There are several forms of prostatitis, differing in symptoms and the course of the inflammatory process. Despite the fact that, in general, this disease is quite well studied, there is one form about which little is still known: bacterial prostatitis. This condition is also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and according to the latest information, it occurs in one in every five men on the planet. Despite its widespread occurrence, the disease remains a mystery to physicians and is very difficult to treat.
Bacterial and non-infectious prostatitis: what's the difference?
Bacterial or non-bacterial prostatitis is often mistaken for non-infectious prostatitis. In fact, these are two different diseases with different manifestations and causes of development.
Chronic abacterial prostatitis is a disease without clear symptoms of inflammation in the prostate gland. In addition, in the vast majority of cases, a detailed examination does not allow to establish the presence of an inflammatory process in the organ. At the same time, non-infectious prostatitis is an inflammatory disease that has well-defined and well-studied causes. Non-infectious prostatitis is caused by a violation of the trophism of the prostate gland, as a result of which the secretion of the prostate stagnates and the inflammatory process develops. Noninfectious prostatitis is most often diagnosed in elderly patients, while nonbacterial prostatitis can occur in men of all ages.
To avoid confusion, non-bacterial prostatitis is also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome, which perfectly characterizes the main symptoms of this complex disease.
Typical symptoms
With little need, a painful discomfort is felt.
The signs of bacterial prostatitis are not similar to the symptoms of inflammation of the prostate gland, which is why many doctors assume the neurological nature of the development of this disease.
With bacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are as follows:
- constant pain in the pelvic region;
- increased pain syndrome when urinating;
- severe discomfort with ejaculation;
- general physical ailment;
- nervous tension.
As a general rule, pelvic pain occurs for a long time, in the period from three months to six months. The pain syndrome is painful, monotonous, it can pass on its own without the use of painkillers and then spontaneously return. The pain radiates to the testicles, perineum, and anus. Sometimes there are short-term episodes of "nerve" stabbing pain in the lower back, lower abdomen, and groin.
Patients complain of a worsening erection. During ejaculation, you feel intense tension, ejaculation is accompanied by sharp pain. During urination, attacks of severe pain are also possible.
Simultaneously with these symptoms, there is a strong emotional depression. The man is tense, susceptible to stress, some patients present states of insomnia and neurosis.
Causes of bacterial prostatitis
A fall, and as a result of a back injury, can lead to illness.
Non-bacterial prostatitis is not well understood, so doctors give the possible causes of this disease.
The exact mechanism of development and pathogenesis of chronic abacterial prostatitis has not yet been established.
Presumably, the disease may have the following reasons for development:
- inflammation of the ligaments and tendons of the pelvic floor;
- autoimmune process;
- an increase in pelvic floor ligaments;
- back injuries and chronic diseases of the spine;
- violation of blood microcirculation in the prostate gland;
- neuropsychiatric reasons;
- parasites and intracellular pathogens in the prostate.
Inflammation of the ligaments and tendons of the pelvic floor can develop due to infectious diseases of the organs of the genitourinary system, located in the immediate vicinity. As a result, the infection spreads to the ligaments, they become inflamed and enlarged, squeezing and irritating nearby nerve endings. The pain that a man feels at the same time can radiate along the nerves, reaching the lower back, groin, lower abdomen or anus.
Another suspected cause of chronic abacterial prostatitis or CABD is autoimmune processes in the body. As a result of such a failure, the immune system begins to perceive the cells of the prostate gland as a foreign element and attacks them with immune cells, which leads to the appearance of typical symptoms of bacterial prostatitis.
Another suspicious cause is viral prostatitis, which the patient suffers from in childhood. Since the prostate in children is not yet sufficiently developed, the viral inflammation of this organ may not have vivid symptoms and turn into a chronic form, which in an adult man is manifested by pelvic pain syndrome.
The disease can also be associated with various pathologies of the back, injuries or osteochondrosis, as a result of which compression of the spinal nerve roots occurs, causing pain and alteration of the prostate gland.
Some doctors have suggested that this disease may be due to a congenital circulatory insufficiency of the prostate gland, so that the organ cannot cope with its function. Over time, this leads to the appearance of chronic pain characteristic of bacterial prostatitis.
In addition, there is a theory that CABD can be caused by neuropsychiatric disorders, for example, severe stress, neurosis, and vascular dystonia. In this case, the pathology should be considered as a psychosomatic illness.
Another theory states that the disease may be associated with intracellular parasites or microorganisms, the size of which is so small that they do not allow detection of the causative agent of the disease by standard methods.
Risk factor's
Smoking can contribute to prostate problems.
