Calculus prostatitis is a disease in which stony inclusions (or stones) form in the prostate ducts. It occurs as a consequence of chronic prostatitis. Stones appear from lime salts, phosphates and prostate secretions. The problem is faced by patients of different age groups: 30-40 years (due to chronic prostatitis), 40-60 years (due to prostate adenoma), after 60 years (due to the decline of intimate function).
There are exogenous and endogenous types of stones. The composition of exogenous stones can be compared with those found in the urinary tract. They can arise from prostate adenoma and chronic inflammation and are most often found in the distal parts of the prostate. The patient can live with endogenous stones for many years, as they do not cause any problems and much less pain. Their cause is congestive prostatitis. The symptoms and treatment of calculous prostatitis require professional attention.
Causes of calculous prostatitis
Chronic calculous prostatitis causes inflammation and congestion in the prostate. Benign prostatic hyperplasia, abstinence from intimate contacts or their irregularity, as well as insufficient physical activity cause inadequate emptying of the prostate glands. If, in combination with these factors, an infection of the genitourinary tract is observed, the nature of prostate secretion gradually changes.
The disease can also be caused by urethroprostatic reflux, in which, when urinating through the urethra, a small amount of urine enters the prostate ducts. The salts present in urine gradually transform into stones. Urethroprostatic reflux occurs as a consequence of trauma to the urethra, as a result of transurethral resection of the prostate, urethral stricture. Urine can enter the prostate after changes that occur during surgical interventions 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.
The pain often becomes stronger during and after sexual intercourse, after sitting on something hard, when walking or due to vibrations. Severe pain can 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.
One month after the appearance of the first symptoms, the patient may experience a disturbance in their 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 has a disease. Prostate ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans help 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 number of leukocytes);
- spermogram (blood is observed, motility and sperm count 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 observed).
Later, during the instrumental examination, some signs make it possible to confirm the diagnosis:
- You can find out if there are stones directly in the prostate by performing an ultrasound;
- A CT scan of the prostate will help discover the location and determine the size;
- With prostate MRI it is also possible to obtain information about the method of stone formation.
Treatment of calculous prostatitis
The treatment of calculous prostatitis is prescribed and carried out by a specialist, who uses surgery or medication.
The doctor usually chooses a medicinal method in the treatment of calculous prostatitis, as long as the size of the stone does not exceed 4 mm. The patient takes anti-inflammatory drugs, 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, in many cases facilitating the process of passing the stone. 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 emitter comes into contact with the skin using a special gel.
Good results are shown by drug electrophoresis, in which the drug is administered through the surface of the skin or mucosa using an electric current. In this case, it is necessary to abandon the prostate massage procedure, in contrast to the treatment of chronic prostatitis, in which it is effectively used.
Relatively recently, in combination with medications, the use of low-frequency laser prostate treatment began. When carrying out this therapy, the stones are gradually crushed and excreted in the urine.
For large stones, drug treatment does not bring results, and surgical intervention is performed to treat calculous prostatitis. The surgeon removes the stones through an incision in the perineum or suprapubic area.
Calculus prostatitis is often accompanied by BPH. With this option, a prostatectomy, adenomectomy or TURP of the prostate is chosen.
Prostatectomy refers to the removal of the prostate gland, which is 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 with 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 have a series of complications: bladder fistulas, infection of the genitourinary organs, urinary incontinence, etc.
Transurethral prostate resection involves 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 proper 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 your consumption of legumes, white cabbage, whole milk and other foods that promote 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 located near the stone are possible.
Prevention of calculous prostatitis
Prevention of this disease is relevant for men of any age and includes:
- preventive exams, lack of self-medication;
- elimination of nicotine from life and reasonable consumption of alcohol;
- maintain an age-appropriate sex life;
- prevention of genital infections;
- physical activity;
- carrying out treatment of infectious diseases.