The human genitourinary system is the most important complex of organs responsible for the allocation of harmful products from the body from the body and reproductive function. In fact, these are two systems that are closely intertwined. Therefore, problems with one constantly cause disruption to the other.
Gender differences
Everyone knows that the anatomy of a man is different from that of a woman. This is especially true of the genitourinary system. In his body there are specific organs and glands that are responsible for the erection and viability of sperm.
Sex cells, sperm, are formed in the testes. But on their own, they would die quite quickly. Therefore, the body produces a special nutrient fluid. The prostate gland is responsible for it. What is it, not everyone knows. Therefore, over time, men may experience problems that could be avoided by observing preventive measures.
Pure male gland
In general terms, the male urogenital system consists of the genitals and the same excretory system as women: kidney, bladder and urethra (urethra). Around the male urethra, almost at its beginning, is the prostate.
This is the gland of external and internal secretion, which produces both androgynous hormones, and the secret that sperm consists of. In boys, this gland is undeveloped. It mainly consists of smooth muscles.
During puberty, the prostate enlarges. Due to the glandular tissue, the prostate gland grows in size, the norm of which is about horse chestnut in diameter. At the end of the puberty, its intense growth stops. At the same time, throughout the life of a man, the prostate continues to grow slowly.
The role of the prostate
Like any other organ, the prostate gland performs functions without which normal functioning of the body would not be possible.
The first is nutritional function. It produces a special nutritious secret, which creates a favorable environment for the life of sperm. Due to this, they remain capable of fertilization for several days.
Secondly, regulatory. The anatomy of a man depends a lot on the normal hormonal background. The prostate gland is involved in the creation of this background, producing specific male hormones.
Thirdly, the barrier function. At the time of ejaculation, there is a simultaneous release of sperm from the testes and sperm from the prostate. To prevent urine from entering the ejaculate, the prostate blocks the sphincter of the bladder.
Fourth, the prostate is responsible for a normal erection. The hormones produced by it serve as a signal to start an erection. Therefore, one of the consequences of a malfunction of this gland is most often erectile dysfunction.
The main signs of the disease
With age, there are frequent cases when the prostate gland begins to work incorrectly. What is it, men will know immediately. They notice discomfort and pain during urination, a violation of sexual functions and many other troubles that are not customary to speak out loud.
Diseases of this organ are often found in men with age. It is believed that how old a person is, such is the percentage of probability of contracting prostatitis or another disease associated with prostate dysfunction.
Fortunately, the list of disorders to which the prostate gland is not so large. Symptoms of the disease are noticeable almost immediately:
- decrease in the pressure of the urine stream;
- pain and pain when urinating;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- discoloration of urine;
- frequent urination, especially at night.
If a man notices at least a few of them, you should immediately contact a urologist. Procrastination for a couple of days can complicate the treatment process, and sometimes cause death.
BPH
Any diffuse changes in the prostate gland entail the development of diseases. One of the most common is considered prostate adenoma. These are abnormal growths of muscle tissue in the gland, which entail partial or complete compression of the urethra.
In addition to urinary delays, such a violation causes a number of complications in the male urinary system. Stagnant urine contributes to the development of bacteria, the precipitation of urea, followed by the formation of sand and stones in the bladder or kidneys. Further complications of the disease can cause acute renal failure.
Unfortunately, according to statistics, a strong increase in diameter is observed with age, which affects the prostate gland. Sizes, the norm of which is several times smaller, become a problem after 40-45 years. Every year, the risk of detecting prostate adenoma in yourself increases. Therefore, do not neglect regular visits to the urologist. This guarantees an easier treatment process.
Prostatitis
The prostate is also subject to inflammatory processes. What is it, men will find out when every trip to the toilet causes them severe pain and unbearable pain. In addition, there is a constant sharp pain in the bladder. It is also possible a discoloration of urine, in which impurities of pus or blood appear.
Prostate treatment should be started immediately. Otherwise, it threatens with severe complications and a long process of recovery and rehabilitation. The neglected prostatitis causes impotence and infertility, which can no longer be cured.
