Diseases of the genitourinary system in men are difficult to treat and are recurrent in nature. Prostate pathologies affect hormonal levels, emotional state, erectile and genitourinary function.
Treatment of prostatitis in men is complicated by the fact that in the early stages of development the disorders practically do not manifest themselves symptomatically. The first signs appear when the disease is in an advanced stage. Early diagnosis and a properly prescribed course of therapy are the key to a favorable prognosis in the fight against the pathology.
What is prostatitis
With a few exceptions, the term "prostatitis" refers to chronic or acute inflammation of the prostate gland. Manifestations of prostatitis in men are similar to the symptoms of other pathologies of the genitourinary system. The process leads to obstruction of the glandular tissues and the appearance of the following disorders:
- Dysuric disorders.
- Decreased sexual desire.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Pain syndrome.
The disease causes the formation of adhesions and scars. Metabolism and blood circulation in the tissues gradually deteriorate. Irreversible changes occur that can only be corrected through surgery. There are different types of disorders depending on the etiology and stage of development.
Categories of prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland matures against the background of congestion in the pelvic area. The process quickly becomes chronic. The favorable time for treatment is the initial stage of the disease.
Medical reference books describe 4 types of disease, with characteristic symptoms and manifestations:
- Category I—Acute prostatitis.The catalyst is the infection that has entered the tissue, the injury and hypothermia of the gland. The inflammation occurs suddenly and lasts 3-4 days. Without the necessary therapy it becomes chronic. Events:
- Heat,
- fever,
- pain in the pelvis and lumbar region,
- intoxication of the body.
- Category II—Chronic bacterial prostatitis.It starts with an exacerbation. Reason for appearance: interrupted course of antibiotics, self-medication. Inflammation occurs in a latent form, without visible manifestations, until the immune system weakens so much that the infection triggers an exacerbation of the disease. Treatment begins with antibiotics and NSAIDs.
- Category III—Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).A disease mutated by acute inflammation of the prostate gland. Disorders develop slowly, irreversible changes occur leading to tissue obstruction. Congestive inflammation, in turn, is divided into two subgroups:
- Category IIIa - Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome with signs of inflammation.It is characterized by pronounced manifestations: low-grade fever, which increases during an exacerbation up to 38-38. 5°. Characteristic symptoms of male prostatitis: deterioration of erection, hemospermia, prolonged sexual intercourse without orgasm, impaired urination.
- Category IIIb - Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome without signs of inflammation.In this case, manifestations are diagnosed exclusively using instrumental research methods.
- Category IV—Chronic asymptomatic (asymptomatic) prostatitis.It is considered a poorly understood disease with an incompletely understood etiology. Some eminent urologists have suggested an age-related cause of the disease. There are no symptoms of pathology.
It is difficult to cure prostatitis even at an early stage. To achieve stable remission, it will be necessary to eliminate the causes - catalysts, cope with the arising complications and consequences.
Why is prostatitis dangerous?
Inflammation of the prostate gland is a serious pathology that affects men's health. Possible complications and consequences of the disease:
- erectile dysfunction- scars and adhesions, a consequence of inflammation, prevent normal blood flow in the cavernous vessels. At the same time, the prostate's ability to process testosterone deteriorates. Sexual desire decreases. In the acute period, friction and ejaculation cause pain. All of the above causes deterioration of erection. In some cases complete sexual impotence is diagnosed.
- Infertility— chronic inflammation affects not only the prostate, but also spreads to adjacent parts and organs of the genitourinary system. Degenerative disorders often occur at the ligament level: testicles + glandular tissues. The quality and volume of spermatogenesis deteriorates. Getting pregnant by a man with advanced prostatitis is problematic.
- Development of related diseases- inflammation can spread to nearby organs of the genitourinary system:
- urethral canal,
- vescia,
- kidneys,
- scrotum
- Death— The danger of death exists with a purulent disease. If the treatment of acute male prostatitis does not begin in a timely manner and purulent formations appear that turn into an abscess, the patient's life is at risk. A rupture of the cavity towards the rectum causes general intoxication and can cause death.
In severe conditions, surgery is required. Unlike adenoma or malignant hyperplasia, surgical intervention is prescribed very rarely and does not guarantee the prevention of recurrence.
Which doctor treats prostatitis
It all depends on the manifestations of the disease. The urologist remains the main one. It is this specialist who deals with pathologies of the male genitourinary system, including inflammation of the prostate. In case of some violations it will be necessary to involve doctors of another specialization.
Current clinical guidelines indicate the need to promote:
- Psychiatrist— help is needed if pain and other manifestations create psychological refusal of sexual intercourse, impotence without physical disorders.
- Immunologist— long-term antibacterial and drug therapy causes a strong blow to the body. Protective functions and the ability to resist infections are reduced. Some forms of prostatitis begin with autoimmune diseases. In each of these situations, the help of an immunologist will be needed.
- Surgeon— opening purulent abscesses, performing TUR, prostatectomy and removal of calcifications are performed by a specialist. The help of a surgeon will be needed to remove adhesions in the seminal ducts and restore reproductive function.
Such a number of specialists necessary for the complete recovery of the patient convincingly demonstrates that it is impossible to cure prostatitis alone, much less eliminate complications. Qualified assistance is required.
How to recognize prostatitis
The insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that for a long period the inflammation develops asymptomatically in a latent form. The first signs of prostatitis are often attributed to: fatigue, radiculitis, diseases of the genitourinary system. The pain disappears after taking an analgesic or antispasmodic tablet. But the inflammation of the prostate continues until the disorders become global. A man goes to the doctor, where he is given an unpleasant diagnosis.
However, the most effective way to get rid of prostatitis is early diagnosis and immediate treatment. The chances of complete recovery are about 80%.
