 |
|
|||||||||
Jun 22, 2006
Prostatitis & Sex
by SirGan
 Prostatitis is a general term for inflammation of the prostate gland. What exactly is a prostate? Well, it is a small organ about the size and shape of a walnut, located just below the bladder. It can be found only in males. What are the functions of prostate? Well, the prostate gland's main function is to produce semen, the fluid that helps nourish and transport sperm. When this inflammation occur- it can cause a variety of symptoms, including a frequent and urgent need to urinate and pain or burning when urinating, often accompanied by pelvic, groin or low back pain. Studies have shown that the sex is almost impossible when you have prostatitis because the erections and ejaculations are extremely painful! Incidence of the conditionProstatitis can affect men of all ages. Several researches have found out that the prostatitis is one of the most common diseases seen in urology practices in the US, accounting for over 1 million visits per year. Chronic and nonbacterial prostatitis are being most frequently diagnosed. According to the National Institutes of Health, prostatitis may account for up to 25% of all office visits for complaints involving the genital and urinary systems from young and middle-aged men.
Symptoms and types of prostatitisThere are several symptoms that are characterized for the each an every type of prostatitis! Some of the most common are:
Signs and symptoms of this form of prostatitis usually come on suddenly and may include:
Patient should definitely know that acute prostatitis is a serious condition and requires urgent medical attention!
What is the difference? Well, the signs and symptoms of this type of prostatitis develop more slowly and usually aren't as serious as those of acute prostatitis.
Although not too many people know this- it is a fact that chronic nonbacterial prostatitis is the most common form of prostatitis. In general, the signs and symptoms of nonbacterial prostatitis are similar to those of chronic bacterial prostatitis. The major difference is that common bacterial tests will not detect any bacteria in patient’s urine or in fluid from prostate gland.
This is the diagnosis when the patient does not complain of pain or discomfort but has infection-fighting cells in his semen. Doctors usually find this form of prostatitis when looking for causes of infertility or testing for prostate cancer.
Possible causes of prostatitisAlthough many doctors claim different – the fact is that how the prostate becomes infected is still not clear. It is known that the bacterial prostatitis is caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, and Enterococcus, Serratia, and Staphylococcus aureus. Most of the experts believe that the bacteria that cause prostatitis may get into the prostate from the urethra by backward flow of infected urine or stool from the rectum.
There is also one theory that claimed that prostatitis is a sexually transmitted disease, but more recent research suggests that only a small number of cases are passed on through sex. Other causes may include autoimmune disease.
Causes of non-bacterial prostatitis are much more difficult to determine! Most experts believe that it could be some of the following things:
Some experts believe nonbacterial prostatitis may be caused by an infectious agent that doesn't show up in standard laboratory tests.
Lifting heavy objects when your bladder is full may cause urine to back up into your prostate.
Occupations that subject your prostate to strong vibrations, such as driving a truck or operating heavy machinery, may play a role.
Although regular exercise, especially jogging or biking, is great for the rest of your body, it may irritate your prostate gland.
Urinating in an uncoordinated fashion with the sphincter muscle not relaxed may lead to high pressure in the prostate and subsequent symptoms.
Narrowing of urethra may elevate pressure during urination and cause symptoms.
Risk factors for developing prostatitisCertain conditions and medical procedures increase the risk of developing prostatitis. You are at higher risk for getting prostatitis if you:
Prostatitis, sex and sexual transmission
Several researches done in the past have proven that the chronic bacterial form of prostatitis are sometimes experienced by men whose sex partners have a bacterial infection of the vagina. This means definitely that prostatitis is a sexually transmitted disease. The fact is that the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea may sometimes cause prostatitis, and tuberculosis may spread to the prostate. Parasites and fungi may infect the prostate gland. Sometimes, formation called granulomas in the prostate tissue can cause prostatitis. It is still not known could the viruses cause prostatitis!
Most common symptoms are discharge from the penis after sex and the widespread distribution of the pain. Men may also complain of pelvic pain, pain during ejaculation, and pain with sexual intercourse. This is making sex almost impossible. The good news is that patient will not lose sex drive altogether, and that with specialist help patient’s sex life may still be enjoyed.
There is no doubt- it is best to avoid sex during any treatment. If a sexually transmitted infection is found to be the cause, all sexual partners will need to be treated at the same time or the infection will just keep coming back.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Good thing is that most often the symptoms and physical findings are enough to form a diagnosis of prostatitis. The best diagnostic tool is one exam called digital-rectal exam! During the exam, doctor inserts a finger in the rectum and the swollen prostate can be felt. Patient should also know that it may be extremely tender when probed. Squeezing the gland slightly will produce a few drops of fluid that may be cultured to learn whether bacteria are present.
Many patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis also have recurring urinary tract infections which could be an important clue to the diagnosis.
The urologist could also insert a special instrument called a cystoscope through the penis to directly view the prostate from inside and see whether it looks inflamed or not!
Possible prostatitis complications
Patients shouldn’t be scared because there's still no evidence that having acute or chronic prostatitis increases risk of prostate cancer.
Because prostatitis interferes with the development of semen and proper ejaculation, it can sometimes affect fertility.
In addition, untreated acute prostatitis can lead to an inability to urinate, and in severe cases may result in bacteria in your bloodstream.
Treatment of prostatitis
Depending on the type of prostatitis you have, certain medications may help rid or control your symptoms. These medications include:
Several researches done in the past have proven that special exercises and relaxation techniques can improve symptoms of prostatitis in some men. Common techniques include:
o Exercise
o Ice- when heat does not help, ice packs, or simply placing a small ice cube in the rectum, may relieve pain for hours.
o Biofeedback
o Sitz baths
o Prostate massage
Surgical procedures
Sometimes, doctor may recommend surgery to open blocked ducts if a patient have a bacterial form of the disease in which antibiotics couldn’t improve symptoms or fertility is severely affected.
Other treatments
o Finasteride is a drug that lowers hormone levels in the prostate
|
|
|
Article sources
|
