The prostate is a small, unpaired organ located in the pelvic cavity just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The urethra passes through the thickness of the prostate.
Prostate structure and function
The prostate is made up of smooth muscle fibers and secreting cells. The main function of the gland is to secrete secretions that participate in the liquefaction of ejaculate, ensuring the movement of sperm and protecting them from the aggressive environment of the vagina. The prostate gland is also a valve that prevents the flow of urine during ejaculation and semen during urination.
The prostate weight of a healthy adult male is only about 20 g. Hormones of the pituitary and adrenal glands, androgens, estrogens have a great influence on her condition. During life, the size of the prostate can change: in boys it is small, during puberty the prostate increases dramatically. When hormone secretion begins to fade (usually this occurs at the age of 45-50), normal gland development begins to reverse.
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 hypertrophy and others.
The name reflects the essence of the pathological processes that occur in the gland: the gland tissue grows, creating dense nodules. The size of the prostate increases, which causes compression of the urethra and spasm of smooth muscle cells. This leads to the appearance of symptoms of the disease.
Prostate size has no direct effect on urine damage. Symptoms may be absent with a significant increase or appear in the early stages of the disease.
BPH has benign growth, ie it does not metastasize. This basically distinguishes BPH from prostate cancer. The main reference point for the onset of prostate malignancy is the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
Causes of BPH
According to statistics, in men younger than 30, the signs of BPH are usually absent. Over the years, the incidence of BPH increases, reaching a peak in the ninth decade of life (90%).
The causes of prostate adenoma have not yet been fully elucidated. Prostate adenoma is thought to be multifactorial in nature. The role of the male sex hormone testosterone has long been known in both normal prostate growth and BPH development. It is known that men aged 40 to 50 have the period of the deepest restructuring of hormonal regulation, while there is a decrease in the levels of testosterone circulating in the blood. A decrease in the amount of testosterone and a relative increase in the levels of estrogen (female sex hormones) in the male body leads to prostate growth.
The change in hormonal ratios in the human body was the starting point in studying the cause and mechanism of the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In addition to hormonal disorders, the inflammatory process, accompanied by prostate edema, is important for the development of prostate adenoma, because it can play an important role in increasing the number of prostate cells, and organ edema, as a mechanical factor, contributes to intensifying disease symptoms.
Symptoms of prostate adenoma
Enlargement of the prostate leads to compression of the urethra and causes spasm of smooth muscles. This process is accompanied by impaired urination:
- the need to wake up at night to empty the bladder;
- reduction of urine flow tension;
- feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder after urination;
- the appearance of difficult restraint of the urge to urinate;
- increased urination during the day;
- small volume urination.
Often, the above symptoms are accompanied by difficulty at the beginning of the act of urination, which is more pronounced in the morning and makes you tense to start urinating. These symptoms are the reason for seeking medical help.
Treatment of prostate adenoma
The course of the disease significantly worsens the quality of life, and the lack of adequate treatment can cause surgery. Due to the progressive nature of this disease, BPH drug therapy should be carried out for a long time. Depending on the prevalence of symptoms, therapy can vary significantly. Pharmacotherapy removes urinary problems, reduces complaints and restores quality of life. You should also be aware that prostate adenoma may be asymptomatic or cause nonspecific urinary problems that do not resemble the classic picture of the disease. This misleads patients and makes them waste precious time. But the earlier treatment is started, the more effective it is.
BPH prevention
There are currently no special prevention methods. One of the preventive measures is an annual visit to a urologist after 40 years. At the meeting, the doctor will be able to assess the symptoms, conduct the necessary examination and prescribe effective treatment.