Disturbances in the functioning of the prostate and pain in this area signal a serious pathology in the body of a man. Urological problems have become very common. A symptom may indicate the presence of various diseases, which in medicine are more than enough. In the article we will talk about the most common ailments that the stronger sex can suffer.
What is the prostate
Before you begin to consider the topic, can the prostate hurt and why this happens, it is worth to find out what it is. The second name for this part of the male body is the prostate gland. It is a small dense nodule with a diameter of about 3-4 centimeters, which visually looks like a walnut. The gland is located in the upper region of the urethra, or more precisely, under the bladder.
An interesting feature of the prostate gland is that its size, density level and shape may vary among different men, as well as vary with age. For a full life of the stronger sex, this body is important. Therefore, it makes sense to consider what functions it performs, why there are pains in the prostate and how to get rid of them.
Why is the prostate gland needed ?
One of the main functions of the prostate is to participate in the production of testosterone. In addition, iron:
- Provides a normal erection process.
- It produces a special secret that is needed for sperm maturation.
- Improves ejaculation by maintaining sperm in the required tone.
- It performs the function of liquefying sperm and activates their transportation, ensuring their vitality and mobility.
The occurrence of pain in the prostate is usually associated with the presence of an inflammatory process in the pelvis. Lack of timely diagnosis and treatment can lead to negative consequences for men's health.
Why does pain occur?
Today, urologists are able to diagnose several dozen diseases that are accompanied by prostate pain. Also, the development of pathology can provoke various factors, among which:
- intense sports training;
- hypothermia;
- decreased immunity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- anatomical structural features of the pelvic organs.
With regard to diseases, with prostate pain, it is most often diagnosed:
- prostate adenoma;
- prostatitis;
- prostate cancer.
Consider each of these ailments separately.
BPH
When asked by the patient why the prostate hurts, the specialist will first think about this pathology. Adenoma of the gland is called a tumor in the area of the node seal. The disease has another name - benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
An enlarged prostate in most cases occurs at the age of more than 40 years, and after 50 years the disease is diagnosed in every second man. Urologists attribute this phenomenon to hormonal changes that occur in the body in adulthood.
Pain with prostate adenoma is usually localized in the suprapubic region, perineum, sacrum, lower back. They can be both barely noticeable and quite strong.
Pain is not the only symptom of the disease. Characteristic signs of prostatic hyperplasia are also:
- frequent urination;
- weak stream of urine;
- urination does not begin immediately, but after some time;
- the occurrence of difficulties with the retention of urine or the complete inability to empty the bladder;
- decrease in the amount of urine;
- leakage of urine after urination;
- nightly calls to the toilet;
- the appearance of burning during urination;
- a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- false urge to urinate;
- acquisition of urine with a cloudy hue or the appearance of blood impurities in it.
These symptoms occur when an enlarged prostate pinches the urethra and the urethra narrows.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is one of the most common diseases of the genitourinary system in men and is most often diagnosed before the age of 45 years. The disease can be acute and chronic. It is an inflammation of the prostate gland and, depending on the stage, may be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Acute catarrhal prostatitis. Pain in the sacrum and perineum, rapid and painful urination.
- Acute follicular prostatitis. The previous symptoms are joined by pain in the anus, which intensifies during bowel movements. There are also problems with urination: urine flows in a thin stream, in some cases its delays are noted. In addition, moderate follicular prostatitis is characterized by moderate hyperthermia or subfebrile condition.
- Acute parenchymal prostatitis. The patient complains of fever up to 38-40 degrees, chills, acute urinary retention, sharp pain in the perineum, difficulty in defecation. There are signs of general intoxication of the body.
In chronic prostatitis, symptoms may be erased. The patient complains of periodic fever, discomfort in the perineum, an unpleasant sensation during urination. A characteristic symptom of chronic prostatitis is the appearance of scanty discharge from the urethra during bowel movements.
Other signs of this form of the disease are considered to be irritability, fatigue, sexual disorders (including impotence).
Pain of the prostate with this kind of ailment can be either aching or intense.
