According to statistics, inflammation of the prostate occurs in 15% of the male population. It is a dangerous disease that, without treatment, leads to the formation of cysts and stones in the prostate, erectile dysfunction (impotence) and infertility. You need to know the symptoms of prostatitis to see a urologist in time and cure the disease without consequences. Inflammation is divided into acute and chronic forms, each with different characteristics.
Symptoms and signs common to all types of prostatitis
Although prostatitis is acute and chronic, experts have identified a number of common symptoms and signs of the disease in men, which are inherent to both conditions: the first major and others.
Moderate pain in the perineum and scrotum
Sensations of pain and tugging in the groin are the first signs of prostatitis in men. The symptom is constantly concerned. The pain increases and decreases. A person cannot accurately indicate the location of the discomfort, since the pain is usually attributed to the lower back, sacral region.
When a symptom arises, the man tries to sit or lie down, slightly bent and pulling his knees up to his stomach.
To treat discomfort, analgesics from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used. The medications have a good analgesic effect and do not cause serious adverse reactions.
They are not recommended for men with gastritis or stomach ulcers.
Increased urination (pollaciuria)
In prostatitis, a man starts running to the bathroom every 1, 5 to 2 hours. If you drink a few liters of beer or a lot of water in the heat, the condition becomes completely unbearable: the craving occurs every 20-30 minutes.
After going to the bathroom, there is a feeling of incomplete urination.
With polaquiuria, no pills will help. The "drink less water" option also does not work in this case. Desires can occur even with a small amount of urine in the bladder.
Malaise
Weakness and weakness usually occur early in the illness. Many do not give them much importance, attributing everything to overwork.
If a man after 40 suddenly has severe fatigue, incomprehensible sensations of pain in the muscles and joints, a decrease in interest in the job, this can indicate the development of prostatitis. This symptom alone does not allow the diagnosis of the pathology, but when combined with 2-3 other symptoms, inflammation of the prostate is very likely.
To improve his well-being, men need to rest more, normalize their daily routine. A good night's sleep lasting 7 to 8 hours is very important and you should fall asleep at 11 pm at the latest. A good effect will come from vitamins both in the natural form and in the form of dietary supplements (its use is recommended after personal consultation with a specialist).
Slow flow of urine
Urination with a very weak and short jet, spray in all directions are typical complaints of men who encounter inflammation of the prostate. Seeing such a problem, the person tries to force and squeeze a "powerful flow", but nothing comes out. For prostatitis, it is precisely the slow flow that is characteristic, not the release of urine in drops, that is most often seen in prostate adenoma in the intermediate and late stages of its development.
The symptom is mainly associated with edema or dystrophic changes in the tissues of the prostate, which block the lumen of the urethra. NSAIDs that relieve swelling may provide some relief in the acute process, but they will be ineffective in chronic inflammation. It is possible to remove edema at home with the help of prostate massage, but for this the man must have certain skills.
Mucous discharge from the urethra
Drops of secretion appear on the glans of the penis during the day. The secretion is due to prostate self-massage, which occurs when walking fast, playing sports, running. As a result, part of the inflammatory secretion moves along the urethra and is released out. The mucus is often cloudy, has an unpleasant odor, and sometimes the color is poor.
Men who encounter a symptom must strictly observe hygiene. The genitals must be washed at least 2 to 3 times a day, as the secretion accumulated in the head is an excellent means for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. The genitals can be rinsed with an antiseptic solution or chamomile decoction, which helps to destroy harmful microorganisms.
Pain when urinating
A symptom of prostatitis are cramps and burning sensations (burning) in the urethra that occur during urination. The discomfort is more pronounced in the morning, as a large amount of inflammatory exudate accumulates in the prostate during the night. Resi worries the man not only during the act, but also 15-20 minutes after him.
To reduce discomfort, you can use medicines from the group of herbal urosépticos. The drugs have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, relieve symptoms and prevent inflammatory diseases of the urethra in the context of prostatitis.
Imperative desire
Men describe this feeling as a sudden, painful need to urinate. There is a fear of "not reaching", as the sensations are painful and very strong.
Often, there is a false urgency, when the flow of urine does not occur and, after a few minutes, the pain subsides. Sometimes, this symptom is accompanied by urinary incontinence, when a few drops of liquid appear on the clothing.
The only advice for doctors in such a situation is not to try to bear the urge. Frequent trips to the bathroom cause psychological discomfort, but when you try to squeeze your muscles hard, the pain intensifies.
Acute prostatitis: what hurts at the same time and what the disease feels like
Acute prostatitis in men has 9 distinct symptoms, which are seen mainly with an acute manifestation of inflammation of the prostate. We will tell you details about each one.
Excruciating pain in the groin
Men complain of severe cramps, spasms and unpleasant throbbing in the groin area.
The pain worries the person constantly, increases with the prolonged stay in an immobile position, with urination. Sometimes the pain is so severe that it is impossible to walk normally.
The symptom occurs suddenly, may be preceded by hypothermia or unprotected intercourse.
The discomfort must be treated. Painkillers are used to quickly relieve the symptoms of prostatitis in men. NSAIDs are the drug of choice.
