The prostate is usually the size and shape of a walnut and grows bigger as a person gets older. It lies underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra. The urethra is the tube through which men urinate and ejaculate.
The main function of the prostate is to make fluid from the seminal vesicles and sperm from the testicles to make semen. It helps in reproduction by producing part of the seminal fluid, which helps to transport sperm.
Prostatitis is swelling of the prostate gland. It is a common syndrome. It is characterized by infection, pain, swelling of the prostate or surrounding tissues.
Classification of Prostatitis
Prostatitis can be classified into four categories.
1- Category I- Acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP)
This is associated with severe prostatitis symptoms, systemic infection, and acute bacterial UTI.
2- Category II- Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP)
This is caused by chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) which is caused by chronic bacterial infection of the prostate with or without prostatitis symptoms and usually with recurrent UTIs caused by the same bacteria.
3- Category III- Knows as Chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome
It is characterized by chronic pelvic pain symptoms and possibly voiding symptoms in the absence of UTI.
4- Category IV- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis (AIP)
It is characterized by prostate inflammation along with the absence of genitourinary tract symptoms.
Causes of Prostatitis
1-Chronic prostatitis/ chronic pelvic pain syndrome-
The exact cause of chronic prostatitis/ chronic pelvic pain syndrome is unknown. This type of prostatitis may relate to chemicals in the urine, the immune system’s response to a previous urinary tract infection (UTI), or nerve damage in the pelvic area.
2- Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis
This acute type happens suddenly and lasts a short time. It is caused by a bacterial infection.
Chronic infection develops slowly and lasts a long time. The infection may occur when bacteria travel from the urethra into the prostate.
Factors that cause prostatitis
1- Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis
Men with lower UTI may be more likely to develop bacterial prostatitis.
2- Chronic prostatitis/ chronic pelvic pain syndrome-
Nerve damage in the lower urinary tract due to surgery or trauma may cause this type of condition. Psychological stress.
Symptoms of Prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis/ chronic pelvic pain syndrome-
- Pain or discomfort lasting 3 or more months in one or more of the following areas- between
- the scrotum and anus, the central lower abdomen, the penis, the scrotum, the lower back.
- Pain during or after ejaculation. The pain may come and go and appear suddenly.
- Pain in the urethra during or after urination.
- Pain in the penis during or after urination.
- Increased urination- urination eight or more times a day. The main reason behind increased urination is that the bladder begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing more frequent urination.
- Inability to delay urination (urinary urgency)
- Weak or an interrupted urine stream.
Acute bacterial prostatitis-
- Body aches
- Burning or pain during urination.
- Chills
- Fever
- Frequent urination during sleep.
- Interrupted urine stream
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain in the genital area, groin, lower abdomen, or lower back.
- The complete inability to urinate.
- Trouble starting a urine stream
- Urinary frequency
- Urinary retention (the inability to empty the bladder completely
- Urinary urgency
- UTI (Urinary tract infection)
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
- Burning feeling or pain during urination
- Frequent urination at night.
- Interrupted urine stream
- Pain in the genital area, groin, lower abdomen, or lower back
- Painful ejaculation
- Trouble starting a urine stream
- Urinary blockage
- Urinary frequency
- Urinary retention
- Urinary urgency
- UTI
Complications of prostatitis
- Bacterial infection in the bloodstream
- Inflammation of reproductive organs near the prostate
- Pus filled cavity in the prostate (known as a prostatic abscess)
- Sexual dysfunction
- Medical emergency
- Sometimes medical emergencies are required in of Prostatitis.
- Blood in the urine
- Complete inability to urinate
- Great discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen and urinary tract
- Painful, frequent, and urgent need to urinate, with fever and chills
Diagnosis of Prostatitis
Medical tests to be considered by Urologists (doctors who have specialization in urine related problems)-
Urinalysis-Testing of a urine sample. This involves the collection of urine samples in a special container. This sample is tested for infection in the urine.
Blood tests-Blood samples are taken and investigated for any infection and prostate cancer.
Urodynamic tests-These tests are done to see the condition of the bladder and urethra store and release urine. These tests include Uroflowmetry, which measures how rapidly the bladder releases urine.
Postvoid residual measurement, which evaluates how much urine remains in the bladder after urination.
Cystoscopy– uses a tube-like instrument, called a cystoscope, to look inside the urethra and bladder. It is used to examine any narrowing, blockage, or stones in the urinary tract.
Transrectal ultrasound– It is used to examine any abnormalities, such as tumors. For this purpose, an ultrasound transducer is introduced into a man’s rectum next to the prostate.
Biopsy– In this procedure small piece of prostate tissue for examination with a microscope. This test is done to find out prostate cancer.
Semen analysis- This test is done to measure the amount and quality of a man’s semen and sperm. A semen sample can show blood and signs of infection.