Prostate cancer
The reasons for the development of this type of cancer are still unknown. Specialists identify several factors that can affect the formation of a tumor:
- age;
- heredity;
- improper lifestyle (in particular, the presence of bad habits and lack of physical activity);
- excess in the diet of meat products and animal fats;
- lack of vitamin D;
- the presence of urogenital infections;
- hormonal disbalance.
The danger of prostate cancer is that at first the symptoms of the disease may be completely absent. This significantly complicates timely diagnosis. Pain in prostate cancer often appears in the late stages of the disease. They are localized in the sacrum and pelvis.
A man should carefully monitor his health condition in order to notice the onset of symptoms such as:
- frequent urination (especially in the evening and at night);
- a decrease in the amount of urine during urination;
- a feeling of constant overflow of the bladder;
- the appearance in the urine of blood impurities;
- the appearance of pain in the groin, anus, lower back, sacrum;
- increased feeling of weakness;
- signs of intoxication.
The progression of the pathology leads to the appearance of edema in different parts of the body.
Due to the fact that prostate cancer cells can move throughout the body, various indirect symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood, can be observed. Their treatment with various expectorant and antibacterial drugs will not bring any effect, which should alert the patient.
Other reasons
Pain in the prostate can also occur as a result of some other diseases. For example, an unpleasant symptom is also observed with inflammation of the kidneys, urolithiasis, stones in the gland, cyst and various diseases of the rectum (hemorrhoids, proctitis and so on). That is why you should not self-medicate. Only a specialist can determine the presence of a particular ailment, after carrying out all the necessary studies.
Treatment
The necessary therapy is selected only after the confirmation of a diagnosis. It may include the use of:
- painkillers;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- antibiotics;
- hormonal drugs;
- vitamin complexes;
- immunomodulators.
Additionally, various physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out, which include:
- massage;
- electrophoresis;
- laser therapy;
- ultrasound therapy.
All of them help improve blood flow in the perineum, normalize the functioning of the genitourinary system and, as a result, accelerate the healing process.
In particularly difficult situations (for example, with cancer), it may be necessary to remove the prostate gland.
Folk remedies
As an addition to the main therapy, alternative methods of treatment can be used.
The first option is a decoction of asparagus. To prepare it, it is necessary to pour the crushed asparagus root with boiling water and let it brew for 10 minutes. The resulting agent is taken orally up to four times a day. Many argue that the remedy perfectly helps in getting rid of pain.
The second option is an infusion of burdock. To prepare it, it is necessary to boil the burdock root for 20 minutes, and then pour into another container and insist for another 30 minutes. Infusion should be taken before meals twice a day.
Discomfort after prostate massage
The main goal of this procedure is to relieve muscle tension. It should not cause any discomfort in a man. But in some cases, patients complain of pain after prostate massage. As a rule, it gradually subsides over half an hour, but again makes itself felt after the next session.
If such a situation arises, you must inform your doctor. He will choose another suitable method of treatment, prescribe phytopreparations and uroantiseptics.
Discomfort after removal of the prostate
Pain after removal of the gland is a very common phenomenon and this is not surprising, because the patient underwent a surgical operation. To reduce discomfort, you need to follow all the doctor's recommendations. In particular:
- Drink a little fluid so that urination appears as little as possible.
- Do not push during bowel movements.
- Prevent constipation and, if necessary, use laxatives.
- Monitor your diet, avoid heavy foods.
- For some time, give up sports, lifting weights and driving.
Prevention
Many men are interested in the question of how to avoid the appearance of problems with the prostate. Unfortunately, this is not so simple. Some factors can be influenced, while others can not. For example, a man is able to get rid of bad habits, go in for sports, normalize nutrition (reduce the amount of meat products and animal fats, increase the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed in food), avoid hypothermia, and so on. But he is not able to influence age-related changes or his hormonal background.
Reviews
Based on the reviews of patients who have ever had problems with the prostate, it can be concluded that after treatment, remissions of the disease occur in quite rare cases. The main thing is to timely notice the presence of a problem and not delay the visit to the urologist.