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Learn about the causes of prostate enlargement

 The sensation of constant discomfort in the lower abdomen, specifically near the penis, causes anxiety in men; fearing the testicle might be related, as it is the most sensitive organ of the reproductive system for them. Common reasons for lower abdominal pain in men include a prostate issue like inflammation or enlargement.

In this article's lines, we shed light on the distinction between prostatitis and prostate enlargement; hoping to spread medical awareness about these conditions among men who are continually susceptible to suffering from one of them.

A Brief Overview of the Prostate Gland

The prostate gland is one of the male reproductive system's glands. It encircles the bladder neck externally, and its significance lies in secreting seminal fluid.

This gland is subject to several health problems, the most famous being prostatitis and enlargement, and many confuse the two. So, what is the difference?

What Are Prostatitis and Prostate Enlargement?

Prostatitis is an inflammatory condition resulting from an infection or other factors, causing pain and difficulty urinating.

Prostate enlargement is a non-infectious condition involving an increase in the prostate's size due to hormonal changes associated with aging, principally affecting the urination process.

The Distinction Between Prostatitis and Prostate Enlargement in Terms of Causes

Some men develop prostatitis due to harmful bacteria reaching the gland via the penis and urethra during urination or sexual contact. It can be chronic or acute, which is common among those over fifty years old.

As for the causes of prostate enlargement, they are of a different type, as the prostate's size increases due to its cells dividing at a faster rate than normal, leading to the formation of a tissue mass of abnormal cells within the gland. To date, doctors have not determined the reason for this accelerated cell division rate.

The Difference Between Prostatitis and Prostate Enlargement in Terms of Symptoms

Both conditions are accompanied by a set of symptoms that share some similarities and differ in others. Symptoms of prostatitis include the following:

Pain in the pelvic area that might extend to the lower abdomen and scrotum.

Trouble during urination, emptying the bladder, and a burning sensation.

A persistent need to urinate day and night.

Mixing blood or purulent discharge with semen and urine.

Experiencing discomfort during intimacy, especially at ejaculation.

Fever and body aches accompanying various infections.

Prostatitis symptoms usually appear within a few days of infection, are severe, and gradually lessen with appropriate treatment, unlike the symptoms of benign prostate enlargement, which only manifest as the condition advances.

Symptoms of benign prostate enlargement include:

Difficulty and pain when urinating.

A reduced rate of urine flow.

A continuing need to urinate.

From the above, we conclude that the signs of benign prostate enlargement resemble some symptoms of gland inflammation, so a physician should be consulted for the necessary examinations, careful diagnosis, and proper treatment to resolve the issue.

The Difference Between Prostatitis and Prostate Enlargement in Terms of Treatment

Now that we have clarified the difference between prostatitis and its enlargement regarding causes and symptoms, we come to mention the distinction between them concerning therapy.

Prostate enlargement is treated in one of the following ways:

Medications, including alpha-blockers which assist in relaxing the prostate and bladder muscles.

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, which play an effective role in preventing prostate cell division and further enlargement.

Diuretics, with the aim of helping the patient empty the bladder.

Surgical intervention, either traditional or endoscopic, which is the last resort the doctor turns to with the objective of removing the enlarged gland and its benign tumor.

As for treating bacterial prostatitis, it involves using various antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim, gentamicin, or doxycycline for a period ranging from four to eight weeks.

In Conclusion...

After clarifying the difference between prostatitis and prostate enlargement, we want to stress the necessity of consulting a specialist physician immediately upon noticing an increase in prostate size to undergo necessary tests, determine the underlying reason for this enlargement, and begin receiving suitable care.