Diseases of the prostate often come first in men of reproductive age. Their causes and types are different. The most common pathology is prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland. The insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that the symptoms of prostatitis in men are latent for a long time.
What is the prostate in men?
Prostate, the prostate gland is an accessory sex gland in the male reproductive system. Its shape resembles a chestnut. The mass of the organ is in the range of 12-20 g. In its structure, the prostate is similar to a sponge, consisting of many small cavities in which the secretion of the prostate gland is formed. Through very small channels, the secretion enters the urethra during sexual intercourse.
The body is divided into 3 areas:
- cranial;
- average;
- tail.
According to the observations of doctors, the pathologies are mainly affected by the middle and tail area. Neoplasms, malignant tumors are located directly in them. Given these characteristics, when pathology is suspected, specialists examine these areas of the prostate gland among the first.
Where is the prostate located?
The prostate gland in men is activated and begins to grow with the onset of puberty. This process is controlled by sex hormones. This androgen-dependent organ is located below the bladder. The beginning of the urethra passes through the prostate. The excretory ducts of the prostate open into the urethra.
Looking at the pelvis as a whole, we can say that the prostate is in the center. It wraps around the bladder neck and proximal urethra. With its tip, the prostate gland is in contact with the pelvic diaphragm, above which the external urethral sphincter is located. Dorsally, the gland borders the ampulla of the rectum, through which a digital examination of the prostate is often performed.
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What is the prostate gland responsible for?
The functions of the prostate gland are as follows:
- The production of fluid that forms the liquid part of the semen.
- Converting testosterone to its active form, dihydrotestosterone.
- The formation, together with the muscles of the neck of the bladder, of the internal sphincter, which is involved in the process of urination.
- Participation in the process of the act of ejaculation.
Prostatitis - types
Before highlighting the main symptoms of prostatitis in men, it is necessary to consider the existing types of the disease. Inflammation of the prostate, depending on the form of the disorder, the clinical picture is divided into the following types:
- Acute prostatitis- severe inflammation of the prostate gland, which develops as a result of a bacterial infection.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis- is characterized by a slow course, periods of exacerbation alternate with remission.
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome- a difficult-to-diagnose form of prostatitis, manifested by constant pain in the pelvic area.
- Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis- there is no clear clinical picture, it is discovered accidentally, according to the results of a urine test.
- Granulomatous prostatitis- is considered a side effect of drug therapy for other diseases. Prostate tissue is gradually replaced by connective tissue.
Inflammation of the prostate - causes
Inflammation of the prostate gland in men can be provoked by various reasons. However, in most cases they are associated with the disdainful attitude of the stronger sex to their health.
Among the factors provoking the development of the pathology, doctors call:
- infections of the genitourinary system;
- circulatory disorders in the pelvic organs due to a sedentary lifestyle;
- prolonged lack of sexual relations, interruption of sexual intercourse;
- reduced local immunity;
- frequent hypothermia;
- hormonal imbalance in the body;
- lack of vitamins and minerals;
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
Infectious prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland of an infectious nature is a consequence of the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into the prostate. The process can be acute or chronic.
Provocative factors play an important role in the development of infectious prostatitis, including:
- severe hypothermia of the body;
- stressful situations;
- increased physical activity;
- bad habits (nicotine, alcohol);
- diabetes;
- hypothyroidism;
- HIV.
Non-infectious prostatitis
Chronic inflammation of the prostate in most cases is non-infectious. The factors contributing to the development of this form of pathology are not fully understood.
Among the possible specialists are the following:
- irregular sex life;
- hormonal disturbances in the body;
- increased body weight;
- sedentary type of work;
- constant stress;
- genetic predisposition;
- constipation.
Signs of prostatitis in men and its symptoms
Symptoms of prostatitis in most cases remain unnoticed for a long time. Periodic pain in the groin area, a violation of sexual function, many men consider a temporary phenomenon. In 90% of cases, the development of inflammation of the prostate gland is manifested by a decrease in sexual activity, problems with ejaculation and difficulty urinating. In the acute form, the disease is accompanied by a deterioration in general well-being.
