Prostatitis is a nonspecific inflammation of the prostate gland. It occurs as a result of infection of the gland through the urethra or bladder. If proper attention is not paid to the disease, as it progresses, it can lead to infertility.
Causes
The physiology and anatomy of the male body are such that the entry of infection into the prostate gland is inevitable, but for inflammation to occur and develop into prostatitis, a number of predisposing factors are needed:
- Hypothermia
- Constipation
- Sedentary lifestyle and desk work
- Prolonged abstinence from sexual contact or excessive sexual activity
- Inflammatory diseases with a chronic course
- Conditions with immune system suppression.
Diagnosis
Prostatitis does not manifest in the early stages. Symptoms appear as it progresses. Most often, prostatitis is diagnosed when the patient presents the following complaints:
- Pain associated with urination
- Burning sensation during ejaculation
- Weak urinary stream
- Incontinence
- Blood in urine
- Itching in the anal area or lower abdomen
- General intoxication syndrome: high temperature, muscle and joint pain, chills, fever.
At the leading clinic in Israel, Ichilov, the patient will undergo a series of progressive diagnostic procedures to verify the diagnosis of prostatitis:
- Complete blood count – the level of leukocytes is particularly important; their increase is a sign of inflammation
- Urine and/or sperm test to identify the infectious agent
- Cystoscopy of the bladder and urethra
- Urodynamic tests
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs
- Transrectal ultrasound
- Prostate biopsy
- Computed tomography
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
In addition to taking the medical history, detailed consultations with leading specialists in urology are conducted at the Ichilov clinic.
Treatment
Treatment involves conservative measures:
- Antibacterial therapy. The choice of medication depends on the type of bacteria that caused the inflammation. For this purpose, a bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing are performed. The patient is also tested to determine if there are any possible contraindications for the use of a specific antibiotic. The antibacterial medication may be changed if it proves ineffective within the first 3 days. Therapy must be approached very responsibly and the intake of medications should not be interrupted, as if the infection is not completely eliminated, it can lead to serious relapses.
- Physiotherapy. Massage and therapeutic exercises improve blood supply and circulation in the pelvic area. The treatment regimen for prostatitis in Israel also includes laser therapy, electromagnetic wave treatments, and ultrasound exposure (HIFU method).
- Thermotherapy. An innovative method available to patients at the Ichilov clinic. Using radio waves, the prostate tissue is heated, resulting in cellular necrosis and the release of the constricted part of the urethra. The advantage of the procedure is that it lasts only 1-2 hours and is completely painless for the patient. Surgical treatment is performed very rarely and only when inflammation progresses to a purulent stage with the rupture of purulent foci and abscesses.