There are many forms of prostatitis that differ in the symptoms and course of the inflammatory process. Despite the fact that this disease has generally been studied quite well, there is one form of which we still know little - this is abacterial prostatitis. This condition is also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome and, according to the latest information, occurs in one in five men on the planet. Despite such a widespread occurrence, the disease remains a mystery to doctors and very difficult to treat.
Bacterial and non-infectious prostatitis: what's the difference?
Abacterial or non-bacterial prostatitis is often confused with non-infectious prostatitis. In fact, it is two different diseases with different manifestations and developmental causes.
Chronic inflammatory prostatitis is a disease that does not have clear inflammatory symptoms in the prostate gland. In addition, in the vast majority of cases, a detailed examination does not make it possible to determine the presence of an inflammatory process in the organ. However, non-infectious prostatitis is an inflammatory disease with well-defined and well-studied causes. Non-infectious prostatitis is caused by a violation of the trophism of the prostate gland, resulting in stagnant prostate secretion and an inflammatory process. Non-infectious prostatitis is most commonly diagnosed in older patients, while non-bacterial prostatitis can occur in all age groups in men.
To avoid misunderstandings, non-bacterial prostatitis is also referred to as chronic pelvic pain syndrome, which perfectly characterizes the main symptoms of this complex disease.
Typical symptoms
In case of small need, painful discomfort can be felt.
The signs of abacterial prostatitis are not similar to the symptoms of prostatitis, so many doctors assume the neurological nature of the disease to develop.
In case of bacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are as follows:
- persistent painful pain in the pelvic region;
- increased pain syndrome while urinating;
- severe discomfort with ejaculation;
- general physical illness;
- nervous tension.
Pelvic pain usually lasts for a long time, from three months to six months. The pain syndrome goes away on its own without the use of aching, monotonous, painkillers and then returns spontaneously. The pain radiates to the testicles, perineum, anus. Sometimes there are short-term episodes of shooting "nervous" pain in the lower back, lower abdomen, groin.
Patients complain of worsening erections. You feel intense tension during ejaculation, ejaculation is accompanied by sharp pain. Severe pain attacks can occur during urination.
These symptoms are accompanied by severe emotional depression. The man is tense, sensitive to stress, and some patients suffer from insomnia, neurosis-like conditions.
Causes of bacterial prostatitis
It can cause illness due to a fall and a back injury.
Non-bacterial prostatitis is not completely known, so doctors give the probable causes of the disease.
The exact mechanism for the development and pathogenesis of chronic abdominal prostatitis is not yet known.
Presumably the following causes of the disease may occur:
- inflammation of the ligaments and tendons of the pelvic floor;
- autoimmune process;
- growth of pelvic floor strips;
- back injuries and chronic spinal diseases;
- violation of blood microcirculation in the prostate gland;
- neuropsychiatric causes;
- intracellular parasites and pathogens in the prostate.
Inflammation of the ligaments and tendons of the pelvic floor can be caused by infectious diseases of the organs in the immediate vicinity of the urinary system. As a result, the infection spreads to the ligaments, which become inflamed and enlarged, compressing and irritating the nearby nerve endings. The pain a man feels at once can radiate along the nerves and penetrate the lower back, groin, lower abdomen, or anus.
Another suspected cause of chronic abacterial prostatitis or CABD is autoimmune processes in the body. As a result of such a failure, the immune system begins to perceive the cells of the prostate gland as a foreign element and attack them with immune cells, leading to the appearance of typical symptoms of abacterial prostatitis.
Another suspected cause is viral prostatitis, which the patient suffered in childhood. Because the prostate in boys is not yet sufficiently developed, viral inflammation of this organ may not have vivid symptoms and may develop into a chronic form that manifests as pelvic pain syndrome in adult men.
The disease can also be associated with various back diseases, injuries, or osteochondrosis, which results in compression of the nerve roots in the spinal cord, causing pain and dysfunction of the prostate.
According to some doctors, this disease can be caused by a congenital circulatory failure of the prostate, which makes the organ unable to cope with its function. Over time, this leads to the development of chronic pain characteristic of abacterial prostatitis.
In addition, there is a theory that CABD can be caused by neuropsychiatric disorders such as severe stress, neuroses, and vascular dystonia. In this case, the pathology should be considered a psychosomatic illness.
Another theory states that the disease may be associated with intracellular parasites or microorganisms that are so small in size that they do not allow detection of the pathogen of the disease by standard methods.
Risk factors
Smoking can contribute to prostate problems.
