The human genitourinary system is the most important complex of organs responsible for the excretion of harmful waste products from the body and reproductive function. In fact, these are two systems that are closely intertwined. Therefore, problems with one constantly cause a disruption in the activities of the other.
Gender differences
Everyone knows that the anatomy of a man is different from that of a woman. This is especially true of the genitourinary system. In his body there are specific organs and glands that are responsible for erection and sperm viability.
Sex cells, spermatozoa, are produced in the testicles. But on their own, they would die rather quickly. Therefore, the body produces a special nutrient fluid. The prostate gland is responsible for it. What it is, not everyone knows. Therefore, over time, men may experience problems that could have been avoided by following preventive measures.
Pure male gland
In general terms, the genitourinary system of a man consists of the genitals and the sameexcretory system, as in women: kidneys, bladder and urethra (urethra). Around the urethra of a man, almost at its beginning, is the prostate.
This is an endocrine and exocrine gland that produces both androgynous hormones and the secretion that makes up sperm. In boys, this gland is undeveloped. It is mainly composed of smooth muscle.
During puberty, the prostate enlarges. Due to the glandular tissue, the prostate gland is gaining dimensions, the norm of which is approximately the size of a horse chestnut in diameter. At the end of puberty, its intensive growth stops. At the same time, throughout a man's life, the prostate continues to slowly grow.
The role of the prostate
Like any other organ, the prostate gland performs functions, without which the normal functioning of the body would be impossible.
First, nutritional function. It produces a special nutrient secret that creates a favorable environment for the life of spermatozoa. Thanks to this, they remain capable of fertilization for several days.
Second, regulatory. The anatomy of a man depends a lot on the normal hormonal background. The prostate is involved in creating this background by producing specific male hormones.
Third, the barrier function. At the time of ejaculation, there is a simultaneous release of sperm from the testes and the sperm itself from the prostate. To prevent urine from entering the ejaculate, the prostate blocks the sphincter of the bladder.
Fourthly, the prostate gland is responsible for a normal erection. The hormones produced by it serve as a signal for the onset of an erection. Therefore, one of the consequences of a malfunction of this gland is most often erective dysfunction.
Main signs of disease
With age, there are frequent cases when the prostate gland begins to work incorrectly. What it is, men will know immediately. They notice discomfort and pain when urinating, sexual dysfunction and many other troubles that are not customary to talk about.
Diseases of this organ are common in men with age. It is believed that how old a person is, such is the percentage of the probability of getting prostatitis or another disease associated with prostate dysfunction.
Fortunately, the list of disorders that affect the prostate gland is not that big. Symptoms of the disease are noticeable almost immediately:
- reducing the pressure of the urine stream;
- resi and pain when urinating;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- discoloration of urine;
- frequent urination, especially at night.
If a man notices at least a few of them, you should immediately contact a urologist. Delay for a couple of days can complicate the process of treatment, and sometimes cause death.
Prostate adenoma
Any diffuse changes in the prostate gland entail the development of diseases. One of the most common is prostate adenoma. itabnormal growths of muscle tissue in the gland, which entail partial or complete compression of the urethra.
In addition to urinary retention, such a violation causes a number of complications in the male urinary system. Stagnation of urine contributes to the development of bacteria, precipitation of urea, followed by the formation of sand and stones in the bladder or kidneys. Further complications of the course of the disease can cause acute kidney failure.
Unfortunately, according to statistics, with age there is a strong increase in diameter, which is subject to the prostate gland. Sizes, the norm of which is several times smaller, become a problem after 40-45 years. Every year the risk of finding a prostate adenoma increases. Therefore, do not neglect regular visits to the urologist. This guarantees an easier treatment process.
Prostatitis
The prostate gland is also prone to inflammation. What it is, men find out when every trip to the toilet causes them severe cramps and unbearable pain. In addition, there is constant acute pain in the bladder area. It is also possible to change the color of urine, in which impurities of pus or blood appear.
Prostate treatment should be started immediately. Otherwise, it threatens with severe complications and a long process of recovery and rehabilitation. Advanced prostatitis causes impotence and infertility, which can no longer be cured.
