Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, also called the prostate. This disease can occur for the following reasons:
- Infections.
- Bacteria.
- Viruses.
- Mushrooms.
- Long-term use of antibiotics, which leads to reduced immunity.
In many cases, the infection enters the body through sexual contact. As a result, stagnation occurs in the pelvic organs and blood circulation weakens.
There are also non-infectious reasons why chronic prostatitis can develop:
- Sedentary way of life.
- Irregular structure of the prostate gland.
- Damage to the perineum.
- Congenital pathologies.
- Swelling of the prostate gland.
- Low testosterone levels.
- Heavy physical work.
- Hypothermia.
- Stress and nervous tension.
The appearance of this pathology is also possible as a result of the development or insufficiently effective treatment of such diseases:
- Sinusitis.
- Kidney stones.
- Angina.
- Inflammation of the urethral canal.
In addition, prostatitis can occur due to inconsistent sexual activity and regular interruption of intercourse, which contributes to the development of stagnant processes.
Some facts to note:
- To keep your prostate healthy, you need to have sex at least twice a week.
- It is not necessary to delay urination (this not only contributes to the development of stagnation, but also negatively affects potency).
- Regular use of tobacco and alcohol damages the prostate gland, so do not abuse it.
How can you tell if your prostate is inflamed?
Manifestations of prostatitis can vary greatly depending on the stage of the disease. There are 3 stages:
- Discomfort occurs in the lower abdomen. You often want to empty your bladder (with a burning sensation).
- Problems begin in the genital area (erection worsens, pain is felt during ejaculation, ejaculation occurs prematurely).
- At the last stage, the body temperature rises, pain occurs when urinating, the patient trembles.
Important: if we are talking about chronic prostatitis, then in this case the development of pathology, as a rule, is not accompanied by the corresponding symptoms (or the manifestations of the disease are mild). The danger of this form is that exacerbations can begin at any time.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis with folk remedies
There are many traditional methods used to treat prostatitis. We immediately say that each of the methods described below should be used only after prior consultation with a doctor. Remember that self-medication can not only be ineffective, but also worsen the problem.
In addition, you should understand that folk remedies do not allow you to completely get rid of chronic prostatitis. It makes sense to use them for disease prevention or as an adjunct, along with medications and physiological procedures prescribed by a doctor.
Garlic
Garlic is considered to be quite effective in the prevention and treatment of chronic prostatitis. Recipe:
- Take a few cloves of garlic.
- Throw them in a container (such as a thermos) and pour a quarter liter of boiling water.
- Drink before bed on an empty stomach.
There is another recipe:
- Take three cloves.
- Pour 200 ml of cold milk.
- Boil over low heat and cook for a minute.
- Insist for half an hour.
- Consume 35 drops four times a day after meals.
Decoction of onion peel
Recipe:
- Peel an onion and rinse.
- Pour into a saucepan and pour half a liter of hot water.
- Boil for 5 minutes and leave for 60 minutes.
- Consume a teaspoon three times a day.
Combined intake of balm from golden mustache and asparagus juice
To prepare the balm, you need:
- Mix 150 ml of alcoholic extract of golden mustache with 500 grams of linseed oil.
- Place in a closed container.
- Shake for 5-7 minutes.
You need to drink this conditioner for 10 days three times a day on a teaspoon, then another 5 days, use asparagus juice the same number of times, 2-3 tbsp. l. Repeat the cycle twice.
Warming of the prostate gland with the help of birch tar
You need to take 3 tablespoons of tar and pour 3 liters of boiling water. Then sit over this mixture for 7-10 minutes. The technique is effective in the early stages of prostatitis. Cannot be used in the presence of hemorrhoids or sexually transmitted diseases.
Tincture of aspen bark
We immediately say that the collection of bark should be done in early spring, when the leaves on the trees have not yet bloomed. This is very important, because during this period it is most saturated with juice, which gives a healing effect. Collect young bark no thicker than 5 mm.
Recipe:
- Grind 100 g of dry bark.
- Top up with vodka until it completely covers the crust.
- Insist 14 days, then strain.
- Consume 15-20 ml orally three times a day for a month.
Tincture of Ivan's tea
Recipe:
- Grind the leaves of Ivan tea and pour hot water in the proportions of 1 tbsp per cup.
- Insist for 40 minutes.
- Clean the herb from the infusion and use a tablespoon every day.
Another recipe involves the use of not only leaves but also flowers. They should be poured with a glass of boiling water. The infusion is prepared overnight. You should take half a glass twice a day.
