In men of reproductive age, prostate diseases are often in the first place. Their reasons and types are different. The most common pathology is prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland. The insidiousness of the disease is that the symptoms of prostatitis in men remain hidden for a long time.
What is prostate in men?
Prostate Gland The prostate gland is a sexual accessory gland in the male reproductive system. Its shape resembles a chestnut. Organ mass is in the range of 12-20 g. In its structure, the prostate gland resembles a sponge consisting of many small cavities in which the secretion of the prostate gland is formed. Through many small channels, cannabis enters the urethra during sexual intercourse.
The body is divided into 3 zones:
- skull;
- average;
- the tail.
According to the observations of doctors, pathologies mainly affect the middle and tail zones. Neoplasms, malignant tumors are localized directly in them. Considering these features, if a pathology is suspected, experts examine these areas of the prostate gland among the first.
Where is the prostate gland located?
In men, the prostate gland becomes active 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 beginning of the urethra passes through the prostate. The excretory ducts of the prostate open into the urethra.
If we consider the pelvis as a whole, we can say that the prostate is in the center. It covers the neck of the bladder and the proximal urethra. The apex of the prostate gland is in contact with the pelvic diaphragm, on which the external urethral sphincter is located. Dorsally, the gland borders the rectal ampulla, 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 sperm.
- Conversion of testosterone to its active form, dihydrotestosterone.
- The formation of the internal sphincter, which is involved in the process of urination, together with the neck muscles of the bladder.
- 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 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- characterized by a slow course, periods of exacerbation are replaced by remission.
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome- a hard-to-diagnose form of prostatitis, manifested by constant pain in the pelvis.
- Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis- there is no clear clinical picture, it is detected accidentally according to the results of urinalysis.
- Granulomatous prostatitis- is considered a side effect of drug treatment for other diseases. Prostate tissue is gradually replaced by connective tissue.
Inflammation of the prostate gland - causes
Inflammation of the prostate gland in men can be caused by various reasons. But in most cases, they are associated with the neglect of the stronger sex towards their own health.
Among the factors that lead to the development of pathology, doctors call:
- infections of the genitourinary system;
- circulatory disorders in the pelvic organs due to a sedentary lifestyle;
- long-term absence of sexual intercourse, cessation of sexual intercourse;
- reduction 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 pathogenic microorganisms entering 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 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;
- type of sedentary work;
- constant stress;
- genetic predisposition;
- constipation.
Signs and symptoms of prostatitis in men
Symptoms of prostatitis often go unnoticed for a long time. Many men consider periodic pain in the groin area, sexual dysfunction, to be 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 acute form, the disease is accompanied by deterioration of general well-being.
When exacerbation of prostatitis occurs, the symptoms in men are as follows:
- increase in body temperature;
- general weakness;
- increased sweating;
- pain in the perineum, radiation to the anus and pubis;
- difficult urination.
The first signs of prostatitis
The first symptoms of prostate inflammation in men that you should pay attention to are sexual dysfunction. A man complains of worsening erection or its complete absence. Ejaculation is also disturbed, orgasm is weakened. Similar symptoms of prostatitis in young men have a negative effect on sexual relations, so they soon begin to avoid them in order not to catch the eyes of their lovers. This leads to mental depression, constant tension and anxiety which aggravates the condition.
Symptoms of prostatitis - what harm?
Painful sensations with inflammation of the prostate mainly occur with the development of an acute form of the disease. Their localization may be different. Thus, back pain with prostatitis is determined by about 50% of patients. In most cases, men feel unbearable pain in the perineum, scrotum, spreading to the sacrum.
The intensity of painful sensations can be different: from painful, unpleasant sensations to pain that does not allow you to sleep at night. Increased pain can be noted during sexual intercourse, with excessive sexual activity, during ejaculation. These symptoms of prostatitis in men often appear among the first.
Urination with prostatitis
Taking into account the inflammation of the prostate, the symptoms of the disease, among other symptoms, doctors distinguish a violation of the process of urination.
Patients often complain of the following nature:
- frequent urge to urinate;
- lack of an empty bladder after going to the toilet;
- difficulty urinating.
Characteristic manifestations:
- In most cases, it all starts with a man's inability to empty his bladder normally. The volume of the inflamed prostate increases and gradually compresses the urethra.
- Progressive inflammation leads to the development of sclerosis of the bladder neck. As a result, the patient often has a desire to go to the toilet.
- The chronic form is characterized by nocturnal 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.
Deductions for prostatitis
Talking about what symptoms can be observed in prostatitis, doctors mention discharge from the genitals among the possible manifestations of the disease. The most common of these disorders is prostration. This 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, discharge appears after the act of urination or defecation.
The consistency of the discharge from the genital tract is similar to a thick, whitish-milky liquid. In addition to inflammation in the prostate, when infectious agents are present, the color of the discharge becomes transparent with a yellowish tint. At the same time, the man notes severe discomfort in the anus and itching in the urethra.
Separations are more often noted during the day, after active movements, prostate massage. Similar symptoms of prostatitis in men are necessary to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.
temperature for prostatitis
Acute inflammation of the prostate in men is always accompanied by hyperthermia. With a similar disease, the body temperature often rises to 39 degrees.
A man notes 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.
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 help 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 signs of the disease. For this, if a man suspects a disease, he should already contact a urologist. The consequences of prostatitis can be very diverse: from sexual dysfunction to conception and secondary infertility. In the absence of proper therapy, the probability of developing such a pathology is 40%. The most terrible complication is prostate adenoma - a malignant tumor.
Other adverse effects include:
- neurosis;
- abscess;
- depression and apathy.