Bacterial prostatitis is understood as an inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate gland, which can continue in acute or chronic form. The disease is manifested by severe pain in the groin area, fever, signs of intoxication and therefore requires great attention from medical staff.
We will show you what causes prostatitis, how it manifests and how it is treated.
Why does bacterial prostatitis appear?
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 urethral orifice.
Most often, the following types of pathogens are found in the prostate gland:
- staphylococcus;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Escherichia coli;
- enterococci.
These organisms are considered opportunistic. They constantly reside in a person's skin and mucosa and cause inflammation only under certain factors. According to the observations of urologists, the causes of the disease with a high probability can be:
- Non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
- Male 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).
- Incorrect or too frequent catheterization.
- Infiltration of an infection from the bladder, urethra or testicles.
- Certain diseases (including AIDS and diabetes mellitus).
- Violations of urine flow.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Under the influence of the vital activity of microorganisms, the consistency of prostate secretion breaks down. In the body begin stagnant processes, which become the cause of unpleasant symptoms. Also, this situation provokes a widespread inflammatory process, an increase in prostate size and other disorders.
The main symptoms of the disease
Bacterial prostatitis often has an acute course, because the symptoms start suddenly for men, develop rapidly and have different 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:
- Increase in body temperature up to 39 degrees, fever and chills.
- Severe pain in the groin or lower abdomen. May give to scrotum, hip joints, anus.
- Frequent urination, especially at night. Almost always, a man pays attention to a burning sensation in the penis. As 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 leaks of different colors from the penis, most often with an unpleasant odor. In this case, we are probably talking about urethroprostatitis.
The intensity of the symptoms depends mainly on the stage of the inflammatory process. So with a parenchymal form, the temperature can rise to 40 degrees, and the pain becomes paroxysmal, while pain relievers may not help.
Methods for diagnosing the disease
The doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis based on a husband's complaints and anamnesis data - information on lifestyle, existing chronic diseases, date and circumstances of the first symptoms. To clarify the type of pathogen, the patient is sent to urinate for bacteriological analysis. If the disease is chronic, it is possible to accumulate prostate secretion for research.
The following types of laboratory diagnostics may also be used:
- PCR research;
- general and biochemical blood test;
- blood test for PSA.
In the acute form, rectal palpation 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, determine its size, shape, approximate consistency.
The diagnosis is confirmed or denied by 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 the tissues of the organ, the localization of the inflammatory process. To rule out cancer, they can send for an MRI or CT, in particularly suspicious cases, for a prostate gland biopsy.
How to treat bacterial prostatitis
It is impossible to cure bacterial prostatitis without antibiotics. Folk remedies will give only a short-term effect, the pathogen will remain in the body and can cause various complications. Also, there is no better antibiotic, a man should remember this. The choice of drug depends on the type of pathogen, as well as the work of the patient's organs and systems.
Antibiotics can be taken for up to two months according to the standard treatment regimen. However, the exact dose, course duration, and frequency of administration are chosen individually, taking into account different indicators of health status.
In addition to antibiotic therapy, doctors offer strengthening treatments. For these purposes, 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 prostate, doctors may place a catheter.
Throughout the course, you should observe bed rest, take care of yourself from stress and anxiety.
Use of suppositories for bacterial prostatitis
To fight prostatitis locally, various rectal suppositories may be prescribed. They can not cure bacterial prostatitis, but will significantly alleviate the patient's condition.
Most often, urologists prescribe:
- suppositories with papaverine - relieve pain and improve blood microcirculation;
- propolis candles - improve the functioning of the immune system, eliminate edema, help reduce pain;
There is no information on the effectiveness of barium ferrite magnetic candles. In traditional medicine, this method of treatment is practically not used.
Prostate massage and any heat-based activity are prohibited in acute bacterial prostatitis.
If the treatment tactics are chosen correctly, and the husband is not involved in self-healing, the prognosis is favorable. Alternatively, the transition of the disease to a chronic form or the development of certain diseases is possible.
What complications can be
Complications of bacterial prostatitis can occur if a man has not consulted a doctor for a long time or if he has been offered unqualified help. The consequences are various, up to sepsis and death.
Most often, against the background of an untreated disease, the following diseases occur:
- pyelonephritis;
- cystitis;
- prostate gland abscess.
In some cases, erectile dysfunction or infertility may develop. To prevent unwanted consequences, a man with bacterial prostate should be treated in a hospital unit.
Sex with bacterial prostatitis
The ability to have 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 cause is an STI, intimate communication is prohibited.
In the acute phase, a man has no time for romantic pleasures. Unbearable pain, urinary disorders, fever are often associated with poor erection because libido disappears. In the case of the chronic form, intimate life is possible, but with the use of contraceptive contraception and after consulting a doctor.
For a woman, bacterial prostatitis can be dangerous - there is a risk of infecting her with a sexually transmitted disease. A sick person should remember this.
Conclusion
Bacterial prostatitis can be cured if it has a chronic form, and the husband has consulted a doctor in time and does not rely on dubious methods, pills and prescriptions. The chronic form is more difficult to respond to the therapeutic effects, so a clinical examination will be required to check the health condition.