Homeopathic Medicines useful in the treatment of prostatitis
1- Conium
Conium is suited for patients who are excited, depressed, timid. The patient is very weak. The patient cannot do any mental work. He is unable to think. There is a lack of concentration. Memory short. The patient doesn’t want to mix up with the people. He is very depressed, sad, and alone. There are enlargement and swelling of the prostate gland. The patient also has cancer like the condition of the prostate gland. Testes are swollen hard and enlarged. There is a desire to urinate but the patient is not in a position to void the urine. The flow stops again and again. If the patient stresses, the gland will enlarge and thus the flow will stop. The discharge of prostatic fluid after straining at stool. The patient experiences a stitching type of pain. The frequency increased at night after taking liquids.
The patient generally has vertigo when lying down or turning in bed. There is a stupefying headache with nausea and vomiting. There is a painful spasm of the abdomen. Stools and great urge to pass stool before passing urine. There is burning in the rectum before stools. A peculiar feature of this remedy that there is a dry cough associated with an enlarged prostate.
Worse- cold, excitement, moving or turning in bed. The patient has bad effects from the injury. The patient has a long history of STD and there are bad effects of STD (Sexually transmitted disease).
Better- motion, darkness, hanging the leg down.
Dosage- 30 potency, 5 times a day for 13 days.
2- Thuja occidentalis
It is suited to a patient who does not like to be touched. There is a sensation as if the lower extremities are made up of wood or glass. The patient has a weak memory. There is prostatitis due to chronic retention of urine. The patient has a medical history of badly treated gonorrhea and syphilis. There is a stitching type of pain in the affected region. Enlargement prostate gland due to hormonal imbalance. There is straining at the stools, which causes irritation to the rectum. there is difficulty in passing urine, with burning to the urine at the end. Urine passes very slowly, if strained, flow interrupts. There is a cutting type of pain in the region. Before the bladder is being emptied, the flow interrupts several times. There is an increased frequency of urination as the patient can’t void the total amount of urine at one and the same sitting. The patient has to wake up several times in the night to pass the urine. There is frequent desire to pass the urine but passes only a small quantity at a time. There is constantly urging to urinate. The patient has to wait for a long time for the urine flow to start because enlarged middle tube. There is also a retention of urine. There is burning in the urethra during and after urination.
The patient can also have a fever mainly due to the secondary infection of the urinary tract. Because of chronic retention of urine, there is stagnation of urine which causes the growth of bacteria. Thus fever associated with a chill. There is pain and trembling of the lower extremity. The mouth is dry. It has a foul smell. there is the loss of appetite with bitter and rancid eructation.
Worse- at night, wet weather, from use of tobacco, any touch, the heat of bed, at 3 a.m and 3 p.m.
Better- in the open air.
Dosage- 200 3 times a day for 6 days.
3- Apis mellifica
It is suited to patients who have no feeling for others and have completed indifference. He drops down things readily. There is sudden pain due to the retention of the bladder. There is jealousy seen inpatient. The patient has fright and grief. There is a loss of concentration. There is excessive pain in the region which is due to enlargement of the prostate gland. There is burning and soreness in the region when urination. Urine is full of casts and pus. There is frequent and involuntary urination while coughing, laughing, and sneezing. There is stinging pain in the passage of urine with a feeling as if an insect has bitten. Urine is scanty and highly colored as the patient is thirsty less. The patient has a sensation as if he will pass the urine and wet the clothes.
There is vomiting of food. The patient likes milk.
Worse- heat, touch pressure, in the afternoon and in the evening, sleeping in a closed heated room.
Better- open air, cold bathing, by uncovering.
Dosage- 30C three times a day for 5 days.
4- Baryta carb
It is suited to patients who are mentally weak, with loss of memory. The patient is confused. He does not want to meet strangers. The patient has childish behavior. This type of behavior seen in old people. The patient has grief over small matters. There is a gradual enlargement of the prostate gland due to excessive usage of muscles. The patient also has dribbling of urine. Patient complaints of uncontrolled urination. There is a loss of sensation in the genitals for several minutes.
There is a bad taste in the mouth with a stony hardness of tonsils. There is difficulty in swallowing. While urinating, piles come down.
Worse-While thinking about his symptom during the act of urination.
Better- walking in the open air.
Dosage- 200, 4 times a day for 10 days.
5- Chimaphila
It is suited to patients who are sad and very much tense due to increased frequency of urination and difficulty of urination. There is a weakness of memory. The patient developed prostatitis which is of recent origin. This prostatitis develops from sitting on the cold damp stone. There is excessive itching and irritation of the region while passing urine. There is difficulty in passing urine due to the enlarged lobe of the prostate. There is a feeling as if the ball is pressed on it while sitting. The patient has a unique way to pass urine. He stands with the legs widespread, inclined forward. He has a strain to urinate and there is a frequent urge to urinate.
Urine is thick in the constituency, bloody, with sediment, and loaded with sugar.
Worse- damp weather, sitting on cold stones, left side.
Better- warmth in general and clear fine weather.
Dosage- 3x 5 times a day for 10 days.