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 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.In addition, the development of chronic prostatitis is often facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle and lack of regular sex life.

What role does the prostate gland play in the body?

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

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 onset of more serious diseases: male infertility, prostatic adenoma.

The causes of the disease also include:

• frequent hypothermia;
• low immunity;
• hormonal disorders;
• a person has bad habits;
• injuries of the pelvic organs;
• 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 one's body.
2. Poor circulation in the prostate glandor stagnation of its secretion, which occurs in the following cases:
   • sexual abstinence for a long time;
   • frequently interrupted sexual 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 diet (too spicy food, alcohol).

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

The most common symptoms:

• sensation of discomfort or pain in the inguinal and suprapubic area, in the perineum, in the scrotum, in the rectum, in the lumbosacral region;
• frequent and painful need to urinate;
• lower abdominal pain (constant or during urination);
• intermittent or slow urine flow;
• reduction in the duration of sexual intercourse, deterioration of erection, decreased libido, premature ejaculation;
• periodic/constant absence of morning erection (spontaneous);
• shooting 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 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

To accurately establish a diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a laboratory and instrumental examination.Includes:

• general urinalysis,
• general blood test,
• examination of prostate secretions,
• bacteriological examination of prostatic secretion to identify the 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 urine flow, sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
• Vesiculitis, colliculitis - inflammation of the seminal vesicles and seminal tubercle.
• Glandular abscess is a serious pathology that requires hospitalization and very often surgery.
• Prostatic sclerosis – develops with prolonged prostatitis and requires surgical treatment.
• Cysts and, consequently, prostate stones.
• Impotence, infertility.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

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

Since the therapy must be complex, it is also necessary to use other drugs:

• antibacterial,
• alpha blockers,
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

There are no universal treatments.Therefore, doctors can 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 drugs for chronic prostatitis, designed to relax the muscles of the prostatic urethra and bladder neck, to facilitate the outflow of urine by relieving spasm.In fact, they do not treat, but only eliminate the painful symptoms of inflammation.

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

Drug	Advantages	Disadvantages	Tips for use
Fluoroquinolones	Excellent penetration into prostatic 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 the prostatic tissue. Does not require dosage selection. 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 the prostatic 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 drugs with a large evidence base are drugs obtained from the extract of bovine prostate gland tissue.Most often - in the form of suppositories or ampoules.The medicine is effective in the treatment of both 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 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.
• Improve the functional state of the prostate gland.
• Reduce congestion, reduce prostate swelling.
• Reduction of severe symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
• Normalization of complete blood circulation in the pelvic area, reducing the likelihood of blood clots forming in the blood vessels.
• Decreased concentration of leukocytes that infiltrate the prostatic tissue.

Treatment methods for chronic prostatitis

In most cases, chronic disease is successfully treated with conservative methods.But it should be remembered that therapy will bring quick positive results only with an integrated approach.It is recommended to reconsider the lifestyle that causes the disease, otherwise a relapse is likely.The abuse of alcoholic beverages, an unbalanced diet, a sedentary lifestyle and promiscuous sexual relations are extremely harmful to the male reproductive system.

Treatment Procedures:

• Prostate massage, is done manually through the anus.It is worth noting that the procedure is not very pleasant, but the effectiveness is very high.
• Physiotherapy procedures.Treatment of chronic prostatitis with thermal physiotherapy gives good results by improving microcirculation and absorption of drugs into the 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 must be avoided, as ethyl alcohol irritates the prostatic ducts, 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 gas formation, such as cauliflower), dairy products, cereals and dried fruit.

Preventive measures

Chronic prostatitis usually does not develop if a man leads a healthy lifestyle: observes diet, exercises, etc.Prevention of prostatitis is facilitated by abandoning bad habits and occasional sexual intercourse.

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

Primary preventionit boils down to regular sexual intercourse, a balanced diet, adherence to a physical activity regime, timely and comprehensive treatment of any infectious (purulent) diseases of the body and timely hygiene of the oral cavity.

Secondary preventioninvolves regular examination by a urologist and preventive treatment: multivitamins, restorative drugs, exercise.

Asmedicine for prophylaxisprostate diseases, suppositories can be used.