In the structure of morbidity among men prostatitis is ranked first. According to various estimates the incidence of the disease in men aged 25-45 years is 30-40%, and the risk of prostatitis increases significantly with age. There has been a tendency of ‘rejuvenation prostatitis’, that is, the disease is more frequent in young men. In general, the real risk of getting prostatitis occurs when setting puberty and sexual initiation. This qualitative and quantitative side of sexuality largely determines the risk of prostatitis.
An existing assumption that prostatitis occurs with insufficient sexually active life is to some degree justified. Regular sex has a beneficial effect on the functional activity of the male reproductive system, it normalizes the hormonal status of man. At the same time, the excess or lack of sexual activity can be a risk factor for prostate. Low sexual activity involves the occurrence of phenomena of stagnation at the level of the pelvic organs in general and prostate cancer in particular. Stagnation of blood and prostatic juice in prostate tissue predispose to infection and the process of transition from acute to chronic. On the other hand, excessive sexual activity (especially with a large number of partners) also predisposes to prostatitis. Overly active sexual life is characterized by an increased risk of transfer and development of various infections that can cause prostatitis.
The quality of sexual intercourse also affect the risk of prostatitis. During sexual arousal there is a rush of blood to the tissues of the prostate. During orgasm, the prostate shrinks, getting rid of excess blood vessels. Full sexual intercourse (coitus), by itself, is an excellent mean of preventing prostatitis.
However, the relationship of sexuality and prostatitis goes further. As you know, one of the cardinal clinical manifestations of prostatitis is a sexual disorder. According to modern researches of the incidence of sexual dysfunction in patients with prostatitis is estimated as follows: erectile dysfunction (weak erection) is observed in about half of all cases of prostatitis and decreased libido is seen in a quarter of patients suffering from this disease. Violations of the sexual sphere with prostatitis has a negative impact on the personal life of the patient, in which sex plays a vital role. More than 85% of patients with prostate talking about a significant reduction in the frequency of sexual relations due to their disease, about 60% say that because of the sexual disorders caused by prostatitis, their relationship with their sexual partner, or worse, or even stopped.
The causes of sexual disorders in prostatitis
The pathogenetic link between prostatitis and sexual disorders, occurring against the backdrop of the disease is not very clear. On the one hand, there is evidence that the morphological and functional changes of the prostate have a negative impact on sexual function, on the other hand, the development of sexual disorders is largely determined by psychological disturbances taking place in prostatitis. Thus, the factors involved in the development of sexual disorders in prostatitis can be divided into two main groups: organic and psychogenic.
Normal sexual intercourse involves cooperation between the two organic components (system of sexual organs and nerve pathways) and mental (libido – libido, emotional attitude to have sex, self-confidence and partner). The negative impact of organic disorders of sexual function discussed above, applies to the psychological component of the sexual process. However, in recent years there is increasing evidence of the existence of certain psychological mechanisms involved in the development of sexual disorders in prostatitis.
Psychology is an integral component of the clinical picture of chronic prostatitis. This symptom is observed in 75% of patients with prostatitis. The factors contributing to the development of mental loading for this category of patients, are: chronic pain and primary organic sexual dysfunction.
Chronic pain is observed in most patients with chronic prostatitis. The most severe and unpleasant pain when there are chronic pelvic pain syndrome (a form of chronic prostatitis). Most often, pain arises in the background of, or aggravated by sexual arousal, erection or ejaculation, which gives a negative emotional coloring to a sexual intercourse. As is known, the pain is the major stressor. The reaction to stress is the body’s attempt to avoid further exposure to the stimulus. In the case of pain associated with sexual intercourse, the man consciously or unconsciously will strive to limit sexual activity – the source of pain.
Primary sexual disorders in chronic prostatitis have organic character. This proves the effectiveness of drug treatment (e.g. with antibiotics) in the elimination of these disorders in the early stages of the disease. Even unexpressed sexual disorders can significantly disturb the man and cause a decrease in its self-evaluation. In this case a vicious circle may develop in which concern over violations of a certain organ interferes with its function, which in its turn only increases the fear.
In general, sexual dysfunction in patients with prostatitis has a mixed nature. This is particularly evident when observing the phases of establishing sexual disorders: at the beginning there is pain during intercourse, premature ejaculation and orgasmic sensations, then erectile dysfunction and decreased libido are developed. The soreness during intercourse, effacement sensations during orgasm and premature ejaculation are caused by chronic inflammation of the prostate.
Over time, these disturbances lead to the establishment of erectile incompetence – in part due to the depletion of the nerve centers governing erection, partly because of the negative effects of chronic pain syndrome as a psychological inhibitor. Decreased libido has a progressive because of organic disorders, as well as due to the formation of negative attitudes expressed by the patient for sexual relations and permanent expectations of failure.
Treatment of sexual disorders in chronic prostatitis
The methods of correction of sexual dysfunction in chronic prostatitis are very similar to the methods of treatment of chronic prostatitis. At the same time, the elimination of the psychological causes of sexual dysfunction require special treatment. In the initial stages of the treatment of sexual dysfunction chronic prostatitis does not require the appointment of strong psychotropic drugs (antidepressants or tranquilizers).
Decent results can be achieved with the appointment of herbal sedatives, stimulants and herbal adaptogens (Cordyceps, Ginseng, Eleutherococcus, Pantocrine, Rhodiola, Oregano and so forth.). More pronounced violations require more comprehensive treatment methods, and in this case sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil are prescribed (a series of powerful PDE-5 drugs available without a prescription in My Canadian Pharmacy www.mycanadianpharmacymall.com). In all the cases, psychotherapy is desired. The goal of therapy is to eliminate mental stress and inhibition of the patient, which, as indicated above, are important pathogenic factors. Patients with chronic prostatitis are usually closed and their illness progress in the process of time. Therefore explanatory conversations prevent the formation of intrapsychic conflicts and promote social and psychological adaptation of the patient.
