Bacterial prostatitis is understood as an inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate gland, which can proceed in an acute or chronic form. The disease is indicated by severe pain in the groin area, fever, signs of intoxication, and therefore requires careful attention from medical staff.
We will tell you what causes prostatitis, how it manifests itself and how it is treated.
Why does bacterial prostatitis occur?
According to research institutes, bacterial prostatitis affects sexually active men aged 25-50 years. The reason is the introduction of pathogenic microflora into the genitourinary system through the mouth of the urethra.
Often, the following types of pathogens are found in the prostate gland:
- staphylococcus;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Escherichia coli;
- enterococcus.
These organisms are considered opportunistic. They constantly inhabit a person’s skin and mucous membranes and cause inflammation only under certain factors. According to the observations of urologists, the cause of the disease with a high degree of probability can be:
- Ignoring the rules of personal hygiene.
- A man’s passion for anal sex (in 80% of cases, acute bacterial prostatitis is caused by E. coli, which lives in the rectum of a potential sexual partner).
- Improper or too frequent catheterization.
- Infiltration of the infection from the bladder, urethra, or testicles.
- Certain diseases (including AIDS and diabetes mellitus).
- Violation of urine outflow.
- Sexually transmitted infections.
Under the influence of vital activity of microorganisms, the consistency of prostate secretions is disturbed. In the organ, the process of stagnation begins, which is the cause of unpleasant symptoms. Also, this condition gives rise to widespread inflammatory processes, increased prostate size and other disorders.
The main symptoms of this disease
Bacterial prostatitis often has an acute course, as symptoms begin unexpectedly for men, develop rapidly and have various manifestations. Depending on the type of pathogen, the age of the pathological process and the state of the immune system, a man may complain of the following problems:
- Increased body temperature up to 39 degrees, fever and chills.
- Sharp pain in the groin or lower abdomen. Can give to the scrotum, hip joints, anus.
- Frequent urination, especially at night. Almost always, a man pays attention to the burning sensation on the glans of the penis. When the disease progresses or the adenoma develops, acute urinary retention may begin.
- Painful sensation in the anal area, often constipation.
- Flu -like symptoms - muscle and joint pain, general weakness.
If bacterial prostatitis is caused by an STI, there may be a different colored discharge from the penis, often with an unpleasant odor. In this case, perhaps we are talking about urethroprostatitis.
The intensity of symptoms largely depends on the stage of the inflammatory process. So, with the parenchymal form, the temperature can rise to 40 degrees, and the pain becomes paroxysmal, while painkillers may not help.
Methods for diagnosing disease
The doctor makes an initial diagnosis based on a man’s complaints and anamnesis data - information about lifestyle, pre -existing chronic illness, date and condition of the first symptoms. To elucidate the type of pathogen, the patient is sent to a urine disposal for bacteriological analysis. If the disease is chronic, it is possible to collect prostate secretions for research.
The following types of laboratory diagnostics can also be used:
- PCR research;
- general blood and biochemical tests;
- blood tests for PSA.
In the acute form, palpation of the rectum of the prostate gland is not performed. If there is no fever, and the man is not bothered by severe pain, the doctor can touch the prostate with his finger through the wall of the rectum, determining its approximate size, shape, consistency.
The diagnosis is confirmed or denied by the TRUS results. This is an ultrasound scan in which a transducer is inserted into the patient’s rectum. As a result, they get a clear picture of changes in organ tissues, the localization of inflammatory processes. To exclude cancer, they may send an MRI or CT scan, especially in doubtful cases, for a prostate gland biopsy.
How to treat bacterial prostatitis
It is not possible to cure bacterial prostatitis without antibiotics. People's recovery will only have a short -term effect, pathogens will remain in the body and can cause various complications. Also, there is no best antibiotic, a man should remember this. The choice of medication depends on the type of pathogen, as well as on the work of the patient's organs and systems.
Antibiotics can be taken for up to two months according to a standard treatment regimen. However, the exact dose, course duration and frequency of administration are selected individually, taking into account various indicators of health status.
In addition to antibiotic therapy, doctors provide strengthening treatments. For this purpose, vitamin and mineral complexes are prescribed, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are selected, in some cases immunomodulators are prescribed. Antipyretic and pain relievers are also prescribed. If you have trouble urinating with bacterial prostatitis, your doctor may place a catheter.
Throughout the course, you need to observe sleep breaks, keeping yourself from stress and anxiety.
Use of suppositories for bacterial prostatitis
To combat prostatitis locally, various rectal suppositories can be prescribed. They cannot cure bacterial prostatitis, but they will significantly alleviate the patient’s condition.
Often, urologists prescribe:
- suppositories with papaverine - relieve pain and improve blood microcirculation;
- wax with propolis - improves the function of the immune system, eliminates edema, helps reduce pain;
There is no information on the effectiveness of magnetic wax with barium ferrite. In traditional medicine, this method of treatment is practically not used.
Prostate massage and any activity based on warming up are prohibited in acute bacterial prostatitis.
If the treatment tactics are chosen correctly, and the man is not involved in self -healing, the prognosis is good. Otherwise, the transition of the disease to a chronic form or the development of a specific disease is possible.
What are the possible complications
Complications of bacterial prostatitis can occur if a man does not consult a doctor for a long time or if unqualified help has been given to him. The consequences are different, up to sepsis and death.
Often, against a background of untreated disease, the following diseases occur:
- pyelonephritis;
- cystitis;
- prostate gland abscess.
In some cases, erectile dysfunction or infertility may occur. To avoid unwanted consequences, a man with bacterial prostatitis should be treated in an inpatient unit.
Sex with bacterial prostatitis
The possibility of having sex with this form of inflammation of the prostate gland depends on what pathogen is caused by the pathology and at what stage it is. If the causative agent is an STI, intimate communication is prohibited.
In the acute stage, a man does not have time for romantic pleasure. Unbearable pain, urinary disturbances, fever are often accompanied by poor erections, as libido is lost. In the case of the chronic form, intimate life is possible, but with the use of barrier contraceptives and after consulting a doctor.
For a woman, bacterial prostatitis can be dangerous - there is a risk of infecting her with a venereal disease. Sick people must remember this.
Conclusion
Bacterial prostatitis can be cured if it has a chronic form, and the man consults a doctor in a timely manner and does not rely on dubious methods, pills and prescriptions. The chronic form is more difficult to respond to therapeutic effects, therefore, clinical examination is required to control the health condition.