Calculous prostatitis is a disease in which stony inclusions (or stones) form in the ducts of the prostate. This occurs as a result of chronic prostatitis. Stones come from lime salts, phosphates and prostate secretions. The problem is faced by patients of different age categories: 30-40 years old (due to chronic prostatitis), 40-60 years old (due to prostate adenoma), after 60 years old (due toof a decline in intimate function).
There are exogenous and endogenous types of stones. The composition of exogenous stones can be compared to those found in the urinary tract. They can result from a prostate adenoma or chronic inflammation and are most often found in the distal parts of the prostate. The patient can live with endogenous stones for many years, since they do not cause any inconvenience, much less pain. Their cause is congestive prostatitis. Symptoms and treatment of calculous prostatitis require professional attention.
Causes of calculous prostatitis
Chronic calculous prostatitis causes inflammation and congestion of the prostate. Benign prostatic hyperplasia, abstinence from intimate contacts or their irregularity, as well as insufficient physical activity cause poor emptying of the prostate. If, in combination with these factors, an infection of the genitourinary tract is observed, the nature of prostatic secretion gradually undergoes changes.
The disease can also be caused by urethroprostatic reflux, in which when one urinates through the urethra, a small amount of urine enters the ducts of the prostate. The salts present in the urine gradually transform into stones. Urethral-prostatic reflux occurs following trauma to the urethra, following transurethral resection of the prostate, stricture of the urethra. Urine can enter the prostate after changes that occur during surgical procedures on the genitals, the use of catheters, or the presence of stones in the kidneys or bladder. The stones are mainly urate, oxalate and phosphate.
Chronic calculous prostatitis can impair reproductive function.
Symptoms of calculous prostatitis
A sign of calculous prostatitis is pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, testicles, sacrum and scrotum. The diameter and number of stones directly affect the intensity of pain.
Often the pain becomes stronger during and after sex, after sitting on something hard, walking or vibrating. Aching pain may radiate to the penis and scrotum.
Signs of calculous prostatitis can be the following phenomena:
- frequent urination;
- urinary incontinence;
- the appearance of a small amount of blood in the semen;
- anaphrodisia;
- erectile dysfunction.
A month after the appearance of the first symptoms, the patient may experience a disturbance in his general condition: malaise, decreased performance, depression, irritability and a slight increase in temperature may be observed.
Diagnosis of calculous prostatitis
When examining a patient, a specialist can only assume that the patient is suffering from a disease. Ultrasound of the prostate, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography can detect and confirm the diagnosis of calculous prostatitis.
The next stage is a series of laboratory tests that determine the presence of stones in the prostate, as well as the presence and degree of the inflammatory process. The following tests are most often required:
- general urine test (confirmation is the presence of blood, a large number of leukocytes, proteins, epithelial cells);
- general blood test (increased ESR, increased leukocyte count);
- spermogram (blood is observed, motility and number of spermatozoa decrease);
- determination of the level of prostate specific antigen for the purpose of detecting oncological tumors;
- examination of prostate secretions (amyloid bodies, more leukocytes and epithelium are noted).
Later, during the instrumental examination, certain signs help confirm the diagnosis:
- You can find out if there are stones directly in the prostate by doing an ultrasound;
- A prostate scan will help to know the location and determine the size;
- With magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate, it is also possible to obtain information about the method of stone formation.
Treatment of calculous prostatitis
Treatment of calculous prostatitis is prescribed and carried out by a specialist; he resorts to surgery or medication.
The doctor usually chooses a medicinal method for the treatment of calculous prostatitis, provided that the size of the stone does not exceed 4 mm. The patient takes anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and drugs that normalize blood circulation orally and by injection. Herbal medicine is also used. During drug treatment, constant monitoring by the attending physician is important.
Physiotherapy is effective and in many cases facilitates the process of passing stones. For example, magnetic therapy is successfully used, which significantly improves blood microcirculation and has an analgesic and calming effect. Ultrasound therapy is often prescribed; during the procedure, the transmitter comes into contact with the skin through a special gel.
Good results are shown by drug electrophoresis, in which the drug is administered through the surface of the skin or mucous membranes using an electric current. In this case, you should abandon the prostate massage procedure, unlike the treatment of chronic prostatitis, in which it is used effectively.
Relatively recently, in combination with medications, the use of low-frequency laser prostate treatment has begun. During such therapy, stones are gradually crushed and excreted in urine.
For large stones, drug treatment does not bring results, surgical intervention is undertaken to treat calculous prostatitis. The surgeon removes the stones through an incision in the perineum or suprapubic region.
Calculous prostatitis is often accompanied by BPH. With this option, prostatectomy, adenomectomy or TUR of the prostate are chosen.
Prostatectomy refers to the removal of the prostate, performed under general anesthesia. During the operation, the seminal vesicles are also removed. The operation can be abdominal. In this case, the perineum or anterior abdominal wall is dissected. After removal, sutures are applied.
It is also possible to operate using an endoscope by making several punctures in the abdominal cavity. In this case, rehabilitation is faster.
Adenomectomy is used for large adenomas. Access is through the abdominal cavity. The operation can cause many complications: bladder fistulas, infection of the genitourinary organs, urinary incontinence, etc.
Transurethral resection of the prostate involves the excision of a hyperplastic area of the prostate through the urethra using a resectocystoscope. This operation is less likely to cause side effects and the recovery period is shorter.
A good diet is important not only for prevention purposes, but also in the treatment of chronic calculous prostatitis. The diet is prescribed by the attending physician, based on various criteria and factors. Basically, meat, fish and mushroom broths, as well as sauces, spicy dishes, spices, garlic, onions, radishes, are excluded from the daily diet. Limit the consumption of legumes, white cabbage, whole milk and other foods that cause flatulence. The doctor recommends drinking plenty of fluids.
The sooner the patient consults a specialist, the more favorable the prognosis for the treatment of this disease. If treatment of calculous prostatitis is not carried out, loss of reproductive function, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, sclerosis or abscess of the prostate and damage to tissues near the stone are possible.
Prevention of calculous prostatitis
Prevention of this disease concerns men of all ages and includes:
- preventive examinations, lack of self-medication;
- eliminate nicotine from life and reasonable alcohol consumption;
- maintaining an age-appropriate sex life;
- prevention of genital infections;
- physical activity;
- carry out treatment of infectious diseases.