With the development of a typical clinical form of prostatitis, its symptoms may be different and at the same time appear simultaneously. However, even in this situation, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the organism, the type of pathogen, the stage of the disease, etc.
First of all, it is necessary to understand that there are several clinical forms of the disease, which, despite the common "target organ" - the prostate, proceed in a completely different way. And the characteristic symptoms of one form of the disease may be absent in the other.
Classification approaches in the separation of disease forms
Based on WHO (World Health Organization) recommendations and industry protocols, the division according to the following types of pathologies is generally recognized:
- Acute prostatitis without specifying the etiological factor;
- Chronic prostatitis, etiologically associated with bacteria;
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) with signs of inflammation of the prostate;
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) without signs of inflammation of the prostate;
- Chronic asymptomatic bacteriuria and leukocyturia in the absence of diseases of other organs of the genitourinary system;
- Granulomatous prostatitis with symptoms of fibrosis;
- The combination of any form of prostatitis with other lesions of the prostate, most often with BPH - benign prostatic hyperplasia.
This classification reflects all possible variants of organic pathology. And to describe the most common symptoms of prostatitis is the most correct from the point of view of the description of each of the clinical forms.
Symptoms of prostatitis in the clinical picture of an acute form
In the acute form of the disease, its symptoms have the most pronounced clinic.
Common manifestations:
- Increase in body temperature in response to inflammation. . . It is always present, and it can reach important values. The height of the thermometer depends on the causative agent of the disease.
- General asthenia. . . It is manifested by severe weakness, malaise, rapid fatigue and a sharp decrease in physical activity.
- Decreased performance. . . The body, tired of the inflammatory process, is not able to maintain its usual working capacity and solve problems that require high energy production.
- Laboratory analysis data. . . In blood and urine tests, changes occur, indicating the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. Most often they are pronounced. But they are not specific because they can be a sign of inflammation. Therefore, the tests should be checked against the symptoms.
Local symptoms of prostatitis:
- Pain. . . This is the most striking symptom of prostatitis. But its severity is a consequence of the intensity of the inflammatory process and has features associated with a specific causative agent of infection. Most often, the pain is projected into the perineum, radiating to the groin or testicles.
- Groin discomfort. . . Most often one of the earliest and rather short-lived manifestations, as it quickly gives way to pain. Initially, discomfort appears during physical or sexual activity, after some time it is repeated while at rest. Usually accompanied by increased itching, burning, a feeling of bloating in the groin or during urination.
- Mucous discharge. . . They are not always necessary and appear in the initial stages. Usually transparent, much less often whitish. They appear most often after urinating or are present on their own, manifesting as stains on the laundry. They are a reflection of pronounced inflammation and involvement of the initial part of the urethra.
- Bleeding or blood impurities. . . Most often found in the form of hematospermia - staining of the ejaculate with blood. In case of infection with hemolytic strains of bacteria, spontaneous mucous discharge with an admixture of blood is possible.
- Disorders of the defecation process. . . Due to the anatomical proximity, the inflammation of the prostate is reflected in the final section of the gastrointestinal tract. It is mainly manifested by constipation. In fact, this is a defensive reaction, as the expansion of the rectal bulb leads to increased pain.
In essence, all local manifestations are symptoms of the initial stage of acute prostatitis. These include:
Prostate dysfunction with its symptoms:
- Difficulty urinating. . . It is a protective spasm response in response to pain impulses. It is also associated with an increase in the volume of the gland and an increase in pressure on the urethra. Initially, it manifests as incomplete emptying of the bladder, which causes straining to complete urination. In the future, there is a weakness of urine flow, and with a pronounced inflammatory reaction, the development of paradoxical ischuria is possible - the inability to urinate independently when the bladder is full.
- Intimate Violations. . . Initially manifested by discomfort during intercourse and ejaculation with changes in semen. The level of libido and general sexual activity decrease. Perhaps the emergence of fear and the active avoidance of intimacy due to the onset of pain.