Heat
An active inflammatory process in the prostate is always accompanied by an increase in temperature. In acute prostatitis, the fever reaches values of 39-39, 5 ° C. The body temperature rises suddenly, sometimes preceding the onset of pain or other typical symptoms.
The symptom may be accompanied by alternating periods of chills and increased sweating.
Temperatures above 38 ° C need to be reduced. Conventional antipyretics are sufficient. You should not use acetylsalicylic acid to lower the temperature. It has many proven side effects when used incorrectly, so it is best to stick with safe products.
Cloudy urine
In prostatitis, an inflammatory exudate is released from the gland, which appears during urination.
Because of this, the urine becomes cloudy, sometimes individual inclusions of mucus or pus can be seen in it. Inflammation of the prostate is characterized by a change in the last portion of urine, while at the beginning of urination, the jet has a familiar appearance. Turbidity is often accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
If such a symptom appears, it is worth using medicines from the group of urosépticos. Here, not the herbal remedies are more suitable, but the remedies with antibacterial effect, which are more effective in this specific case.
Purulent discharge from the urethra
The appearance of a few drops of pus in the mouth of the urethra is a typical sign of bacterial prostatitis.
The symptom can occur during the day, as well as at the end of each urination. If the prostate disease is caused by trichomoniasis, gonorrhea or other sexually transmitted infections, there may be an abundant secretion of foamy, smelly pus.
Symptomatic treatment is performed with uroséptics. Men are advised to observe hygiene and to regularly wash the groin area with a solution of chamomile or an antiseptic to prevent irritation and maceration of the skin of the penis.
At the same time, it is important to start antibiotic therapy as soon as possible to avoid complications that may, at first glance, be a harmless discharge.
Urine retention
With an acute edema of the prostate, urination is impossible, since the lumen of the initial urethra is completely blocked. The man feels like going to the bathroom, there is a sensation of bursting in the suprapubic region.
When you try to urinate, the pain intensifies, but it doesn't work.
Herbal preparations, which contain, for example, sabal fruit extract, help to combat urinary retention. They facilitate emptying of the bladder and relieve excruciating suprapubic discomfort.
Headaches
Symptoms of acute prostatitis include manifestations of intoxication. The inflammatory process in the prostate is accompanied by the production of specific biochemical markers that affect the state of the entire organism.
The disease is usually accompanied by a high fever, against which there is also an urgent or constricting headache.
To relieve pain, analgesics from the NSAIDs group are suitable. If the discomfort is mild, the medication can be dispensed with.
Painful bowel evacuations
When emptying the intestines, there is strong pressure on the inflamed gland, so the man feels acute pain. Sometimes, the pain becomes so intense that the person tries to contain the fissure so as not to feel discomfort.
Occasionally, in prostatitis, tenesmus is observed - painful "unsuccessful" desire to defecate.
Unpleasant sensations cannot be treated at home. The pain will disappear only after the acute inflammatory process has disappeared. Do not repress the urge to evacuate, as constipation may occur, which will aggravate the situation.
Low back pain
An unpleasant symptom of prostatitis is due to the general innervation (supply of nerve endings) to the pelvic organs, due to which the pain spreads to nearby parts of the body.
The pain can be dull and acute or acute. Also characteristic are the acute "lumbago" in the lumbar region, which occurs during effort, defecation, urination.
To eliminate the symptom, painkillers from the NSAID section are suitable. You should not use warm baths or heating the lumbar area to relieve discomfort, as this can intensify the acute and purulent inflammatory process, accelerating its development.
Body pain
The symptom develops as one of the components of the intoxication syndrome in prostatitis. The man complains of discomfort in the joints and muscles: it seems that they are simultaneously twisted, stretched and tight.
The malaise is similar to the onset of a cold or flu.
There are no medications or folk remedies to eliminate discomfort. This symptom occurs mainly in the context of fever, therefore, after lowering the temperature (in any convenient way), the pain in the body disappears and the state of health improves.
Diagnosing chronic prostatitis at home by signs and symptoms
Chronic prostatitis is characterized by a series of signs, so it can be diagnosed at home, even before going to the urologist.
Painful ejaculation
Unpleasant sensations bother the man when he approaches orgasm: the pulling pains start in the scrotum and in the perineum, which are transmitted to the penis. The discomfort reaches its maximum intensity during ejaculation, when the person may experience severe spastic pain.
This situation is repeated with each sexual intercourse, but the strength of the painful sensations varies.
To reduce discomfort, urologists recommend that the man have regular sex (at least twice a week). This helps to eliminate congestion of the prostate. After ejaculation, hot sitz baths are useful to relieve tugging pains.
Frequent overnight trips to the bathroom
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis include nocturia - abnormally frequent urination at night. The patient has to wake up 2 to 3 times or more to go to the bathroom.
The urge to urinate is very painful and the urine secretion is accompanied by discomfort in the perineum and in the lower abdomen. The symptom can occur regardless of the amount of fluid ingested at night.
There are no symptomatic treatments. To reduce the frequency of nighttime awakenings, you need to limit your drinking of water and drinks at night, try to empty your bladder completely before bedtime.
