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 arises due to the impact of sexually transmitted infections and opportunistic microflora on the prostate.In itself, inflammation of the gland is not scary, but without effective treatment it can cause urination disorders, pain, and lead to male infertility and impotence.In addition, the development of chronic prostatitis is often promoted by a sedentary lifestyle and the lack of a regular sexual life.

What role does the prostate play in the body?

Below the bladder is the chestnut-shaped prostate.It prevents the penetration of semen and also produces prostatic secretion, an important component of sperm.

Causes of chronic prostatitis

The most common causes of chronic inflammation of the prostate are infections and sexually transmitted 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 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 various ways - via the urethra, via the blood or lymph flow from sources of infection or inflamed organs in your own body.
2. Poor blood flow to the prostateor stagnation of its secretion, which occurs in the following cases:
   • sexual abstinence for a long period of time;
   • frequently interrupted sexual intercourse or unrecognized arousal;
   • faulty ejaculation.

Stress and alcoholism can also contribute to chronic prostatitis in the male body.Exacerbation is often observed after hypothermia, various infectious diseases and nutritional errors (too spicy food, alcohol).

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

The most common symptoms:

• Feeling of discomfort or pain in the groin and suprapubic area, perineum, scrotum, rectum and lumbosacral area;
• frequent and painful urge to urinate;
• Pain in the lower abdomen (constant or when urinating);
• intermittent or sluggish stream of urine;
• Shortening the duration of sexual intercourse, worsening erection, decreased libido, premature ejaculation;
• periodic/constant absence of a morning erection (spontaneous);
• a pulling pain in the glans after ejaculation that goes away on its own 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 and causes various complications: pyelonephritis, cystitis, vesiculitis.Over time, infertility and impotence develop against the background of inflammation of the prostate.

Diagnosis of the disease

To make an accurate diagnosis, laboratory and instrumental examination is required.It includes:

• general urinalysis,
• general blood test,
• Examination of prostate secretion,
• bacteriological examination of prostate secretion to identify microflora with determination of sensitivity to antibacterial drugs,
• Blood test for PSA (prostate-specific antigen),
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and prostate,
• Digital examination of the prostate.

Complications that can be caused by chronic prostatitis

This disease causes many concomitant diseases that significantly complicate a man's life:

• Urinary disorders: frequent urination during the day and night, weak urine stream, feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.
• Vesiculitis, colculitis – inflammation of the seminal vesicles and seminiferous tubercle.
• A gland abscess is a serious pathology that requires hospitalization and very often surgical intervention.
• Prostatic sclerosis – develops with prolonged prostatitis and requires surgical treatment.
• Cysts and as a result prostate stones.
• Impotence, infertility.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

Treatment of this disease should only be carried out under constant medical supervision.One of the best and most effective modern drugs for the treatment of chronic prostatitis is made from an extract of prostate tissue.Its use leads to quick results and elimination of symptoms.

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

• antibacterial,
• alpha blockers,
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

There are no universal remedies.Therefore, doctors can recommend antibacterial drugs of 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 medications for chronic prostatitis that serve to relax the muscles of the prostatic urethra and bladder neck to facilitate the outflow of urine by relieving spasms.In fact, they do not treat the painful symptoms of inflammation, but only eliminate them.

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

drug	Advantages	Disadvantages	Application recommendations
Fluoroquinolones	Excellent penetration into the prostate tissue. Good bioavailability. Equivalence of oral and parenteral pharmacokinetics. Good effectiveness against typical and atypical pathogens.	Cross allergy. Phototoxicity. Effect on the central nervous system.	Recommended for use.
Diaminopyrimidines	Good penetration into the prostate tissue. Does not require dosage selection. Good antimicrobial activity.	Negative against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae.	Second-line medications.
Macrolides	Moderate activity against gram-positive bacteria. Activity against atypical pathogens. Good penetration into the prostate tissue. Low toxicity.	Insufficient activity against gram-negative bacteria.	Used for certain pathogens.
Tetracyclines	Good effect against atypical pathogens.	Inactive against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Insufficient effect against staphylococci, Escherichia coli.	Used for certain pathogens.

An effective remedy for chronic prostatitis

Drugs with a large evidence base include drugs made from bovine prostate tissue extract.Most often - in the form of suppositories or ampoules.The medicine is effective in treating both acute and chronic forms of the disease.This medicine is available in the form of suppositories (rectal suppositories) and ampoules (injections).The action of the drug is aimed at strengthening the walls of blood vessels and improving blood circulation at the micro level.

The effect of the drug in chronic prostatitis:

• Elimination of dysuric disorders and normalization of the urination process.
• Improving the functional state of the prostate.
• Reducing constipation, reducing prostate swelling.
• Reducing severe symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
• Normalization of full blood circulation in the pelvic area, reducing the likelihood of blood clots forming in blood vessels.
• Decreased concentration of leukocytes infiltrating prostate tissue.

Treatment methods for chronic prostatitis

In most cases, chronic illnesses can be successfully treated using conservative methods.However, it should be noted that therapy brings quick positive results only with an integrated approach.It is recommended to reconsider the lifestyle that causes the disease, otherwise a relapse is likely.Alcohol abuse, unbalanced diet, lack of exercise and promiscuous sexual relationships are extremely harmful to the male reproductive system.

Treatment procedure:

• Prostate massage, is performed manually through the anus.It is worth noting that the procedure is not very pleasant, but the effectiveness is very high.
• Physiotherapeutic procedures.Treatment of chronic prostatitis with thermal physiotherapy gives good results by improving microcirculation and absorption of drugs into tissues.Physiotherapeutic procedures include ultrasound warming and rinsing 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, weakly mineralized water is usually prescribed, both internally and in the form of baths.
• Diet therapy.At the first signs of prostatitis, you should start following a special diet.First, you should avoid alcoholic beverages because ethyl alcohol irritates the prostate ducts and increases pain and inflammation.It is also necessary to limit the consumption of fatty meats to prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques and further deterioration in 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 (it is 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, grains and dried fruits.

Preventive measures

Chronic prostatitis usually does not develop if a man leads a healthy lifestyle: pays attention to his diet, exercises, etc.Prevention of prostatitis is facilitated by giving up bad habits and occasional sexual intercourse.

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

Primary preventionWhat matters is regular sexual intercourse, a balanced diet, adherence to a physical activity plan, timely and complete treatment of any infectious (purulent) diseases of the body and timely hygiene of the oral cavity.

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

HowMedicines for prophylaxisProstate diseases can be used suppositories.