The prostate is a small, paired organ located in the pelvic cavity below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The urethra passes through the thickness of the prostate gland.
Structure and function of the prostate gland
The prostate contains smooth muscle fibers and secretory cells. The main function of the gland is to secrete a secretion that participates in the ejaculate fluid, ensures the movement of sperm and protects them from the aggressive environment of the vagina. The prostate gland is also a valve that blocks the flow of urine during ejaculation and when semen is urinated.
A healthy adult male prostate weighs only 20 grams. Hormones, androgens, estrogens of the pituitary and adrenal glands have a great influence on its condition. Throughout life, the size of the prostate can change: in boys, it is small, during puberty, the prostate grows sharply. When the secretion of hormones disappears (usually this happens at the age of 45-50), the reverse development of the gland usually begins.
However, the opposite process often occurs - benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate adenoma.
What is a prostate adenoma?
This disease has many synonyms: prostate adenoma, benign prostatic hyperplasia, benign prostatic nodular hypertrophy and others.
The name reflects the essence of the pathological processes taking place in the gland: the glandular tissue grows, forming dense nodules. Increases the size of the prostate, causing compression of the urethra and spasm of smooth muscle cells. This causes symptoms of the disease.
Prostate size has no direct effect on urinary incontinence. Symptoms may be absent with significant growth or appear in the early stages of the disease.
BPH has a benign growth, ie it does not metastasize. This essentially differentiates BPH from prostate cancer. The main indication for the onset of malignant transformation of the prostate gland is the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA).
Causes of BPH
According to statistics, in men under the age of 30, signs of BPH are usually absent. With age, the incidence of BPH increases, reaching a peak in the ninth decade of life (90%).
The causes of prostate adenoma are still completely unclear. Prostate adenoma is believed to be multifactorial in nature. The role of the male sex hormone testosterone is known to be involved in the normal growth of the prostate gland as well as in the development of BPH. It is known that men between the ages of 40 and 50 have the deepest period of hormonal regulation, while testosterone levels in the blood decrease. A decrease in the amount of testosterone and a relative increase in the level of estrogens (female sex hormones) in the male body leads to an enlargement of the prostate gland.
Changes in hormonal coefficients in the male body were the starting point in the study of the causes and mechanism of development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In addition to hormonal disorders, the inflammatory process that accompanies prostate swelling is important in the development of prostate adenoma, as it can play an important role in increasing the number of prostate cells, while body swelling, as a mechanical factor, contributes to disease symptoms.
Symptoms of prostate adenoma
Enlargement of the prostate gland causes the urethra to contract and causes smooth muscle spasm. This process is accompanied by urinary disorders:
- The need to wake up at night to clear the bladder;
- Reducing urinary flow tension;
- Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- It is difficult to restrain the urge to urinate;
- Increased urination during the day;
- Low volume urination.
Often, the symptoms listed above are accompanied by difficulty as soon as you start urinating, which is more pronounced in the morning and makes you start urinating. These symptoms are the reason for finding medical help.
Treatment of prostate adenoma
The course of the disease significantly worsens the quality of life and the lack of adequate treatment can lead to surgery. Given the progressive nature of this disease, BPH drug therapy should be continued for a long time. Depending on the prevalence of symptoms, therapy may vary considerably. Pharmacotherapy eliminates urinary problems, reduces complaints and restores quality of life. You should also be aware that prostate adenoma can be asymptomatic or cause nonspecific urinary problems that do not resemble the classic picture of the disease. This will mislead patients and waste them significant time. But the earlier you start treatment, the more effective it is.
Prevention of BPH
There are currently no specific methods of prevention. One of the preventative measures is an annual visit to a urologist after 40 years. At the time of appointment, the doctor will be able to assess the symptoms, conduct the necessary examination, and prescribe effective treatment.