Wine tincture of aloe with honey
Aloe and honey are products that are widely used in traditional medicine. To prepare a medicine for prostatitis, you will need:
- 0, 5 kg of aloe leaves (plants must be at least 3 years old).
- The same amount of honey.
- Half a liter of red wine (preferably dry).
You need to mix all these ingredients and insist 5 days in a dark and dry place. To prevent prostatitis you should take 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day. l. throughout the month. Then you need to take a 7-day break and repeat the course.
Lotions and soda baths
Soda helps to deal with infections that occur during prostatitis. Both the bath and the lotion are prepared according to the same recipe. It is necessary to dilute the soda with boiling water in the proportions of 1 tbsp. l. per liter. Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to cool the solution slightly.
Propolis tincture
Prepared according to this recipe:
- The crushed propolis must be poured with pure alcohol in proportions of 1 to 2.
- Place the medicine in a dark, not hot place.
- Infuse for 14 days, shaking occasionally.
- Strain at the end.
This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach three times a day mixed with warm milk. Proportions: 15 drops of tincture per 100 grams of milk.
Tincture on the root and leaves of ginseng
For 10 units of ginseng you will need 1 unit of alcohol diluted with water in proportions of 1 to 1. Insist a few days. Consume once a day. This recipe is not recommended if you suffer from insomnia or hypertension.
Alcohol infusion on aralia roots
Aralia has many beneficial properties that, among other things, have a positive effect on the condition of the prostate gland. But the problem is that this plant grows mainly in eastern countries (Mongolia, China, Korea). In our latitudes it is quite difficult to get the roots of aralia.
If you succeed, here is the recipe for the tincture:
- Pour 20 g of roots with 70% alcohol in an amount of 100 ml (vodka will also work).
- Insist for a few days.
- Drink 10 drops 3 times a day.
The drug is effective not only in prostatitis. It also provides an opportunity to deal with sexual dysfunction. However, in the presence of cardiovascular disease, this infusion cannot be used.
Dill tincture on port
Mix 100 g of pharmaceutical dill with 1 liter of port. The drug should be prepared within 3 weeks. Consume half a glass before meals. The tincture reduces inflammation of the prostate gland.
A mixture of walnuts and honey
Nuts have long been used to restore male strength. To prepare a medicine for prostatitis, you must:
- Chop 5 nuts.
- Add half a cup of honey.
- Stir thoroughly.
Consume at the beginning of the day for 1 tbsp.
Chamomile and bath tea
To make chamomile tea, you need to pour 200 ml of boiled water in 1 tbsp. l. dried plant and insist for several hours. Consume three times a day on an empty stomach. The drug allows you to deal with the infection and relieve inflammation.
A bath with chamomile infusion is prepared as follows:
- 5 tablespoons spoon. Pour hot chamomile with hot water.
- Boil for a few minutes and cook for about 2 hours.
- Add to the bath while bathing.
Chestnut shell tea
Remove the shell from the chestnuts. Fill with hot water, boil for a few minutes and use inside. The taste of the drink is not very pleasant, so you can add a little honey.
Bath with pine needles
You need to boil the branches of a coniferous tree (ideally pine) and pour it into the bathroom. The water temperature should not exceed 38 ° C. The raw materials can be collected independently or purchased at the pharmacy.
Pumpkin seeds
The last folk remedy for prostatitis in our list are pumpkin seeds. They should be consumed daily in 30 pieces. Helps both to prevent the development of pathology and to reduce the pain of symptoms.
Can prostate inflammation go away on its own?
Don't even hope that the prostatitis will go away on its own. This is not possible even in the case of the first stage. If appropriate measures are not taken, the disease will only progress and as a result will become chronic.
See your urologist immediately if you have symptoms. He will prescribe the necessary medication. Also, the treatment of prostatitis, as a rule, includes physical education and proper nutrition. In some cases, immunomodulators and antidepressants are prescribed.
What is the risk of prostatitis and how does it manifest itself?
Determining the presence of inflammatory processes in the prostate is quite simple. Prostatitis is not a serious danger to human life. However, without qualified medical care, the pathology can cause serious inconvenience, limiting life.
If the prostate is inflamed, it leads to discomfort in the perineum and lower back. The disease is often accompanied by pain. It can be both painful and acute. In particular, pain is important for men who do not have regular intercourse.
If there are infections, mucus or pus may appear in the discharge. If treatment is not started in time, it will eventually lead to a deterioration in sperm quality.
Can chronic prostatitis be completely cured?
Statistics for the treatment of prostatitis show that recurrences occur quite often. In many cases, the return of the disease is due to the fact that patients do not have enough stamina to completely get rid of the pathology.
