What is prostatitis? This is an inflammatory disease of the prostate gland. Only men have a prostate gland, so at first glance the disease is relevant only for them, but in fact it also affects the life of a regular sexual partner.
Causes of the disease
What causes prostatitis? There is a myth that prostatitis can be caused by either bacteria or hypothermia. In reality, everything is a little different. There are always bacteria in the prostate gland, and hypothermia is only a predisposing factor that can trigger the onset of inflammation.
When hypothermia occurs, blood microcirculation is disrupted, which worsens the blood supply to the pelvic organs. As a result, the amount of blood around the prostate changes. There are fewer blood cells to fight the bacteria and they can no longer cope with the burden. It turns out that hypothermia leads to the development of the inflammatory process and is an indirect cause of the development of prostatitis.
Chronic and acute disease
How does acute and chronic prostatitis manifest itself? Symptoms of acute prostatitis are manifested by sharp pain, high fever, painful urination with weak pressure. It is more difficult with chronic prostatitis. Its symptoms can easily be confused with a simple malfunction, so the patient believes that there is nothing terrible: he sat in a cold place, got tired or ate something.
The following manifestations of chronic prostatitis are known:
- aching pain in the perineum;
- radiating aching pain in the scrotum;
- nagging pain in the lower abdomen, radiation to the sacrum, coccyx and penis;
- during prostatitis, impaired urination is characterized by either weak or normal pressure, but sometimes this symptom is not expressed;
- Some patients experience erectile problems, which are often psychological in nature, as a direct link between inflammation in the prostate gland and potential disorders has not been established.
Preventive measures
How long should intercourse be to prevent prostatitis? What is prostatitis prevention?
The prostate gland produces the so-called prostatic secretion - a viscous fluid that contains components that are also present in semen. The liquid part of the semen is the secretion of the prostate and the secretion of the seminal vesicles located behind the prostate gland. At a young age, a man always has a morning erection, which is accompanied by the production of prostate secretion. If intercourse does not occur, it accumulates day by day. This leads to stagnation, then a slight increase in the size of the prostate and pain - nagging pain occurs in the perineum.
Nature intended every erection to end in ejaculation. I woke up 30 times a month - 30 erections, that is, 30 sexual intercourse! In urology, there is a generally accepted opinion that an average of 22 ejaculations is necessary to prevent prostatitis, but again, these are just recommendations. In practice, this is sometimes very difficult to achieve, and everyone's sexual needs are different.
What tests do you need to pass?
What tests should you have if you have or suspect prostatitis? First of all, this is a general blood test, as well as a general urine test.
During the consultation, the urologist conducts a comprehensive examination, during which a digital rectal examination is performed. The doctor examines the prostate, touches it, assesses pain, consistency and elasticity. At this time, the secretion of the prostate gland is collected for analysis.
Tests for prostatitis suggest:
- Evaluation of the number of leukocytes. The more it is, the more active the inflammatory process is.
- Study of prostate secretion for bacterial culture. It allows you to determine which bacteria cause inflammation, in what quantity and which drugs act against them and which are completely useless.
- Taking a smear for sexually transmitted infections.
- Transrectal ultrasound examination. This is the most informative procedure that allows you to get information about the state, structure and volume of the prostate.
How long does it take to cure prostatitis?
It all depends on the type of prostatitis. Antibiotics should be prescribed for diseases caused by bacteria. Due to the characteristics of the porous structure of the prostate and the specific blood supply of this organ, the treatment with antibiotics and other drugs lasts for 28 days.
The blood supply of the prostate is located in the periphery, so there is a cumulative effect within 20 days after taking the antibiotic, and only 20 to 28 days the drug reaches the desired therapeutic concentration. Therefore, it is important to take the medicine for the entire period recommended by the doctor.
Other medicines
In addition to antibiotics, they also prescribethe following drugs:
- Probiotics that restore intestinal microflora.
- Antifungal drugs. When taking antibiotics, the activity of the immune system decreases, and even if men have only one sexual partner, fungal diseases (most often candida albicans or liver) begin to appear.
- Vitamins.
- Preparations to improve blood microcirculation.
- Antiplatelet agents that thin the blood. They are prescribed to ensure that the blood supplies the tissues well and brings the prescribed medicine to them.
Non-drug treatment
- Prostate massage helps relieve congestion.
- First, the massage purely mechanically squeezes out the mucus and bacteria accumulated in the prostate.
- Second, blood supply and lymphatic drainage improves.
- Physiotherapy and apparatus treatment. Vibrolazer magnetic therapy gives good results. The laser improves the permeability of cell membranes for drugs, they penetrate the prostate, and under the influence of a magnet, lymphatic drainage improves, which is enhanced by vibration therapy.
What will happen if it is not treated?
If prostatitis is not treated, then:
- The risk of male infertility increases. Prostate secretion is a component of sperm, so bacteria and all the waste of bacteria spoil its quality. Sperm becomes less active and there is a fight between bacteria and sperm for nutrients (fructose, citric acid, zinc). As a result, sperm weakens and loses its ability to fertilize.
- Various adhesive processes can form in the vas deferens. This causes the sperm to simply not be released and enter the egg.
- Constant nagging pain may appear. Sometimes, some patients are lucky, nothing bothers them for a while and they think that the disease will go away by itself. But then the symptoms come back and get worse.
Do's and Don'ts for Prostatitis
What can you eat?
- Salty is possible, but without abuse (add a little salt to food).
- Alcohol - the minimum amount is possible (a glass of wine or 50 g of cognac, whiskey in the evening).
- Coffee - 1-2 cups per day is allowed, large amounts are prohibited, because coffee causes vasoconstriction and deterioration of blood microcirculation.
Is it possible to have sex?
If ejaculation itself does not cause painful sharp sensations, then it is possible, even necessary, to have sex. If intercourse causes pain or discomfort, it is best to refrain from sexual activity during treatment.
Is it possible to visit baths, saunas, baths?
Everything will depend on the stage of prostatitis. If this is an acute process with fever, then there is no need to visit such places. If the treatment of prostatitis continues as usual and there are no disturbing symptoms, it is not forbidden to visit the bath or swimming pool. However, you should minimize the time spent in the steam room, as well as in cold water.
Do you need physical activity?
It is impossible to do without physical activity, possible physical exercise is the best assistant in the treatment of prostatitis. The main thing is not to expose the body to increased stress from training. Walking, running, squatting, etc.
As for the bike, not everything is clear. Doctors do not recommend this sport for men (unless it is in the form of a short walk). When a man sits on a bicycle, the blood vessels in the pelvis and perineum are compressed and the blood supply is disrupted. There is no direct connection, but when it comes to prevention, we try to rule out all possible factors, even if they are not directly involved.
Should I treat my sexual partner?
Treatment is only necessary if a sexually transmitted infection is detected for the partner. In fact, prostatitis is not transmitted through sexual contact, so although a gynecologist's examination does not hurt, treatment is usually not required for the partner.