Chronic prostatitis: symptoms, prevention and treatment

Chronic prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate 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.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 a lack of regular sex life.

What role does the prostate play in the body?

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

Causes of chronic prostatitis

Sexually transmitted infections and pathogens are the most common cause of chronic inflammation of the prostate.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.

The causes of the disease also include:

• frequent hypothermia;
• low immunity;
• hormonal disorders;
• a person has bad habits;
• injuries to the pelvic organs;
• 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 blood or lymphatic flow from sites of infection or inflamed organs of the body's own body.
2. Poor circulation in the prostateor 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.An exacerbation is often observed after hypothermia, various infectious diseases, dietary errors (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 region;
• frequent and painful urge to urinate;
• pain in the lower abdomen (constant or during urination);
• intermittent or slow stream of urine;
• reduction in the duration of sexual intercourse, deterioration of erection, decreased libido, premature ejaculation;
• periodic/constant absence of morning (spontaneous) erection;
• 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 go away on its own.However, it progresses, leading to 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 laboratory and instrumental examination.It includes:

• general urine analysis,
• general blood test,
• examination of prostate secretions,
• bacteriological examination of prostate 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 urination during the day and night, weak urinary flow, feeling 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 surgical intervention.
• Prostate 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 only take place 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 rapid results and elimination of symptoms.

As the therapy must be complex, other medications must also be used:

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

There is no universal remedy.Therefore, doctors can recommend antibacterial drugs from different groups.Cephalosporins, protected penicillins, fluoroquinolones, nitrofurans and tetracyclines and others.All of them affect the cause of the disease – bacterial infection.

Alpha blockers are medications for chronic prostatitis designed to relax the muscles of the prostatic urethra and bladder neck to make urine flow easier by relieving spasms.In fact, they do not treat, but only eliminate painful symptoms of inflammation.

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

Drug	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 use.
Diaminopyrimidines	Good penetration into prostate tissues. 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 prostate tissues. Low toxicity.	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 remedy for chronic prostatitis

Among the drugs with a large evidence base, there are drugs derived from extracts of bovine prostate 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.
• Improve the functional state of the prostate.
• Reduce congestion, reduce prostate swelling.
• Reduction of severe symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
• Normalization of complete blood circulation in the pelvic region, thereby reducing the risk of blood clots forming in the blood vessels.
• Decreased concentration of leukocytes that infiltrate prostate tissue.

Methods for treating chronic prostatitis

In most cases, chronic diseases are successfully treated by conservative methods.But we must not forget that therapy will bring quick positive results only with an integrated approach.It is recommended to reconsider the lifestyle that caused the disease, otherwise a relapse is likely.Abuse of alcoholic beverages, unbalanced diet, sedentary lifestyle and light sex are extremely harmful to the male reproductive system.

Treatment procedures:

• Prostate massage, is done manually through the anus.It should be noted that the procedure is not very pleasant, but its effectiveness is very high.
• Physiotherapeutic procedures.Treatment of chronic prostatitis with thermal physiotherapy gives good results by improving microcirculation and absorption of drugs in the tissues.Physiotherapeutic procedures include ultrasound heating and irrigation with an antibacterial solution using enemas.
• Balneotherapy.In many sanatoriums, this disease is successfully treated by balneotherapy methods, that is, with the help of mineral waters.For the treatment of patients with prostatitis, weakly 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, because ethyl alcohol irritates the prostate ducts, increasing pain and inflammation.It is also necessary to limit the consumption of fatty meats to avoid the formation of cholesterol plaques and further deterioration of blood circulation.Legumes, mushrooms, offal, salty and spicy foods, tea and coffee, carbonated drinks and pastries are prohibited.

The diet for chronic prostatitis should include foods rich in zinc (it is found in seafood and pumpkin seeds).It is recommended to eat as many vegetables as possible (except those which 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 man leads a healthy lifestyle: monitors his diet, exercises, etc.Prevention of prostatitis is facilitated by abandoning bad habits and casual sex.

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

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

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

Howprophylactic medicationprostate diseases, suppositories can be used.