The prostate is a small, unpaired organ located in the pelvic cavity just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The urethra crosses the thickness of the prostate.
The structure and function of the prostate
The prostate is made up of smooth muscle fibers and secretory cells. The gland's main function is to secrete secretions, which are involved in the liquefaction of the ejaculate, ensuring sperm movement and protecting them from the aggressive environment of the vagina. The prostate is also a valve that prevents the flow of urine during ejaculation and seminal fluid during urination.
The prostate weight of a healthy adult male is only about 20 G. The hormones of the pituitary and adrenal glands, androgens and 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 starts to decline (usually this is at the age of 45-50 years), reverse gland development normally begins.
However, the opposite process often occurs - benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate adenoma.
What is prostate adenoma?
This disease has many synonyms: prostatic adenoma, benign prostatic hyperplasia, benign prostatic nodular hypertrophy and others.
The name reflects the essence of the pathological processes that occur in the gland: 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 impairment. Symptoms may be absent with a significant increase or appear in the early stages of the disease.
BPH has a benign growth, that is, it does not metastasize. This fundamentally distinguishes BPH from prostate cancer. The main reference point for the initiation of malignant transformation of the prostate is the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA).
The 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 not fully understood. Prostate adenoma is believed to be multifactorial. The role of the male sex hormone testosterone has long been known, both in normal prostate growth and in the development of BPH. It is known that men from 40 to 50 years go through a period of deeper restructuring of hormonal regulation, 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 estrogens (female sex hormones) in the male body leads to prostate growth.
The change in hormonal proportions in the human body was the starting point in the study of the causes and mechanism of development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In addition to hormonal disturbances, the inflammatory process, accompanied by prostate edema, is important in the development of prostate adenoma, as it can play an important role in increasing the number of prostate cells, and organ edema, as a mechanical factor, contributes to the intensification of the symptoms of the disease.
Prostate adenoma symptoms
Enlargement of the prostate leads to compression of the urethra and causes smooth muscle spasm. This process is accompanied by impaired urination:
- the need to wake up at night to empty your bladder;
- a decrease in urine stream tension;
- feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder after urinating;
- the appearance of difficulty in containing the urge to urinate;
- increased urination during the day;
- Low volume urination.
Often, the above symptoms are added to the difficulty in starting to urinate, which is more pronounced in the morning and makes you struggle to start urinating. These symptoms are the reason for seeking medical attention.
Prostate adenoma treatment
The course of the disease significantly worsens the quality of life, and the lack of adequate treatment can lead to surgeries. Given the progressive nature of the disease, drug therapy for BPH should be carried out 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 adenoma can be asymptomatic or cause nonspecific urinary problems that do not resemble the classic picture of the disease. This misleads patients and wastes them valuable time. However, the earlier treatment is started, the more effective it will be.
Prevention of BPH
There are currently no specific prevention methods. One of the preventive measures is the annual visit to the urologist after 40 years of age. During the consultation, the doctor will be able to evaluate the symptoms, carry out the necessary tests and prescribe an effective treatment.