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 initial stages of development, disorders practically do not manifest themselves symptomatically. The first signs appear when the disease is advanced. Early diagnosis and a properly prescribed course of therapy are the key to a favorable prognosis in the fight against pathology.
What is prostatitis
With some exceptions, the term "prostatitis" refers to chronic or acute inflammation of the prostate gland. The manifestations of prostatitis in men are similar to the symptoms of other pathologies of the genitourinary system. The process leads to obstruction of 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 tissues gradually deteriorate. Irreversible changes occur that can only be corrected through surgery. There are several types of disorders depending on the etiology and stage of development.
Prostatitis Categories
Inflammation of the prostate matures against the background of congestion in the pelvic region. The process quickly becomes chronic. The favorable time for treatment is the initial phase of the disease.
Medical reference books describe 4 types of the disease, with characteristic symptoms and manifestations:
- Category I-Acute prostatitis.The catalyst is an infection that has entered the tissue, injury and hypothermia of the gland. The inflammation occurs suddenly and lasts 3 to 4 days. Without the necessary therapy it becomes chronic. Manifestations:
- Warm,
- fever,
- pain in the pelvis and lower back,
- intoxication of the body.
- Category II-Chronic bacterial prostatitis.It starts with an exacerbation. Reason for appearance: stopping the course of antibiotics, self-medication. Inflammation occurs latently, 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 that mutated due to acute inflammation of the prostate. 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, increasing during an exacerbation to 38-38. 5°. Characteristic symptoms of male prostatitis: deterioration of erection, hemospermia, prolonged sexual intercourse without orgasm, difficulty urinating.
- Category IIIb - Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome without signs of inflammation.In this case, the manifestations are diagnosed exclusively by instrumental research methods.
- Category IV-Asymptomatic (asymptomatic) chronic prostatitis.It is considered a poorly understood disease with an incompletely understood etiology. Some leading 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 a stable remission, it will be necessary to eliminate the causes - catalysts, deal with the complications and consequences that arise.
Why is prostatitis dangerous?
Prostate inflammation is a serious pathology that affects men's health. Possible complications and consequences of the disease:
- erectile dysfunction- scars and adhesions, the result of inflammation, impede 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 bring pain. All of the above cause erection deterioration. In some cases, complete sexual impotence is diagnosed.
- Infertility— chronic inflammation affects not only the prostate gland, but also spreads to adjacent parts and organs of the genitourinary system. Often, degenerative disorders manifest themselves in the ligament: testicles + glandular tissues. The quality and volume of spermatogenesis deteriorate. Getting pregnant by a man with advanced prostatitis is problematic.
- Development of related diseases- inflammation can spread to neighboring organs of the genitourinary system:
- urethral canal,
- bladder,
- kidneys,
- scrotum
- Death— the danger of death exists with a purulent disease. If the treatment of acute male prostatitis is not started in a timely manner and purulent formations appear that develop into an abscess, the patient's life will be at risk. A ruptured cavity toward the rectum leads to general intoxication and may result in death.
In serious conditions, surgery is necessary. Unlike adenoma or malignant hyperplasia, surgery is prescribed very rarely and does not guarantee the prevention of relapses.
Which doctor treats prostatitis
It all depends on the manifestations of the disease. The urologist remains the main one. It is this specialist who treats pathologies of the male genitourinary system, including inflammation of the prostate. In the case of some infractions, it will be necessary to involve doctors from other specialties.
Current clinical guidelines indicate the need to promote:
- Psychiatrist— help is needed if pain and other manifestations create psychological rejection of sexual intercourse, impotence without physical disorders.
- Immunologist— long-term antibacterial and drug therapy deals a strong blow to the body. Protective functions and the ability to resist infection 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 TURP, prostatectomy and removing calcifications are done by a specialist. A surgeon's help will be needed to remove adhesions in the seminal ducts and restore reproductive function.
The number of specialists required to completely cure the patient convincingly proves that it is impossible to cure prostatitis alone, much less get rid of complications. Qualified assistance is required.
How to recognize prostatitis
The insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that over a long period the inflammation develops asymptomatically and latently. The first signs of prostatitis are often attributed to: fatigue, radiculitis, diseases of the genitourinary system. The pain stops after taking an analgesic or antispasmodic tablet. But prostate inflammation continues until the disorders become global. A man goes to the doctor, where he receives an unpleasant diagnosis.