Of course, the treatment of prostatitis requires a lot of patience and significant financial costs. For example, if there is an infection and the doctor has prescribed antibiotics, then in no case should they be stopped in half, even if the disease has ceased to be felt. If you do not complete the course of drug treatment, then the pathogens will recover after some time and will also become immune to the drugs you have been taking.
Thus, although recurrences often occur in chronic prostatitis, the patient's condition depends primarily on himself. If you strictly follow the doctor's recommendations, then the signs of inflammation will not be felt for a long time and may even disappear forever.
Tests for prostatitis
In all cases, if prostatitis is suspected, the following procedures are prescribed:
- Blood test - makes it possible to identify inflammation by examining the level of leukocytes and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
- Urine analysis - performed several times. Allows you to detect elevated levels of bacteria and white blood cells.
- Prostate secretion test - allows early detection of prostatitis, prostate cancer and infertility.
- Urine culture - allows you to determine the susceptibility of bacteria that cause prostatitis, thus choosing the right antibiotics.
In case of chronic prostatitis, a sample of 4 cups of urine is taken. This test makes it possible to understand exactly where the infection is located. The analysis is performed as follows:
- The patient fills the 1st tube with urine.
- Then urination continues in the 2nd.
- The doctor massages the prostate. The secret that stands out is considered the 3rd test.
- The remnants of urine coming out after the massage are the 4th sample.
Additional laboratory tests are performed:
- If bacteria are found in the 3rd or 4th portion, it means that the prostatitis is bacterial.
- If more than 10 leukocytes are found in the same samples, then there is inflammation of the prostate gland.
- If there are more than 10 leukocytes, but the bacterial flora is normal, this may indicate the presence of chlamydia and other infections.
In the latter case, scraping of the urethra and mucosa is taken, which makes it possible to detect sexually transmitted microorganisms.
In some cases, digital rectal examination suspects adenoma and prostate cancer. This situation is the basis for a diagnosis in which a blood test is taken to measure the level of PSA (prostate-specific agent).
Note: PSA sampling is performed no earlier than 10 days after rectal examination.
What tests are done to diagnose prostatitis
For the treatment of prostatitis can be used antibiotics, antibacterial drugs (non-steroidal), as well as drugs that increase immunity and improve blood supply. However, it is impossible to prescribe the most effective drug therapy without prior diagnosis, which makes it possible to understand the form of the disease.
Traditionally, ultrasound (ultrasound) is performed when acute prostatitis is suspected. With this method the doctor can:
- Determine the volume and density of the prostate.
- Find out if the venous plexus of the prostate is enlarged.
- Look for signs of an abscess.
In some cases, endoscopy is prescribed, but in acute prostatitis this method is contraindicated.
If prostatitis is accompanied by a neurogenic urinary incontinence, then the following procedures may be additionally prescribed:
- The introduction of catheter probes to determine and record the profile of urethral pressure.
- Myography that allows you to assess the work of the pelvic floor muscles.
- CT and MRI, if there are preconditions for prostate cancer or non-inflammatory prostatitis.
Laser therapy, herbal medicine, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, mud baths and many other procedures can be prescribed as part of conservative treatment. If this approach is ineffective, then surgery is needed.
Types of ultrasound examination for different forms of prostatitis
According to statistics, in about 80% of cases of chronic prostatitis, pathogenic particles cannot be detected by laboratory tests. However, palpation also does not always allow us to rely on a correct diagnosis, as obvious structural changes do not always occur in the prostate gland.
Even when it comes to chronic infectious prostatitis, bacteriological analysis sometimes turns out to be with little information. The diagnostic error, as a rule, is due to the fact that microbes accumulate in the tissues, but they do not enter the secretion, which is taken in the laboratory.
In this regard, ultrasound is almost always prescribed along with analyzes. This procedure allows not only to identify changes in the prostate gland, but also to dynamically monitor the improvements that occur during treatment.
Two types of ultrasound are used in modern diagnostics:
- Transrectal.
- Transabdominal.
Each of these techniques has unique advantages and disadvantages.
Transrectal method
In this case, an ultrasound machine is placed in the patient's rectum. The method provides excellent visualization and allows you to collect the most complete information about the condition of the prostate gland.
Contraindications:
- Hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
- Postoperative rehabilitation period.
- Benign and malignant tumors.
Transabdominal method
The prostate is examined through the anterior abdominal wall. The method allows you to determine the size and boundaries of the gland, as well as the symmetry of its lobes. The disadvantage of such ultrasound is that not every hospital uses equipment whose quality allows to obtain reliable information about the condition of the tissues.