Cold
The prostate enlarges and presses on the rectum, so defecating is difficult. Men complain of persistent constipation lasting 3-4 days or more. When you try to push, the pain occurs in the perineum, in the sacral region. The symptoms bother the person for weeks or even months.
To improve stools, doctors recommend eating more vegetables and fruits, whole grains. These foods are high in fiber, which increases the volume of stools and makes them softer. Plums, fresh plums, kefir and other fermented dairy products have a natural laxative effect. For prolonged constipation, you can use laxative pills or suppositories.
Subfebrile temperature
An increase in the thermometer readings to 37-37, 5 ° C occurs with an exacerbation of chronic prostatitis. In this case, headaches, malaise, body aches and other typical symptoms of the disease are added.
The use of antipyretics is unsuitable for indications up to 38 degrees on a medical thermometer. The treatment of recurrence must be performed, from which, in fact, the subfebrile condition arose.
Weakening of the erection
In chronic prostatitis, sexual problems can occur not only in old age, but also in young men after the age of 30.
Patients complain that, during arousal, the erection is not firm enough. This causes psychological and physical discomfort. For fear of "failure", the man avoids sexual intercourse, which further aggravates the problem.
There are many folk remedies than treating potency problems. Just a few of them: decoctions of thyme and rosehips, tincture of rowan berries, the use of propolis. The man is advised to consume more celery, which has a good effect on the erection, and to drink ginger tea.
Decreased performance
In chronic prostatitis, men experience constant weakness, fatigue, irritability and nervousness.
Concentration and memory inevitably decrease and it becomes more difficult to perform the usual work tasks. The symptom also applies to physical work: even with little sports training or effort, muscle pain and severe fatigue occur.
During this period, it is important to take care of yourself, get plenty of rest and not try to complete all tasks to the best of your ability. After treating prostatitis (or at least achieving a stable remission), the unpleasant symptoms will go away, so it will be possible to plunge headlong into work.
Inability to conceive a child
With the asymptomatic course of chronic prostatitis, men often go to the doctor with the complaint that they cannot conceive a child.
Patients say they do not feel pain and urinate frequently, and even during sexual intercourse, everything can be normal. This option for the development of the pathology is considered unfavorable, as it means that the man already has an advanced form of the disease.
The production of viable and active sperm is a serious process that is regulated by the sex glands and the brain. No popular prescription and no symptomatic remedy will help in this case, it is important to study and solve the problem at the medical level.
Reviews: men's opinions on the forums
- "I had signs of prostatitis more than a year ago. At first, there was a slight contraction in the groin and perineum, then the pain became stronger. I realized that I wake up 2 to 3 times at night to go to the bathroom. I thought I was frozen somewhere or sitting in a draft. Then the sex problems started: the erection was unstable, the sensitivity decreased, there were no living sensations during orgasm. At work, a colleague advised me to the podmore bee. I took it for several months (in the form of a tincture, I bought it from a local beekeeper), the condition improved, the pains disappeared. "
- "I had pain in the scrotum, in the perineum and in the distended lower abdomen. Sometimes, a few drops of pus came out of the urethra. I read comments on the Internet, where men described the same symptoms, went to the doctor and were diagnosed with prostatitis. I knowthat the disease is serious, I decided not to postpone the treatment. The hospital did several tests and ultrasound, prescribed pills. Prostatitis was cured, but intestinal problems started, probably due to antibiotics. Then, for another 2 months, I had to buy probiotics, then all types of kefir and yogurt to remove abdominal discomfort ".
- "For a long time I thought I had some kind of digestive problem. I didn't even know about prostatitis - I didn't know that the lower abdomen hurts and the feces are messy. I had exactly these symptoms. I didn’t pay attention to that plaque. Good thing, after all, I decided to go to the urologist. I was diagnosed with chronic prostatitis. I was treated for a long time, drank several pills, put candles on. To be honest, I don’t even remember the names in any wayit got out of my head. Now I feel good. "
- "I know first hand what prostatitis is. It all started suddenly for me: there were severe pains in the scrotum and in the suprapubic area, the urge to urinate was literally every 30 minutes. For a few days I suffered a lot and went to the urologist. urinalysis and prostate ultrasound, they rubbed and the doctor wanted to see what was in the rectum with a finger, but I generally refused . . . it turned out that I had developed "acute prostatitis". The doctor prescribed antibiotics. After 2 weeks II was completely cured, there have been no relapses so far, I hope they don't happen, it's scary, because they say that prostatitis is incurable. "
discoveries
In any form of prostatitis, the use of symptomatic therapy alone is not effective enough. NSAIDs or analgesics temporarily relieve pain and fever, and uroséptics help to reduce microbial inflammation. But at the same time, the pathological process in the prostate continues to develop, it becomes a chronic form. As a result, echographic changes (tissue sclerosis), erectile dysfunction and increased risk of prostate cancer appear.
In order not to lead the disease to sad consequences, complex treatment of prostatitis is necessary. The therapeutic regimen is prescribed by a doctor (urologist, less often - an andrologist), taking into account the characteristics of the disease and the results of the exams.