Still, the most effective way to get rid of prostatitis is early diagnosis and prompt treatment. The chances of a complete cure are around 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 makes it possible to identify any anomalies and deviations.
- Ultrasound and TRUS— Ultrasound diagnosis remains the research standard due to its low cost and availability. The monitor shows a loose structure of the gland, indicating inflammation; it is possible to detect calcifications and other signs of prostatitis.
- Clinical and biochemical blood and urine tests- show the presence of inflammation and also identify an infectious agent.
- Spermogram- decreased sperm vitality and velocity, characteristic signs of congestive prostatitis and obstruction of glandular tissues. Bacteria and pathogens are found in the ejaculate during an infectious disease.
- Magnetic resonance imaging and PET-CT- the most reliable diagnostic methods. Due to the high cost, the examination is prescribed only if the results of previously carried out examinations are unclear, as well as if cancer is suspected.
Tomography reveals signs of prostatitis at an early stage, which is unattainable with other diagnostic methods. If abnormalities in prostate function are suspected, MRI remains the preferred type of instrumental examination.
How long does it take to treat
Stories of miraculous deliverance 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 reduce the period of therapy. With an integrated approach, significant improvements can be achieved in 2 to 3 months.
Doctors have learned to deal with the consequences of prostatitis. Unique therapy methods help eliminate infertility, restore normal erection and increase sexual desire.
After achieving stable remission, you will have to take herbal medicines regularly, attend physiotherapy sessions for prevention and maintain men's health in other ways.
How is prostatitis treated?
There is no effective pill, after which all unpleasant symptoms will disappear. Among traditional medicine there is also no such miracle medicine. The best methods of treating prostatitis in men with proven effectiveness include an integrated approach: medication + physiotherapy + unconventional methods.
Official medicine offers conservative treatment. After completing the course, unpleasant symptoms and negative manifestations of the disease disappear. At 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 required in no more than 10-15% of cases.
With the help of drugs
Conservative therapy is carried out with the aim of eliminating symptoms. The following groups of medications are prescribed:
- Ines- relieve inflammation, heat and fever. They have a mild analgesic effect. When prostatitis begins, short-term treatment with anti-inflammatories and vitamins is necessary to keep the gland in normal condition. Medications are available in suppositories, tablets and injections.
- Antibiotics- designed to eliminate infectious or bacteriological inflammatory factors. The prostatitis treatment regimen is prescribed after identifying the pathogen and checking its resistance to antibiotics. The course of treatment is 7-10 days. In severe cases, therapy is extended to two weeks.
- Hormones- recommended if the usual course of medications does not bring any benefit, as well as with a decrease in sexual desire due to advanced illness. Treatment with hormones at an early stage is prohibited. Medicines are taken under the strict supervision of a urologist.
- Symptomatic medications— to eliminate pain, take acetylsalicylic acid tablets. Spasms are relieved by an antispasmodic agent. For intense and persistent pain, blockage with anesthetic is indicated.
- Vitaminsand medications to maintain prostate function. During the period of remission, it is recommended to take medications to normalize metabolism and improve blood supply to glandular tissues and juice production. For this purpose, herbal medicines are prescribed. To strengthen the immune system, a complex of vitamins and minerals is recommended.
Self-medication is dangerous and does more harm than good. Before taking any of these medications, you should consult a urologist.
Using physical therapy
Prostatitis is characterized by extensive congestion in the pelvic region, which significantly complicates therapy. Taking medications turns out to be ineffective, since the active components simply cannot be delivered through the blood vessels to the prostate.
To increase the effectiveness of drug therapy, immediately after the exacerbation is relieved, physiotherapy is included in the 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 treatment. Contraindications to physiotherapy remain: acute period of inflammation, development of tumor tumors, individual patient intolerance.
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 beekeeping products. The disease itself did not disappear, but the unpleasant symptoms were alleviated.
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 the treatment of: death, propolis, wax, pollen, poison. Compresses and massage with honey, tinctures are made.
- 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. Decoctions and teas are prepared from the collections and added to prepare compotes and tinctures.
In the past, there were no hospitals or pharmacies. Diseases were treated with the gifts of "Mother Nature". After prescribing a course of medications, the urologist will certainly recommend one of the alternative medicine recipes: herbal medicine or apitherapy.
Only an integrated approach to the fight against prostatitis will help eliminate the disease once and for all. The success of treatment depends on early diagnosis and careful compliance with the urologist's recommendations.