When an exacerbation of prostatitis occurs, the symptoms in men are as follows:
- increase in body temperature;
- general weakness;
- increased sweating;
- pain in the perineum, radiating to the anus and pubis;
- difficulty urinating.
The first symptoms of prostatitis
The first symptoms of prostate inflammation in men that you should pay attention to are sexual dysfunction. A person complains of worsening erection or its complete absence. Ejaculation is also impaired, orgasm is weakened. Such symptoms of prostatitis in young men negatively affect sexual relations, so they soon begin to avoid them in order not to catch the eyes of their lovers. This leads to mental depression, constant tension and anxiety, which aggravates the situation.
Symptoms of prostatitis - what hurts?
Painful sensations during inflammation of the prostate occur mainly with the development of an acute form of the disease. Their localization may be different. So back pain with prostatitis is fixed by about 50% of patients. In most cases, men experience excruciating pain in the perineum, scrotum, which radiates to the sacrum.
The intensity of painful sensations can vary: from painful, unpleasant sensations to pain that does not allow you to sleep at night. Increased pain can be noticed during intercourse, with excessive sexual activity, during ejaculation. These symptoms of prostatitis in men often appear among the first.
Urination with prostatitis
Given the inflammation of the prostate, the symptoms of the disease, among other signs, doctors distinguish a violation of the urination process.
Patients often complain of the following nature:
- frequent urge to urinate;
- lack of feeling of an empty bladder after going to the toilet;
- difficulty urinating.
Characteristic manifestations:
- In most cases, it all starts with the fact that a person cannot empty his bladder normally. The prostate, which becomes inflamed, increases in volume and gradually presses the urethra.
- Progressive inflammation leads to the development of sclerosis of the bladder neck. As a result, the patient has a frequent urge to go to the toilet.
- The chronic form is characterized by nocturnal urination: a person is forced to get out of bed and go to the toilet in the middle of the night.
- All this is accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the groin area. Sometimes these are the only symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
Distributions for prostatitis
Speaking about what symptoms can be observed with prostatitis, doctors also indicate discharge from the genital tract among the possible manifestations of the disease. The most common of these disorders is prostatitis. It occurs with a decrease in the tone of the prostate gland and indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the gland. In such cases, the discharge occurs after the act of urination or defecation.
The consistency of the discharge from the genital tract resembles a thick, whitish-milky liquid. When in the prostate, in addition to inflammation, there are also infectious agents, the color of the discharge changes to translucent with a yellowish tint. At the same time, the man notes strong discomfort in the anus and itching in the urethra.
Distributions are noticed more often during the day, after active movements, performing a prostate massage. Similar symptoms of prostatitis in men are forced to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.
temperature in prostatitis
Acute inflammation of the prostate in men is always accompanied by hyperthermia. Body temperature with such a disease often rises to 39 degrees.
A person notices the appearance of the following symptoms:
- sharp pain in the lower abdomen;
- pain in the perineum;
- pain in the process of emptying the bladder;
- discomfort and discomfort during bowel movements.
The temperature in most cases appears only at the beginning of the inflammatory process. Over time, after taking antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs, its normalization was observed. The lack of treatment and medical assistance at this stage is fraught with the progression of prostatitis and the transition of the disease into a chronic form.
Why is prostatitis dangerous?
Doctors recommend starting treatment with the appearance of the first clinical symptoms of the disease. For this, a person should contact a urologist already if there is a suspicion of a disease. The consequences of prostatitis can be very different: from sexual dysfunction to problems with conception and secondary infertility. The probability of developing such a pathology is 40% in the absence of appropriate therapy. The worst complication is prostate adenoma - a malignant tumor.
Other negative effects include:
- neurosis;
- abscess;
- depression and apathy.