The prostate is a small, unique organ located just below the bladder and in the pelvic cavity in front of the rectum. The urethra passes through the thickness of the prostate gland.
Structure and function of the prostate gland
The prostate is made up of smooth muscle fibers and secretory cells. The main function of the pancreas is to secrete secretions that are involved in liquefaction, ejaculation and protection of the vagina from aggressive environments. The prostate gland is also a valve that prevents the flow of urine during ejaculation and seminal fluid during urination.
The prostate gland of a healthy adult male weighs about 20 grams. Hormones of the pituitary and adrenal glands, androgens, estrogens have a great effect on the condition. The size of the prostate can change throughout life: in boys it is small, the prostate grows sharply during adolescence. When hormone secretion begins to decrease (usually at the age of 45-50), the gland begins to develop normally.
However, the opposite process occurs in the opposite period - benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate adenoma.
What is a prostate adenoma?
There are many synonyms for this disease: prostate adenoma, benign prostatic hyperplasia, benign prostatic nodular hypertrophy and others.
The name reflects the essence of pathological processes occurring in the gland: the glands grow into tissue and form dense nodules. The size of the prostate increases, which leads to compression of the urethra and spasm of smooth muscle cells. This causes the symptoms of the disease to appear.
The size of the prostate does not directly affect urinary incontinence. Symptoms may disappear with a significant increase or appear in the early stages of the disease.
BPH has a good growth, ie does not metastasize. This fundamentally 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, men under the age of 30 generally have no symptoms of BPH. With age, the incidence of BPH increases and peaks in the ninth decade of life (90%).
The causes of prostate adenoma are still not fully understood. Prostate adenoma is believed to have a multifactorial nature. The role of the male sex hormone testosterone has long been known in both the normal growth of the prostate gland and the development of BPH. It is known that men between the ages of 40 and 50 have the most profound reorganization of hormonal regulation, as well as a decrease in circulating testosterone levels. A decrease in testosterone and a relative increase in the level of estrogen (female sex hormones) in the male body leads to an enlarged prostate gland.
Changes in hormonal ratios in the male body were the starting point for studying the causes of benign prostatic hyperplasia and the mechanism of development. In addition to hormonal diseases, the inflammatory process associated with prostate edema is important in the development of prostate adenoma because it can play an important role in increasing the number of prostate cells and also contributes to organ edema as mechanical edema. intensification of symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms of prostate adenoma
Enlargement of the prostate gland leads to narrowing of the urethra and causes smooth muscle spasms. This process is accompanied by impaired urination:
- the need to wake up at night to empty the bladder;
- decrease in urine flow intensity;
- feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder after urination;
- appearance that is difficult to prevent urination;
- increased urination during the day;
- small volume of urine.
Often the above symptoms are accompanied by difficulty at the beginning of urination, and this manifests itself more in the morning and forces you to start urinating. These symptoms are a reason to see a doctor.
Treatment of prostate adenoma
The course of the disease significantly worsens the quality of life, and the lack of appropriate treatment can lead to surgery. Given the progressive nature of this disease, drug treatment for BPH should be continued for a long time. Therapy can vary significantly depending on the prevalence of symptoms. Pharmacotherapy eliminates urinary problems, reduces complaints and restores quality of life. You should also be aware that prostate adenoma can be asymptomatic or cause non-specific urinary problems that do not resemble the classic picture of the disease. This misleads patients and wastes valuable time. However, the sooner treatment is started, the more effective it is.
Prevention of BPH
Currently, there is no specific method of prevention. One of the preventive measures is the annual visit to the urologist after 40 years. At the appointment, the doctor will be able to assess the symptoms, perform the necessary examination and prescribe an effective treatment.