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.
Prevalence 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;
- enterococcus and Staphylococcus aureus;
- Proteus;
- klebsiela;
- intestinal bacteria;
- isolation.
Most of these microorganisms are part of the body's normal microbiome. If the body's protective properties are impaired, these bacteria can cause prostatitis.
Other microorganisms that cause bacterial prostatitis include fungi, chlamydia, Trichomonas, and ureaplasmas.
Factors that contribute to the development of prostatitis:
- Hypothermia;
- irregular sex life, abstaining from sex;
- reduced immunity;
- hormonal diseases, accompanied by a deficiency of male sex hormones in the body;
- circulatory disorders (blood stasis) in the pelvic organs;
- sexually transmitted diseases.
The development of chronic bacterial prostatitis is also facilitated by:
- systematic untimely emptying of the bladder;
- bad habits (alcohol abuse, smoking);
- concomitant diseases of the urinary system (for example, pyelonephritis);
- sedentary lifestyle.
Symptoms of Bacterial Prostatitis
Acute prostatitis is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- general intoxication (asthenia, chills, fever);
- pain in the groin and perineum;
- frequent and painful urination, especially at night;
- urinating may be difficult, in rare cases, there may be acute urinary retention;
- Sometimes white or colorless pus appears from the urethra.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is asymptomatic or the clinical picture clears during remission. As the disease progresses, its symptoms resemble those of acute bacterial prostatitis. In chronic bacterial prostatitis, erectile dysfunction can develop.
Diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis
A diagnosis of acute bacterial prostatitis is made in the presence of the following:
- the characteristic complaints described above;
- on digital rectal examination, prostate swelling and pain;
- in a general blood test, an increase in the number of leukocytes and an increase in the rate of ESR is observed;
- in the general analysis of urine, a large number of leukocytes can be detected;
- also confirm the diagnostic data of ultrasound of the prostate gland.
In chronic bacterial prostatitis, there are usually no complaints during remission.
To confirm chronic bacterial prostatitis, the presence of bacteria and white blood cells in the tissues of the prostate gland is determined. To do this, take a smear from prostate secretions, which is then studied under a microscope. With bacterial prostatitis, an increased number of white blood cells will be observed in the smear.
Urine or prostate secretions are also seeded on nutrient medium to determine bacterial growth and susceptibility to antibiotics.
Another method for identifying chronic prostatitis is to determine the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) titer.
Complications of bacterial prostatitis
The most common complication of acute bacterial prostatitis is transition to a chronic form. This is facilitated by the late initiation of treatment, the interruption of the course of treatment, the irregular intake of the drug.
In addition, bacterial prostatitis can be complicated by prostate abscess or fistula formation.
Prevention of bacterial prostatitis
In chronic bacterial prostatitis, the main task is to prevent exacerbations of the disease or reduce the number of recurrences. This can be achieved by adhering to the following principles:
- Bladder overflow should be avoided.
- Dress appropriately for the weather so you don't get cold.
- Sex life needs to be regular, both long-term abstinence and excessive sexual activity are harmful. Prolonged or interrupted sex can also worsen chronic prostatitis.
- In the case of normal sex, it is necessary to protect yourself so that you do not get infected with sexually transmitted diseases.
- Refuse to abuse alcohol and spicy foods.
- Do not wear tight clothing (especially underwear).
Treatment of bacterial prostatitis
The main drugs used in the treatment of bacterial prostatitis are broad-spectrum antibiotics. The duration of antibiotics is 2-8 weeks, depending on the clinical picture of the disease, the presence of concomitant diseases.
In chronic bacterial prostatitis, anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed.
For quick recovery, as well as to enhance the therapeutic effect in chronic prostatitis, prostate massage is indicated. This procedure helps to clean hard-to-reach areas of the prostate from microorganisms. But it is in these areas that bacteria stagnate and multiply, leading to the development of chronic bacterial prostatitis.