Presumably, the risk factors for the development of chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men are:
- previous diseases of the prostate gland;
- Chronic stress;
- Back injury;
- hypothermia of the pelvic organs;
- urogenital infections;
- chronic testicular disease;
- bad habits;
- circulatory disorders of the pelvic organs;
- hypodynamics;
- pelvic injury.
The risk of developing the disease increases if a man does not eat properly. The deficiency of essential vitamins and microelements can affect not only the general well-being, but also the work of the prostate gland.
Differential diagnosis
To make a diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain syndrome, the following conditions are necessary:
- long-term pain, for a period of three months;
- the absence of pathogenic microorganisms in the prostate secretion;
- absence of chronic foci of infection in the body;
- discomfort with ejaculation.
To make a diagnosis, a differential diagnosis is made with prostate cancer, neurological syndromes, pathologies of the spine, which provoke irritation of the roots of the spinal nerves.
A general urological examination is imperative: palpation of the prostate, transrectal ultrasound of the organ, study of the composition of the prostate secretion. You should also exclude inflammatory diseases of the testes, bladder and kidney pathology, which can manifest as a pain syndrome of different localization.
It is imperative to be examined by a neurologist and a therapist. You should also consult with a proctologist to exclude rectal pathologies.
Treatment methods
An integrated approach is used in the treatment of bacterial prostatitis. Therapy is selected by the urologist, taking into account the characteristics of the course of the disease in the patient. This takes into account the general health and psycho-emotional state of the man.
Therapy includes the following methods:
- symptomatic treatment;
- prostate massage;
- physiotherapy methods.
As needed, treatment can be supplemented with sedatives, homeopathy, and herbal remedies.
Drug therapy
Before using drug therapy, you should consult your doctor.
For the symptomatic treatment of bacterial prostatitis, drugs of the following groups are prescribed:
- broad spectrum antibiotics with antimicrobial action;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- antispasmodics and analgesics;
- alpha blockers;
- sedatives and antidepressants.
In the treatment of non-bacterial prostatitis, antibacterial agents are used, paradoxical as it may seem. The fact is that the theory of microorganisms that cannot be seen through a microscope remains open, so antibacterial agents are prescribed for prevention. Urologists say that these drugs help to quickly eliminate the symptoms of the disease, so their use is fully justified.
Antispasmodics and pain relievers are used to reduce pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used as symptomatic therapy.
To facilitate the urination process, the administration of alpha-blockers is indicated.
It should be noted that the optimal treatment regimen is selected individually for each man. You should not self-medicate, mindlessly taking the drugs from the listed groups, it is better to trust an experienced specialist.
Prostate massage and physiotherapy
In general, the treatment of bacterial prostatitis with drugs shows good results. Other methods are needed to consolidate the therapeutic effect.
Prostate massage improves the functionality of the organ, prevents stagnation of prostate secretions, normalizes blood circulation and metabolic processes. He is appointed in a course of 10 procedures.
As physiotherapy, magnetic effects, ultrasound therapy, electrophoresis with vasodilators and other methods are prescribed. Also, patients are shown a spa treatment, for example mud therapy.
Home remedies
Motherwort herbal tinctures are good for treating ailments.
It is possible to treat non-bacterial prostatitis with folk remedies only after consulting a doctor; otherwise, such treatment will not help, but will only aggravate the state of health.
For the treatment of non-bacterial prostatitis with folk remedies, you can use:
- decoctions of sedative herbs to improve general health: chamomile, lemon balm, motherwort, valerian;
- microclysters with anti-inflammatory decoctions of St. John's wort, calamus, yarrow;
- warm sitz baths with calamus, soda, or nettle decoction;
- suppositories with pumpkin seed oil;
- tampons with honey and propolis.
The use of any of the listed funds must be agreed with your doctor. Suppositories are prepared as follows: five parts of cocoa butter are melted in a water bath, then one part of honey and one part of propolis (or two parts of pumpkin seed oil) are added. Then the dough is cooled, suppositories 4 cm long and 1 cm in diameter are formed and chilled in the refrigerator. Such suppositories should be injected into the rectum after a cleansing enema at night for two weeks.
Possible complications and prevention
Bacterial prostatitis requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Otherwise, pelvic pain syndrome can lead to infertility, impotence, vesiculitis, and other problems of the male genitourinary system.
To prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary to lead an active lifestyle and eat well. It is important to maintain immunity to prevent hypothermia of the pelvic organs. Men need a regular sex life with a constant partner to prevent the development of stagnant processes in the prostate gland. It is also necessary to regularly undergo preventive examinations with a urologist.