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 gland.
The structure and function of the prostate gland
The prostate is made up of smooth muscle fibers and secreting cells. The main function of the glands is to secrete secretions, which are involved in diluting the ejaculate, ensuring the movement of sperm and protecting them from the aggressive vaginal environment. The prostate gland is also a valve that blocks the flow of urine during ejaculation and semen during urination.
A healthy adult male prostate weighs only about 20 g. Hormones of the pituitary gland and adrenal glands, androgens, estrogens have a great influence on his 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 happens at the age of 45-50 years), the development of the reverse gland usually begins.
However, the opposite process often occurs - benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate adenoma.
What is a prostate adenoma?
The disease has many synonyms: prostate adenoma, benign prostatic hyperplasia, benign prostatic nodular hypertrophy, and others.
The name reflects the essence of the pathological process that takes place in the gland: the glandular tissue grows, forming 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 urinary disorders. Symptoms may not be present with a significant improvement or appear in the early stages of the disease.
BPH has benign growth, that is, it does not metastasize. This essentially distinguishes BPH from prostate cancer. The main reference point 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, the signs of BPH are usually absent. With increasing age, the incidence of BPH increases, reaching a peak in the ninth decade of life (90%).
The cause of prostate adenoma is still not fully understood. It is believed that prostate adenomas have multifactorial properties. The role of the male sex hormone testosterone has long been known both in the normal growth of the prostate gland and in the development of BPH. It is known that men aged 40 to 50 years have the deepest period of hormonal regulatory structuring, while there is a decrease in the level of circulating testosterone in the blood. A decrease in the amount of testosterone and a relative increase in the level of estrogen (female sex hormone) in the male body causes the growth of the prostate gland.
Changes in the ratio of hormones in the male body are the starting point in the study of the causes and mechanisms of development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In addition to hormonal disorders, inflammatory processes, accompanied by prostate edema, are important in the development of prostate adenomas, as they can play an important role in increasing the number of prostate cells, and organ edema, as a mechanical factor, contributes to increased disease symptoms.
Symptoms of prostate adenoma
Enlargement of the prostate gland causes compression of the urethra and causes smooth muscle spasm. This process is accompanied by urinary disorders:
- the need to get up at night to empty the bladder;
- decreased urine flow tension;
- feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder after urination;
- appearance difficult to resist the urge to urinate;
- increased urination during the day;
- urinating.
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 depressed to start urinating. These symptoms are a reason to seek medical attention.
Treatment of prostate adenoma
The course of the disease significantly worsens the quality of life, and lack of adequate treatment can lead to surgery. Given the progressive nature of the disease, drug therapy for BPH should be performed for a long time. Depending on the prevalence of symptoms, therapy can vary significantly. Pharmacotherapy eliminates urinary problems, reduces complaints and restores quality of life. You should also be aware that prostate adenomas can be asymptomatic or cause nonspecific urinary problems that do not resemble the classic picture of the disease. This misleads patients and makes them waste valuable time. But the earlier treatment is started, 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. During the appointment, the doctor will be able to assess the symptoms, perform the necessary examinations and prescribe effective treatment.