Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, a purely male organ.
Bacterial prostatitis differs from other forms in that it develops as a result of exposure to microorganisms (bacteria). Bacterial prostatitis can be acute or chronic.
Distribution of bacterial prostatitis among all prostatitis:
- Acute prostatitis - 5-10%;
- Chronic prostatitis - 6-10%.
Causes of bacterial prostatitis
Most often, this pathology is caused by such microorganisms:
- Intestine and Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- Enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus;
- Proteus;
- Klebsiela;
- Enterobacteriaceae;
- Seriation.
Most of these microorganisms are part of the normal microflora of the body. If the body's protective properties are reduced, then these bacteria can cause prostatitis.
Other microorganisms that cause bacterial prostatitis include fungi, chlamydia, trichomonas, and ureaplasma.
Factors contributing to the development of prostatitis:
- Hypothermia;
- Irregular sex life, abstinence from sex;
- Impaired immunity;
- Hormonal diseases accompanied by a lack of male sex hormones in the body;
- Circulatory disorders (blood stasis) in the pelvic organs;
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Also contributes to the development of chronic bacterial prostatitis:
- Systematic timely emptying of the bladder;
- Bad habits (alcohol abuse, smoking);
- Concomitant diseases of the urogenital system (for example, pyelonephritis);
- A lifeless lifestyle.
Symptoms of bacterial prostatitis
Acute prostatitis is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- General intoxication (weakness, chills, fever);
- Pain in the esophagus and perineum;
- Frequent and painful urination, especially at night;
- Urination may be difficult, in rare cases may develop acute urinary retention;
- Occasionally there is a purulent whitish or colorless discharge from the urethra.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is asymptomatic or has a clear clinical picture during remission. When the disease worsens, then its symptoms are similar to the symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis. Erectile dysfunction may develop during chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis
The diagnosis of acute bacterial prostatitis is made in the presence of the following factors:
- The characteristic complaints described above;
- On rectal digital examination, the prostate gland is swollen and painful;
- A complete blood count shows an increase in the number of leukocytes and an acceleration of the ESR;
- General analysis of urine may reveal a large number of leukocytes;
- Also confirm the data of prostate ultrasound diagnosis.
Complaints are usually absent during the remission period of chronic bacterial prostatitis.
The presence of bacteria and white blood cells in the tissues of the prostate gland is determined to confirm chronic bacterial prostatitis. To do this, make a smear from the secretion of the prostate gland, which is then studied under a microscope. In bacterial prostatitis, an increased number of leukocytes is observed in the smear.
Urine or prostate secretion is also sown in a nutrient medium to determine bacterial growth and susceptibility to antibiotics.
Another method of determining chronic prostatitis is to determine the prostate specific antigen (PSA) titer.
Complications of bacterial prostatitis
The most common complication of acute bacterial prostatitis is the transition to a chronic form. This is facilitated by delayed start of treatment, discontinuation of the course of treatment, irregular administration of medication.
Also, bacterial prostatitis can be complicated by a prostate abscess or the appearance of a fistula.
Prevention of bacterial prostatitis
The main task in chronic bacterial prostatitis is to prevent disease exacerbation or reduce the number of relapses. This can be achieved by following these principles:
- Bladder drainage should be avoided.
- Wear it for the weather so you don’t get cold.
- Sex life should be regular, while prolonged abstinence and excessive sexual activity are harmful. Prolonged or interrupted intercourse can also exacerbate chronic prostatitis.
- In case of accidental sexual intercourse, it is necessary to protect oneself from being infected with sexually transmitted diseases.
- Avoid alcohol and spicy foods.
- Do not wear tight clothing (especially underwear).
Treatment of bacterial prostatitis
The main medications used to treat bacterial prostatitis are broad-spectrum antibiotics. The duration of taking antibiotics is 2-8 weeks, depending on the clinical picture of the disease, the presence of concomitant diseases.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed for chronic bacterial prostatitis.
For rapid recovery, as well as to enhance the therapeutic effect in chronic prostatitis, prostate massage is prescribed. This procedure helps to clean hard-to-reach areas of the prostate from microorganisms. But it is in these areas that bacteria stop and multiply, leading to the development of chronic bacterial prostatitis.