To differentiate inflammation from other diseases, several diagnostic tests are performed:
- Rectal method— the doctor probes the structure of the gland by inserting a finger into the anus, which allows you to identify any anomalies and deviations.
- Ultrasound and TRUS— Ultrasound diagnostics remains the research standard due to its low cost and availability. The monitor shows a loose structure of the gland, which indicates inflammation; Calcifications and other signs of prostatitis may be detected.
- Clinical and biochemical tests of blood and urine- show the presence of inflammation and also identify an infectious agent.
- Spermogram- decreased vitality and speed of spermatozoa, characteristic signs of congestive prostatitis and obstruction of glandular tissues. Bacteria and pathogens are found in the ejaculate during an infectious disease.
- MRI and PET-CT- the most reliable diagnostic methods. Due to the high costs, the test is only ordered if the results of previous tests are unclear and if cancer is suspected.
Tomography reveals signs of early-stage prostatitis, which is unattainable with other diagnostic methods. If abnormalities in the functioning of the prostate gland are suspected, MRI remains the preferred type of instrumental examination.
How long does the treatment take
The stories of miraculous liberations in a few days are nothing more than tales. There is no quick way to treat prostatitis. After diagnosing inflammation, you need to tune in to long-term therapy and radical changes in eating habits and lifestyle. Only in this case will it be possible to defeat the disease.
Modern and effective methods of treating prostatitis have made it possible to shorten the period of therapy. With an integrated approach significant improvements can be achieved within 2-3 months.
Doctors have learned to cope with the consequences of prostatitis. Unique therapeutic methods help eliminate infertility, restore normal erection and increase sexual desire.
After achieving stable remission, you will need to regularly take herbal medicines, attend physiotherapy sessions for prevention and maintain men's health in other ways.
How is prostatitis treated?
There is no effective pill, after taking it all unpleasant symptoms will disappear. Even in traditional medicine there is no such miraculous remedy. The best methods of treating prostatitis in men with proven effectiveness include an integrated approach: medications + physical therapy + unconventional methods.
Official medicine offers conservative treatment. After completing the course, the unpleasant symptoms and negative manifestations of the disease disappear. In the second stage, the task is to eliminate the complications that have arisen.
Advanced non-invasive methods have increased the chances of a favorable outcome of the disease. Surgery is necessary in no more than 10-15% of cases.
With the help of drugs
Conservative therapy is carried out aimed at eliminating symptoms. The following groups of drugs are prescribed:
- NSAIDs- relieve inflammation, heat and fever. They have a slight analgesic effect. When prostatitis begins, short-term treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and vitamins is necessary to maintain the gland in normal condition. The drugs are available in suppositories, tablets and injections.
- Antibiotics- designed to eliminate infectious or bacteriological inflammatory factors. The treatment regimen for prostatitis is prescribed after the pathogen has been identified and its resistance to antibiotics has been tested. The course of treatment is 7-10 days. In more severe cases, therapy is extended to two weeks.
- Hormones- recommended if the usual course of drugs has not brought any benefit, as well as in case of decreased sexual desire due to an advanced disease. Treatment with hormones in the early stage is prohibited. The drugs are taken under the strict supervision of a urologist.
- Symptomatic drugs— to eliminate pain, take acetylsalicylic acid tablets. Spasms are removed by an antispasmodic agent. For intense and persistent pain, blockade with an anesthetic is indicated.
- Vitaminsand medications to maintain prostate function. During the period of remission, it is recommended to take drugs to normalize the metabolism and improve the blood supply to the glandular tissues and the production of juices. Herbal medicines are prescribed for this purpose. To strengthen the immune system, a complex of vitamins and minerals is indicated.
Self-medication is dangerous and does more harm than good. Before taking any of these drugs, you should consult a urologist.
Using physiotherapy
Prostatitis is characterized by extensive congestion in the pelvic area, which significantly complicates therapy. Taking drugs turns out to be ineffective, since the active components simply cannot be transported by blood vessels to the prostate gland.
To increase the effectiveness of drug therapy, immediately after the disappearance of the exacerbation, physiotherapy is included in the course of treatment of prostatitis in men.
In addition to traditional electrophoresis, the following techniques are prescribed:
- UHF and microwave.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Mud therapy.
- Galvanization.
- Ultraphonophoresis.
- Laser treatment.
- Heat therapy.
Most of the listed procedures are included in the complex of techniques used in spa treatments. Contraindications to physiotherapy remain: acute period of inflammation, development of tumor tumors, individual intolerance in the patient.
Natural remedies
Modern methods of treating prostatitis increasingly combine official methods with alternative medicine. In ancient times, our ancestors treated prostatitis with herbal infusions, decoctions and bee products. The disease itself did not disappear, but the unpleasant symptoms were relieved.
Some methods have survived to this day:
- Apitherapy— beekeeping products are used to eliminate inflammation and strengthen the immune system. Honey is a natural antibiotic. Used in treatment: death, propolis, wax, pollen, poison. Honey compresses and massages, tinctures are prepared.
- Herbal collections- Urological compounds are sold in pharmacies, and you can prepare them yourself. Herbs treat urinary disorders, relieve inflammation and relieve pain. Some plants are good antiseptics. From the collections, decoctions and herbal teas are prepared which are added during the preparation of compotes and tinctures.
In the old days there were neither hospitals nor pharmacies. Ailments were addressed using the gifts of "Mother Nature". After prescribing a course of drugs, the urologist will certainly recommend one of the recipes of alternative medicine: phytotherapy or apitherapy.
Only an integrated approach to the fight against prostatitis will help get rid of the disease once and for all. The success of treatment depends on early diagnosis and careful compliance with the urologist's recommendations.