Before explaining prostatitis, let's first talk about where the prostate is located. (As shown in the figure) The prostate is a unique sexual gland organ of males. The prostate is shaped like a chestnut, with its base facing upward and attached to the bladder, its tip pointing downward and touching the urogenital diaphragm, its front side adhering to the pubic symphysis, and its back side adjacent to the rectum. In the middle of the prostate gland, there is the urethra passing through it. It can be said that the prostate guards the upper opening of the urethra. Therefore, if the prostate gets sick, urination will be affected first. The prostate is one of the very few human organs that have both internal and external secretion functions as a sex secretion gland. As an exocrine gland, the prostate secretes about 2 milliliters of prostatic fluid daily, which constitutes the main component of semen.
Prostatitis refers to acute or chronic inflammation caused by specific and non-specific infections of the prostate, leading to systemic or local symptoms. It is a common disease among men, occurring predominantly in young and middle-aged adults. Prostatitis can be categorized into non-specific bacterial prostatitis, idiopathic bacterial prostatitis (also known as prostatic disease), specific prostatitis (caused by gonococcus, tuberculosis bacillus, fungi, parasites, etc.), non-specific granulomatous prostatitis, prostatitis caused by other pathogens (such as viruses, mycoplasma, chlamydia, etc.), prostatic congestion, and prostatic pain.
Due to the anatomical proximity of the seminal vesicles and the prostate, the excretory duct of the seminal vesicle and the terminal part of the vas deferens converge into the ejaculatory duct, which passes through the prostate and enters the urethra. Therefore, prostatitis is often accompanied by seminal vesiculitis. According to the course of the disease, it can be divided into acute prostatitis and chronic prostatitis. Among them, acute prostatitis is caused by bacterial infection leading to acute prostate inflammation.
Acute prostatitis may present with systemic symptoms such as chills, fever, and fatigue; Local symptoms include a heavy sensation in the perineum or suprapubic area, which worsens with prolonged sitting or defecation, and radiates to the waist, lower abdomen, back, and thighs. If small abscesses form, the pain intensifies and defecation becomes impossible; Urethral symptoms include a burning sensation during urination, urgency, and frequency, which may be accompanied by hematuria at the end of urination or purulent discharge from the urethra; Rectal symptoms include rectal fullness, urgency for bowel movements, and a feeling of needing to defecate. During defecation, white secretions may flow out of the urethral orifice.
Chronic prostatitis is divided into bacterial prostatitis and prostatic disease. Chronic bacterial prostatitis often evolves from acute prostatitis; Prostatic disease is usually caused by viral infections, urinary tract stones, chronic prostatic congestion, etc. Interrupted intercourse, frequent sexual activity, and chronic constipation are all causes of prostatic congestion.
By understanding the location and function of the prostate, one can gain some insight into the onset of prostatitis. The treatment of prostatitis will be discussed in future articles, and I hope you continue to follow the prostate blog.