Prostate disease is often the first in men of reproductive age. Their causes and types are different. The most common pathology is prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland. The peculiarity of this 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 a sex accessory gland in the male reproductive system. In shape, it resembles a chestnut. Organ mass 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 secretions of the prostate gland are formed. Through many small channels, the secret enters the urinary tract during sexual intercourse.
The body is divided into 3 zones:
- skull;
- average;
- tail
According to the doctor's observations, the pathology is mainly affected by the middle and tail zones. Neoplasms, malignant tumors are localized directly in it. Given these characteristics, if pathology is suspected, experts examine this area 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. Through the prostate passes the first part of the urethra. The excretory duct of the prostate opens into the urethra.
Considering the pelvis as a whole, we can say that the prostate is in the middle. It wraps around the bladder neck and proximal urethra. With its apex, the prostate gland is in contact with the pelvic diaphragm, on which lies the external urethral sphincter. In the dorsal part, the gland borders the rectal ampulla, where 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 makes up the liquid part of semen.
- Conversion of testosterone to its active form, dihydrotestosterone.
- The formation, together with the bladder neck muscles, of the internal sphincter, which is involved in the process of urination.
- Participation in the act of ejaculation.
Prostatitis - types
Before highlighting the main symptoms of prostatitis in men, it is necessary to consider the existing type of disease. Inflammation of the prostate, depending on the form of violation, the clinical picture is divided into the following types:
- Acute prostatitis- severe inflammation of the prostate gland, which develops due to bacterial infection.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis- characterized by a slow course, periods of exacerbation alternating with remission.
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome- a form of prostatitis that is difficult to diagnose, indicated by constant pain in the pelvic area.
- Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis- does not have a clear clinical picture, detected by chance, according to the results of urinalysis.
- Granulomatous prostatitis- 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 triggered by various reasons. However, in most cases they are associated with the neglect of the stronger sex towards their health.
Among the factors that provoke the development of pathology, doctors call:
- infections of the genitourinary system;
- circulatory disorders in the pelvic organs due to an inactive lifestyle;
- prolonged absence of sexual intercourse, interrupted sexual intercourse;
- decreased local immunity;
- frequent hypothermia;
- hormonal imbalance in the body;
- lack of vitamins and minerals;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene rules.
Infectious prostatitis
Infectious inflammation of the prostate gland is the result of the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into the prostate. This process can continue in an acute or chronic form.
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.
Prostatitis is not contagious
Chronic inflammation of the prostate in most cases is not contagious. The factors that contribute to the development of this pathological form are not fully understood.
Among the possible experts are as follows:
- irregular sex life;
- hormonal disorders in the body;
- weight gain;
- inactive work type;
- constant pressure;
- genetic predisposition;
- constipation.
Signs and symptoms of prostatitis in men
Symptoms of prostatitis in most cases go unnoticed for a long time. Periodic pain in the groin area, violation of sexual function, many men consider as a temporary phenomenon. In 90% of cases, the development of inflammation of the prostate gland is indicated by a decrease in sexual activity, problems with ejaculation, and difficulty urinating. In its acute form, the disease is accompanied by a deterioration in general well-being.
When the severity of prostatitis occurs, the symptoms in a man are as follows:
- increased body temperature;
- general weakness;
- increased sweating;
- pain in the perineum, radiating to the anus and pubis;
- difficulty urinating
The first symptom of prostatitis
The first symptom of prostate inflammation in men that you should pay attention to is sexual dysfunction. A man complains of worsening erection or its complete absence. Ejaculation is also disturbed, libido becomes weak. Similar symptoms of prostatitis in young men have a negative effect on sexual relations, so they soon begin to avoid it so as not to fall in the eyes of their lovers. This leads to mental depression, constant tension and anxiety, which worsens the situation.
Symptoms of prostatitis - what hurts?
Painful sensations with inflammation of the prostate occur mainly with the development of the acute form of the disease. Their localization may be different. So, back pain with prostatitis is improved by about 50% of patients. In most cases, men experience unusual 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 fall asleep at night. Increased pain can be observed during intercourse, with excessive sexual activity, during ejaculation. 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, the doctor distinguishes a violation of the urinary process.
Patients often complain of the following properties:
- frequent urge to urinate;
- lack of feeling that the bladder is empty after going to the toilet;
- difficulty urinating.
Characteristic manifestation:
- In most cases, it all starts with the fact that a man cannot empty his bladder normally. The prostate, becoming inflamed, increases in volume and gradually compresses the urethra.
- Progressive inflammation leads to the development of bladder neck sclerosis. As a result, the patient has a frequent desire to go to the toilet.
- The chronic form is characterized by nocturnal enuresis: a man has to get out of bed and go to the toilet in the middle of the night.
- All this is accompanied by an unpleasant sensation in the groin area. Sometimes, this is the only symptom of chronic prostatitis.
Provision for prostatitis
Speaking about what symptoms can be observed with prostatitis, doctors also name discharge from the genital tract among the possible manifestations of the disease. The most common of these disorders is prostorrhea. 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 appears after the act of urinating or defecating.
The consistency of the discharge from the genital tract resembles a thick liquid, whitish milk. When in the prostate, in addition to inflammation, infectious agents are also present, the color of the discharge changes to translucent with a yellowish tint. At the same time, the man noted severe discomfort in the anus and itching in the urethra.
Allotment is more often observed during the day, after active movement, the implementation of prostate massage. Similar symptoms of prostatitis in men have to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.
temperature for prostatitis
Acute inflammation of the prostate in men is always accompanied by hyperthermia. Body temperature with the same disease often rises to 39 degrees.
A man 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 defecation.
Temperature in most cases occurs only at the beginning of the inflammatory process. Over time, after taking antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs, normalization is observed. The lack of treatment and medical care at this stage is fraught with the development 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 man should contact a urologist if he is suspected of having a disease. The consequences of prostatitis can be very diverse: from sexual dysfunction to problems with conception and secondary infertility. The probability of developing such a pathology is 40% if there is no proper therapy. The most formidable complication is prostate adenoma - a malignant tumor.
Other negative effects include:
- neurosis;
- abscess;
- depression and apathy.