Prostate diseases are often the first 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?
Prostate The prostate gland is an accessory sex gland in the male reproductive system. It resembles a chestnut in its form. The mass of the organ is in the range of 12-20 g, the prostate in its structure is similar to a sponge, consisting of many small cavities in which the secretion of the prostate gland is formed. Through many tiny ducts, the secret enters the urethra during sexual intercourse.
The body is divided into 3 zones:
- cranial;
- medium
- the tail.
According to doctors, pathologies mainly affect the middle and tail areas. Neoplasms, malignant tumors are localized directly in them. Considering these characteristics, if pathology is suspected, specialists first examine these areas of the prostate gland.
Where is the prostate located?
In men, the prostate gland 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 neck of the bladder and the proximal urethra. With its apex, the prostate gland is in contact with the pelvic diaphragm, above which the external urethral sphincter is located. Dorsally, the gland borders the ampulla of the rectum, through which 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 fluid that makes up the liquid part of the sperm.
- Conversion 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 process of urination.
- Participation in the act of ejaculation.
Prostatitis - faces
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 disorder, the clinical picture is divided into the following types:
- Acute prostatitis- Severe inflammation of the prostate gland, which develops as a result of bacterial infection.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis- It is characterized by a sluggish course, periods of exacerbation alternate with remission.
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome- A hard-to-diagnose form of prostatitis, manifested by constant pain in the pelvis.
- Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis- does not have a pronounced clinical picture, is detected by chance, according to the results of urine analysis.
- Granulomatous prostatitis- Considered as a side effect of drug therapy for other diseases. Prostate tissue is gradually replaced by connective tissue.
Inflammation of the prostate - causes
Inflammation of the prostate gland in men can be provoked by various reasons. However, in most cases they are related to the neglect of the stronger sex towards their health.
Among the provoking factors of the development of pathology, doctors call:
- infections of the genitourinary system;
- blood circulation disorders in the pelvic organs due to a sedentary lifestyle;
- long absence of sexual intercourse, interrupted intercourse;
- decrease of 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 the result of the introduction of pathogenic microorganisms into the prostate. The process can be acute or chronic.
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.
Possible specialists include:
- Irregular sex life;
- hormonal disorders in the body;
- increased 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 remain unnoticed for a long time. Periodic pain in the groin area, sexual dysfunction, many men consider it a temporary phenomenon. In 90% of cases, the development of inflammation of the prostate gland is manifested by a decrease in sexual activity, ejaculation problems and difficulty urinating. In an acute form, the disease is accompanied by deterioration of general well-being.
Symptoms of prostatitis in men 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 symptom of prostate inflammation in men that you should pay attention to is sexual dysfunction. A man complains of worsening erection or its complete absence. Ejaculation is also disturbed, orgasm becomes weaker. Prostatitis-like symptoms in young men have a negative effect on sexual relations, so they soon begin to avoid it so as not to be in the eyes of their lovers. This leads to mental depression, constant tension and anxiety, which aggravates the situation.
Symptoms of prostatitis - what hurts?
Painful sensations with inflammation of the prostate occur mainly with the development of an acute form of the disease. Their localization may be different. So, back pain with prostatitis is reported by about 50% of patients. In most cases, men experience excruciating pain in the perineum, scrotum, radiating to the scrotum.
The intensity of painful sensations can vary: from painful, unpleasant sensations to pain that does not allow you to sleep at night. Increased pain can be observed during sexual intercourse, excessive sexual activity, during ejaculation. These symptoms of prostatitis are often among the first to appear in men.
Urination with prostatitis
Taking into account the symptoms of inflammation of the prostate, disease, among other signs, doctors distinguish between disorders of the urination process.
Patients often complain of the following symptoms:
- frequent urge to urinate;
- lack of empty bladder feeling after going to the toilet;
- Difficulty urinating.
Characteristic manifestations:
- In most cases, it all starts with a man not being able to empty his bladder normally. The prostate becomes inflamed, increases in volume and gradually compresses the urethra.
- Progressive inflammation leads to the development of bladder neck sclerosis. As a result, the patient has a frequent urge 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 unpleasant sensations in the groin area. Sometimes these are the only symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
Allotment for prostatitis
When talking about what symptoms can be observed during prostatitis, doctors mention discharge from the genital tract among the possible manifestations of the disease. Prostorrhea is the most common of these disorders. This happens 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, whitish-milky liquid. When in the prostate, in addition to inflammation, there are also infectious agents, the color of the discharge changes from transparent to yellowish. At the same time, the man reports severe discomfort in the anus and itching in the urethra.
Discharge is more often observed during the day, after active movements, prostate massage. Prostatitis-like symptoms 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 similar disease often rises to 39 degrees.
A man notices 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.
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 assistance 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 the treatment with the first clinical symptoms of the disease. For this, a man should already consult a urologist if he has any disease. The consequences of prostatitis can be very diverse: from sexual dysfunction to conception problems and secondary infertility. The probability of developing such a pathology is 40% in the absence of proper therapy. The most terrible complication is prostate adenoma - a tumor of a malignant nature.
Other negative effects include:
- neurosis;
- abscess;
- Depression and apathy.