Symptoms and signs of prostatitis in the clinical picture of a chronic form
With the chronicity of the disease, the clinical picture also changes. Due to changes in the organ itself and the formation of protective reactions on the part of the body, some symptoms appear brighter, while others practically do not bother the patient. In addition, regardless of the cause of chronicity, a fairly sharp division appears in the clinic of the disease. In the phase of exacerbation, symptoms of the acute stage of the disease prevail, in the phase of remission there are disorders of varying severity. Since the clinic of an acute disease is described above, the manifestations of the remission phase will be considered here.
General manifestations of prostatitis, which has entered the phase of remission:
General decrease in vitality and performance. Manifested by weakness and decreased physical activity. Over time, tolerance to loads, jolts and vibrations is lost, and intolerance to low ambient temperatures is formed.
Local or local symptoms of prostatitis:
- Discomfort in the groin. Most often it is constantly present and is an analogue of pain in an acute process. For each patient, the degree of discomfort may be different - from minor to maximum. It is the discomfort that causes a drastic change in the quality of life of the patient, because to avoid it, the patient often prefers to give up privacy.
- Physiological discharge. In the remission phase, these changes are most often detected only in the laboratory, but there are also physiological changes: a decrease in the volume of seminal fluid, a change in its color or consistency.
- Disorders of the defecation process. In this case, a state of chronic constipation develops as a protective reaction.
Prostate dysfunction:
- Difficulty urinating. It is the reflection of changes that gradually develop in the tissues of the prostate. The most common symptoms also include a decrease in the speed and volume of urine flow, as well as a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder. To overcome this sensation, the patient also strives.
- Violations of the private sphere. Inflammation and the fear of pain that accompanies it leads to a gradual decrease in sexual activity in men, a weakened libido. Psychological barriers quickly lead to the formation of persistent erectile dysfunction.
The main symptoms of clinical prostatitis, CPPS
The main symptom of chronic pelvic pain syndrome is persistent pain of varying intensity. For each man, the severity of painful manifestations and their frequency are individual: from not intense aches to severe cramps and burning at rest, even more aggravated by urination or defecation. Against this background, a man's lifestyle changes, general and sexual activity decreases, and depressive states develop.
It is important to note that in CPPS the first symptoms of prostatitis may appear in such an erased form, without a previous acute period.
Asymptomatic or asymptomatic form of the disease
There are cases when the pain in prostatitis, like other symptoms, is absent. This is how the asymptomatic form of the disease proceeds. It is an accidental discovery during the passage of examinations and preventive examinations. This often occurs when such an asymptomatic course of the disease is temporary. With a weakening of immunity, it is possible to develop an acute process with a characteristic clinic.
Rare forms of prostatitis
It is a granulomatous form and is compatible with other changes. What are the symptoms of prostatitis in men in this case indicate the disease? Initially, the clinic is most often similar to the chronic form, however, upon careful examination by specialists, characteristic changes in these rare forms are revealed, which serves as the basis for an accurate diagnosis.
Features of the treatment of prostatitis, depending on the clinical form
Each clinical form suggests its own therapy. Only a doctor can prescribe it, self-medication can lead to complications and aggravation of the course of the disease. The selection of treatment is carried out individually, based on an accurate diagnosis. In doing so, the standards of the relevant mandatory industry protocols are used.
In the acute form of the disease, the main goal of treatment is to prevent chronicity and to heal completely.
For all chronic forms, it is important to achieve the highest quality and long-lasting remission and to prevent or significantly reduce the frequency of exacerbation of the process.
Prevention of prostatitis as an integral part of treatment
Treatment includes not only the fight against clinical forms of the disease, but also their prevention. Prevention of prostatitis is important for both health and treatment. The preventive measures themselves are chosen by the doctor for each patient individually. Typically they look like this:
- Change your lifestyle by giving up bad habits and improving your health in general;
- Normalization of physiological functions, including defecation;
- Stabilization of the intimate life of a man;
- Continuous or regular use of symptomatic agents;
- The use of organotropic drugs.
In terms of clinical and prophylactic effectiveness, one of the best remedies is a preparation from an extract of the prostate glands in the form of ampoules and suppositories for prostatitis. The presence of a complex of specific biologically active compounds allows it to act directly on the tissue of the gland. As a result, a chain of physiological changes is initiated, aimed at increasing the intensity of the recovery processes, as well as a significant decrease in the frequency and severity of exacerbations of the chronic form of the disease.