Cancer
In the list of diseases difficult to diagnose and treat is a prostate tumor. It is easy to confuse it with a benign proliferation called an adenoma. But the consequences of this disease are much more dangerous.
Symptoms of prostate cancer are the same as other diseases. Diagnosed in the early stages, it can be cured even without surgery. In the later stages, the tumor is able to metastasize to organs adjacent to it, which is practically untreatable and leads to the death of a person.
The mechanisms of formation and development of prostate cancer have not yet been fully studied. It is believed that adenoma is prone to degeneration into a malignant tumor. In any case, more than 50% of men over the age of 45 are at risk.
Non-invasive prostate treatments
Any surgical interventions in the body, in addition to benefit, entail a number of complications. Therefore, treatment of the prostate begins with non-invasive methods.
To begin with, they use simple monitoring of the condition of a man without the use of any therapeutic methods. There are a number of people in whom the development of adenoma stops by itself.
If there is a tendency to complicate the condition, the urologist decides to start drug therapy. Alpha blockers are primarily used. They are able to stop the abnormal growth of the gland. In most cases, this is enough.
With prostatitis, it makes sense to use antibiotics. The problem with the treatment is that the gland itself is located quite deep in the body. Therefore, therapeutic substances do not enter it immediately and in small quantities. In some cases of the acute course of the disease, doctors prescribe the use of drugs through the urethra.
Surgical treatments
Almost half of prostate treatment cases require surgical intervention. With adenoma, a transurethral resection of the prostate is used. This operation takes place with minimal tissue damage. During it, a part of the prostate gland that blocks the urethra is excised. At the same time, the functions of the prostate are practically not violated, and a man can continue to lead a normal sex life.
Complete removal of the gland is indicated when cancer cells are detected in it. Since this disease “disguises itself” as a benign tumor, doctors cannot fully assess the degree of organ damage. Unfortunately, after such an operation, most men have impotence and infertility.
There is another way of surgical intervention: dissection of the prostate body. It is used in cases where the gland has not yet grown to a critical size and has not begun to put pressure on the bladder, causing stagnation of urine. The essence of the operation is that by dissection, the surgeon allows the prostate gland to become more elastic. She, in turn, does not block the urethra and does not interfere with the process of emptying the urea.
Risk group for prostate diseases
It so happened that the genitourinary system of men is quite sensitive to lifestyle changes. Bad habits and unhealthy diet immediately make themselves felt. This is especially noticeable by a change in the functioning of the prostate gland.
First of all, diseases of this organ can be diagnosed in 4 out of 10 men after 40 years. This is due to an age-related change in hormonal levels. If before that a person led an unhealthy lifestyle, his chances increase at times. But at the age of 80 years, prostate adenoma is observed in 99% of men.
Due to a sedentary lifestyle, stagnation of blood and lymph occurs in the pelvic organs. This contributes to the development of pathogenic bacteria and the deposition of harmful substances on the walls of blood vessels. The prostate is most susceptible to this because it is located in its very center and is supplied with blood that has passed through other organs.
At risk are those men whose paternal line was diagnosed with cancer. It does not have to be a malignant tumor of the prostate. A low level of cancer resistance is inherited. And the prostate is one of the most vulnerable organs of a man.
Prevention of "male" diseases
To reduce the risk of developing any prostate related diseases in the future, much time should be devoted to prevention. First you need to switch to a healthy diet. More protein and plant foods contribute to proper metabolism. At the same time, fatty, fried foods and “food garbage” weaken the entire body.
Exercise prevents stagnation in the pelvic area. Due to this, all organs are normally supplied with useful substances, and toxins are eliminated from them in time.
But there are specific prevention methods that the prostate gland requires. What is it and what has the effect, men understand the first time. If it is not possible to monitor the entire body, you can regularly massage the prostate. Each man will cope with it independently. It is enough to find the gland through the rectum and, through simple manipulations, relax it and stimulate the flow of blood. For convenience, you can use special vibrating massagers.
Proper and timely prevention will save a man’s health until he is old.