Cancer
In the list of difficultdiagnosis and treatment of diseases is a tumor of the prostate gland. It is easily confused with a benign growth called an adenoma. But the consequences of this disease are much more dangerous.
The symptoms of prostate cancer are the same as those of other diseases. Diagnosed in the early stages, it can be cured even without surgery. In the later stages, the tumor is capable of metastasizing to adjacent organs, which is practically untreatable and leads to the death of a person.
The mechanisms of formation and development of prostate cancer have not yet been fully studied. It is believed that adenoma is prone to degeneration into a malignant tumor. In any case, more than 50% of men over the age of 45 are at risk.
Non-invasive prostate treatments
Any surgical interventions in the body, in addition to benefits, entail a number of complications. Therefore, treatment of the prostate begins with non-invasive methods.
To begin with, they use a simple observation of the condition of a man without the use of any therapeutic methods. There are a number of people in whom the development of adenoma stops by itself.
If there is a tendency to aggravate the condition, the urologist decides to start drug therapy. First of all, alpha blockers are used. They are able to stop the abnormal growth of the gland. In most cases this is sufficient.
Prostatitis makes sense to use antibiotics. The problem of treatment is that the gland itself is located quite deep in the body. Therefore, medicinal substances do not enter it immediately and in small quantities. In some cases of acute illness, doctors prescribe drugs through the urethra.
Surgical treatments
Almost half of prostate treatments require surgery. With adenoma, transurethral resection of the prostate is used. This operation takes place with minimal tissue damage. During it, a part of the prostate gland is cut out, which blocks the urethra. At the same time, the functions of the prostate are practically not violated, and the man can continue to have a normal sex life.
Complete removal of the gland is indicated when cancer cells are found in it. Since this disease “masquerades” as a benign tumor, doctors cannot fully assess the degree of damage to the organ. Unfortunately, after such an operation, most men experience impotence and infertility.
There is another way of surgical intervention: dissection of the body of the prostate. It is used in cases where the gland has not yet grown to a critical size and has not begun to put pressure on the bladder, causing stagnation of urine. The essence of the operation lies in the fact that by dissecting the surgeon allows the prostate gland to become more elastic. She, in turn, does not block the urethra and does not interfere with the process of emptying the urea.
Prostate disease risk group
SoIt turned out that the genitourinary system of men is quite sensitive to changes in lifestyle. Bad habits and malnutrition immediately make themselves felt. This is especially noticeable in the change in the functioning of the prostate gland.
First of all, diseases of this organ can be diagnosed in 4 out of 10 men after 40 years. This is due to age-related hormonal changes. If before that a person led an unhe althy lifestyle, his chances increase significantly. But at the age of 80, prostate adenoma is observed in 99% of men.
Due to a sedentary lifestyle, stagnation of blood and lymph occurs in the pelvic organs. This contributes to the development of pathogenic bacteria and the deposition of harmful substances on the walls of blood vessels. The prostate is most susceptible to this, since it is located in its very center and is supplied with blood that has passed through other organs.
At risk are also those men whose paternal side was diagnosed with cancer. It doesn't have to be a malignant tumor of the prostate. A low level of resistance to cancer is inherited. And the prostate is one of the most vulnerable organs of a man.
Prevention of "male" diseases
To reduce your risk of developing any prostate-related disease in the future, a lot of time should be devoted to prevention. First you need to switch to a he althy diet. More protein and plant foods contribute to proper metabolism. At the same time, fatty, fried foods and "food garbage" weaken the entire body.
Sportsprevent stagnant processes in the pelvic area. Thanks to this, all organs are normally supplied with useful substances, and toxins are removed from them in time.
But there are specific prevention methods that the prostate gland requires. What it is and what effect it has, men understand the first time. If it is not possible to monitor the entire body, you can regularly massage the prostate. Each man will cope with it independently. It is enough to feel the gland through the rectum and, by simple manipulations, relax it and stimulate blood flow. For convenience, you can use special vibration massagers.
Proper and timely prevention will save a man's he alth until old age.
