Diseases of the prostate usually appear first in men of reproductive age. Their causes and types are different. The most common pathology is prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland. The insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that the symptoms of prostatitis in men are dormant 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. In its form, it resembles a chestnut. The mass of the organ is in the range from 12 to 20 G. In its structure, the prostate is sponge-like, consisting of many small cavities in which the secretion of the prostate gland is formed. Through many tiny ducts, the secret enters the urinary canal during intercourse.
The body is divided into 3 zones:
- cranial;
- average;
- tail.
According to the observations of doctors, pathologies are mainly affected by the middle and tail zones. Neoplasms, malignant tumors are located directly on them. Given these characteristics, if any pathology is suspected, specialists examine these areas of the prostate gland among the first.
Where is the prostate located?
The prostate in men 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. Through the prostate passes the initial part of the urethra. The excretory ducts of the prostate empty into the urethra.
Considering the pelvis as a whole, we can say that the prostate is in the center. It surrounds 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 a digital examination of the prostate is often performed.
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What is the prostate gland responsible for?
The functions of the prostate are the following:
- The production of fluid that forms the liquid part of semen.
- Conversion of testosterone to its active form, dihydrotestosterone.
- The formation, together with the muscles of the bladder neck, of the internal sphincter, which is involved in the urination process.
- Participation in the process of the act of ejaculation.
Prostatitis - types
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 violation, the clinical picture is divided into the following types:
- acute prostatitis- Severe inflammation of the prostate gland, which develops as a result of a bacterial infection.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis- characterized by a slow course, periods of exacerbation alternate with remission.
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome- a difficult to diagnose form of prostatitis, manifested by constant pain in the pelvic area.
- Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis- does not have a pronounced clinical picture, is detected by chance, based on the results of a urine test.
- granulomatous prostatitis- is considered as a side effect of drug therapy for other diseases. The prostate tissue is gradually replaced by connective tissue.
Prostate inflammation - causes
Inflammation of the prostate in men can have several causes. However, in most cases they are associated with a careless attitude of the stronger sex towards their health.
Among the factors provoking the development of pathology, doctors call:
- infections of the genitourinary system;
- circulatory disorders in the pelvic organs due to a sedentary lifestyle;
- prolonged absence of sexual intercourse, interrupted sexual intercourse;
- decreased local immunity;
- frequent hypothermia;
- hormonal imbalance in the body;
- lack of vitamins and minerals;
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
infectious prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland of an infectious nature is a consequence of the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into the prostate. The process can proceed in an acute or chronic form.
Provoking 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 not infectious. The factors that contribute to the development of this form of pathology are not fully understood.
Possible specialists include:
- irregular sex life;
- hormonal disturbances in the body;
- body weight gain;
- sedentary type of work;
- constant stress;
- genetic predisposition;
- constipation.
Signs of prostatitis in men and their symptoms.
Symptoms of prostatitis in most cases go unnoticed for a long time. Periodic pain in the groin area, a violation of sexual function, many men consider it a temporary phenomenon. In 90% of cases, the development of inflammation of the prostate gland is manifested by decreased sexual activity, ejaculation problems and difficulty urinating. In the acute form, the disease is accompanied by a deterioration in general well-being.
When an exacerbation of prostatitis occurs, the symptoms in a man are as follows:
- increased 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 symptoms of prostate inflammation in men that you should pay attention to are sexual dysfunction. A man complains of a worsening of the erection or the complete absence of it. Ejaculation is also disturbed, orgasm weakens. Similar symptoms of prostatitis in young men negatively affect sexual intercourse, so they soon begin to avoid them in order 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 hurts?
Painful sensations with inflammation of the prostate occur mainly with the development of an acute form of the disease. Your location may be different. So, back pain with prostatitis resolves in about 50% of patients. In most cases, men experience excruciating pain in the perineum, scrotum, radiating to the sacrum.
The intensity of painful sensations can vary: from pain, unpleasant sensations to pain that does not allow you to fall asleep at night. An increase in pain during sexual intercourse, with excessive sexual activity, during ejaculation may be noted. These symptoms of prostatitis in men usually appear among the first.
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 nature:
- frequent urge to urinate;
- lack of sensation of an empty bladder after going to the bathroom;
- Difficulty urinating.
Characteristic manifestations:
- In most cases, it all starts with the fact that a man cannot empty his bladder normally. The prostate, when 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 urge to go to the toilet.
- The chronic form is characterized by night urination - a 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.
Allocations for prostatitis.
Speaking about the symptoms that can be observed with prostatitis, doctors also mention discharge from the genital tract among the possible manifestations of the disease. The most common of these disorders is prostorrhea. It occurs 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 urinating or defecating.
The consistency of the 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 to translucent with a yellowish tint. At the same time, the man notes strong discomfort in the anus and itching in the urethra.
Allocations are most often noted during the day, after active movements, the implementation of prostate massage. Similar symptoms of prostatitis in men are forced to see a doctor and undergo an examination.
temperature for prostatitis
Acute inflammation of the prostate in men is always accompanied by hyperthermia. Body temperature 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.
The temperature in most cases occurs only at the beginning of the inflammatory process. Over time, after taking antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs, their normalization is observed. The lack of treatment and medical care at this stage is fraught with the progression of prostatitis and the transition of the disease into a chronic form.
Why is prostatitis dangerous?
Doctors recommend starting treatment with the appearance of the first clinical symptoms of the disease. For this, a man should contact a urologist if he is suspected of having a disease. The consequences of prostatitis can be very diverse: from sexual dysfunction to problems with conception and secondary infertility. The probability of developing such a pathology is 40% in the absence of adequate therapy. The most formidable complication is prostate adenoma - a tumor of a malignant nature.
Other negative effects include:
- neurosis;
- abscess;
- depression and apathy.