What are the possible consequences in the absence of treatment for prostatitis?
If prostatitis is not treated, it can cause such complications:
- Prostate abscess requiring immediate hospitalization and surgery.
- Formation of cysts and stones in the prostate, causing severe pain and requiring long-term treatment.
- Vesiculitis (inflammation of the seminal vesicles), which is treated only in a hospital setting.
- Prostate sclerosis, which causes problems urinating.
- Infertility.
What is the purpose of prostate massage?
Prostate massage is a procedure that is performed in all cases of chronic prostatitis, except for calculous prostatitis. She is also appointed in such situations:
- In the absence of orgasm.
- In case of impotence.
- For diagnostic purposes (allows you to detect inflammatory processes).
Many men have certain prejudices towards prostate massage, subconsciously identifying it with homosexuality. In fact, this procedure allows you to prevent the development of prostatitis, remove infected secretions, prevent the development of stagnant processes, improve blood circulation and increase male strength, improving the quality of sexual intercourse.
However, there are situations in which prostate massage cannot be performed:
- Severe inflammation of the prostate gland.
- Tumor (both benign and malignant).
- Urinary tract infections.
- Hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
- Calculous form of prostatitis.
- Prostate tuberculosis.
- Disorders of urination.
- Exacerbation of chronic prostatitis.
Does chronic prostatitis interfere with normal sex and conception?
Chronic prostatitis usually has no sexual problems. But it happens in another way. It is quite understandable that inflammation of the prostate gland causes discomfort (not only physically but also psychologically). Painful sensations can make it difficult for a man to enter into intimacy with a partner. At the same time, psychological factors can lead to erection problems.
The infectious form of chronic prostatitis should be mentioned separately. In this situation, during sexual intercourse, there is a risk of transmitting bacteria or fungi to the partner.
Tip: if you decide to conceive a child, be sure to get tested and make sure there is no infection. And if it is found, take a course of treatment.
Why is it important to have a regular sex life with prostatitis?
For the normal functioning of the body, it is important to ensure that all its needs are met. The condition of the prostate gland has a significant impact not only on sexual activity but also on the ability to conceive. This is due to the fact that the secretion produced in the prostate is the part of the sperm that is responsible for the vitality and activity of the sperm.
When inflammation of the prostate occurs, the metabolic processes in the cells of the gland are accelerated, as a result of which toxins are released, which accumulate in the secretion. As a result, during orgasm, these harmful substances leave the body along with the sperm, contributing to the normalization of the prostate and accelerated recovery.
There is another important point: in prostatitis, inflammatory processes occur, due to which blood flow deteriorates. During sexual arousal, the blood supply to the penis increases significantly and during ejaculation the pelvic muscles contract. All this has a positive effect on the condition of the gland and helps to cope with prostatitis.
How likely is infertility in chronic prostatitis?
In the initial stages, prostatitis is not an obstacle to conceiving a child. In some cases, there are erection problems caused by physiological and psychological factors. But with the right treatment and understanding from the partner, the problem can be solved.
It is a completely different matter if you ignore the presence of prostatitis for a long time. The development of pathology can lead to a decrease in the quality of sperm: sperm will become insufficiently active and will not be able to reach the point where conception occurs. In addition, this problem cannot always be detected by the results of the analyzes.
If you suffer from prostatitis and cannot have a baby, see your doctor. In addition to a course of treatment aimed at eliminating inflammatory and infectious processes in the prostate gland, as a rule, diet and vitamins are prescribed. Although they do not increase the likelihood of conception, they strengthen the immune system, which helps prevent the formation of new infections.
What to do if you can not conceive a child for a long time?
Doctors say that in a normal situation, conception should occur within a year after regular and unprotected intercourse. Otherwise, you should see a doctor for a thorough examination.
It is recommended that a man undergo the following procedures:
- Spermogram - allows you to determine the number of active sperm, as well as to assess the chemical and physical composition of sperm.
- Genital ultrasound - aimed at studying the structures responsible for the formation and release of sperm, as well as identifying problems with blood supply.
A wider range of procedures is available for women:
- Assessment of basal body temperature for 3 menstrual cycles, followed by planning.
- Genital ultrasound.
- Hysterosalpinography - a picture of the uterus and fallopian tubes to assess their anatomical structure and patency.
- Hysterosonography is an ultrasound examination of the uterine cavity.
- Blood test to determine hormonal parameters in the endocrine system.
In some cases, problems with conception arise due to the incompatibility of the spouses. To determine the presence of this problem, a postcoital test is prescribed and a genetic examination is performed.