Inflammation of the cooper glands: symptoms and treatment

The inflammatory process, localized in the region of the bulbourethral or cooper glands, is called cooperitis. In the vast majority of cases, this inflammation is of an infectious nature. In the initial stages, this disease may not be accompanied by any clinical manifestations, but then complaints, as a rule, still occur. In the vast majority of cases, a timely diagnosed pathology responds well to treatment and has a favorable prognosis. In this regard, when the first complaints appear, it is recommended to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible for the correct selection of therapy. You can get an appointment with a specialist through a preliminary appointment by phone +7 (499) 519-32-56 or by visiting a medical institution in person.

The bulbourethral glands are alveolar-tubular glands of external secretion, which are located in the genitourinary system in men. They were first described in 1684 by the English physician William Cooper, after whom they later got their name. The main task of the Cooper glands is to produce pre-ejaculate during sexual arousal, which lubricates the urethra and facilitates the passage of sperm through it, and also protects the urethral mucosa from the irritating effects of urine.

As a rule, such inflammation is most often encountered by young men who have an active sex life. This point is easily explained by the fact that with age, the bulbourethral glands undergo atrophic changes. It is noted that in the vast majority of cases this pathological process is unilateral. The gland located on the left side is predominantly affected.

As we have already said, with the timely diagnosis of this disease, the likelihood of developing any complications is minimized. Otherwise, this condition may be complicated by a secondary lesion of other organs of the genitourinary system, erectile dysfunction, strictures of the urethra. In the most unfavorable scenario, there is even the possibility of infertility, although this is extremely rare.

In the vast majority of cases, inflammation of the bulbourethral glands is secondary. Most often it is promoted by sexually transmitted infections. According to statistics, couperitis is detected in every tenth man who has experienced a sexually transmitted disease, especially gonorrhea or trichomoniasis. Existing non-specific acute or chronic infectious foci in other parts of the genitourinary system can also contribute to the formation of such a disease. Examples include cystitis, prostatitis, and so on. It has been scientifically proven that the inflammatory process in the area of ​​the Cooper glands can also have a tuberculous nature.

Somewhat less often, this inflammation is associated with various traumatic effects, including medical manipulations. If the mucous membrane of the urethra is damaged, favorable conditions are created for the attachment of infectious flora, which contributes to the development of the inflammatory process. Other predisposing factors include excessively prolonged sexual intercourse and the lack of a regular sexual life.

Depending on the nature of morphological changes, cooperitis is catarrhal, follicular and parenchymal. In the catarrhal variant, a superficial inflammatory reaction is observed, which is often not accompanied by any clinical manifestations. The follicular variant is characterized by blockage of the excretory ducts due to edema and the formation of pseudoabscesses. With parenchymal inflammation, the entire parenchyma of the gland is affected, which leads to the appearance of numerous complaints. As a separate nosological unit, paracouperitis is distinguished, in which the inflammatory process also extends to the tissue surrounding the Cooper glands.

Symptoms that occur with couperitis

As we have already said, the accompanying symptoms will directly depend on the variant in which the disease proceeds. With a catarrhal variant, a sick person either does not show any complaints at all, or the clinical manifestations have a minimal degree of severity.

The main symptom in the parenchymal variant will be pain. The pain syndrome is localized in the perineal region and becomes most intense during urination and sexual contact. In addition, a sick person indicates an increased urge to urinate. Often, with a pronounced inflammatory reaction, there are complaints of fever, general weakness and malaise.

With paracuperitis, local symptoms are often found, represented by swelling and redness of the skin in the perineum. The pain syndrome is extremely intense and spreads to the lower abdomen, to the anus, and so on. Body temperature rises to a mark of thirty-eight degrees and above. A prerequisite is the presence of purulent discharge from the urethra.

Diagnosis and treatment of the disease — why do you need to make an appointment with a doctor?

This disease can easily be confused with many other diseases. In this regard, for an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to make an appointment with a doctor. The examination plan includes a digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasound diagnostics. According to indications, ureteroscopy may be prescribed. It is also recommended to conduct a bacteriological examination and a three-cup urine sample.

With such inflammation, antibacterial drugs are prescribed, selected on the basis of the sensitivity of the isolated flora, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A good effect is exerted by various physiotherapeutic procedures that help reduce the severity of the inflammatory reaction. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

Prevention of the development of inflammation

The principles of prevention come down to avoiding unprotected sexual contacts and casual relationships, timely treatment of existing inflammatory pathologies from other parts of the genitourinary system, and so on.