The prostate is a gland present in the male reproductive system and protects the urinary tract and sperm. If its function decreases, prostate disorders occur. This condition is common in men over the age of 50.
As you get older, the prostate is at risk of enlargement and causing problems for health. Find out more about the following types, causes, symptoms, and treatments for prostate.
Prostate Types and Treatment
The prostate is divided into three types with varying causes and symptoms, namely:
1. Prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that is commonly experienced by adult men aged 30-50 years. This disease is caused by a bacterial infection due to a urinary tract infection or a sexually transmitted disease. Prostatitis is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Painful sensation when urinating.
- There is blood when urinating.
- Weak urine flow.
- Frequent urination at night.
- Pain during ejaculation.
- sexual dysfunction.
- Bloody semen.
To treat prostatitis, patients will be given drugs, such as pain medications, antibiotics to kill germs that cause prostatitis, or drugs to relax the bladder muscles or alpha-blockers. In addition, patients are advised to apply various methods that can reduce prostatitis symptoms, such as not smoking and drinking alcohol, reducing caffeine, and taking hot baths.
2. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate gland that causes narrowing of the urinary tract. Although the cause cannot be ascertained, BPH may be caused by changes in the amount of sex hormones due to aging. BPH is characterized by several symptoms, namely:
- Weak urine flow.
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent urination at night.
- Feeling incomplete after urinating.
To treat BPH, patients will be prescribed drugs, such as alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Surgery can also be an option for people with BPH whose prostate is very large or experiencing severe symptoms. This method aims to reduce the symptoms of BPH and prevent life-threatening complications.
3. Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate gland grow abnormally. The cause of prostate cancer is not certain, but there are various factors that increase the risk, such as family history, obesity, and age.
Early-stage prostate cancer generally does not show significant symptoms. However, when prostate cancer enters an advanced stage, the following symptoms can occur:
- Weak urine flow.
- Difficulty urinating
- Blood in urine and semen.
- Bone pain or discomfort in the pelvic area.
Prostate cancer is handled in various ways, for example hormone therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or surgical removal of the prostate gland if it is at an advanced stage. Prostate cancer symptoms that are detected early or at an early stage, have a greater chance of recovery.
Therefore, if you experience the prostate symptoms mentioned above or have risk factors for prostate cancer, you should consult a doctor to examine and diagnose the cause, so that treatment is given according to your condition and avoid further complications.
If you experience the symptoms of prostate disorders above, don’t hesitate to check with your doctor, so that proper treatment is given.