Presumably, the risk factors for the development of chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men are:
- previous diseases of the prostate gland;
- chronic stress;
- back injury;
- hypothermia of the pelvic organs;
- urogenital infections;
- chronic testicular disease;
- bad habits;
- circulatory disorders of the pelvic organs;
- hypodynamics;
- pelvic injury.
The risk of developing the disease increases if a man does not eat properly. Lack of vitamins and essential trace elements can affect not only general well-being but also prostate function.
Differential diagnosis
The following conditions are required to diagnose chronic pelvic pain syndrome:
- prolonged pain for three months;
- absence of pathogenic microorganisms in prostate secretion;
- absence of chronic foci of infection in the body;
- discomfort with ejaculation.
To make the diagnosis, a differential diagnosis is made for prostate cancer, neurological syndromes, spinal pathologies that lead to irritation of the roots of the spinal nerves.
General urological examination is essential - palpation of the prostate, transrectal ultrasound of the organ, study of the composition of prostate secretions. It should also rule out inflammatory diseases of the testicles, bladder and kidneys, which can present in pain syndromes with different localizations.
Examination by a neurologist and therapist is imperative. You should also consult a proctologist to rule out rectal pathologies.
Treatment methods
An integrated approach is used to treat abacterial prostatitis. Therapy is selected by the urologist, taking into account the characteristics of the course of the disease in the patient. This takes into account the man’s general health and psycho-emotional state.
Therapy includes the following methods:
- symptomatic treatment;
- prostate massage;
- physiotherapy methods.
As needed, the treatment can be supplemented with sedatives, homeopathy and herbal remedies.
Drug therapy
You should consult your doctor before using drug therapy.
The following groups of medicines are prescribed for the symptomatic treatment of bacterial inflammation of the prostate:
- broad-spectrum antimicrobial antibiotics;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- antispasmodics and analgesics;
- alpha-blockers;
- sedatives and antidepressants.
Antibacterial agents are used to treat non-bacterial prostatitis, however paradoxical it may sound. The fact that the theory of non-microscopic microorganisms remains open therefore prescribes antibacterial agents for prevention. Urologists say these drugs help to quickly eliminate the symptoms of the disease, so their use is fully justified.
Anticonvulsants and analgesics are used to reduce pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also be used as symptomatic therapy.
Alpha-blockers are recommended to facilitate the urination process.
It should be noted that the optimal treatment regimen is selected individually for each man. You should not self-medicate, take the medicines of the listed groups foolishly, it is better to rely on an experienced professional.
Prostate massage and physiotherapy
In general, drug treatment of abacterial prostatitis has shown good results. Other methods are needed to consolidate the therapeutic effect.
Prostate massage improves organ function, prevents stagnation of prostate secretions, normalizes blood circulation and metabolic processes. He is appointed in 10 procedures.
Physiotherapy prescribes magnetic effects, ultrasound therapy, vasodilator electrophoresis, and other methods. In addition, patients are introduced to spa treatments such as mud therapy.
Folk remedies
Mother herb tinctures are good for treating diseases.
Treatment of non-bacterial prostatitis with folk remedies is possible only after consultation with a doctor, otherwise such treatment will not help, but will only aggravate the state of health.
You can use it to treat non-bacterial prostatitis with folk remedies:
- decoctions of soothing herbs to improve general health - chamomile, lemongrass, motherwort, valerian;
- microclysters with anti-inflammatory decoctions of St. John's wort, calamus, yarrow;
- hot baths with a decoction of calamus, soda or nettle;
- suppositories with pumpkin seed oil;
- tampons with honey and propolis.
The use of any of these funds should be agreed with your doctor. The suppositories are prepared by melting five parts cocoa butter in a water bath and then adding one part honey and one part propolis (or two parts pumpkin seed oil). The mass is then cooled, suppositories 4 cm long and 1 cm in diameter are formed and cooled in a refrigerator. Such suppositories should be administered rectally overnight after a two-week cleansing enema.
Possible complications and prevention
Abacterial prostatitis requires timely diagnosis and treatment. Otherwise, pelvic pain syndrome can lead to infertility, impotence, vesiculitis, and other problems in the male urogenital system.
An active lifestyle and proper nutrition should be followed to prevent the development of the disease. It is important to maintain immunity and prevent hypothermia in the pelvic organs. Men need a regular sex life with a permanent partner to prevent the development of stagnant processes in the prostate gland. It is also necessary to perform regular preventive examinations by a urologist.