Prostate diseases 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 cunning 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. In its shape it 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 many small channels, the secretion enters the urinary tract during sexual intercourse.
The body is divided into 3 areas:
- cranial;
- average;
- tail
According to doctors' observations, pathologies are mainly affected by the middle and tail areas. Neoplasms, malignant tumors are located directly in them. Based on these characteristics, if a 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 initial part of the urethra passes through the prostate. The excretory ducts of the prostate open into the urethra.
Considering 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, on which the external sphincter of the urethra is located. On the back side, 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:
- Production of the liquid that forms the liquid part of the sperm.
- 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 urination process.
- 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 violation, 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- characterized by a slow progress, periods of deterioration alternate with remission.
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome- a hard-to-diagnose form of prostatitis, manifested by constant pain in the pelvic area.
- Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis- there is no pronounced clinical picture, it is discovered randomly, according to the results of a urine analysis.
- Granulomatous prostatitis- considered as a side effect of drug therapy for other diseases. Prostate tissue is gradually replaced by connective tissue.
Prostate inflammation - causes
Inflammation of the prostate gland in men can provoke various causes. However, in most cases they are associated with a neglectful attitude of the stronger sex towards their health.
Among the factors that provoke the development of pathology, doctors call:
- infections of the genitourinary system;
- blood circulation disorders in the pelvic organs due to a sedentary lifestyle;
- prolonged absence of sexual relations, interrupted sexual relations;
- decreased local immunity;
- frequent hypothermia;
- hormonal imbalance in the body;
- lack of vitamins and minerals;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene rules.
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 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.
Non-infectious prostatitis
Chronic inflammation of the prostate in most cases is non-infectious. The factors that contribute to the development of this form of pathology are not fully understood.
Among the possible specialists are:
- irregular sex life;
- hormonal disorders in the body;
- increase in 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 go unnoticed for a long time. Periodic pain in the groin area, a violation of sexual function, many men consider as 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 of general well-being.
When an exacerbation of prostatitis occurs, the symptoms in a man are as follows:
- increase in body temperature;
- general weakness;
- increased sweating;
- pain in the perineum, radiating to the anus and pubis;
- difficult urination.
The first symptoms of prostatitis
The first symptoms of prostate inflammation in men that you should pay attention to are sexual dysfunction. A man complains of worsening erection or its complete absence. Ejaculation is also disturbed, orgasm weakens. Similar symptoms of prostatitis in young people negatively affect sexual relations, so they quickly begin to avoid them in order not to fall into 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 mainly occur with the development of an acute form of the disease. Their localization may be different. So, back pain with prostate 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 pain, unpleasant sensation to pain that does not allow you to fall asleep at night. Increased pain can be observed during sexual intercourse, with excessive sexual activity, during ejaculation. These symptoms of prostatitis in men often appear among the first.
Urination with prostatitis
Taking into account 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 man cannot empty his bladder normally. The prostate, being inflamed, increases in volume and gradually compresses the urethra.
- Progressive inflammation leads to the development of sclerosis of the bladder neck. As a result, the patient has a frequent need to go to the toilet.
- The chronic form is characterized by nocturnal urination: a man 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.
Allocations for prostatitis
Speaking about what symptoms can be observed with prostatitis, doctors also mention 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 urination or defecation.
The consistency of discharge from the genital tract resembles a thick, milky-white fluid. When in the prostate, in addition to inflammation, infectious agents are also present, the color of the discharge changes to transparent with a yellow tint. At the same time, the man notices severe discomfort in the anus and itching in the urethra.
Allotments are observed more often during the day, after active movements, the application of prostate massage. Similar symptoms of prostatitis in men are forced 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 a similar disease often rises to 39 degrees.
A man notices the appearance of the following symptoms:
- severe 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 occurs only at the beginning of the inflammatory process. Over time, after taking antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs, its normalization is observed. The lack of treatment and medical care at this stage is fraught with the progression of prostatitis and the transition of the disease to 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 already if he is suspected of having 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 most frightening complication is prostate adenoma - a malignant tumor.
Other negative effects include:
- neurosis;
- abscess;
- depression and apathy.