Prostate diseases are often the number one concern in men of reproductive age. Their causes and types are different. The most common pathology is prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland. The insidiousness 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?
The prostate, the prostate gland, is a sexual accessory gland in the male reproductive system. Its shape resembles a chestnut. The weight of the organ is 12-20 g. In its structure, the prostate is similar to a sponge, consisting of many small cavities in which secretions from the prostate gland are formed. Through many tiny ducts, the secret enters the urethra during intercourse.
The body is divided into 3 zones:
- skull;
- average;
- tail.
According to doctors' observations, the pathologies are mainly affected by the middle and tail zones. Tumors and malignant tumors are localized directly in them. Given these characteristics, if pathology is suspected, specialists are among the first to examine these areas of the prostate gland.
Where is the prostate located?
The prostate gland in men is activated and begins to grow with the onset of puberty. This process is regulated 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.
Looking at the pelvis as a whole, we can say that the prostate is at the center. It wraps around the bladder neck and proximal urethra. With its tip, the prostate gland is in contact with the pelvic membrane, above which the external urethral sphincter is located. Dorsally, the gland borders the ampulla of the rectum, through which a digital examination of the prostate is often performed.
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Why is the prostate responsible?
The functions of the prostate gland are as follows:
- Production of the liquid that is the liquid part of the sperm.
- The transformation of testosterone into its active form, dihydrotestosterone.
- Together with the muscles of the neck of the bladder, the formation of the internal sphincter, which is involved in the urination process.
- Participation in the process of ejaculation.
Prostatitis - types
Before highlighting the main symptoms of prostatitis in men, it is necessary to take into account the existing types of the 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, which develops as a result of a bacterial infection.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis- it is characterized by a slow course, periods of exacerbation alternate with remission.
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome- a hard-to-diagnose form of prostatitis, which manifests itself as constant pain in the pelvic area.
- Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis- it does not have a pronounced clinical picture, it is revealed by chance, based on the results of a urine test.
- 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 in men can have different causes. However, in most cases, they are associated with the negligent attitude of the stronger sex to their health.
Among the factors that cause the development of pathology, doctors name the following:
- infections of the urogenital system;
- circulatory disorders in the pelvic organs due to a sedentary lifestyle;
- prolonged absence of sexual relations, interrupted sexual relations;
- reduced 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 is the result of pathogenic microorganisms entering 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
In most cases, chronic inflammation of the prostate is not contagious. The factors contributing to the development of this form of pathology are not fully understood.
Possible specialists include:
- irregular sex life;
- hormonal disorders in the body;
- increased body weight;
- sedentary work;
- constant stress;
- genetic predisposition;
- constipation.
Signs and symptoms of prostatitis in men
In most cases, the symptoms of prostatitis go unnoticed for a long time. Periodic pain in the groin, a violation of sexual function, is considered by many men as a temporary phenomenon. In 90% of cases, the development of prostatitis manifests itself in a decrease in sexual activity, problems with ejaculation and difficulty urinating. In its acute form, the disease is accompanied by deterioration of general well-being.
In case of exacerbation of prostatitis, the following symptoms appear in men:
- rise in body temperature;
- general weakness;
- increased sweating;
- pain in the perineum, which radiates to the anus and pubis;
- difficult urination.
The first symptoms of prostatitis
The first symptoms of prostatitis in men to look out for are sexual dysfunction. A man complains of the deterioration of an erection or its complete absence. Ejaculation is also disturbed, orgasm is weakened. Similar symptoms of prostatitis in young men negatively affect sexual relations, so they soon begin to avoid them so as not to fall into the eyes of their lovers. This leads to mental depression, constant tension and anxiety, which aggravates the situation.
Symptoms of prostatitis - what causes it?
The painful sensations associated with prostatitis appear mainly with the development of the acute form of the disease. Their localization may be different. So, back pain associated with prostatitis is recorded by about 50% of patients. In most cases, men feel unbearable pain in the perineum, the scrotum, which radiates to the sacrum.
The intensity of painful sensations can vary: from painful, unpleasant sensations to pain that prevents you from falling asleep at night. Increased pain can be observed during intercourse, with excessive sexual activity, during ejaculation. In men, these symptoms of prostatitis are often among the first to appear.
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 ailments:
- frequent urge to urinate;
- lack of feeling of an empty bladder after going to the toilet;
- difficulty urinating.
Typical manifestations:
- In most cases, it all starts with a person not being able to empty their bladder normally. The prostate becomes 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 desire to go to the toilet.
- The chronic form is characterized by nocturnal urination: the man is forced to get out of bed and go to the toilet in the middle of the night.
- All this is accompanied by discomfort in the groin area. Sometimes these are the only symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
Allotments for prostatitis
When talking about what symptoms can be observed in prostatitis, doctors also name discharge from the genital tract among the possible manifestations of the disease. The most common of these disorders is prostorrhoea. It occurs with a decrease in the tone of the prostate and indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the gland. In such cases, the discharge appears after urination or defecation.
The consistency of discharge from the genital tract resembles a thick, whitish-milky liquid. When, in addition to inflammation, infectious agents are also present in the prostate, the color of the discharge changes to transparent with a yellowish tint. At the same time, the man notices severe discomfort in the anus and itching in the urethra.
Allotments were recorded more often during the day, after active movements, after performing prostate massage. In men, similar symptoms of prostatitis are forced to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.
temperature in case of prostatitis
In men, acute inflammation of the prostate is always accompanied by hyperthermia. The body temperature associated with a similar disease often rises to 39 degrees.
A man notices the appearance of the following symptoms:
- sharp pains in the lower abdomen;
- pain in the perineum;
- pain in the process of emptying the bladder;
- discomfort and discomfort during bowel movements.
In most cases, the temperature appears only at the beginning of the inflammatory process. Over time, it will normalize after taking antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs. 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, the man must contact a urologist even if a disease is suspected. The consequences of prostatitis can be very diverse: from sexual dysfunction to conception problems and secondary infertility. The probability of developing such a pathology in the absence of appropriate therapy is 40%. The most frightening complication is prostate adenoma - a malignant tumor.
Other negative effects include:
- neurosis;
- abscess;
- depression and apathy.