatment, it can cause urination disorders, pain and lead to male infertility and impotence.Also, 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 gland in the body?

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

Causes of chronic prostatitis

The most common cause of chronic inflammation of the prostate are sexually transmitted infections and 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 a trigger for the appearance of more serious diseases - male infertility, prostate adenoma.

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 different ways - through the urethra, through the blood or lymph flow from foci of infection or inflamed organs in one's own body.
2. Poor circulation in the prostate glandor stagnation of its secretion, which occurs in the following cases:
   • sexual abstinence for a long time;
   • frequent interrupted intercourse or unrealized 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).

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

The most common symptoms:

• feeling of discomfort or pain in the groin and suprapubic areas, perineum, scrotum, rectum, lumbosacral area;
• frequent and painful urge to urinate;
• pain in the lower abdomen (constant or during urination);
• intermittent or slow stream of urine;
• decrease in the duration of sexual intercourse, worsening of erection, decreased libido, premature ejaculation;
• periodic/permanent lack of morning erection (spontaneous);
• pulling 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 disappear 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 gland.

Diagnosis of the disease

For an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo laboratory and instrumental tests.It includes:

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

Complications that can be caused by chronic prostatitis

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

• Urination disorders: frequent urination during the day and night, weak stream of urine, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
• Vesiculitis, colliculitis - inflammation of the seminal vesicles and seminal tuberculosis.
• Gland abscess is a serious pathology that requires hospitalization and very often surgical intervention.
• Sclerosis of the prostate – develops with prolonged prostatitis and requires surgical treatment.
• Cysts and as a result prostate stones.
• Impotence, infertility.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

Treatment of this disease should be carried out only under the constant supervision of a doctor.One of the best and most effective modern drugs for the treatment of chronic prostatitis is made from an extract of prostate tissue.Its use gives quick results and elimination of symptoms.

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

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

There are no universal cures.Therefore, doctors can recommend antibacterial drugs from different groups.Cephalosporins, protected penicillins, fluoroquinolones, nitrofurans and tetracyclines, etc.All of them 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 flow of urine by relieving spasm.In fact, they do not cure, but only remove the painful symptoms of inflammation.

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

Medicine	Benefits	Disadvantages	Recommendations for use
Fluoroquinolones	Excellent penetration into prostate tissues. 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 tissues. No dosage selection required. Good antimicrobial activity.	Negative against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae.	Second-line drugs.
Macrolides	Moderate activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Activity against atypical pathogens. Good penetration into prostate tissues. Low toxic.	Insufficient activity against gram-negative bacteria.	It is used for specific pathogens.
Tetracyclines	Good activity against atypical pathogens.	Inactive against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Insufficient activity against staphylococci, Escherichia coli.	It is used for specific pathogens.

An effective remedy for chronic prostatitis

Among the drugs with a large evidence base are drugs from the extract of bovine prostate gland tissue.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 drug is available in the form of suppositories (rectal suppositories) and ampoules (injections), the effect of the drug is aimed at strengthening the walls of blood vessels and improving blood circulation at the micro level.

The effect of using the drug for chronic prostatitis:

• Elimination of dysuric disorders and normalization of the urination process.
• Improving the functional state of the prostate gland.
• Reducing congestion, reducing swelling of the prostate gland.
• Reduction of severe symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
• Normalization of complete blood circulation in the pelvic area, reducing the likelihood of blood clots in the blood vessels.
• Decreased concentration of leukocytes that infiltrate the prostate tissue.

Methods of treatment of chronic prostatitis

In most cases, the chronic disease is successfully treated with conservative methods.But it must be remembered that therapy will bring quick positive results only with an integrated approach.It is recommended to review the lifestyle that causes the disease, otherwise a relapse is likely.Abuse of alcoholic beverages, unbalanced nutrition, 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 efficiency is very high.
• Physiotherapy procedures.Treatment of chronic prostatitis with thermal physiotherapy gives good results by improving microcirculation and absorption of drugs in tissues.Physiotherapy procedures include ultrasonic heating and irrigation with an antibacterial solution using an enema.
• Balneotherapy.In many sanatoriums, this disease is successfully treated using balneotherapy methods, i.e.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, you should avoid alcoholic beverages, 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.

The diet for chronic prostatitis 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 the formation of gas, such as cauliflower), dairy products, cereals and dried fruits.

Preventive measures

Chronic prostatitis usually does not develop if a person leads a healthy lifestyle: watches his diet, exercises, etc.Prevention of prostatitis is facilitated by giving up bad habits and casual sexual contacts.

There are primary, aimed at preventing the onset of the disease, prophylaxis and secondary, whose task is to prevent relapse (exacerbation) of existing chronic prostatitis.

Primary preventionit boils down to regular sexual contact, a balanced diet, compliance with a physical activity regime, timely and complete treatment of any infectious (purulent) diseases of the body and timely sanitation of the oral cavity.

Secondary preventionprovides regular examination by a urologist and preventive treatment - multivitamins, restorative drugs, exercises.

howpreventive medicineprostate diseases, suppositories can be used.