You can take a steam bath for prostatitis and prostate adenoma only during the period of attenuation of the disease. Previously, such procedures for diseases of the prostate gland were strictly prohibited, but the current level of their study has established that the bath can be beneficial. To do this, you must adhere to some rules and not abuse exposure to high temperatures and steam.
The benefits and harms of baths and saunas
The effect of the bath on the prostate gland during the inflammatory process is ambiguous. There are positive and negative sides.
You can go to the bathhouse with prostatitis and prostate adenoma if you minimize the negative impact and maximize the positive.
A bath for prostatitis is useful:
- It has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, improves circulation in blood vessels and capillaries, and increases the elasticity of blood vessels.
- Relieves muscle spasm.
- Prevents stagnation.
- Strengthens the immune system and protective functions of the body.
- Stimulates the respiratory system.
- Eliminates pain, promotes a surge of strength.
Negative influence:
- If the disease is of bacterial origin, there is a risk of infection penetrating into adjacent tissues and organs when blood circulation increases. In addition, heat and moisture help accelerate their reproduction.
- Constant exposure to high temperatures can disrupt natural thermoregulation. They also increase inflammation and inhibit the functioning of other organs of the male reproductive system.
- Temperature changes when leaving the steam room or diving into cold water, wiping with snow, etc. contribute to the intensification of the inflammatory process.
- Exacerbation of other sluggish pathologies is possible.
In addition, there are a number of contraindications, which are strictly prohibited from taking a steam bath if you have prostate inflammation:
- acute phase of inflammation. You can take a steam bath for chronic prostatitis only during the period of remission;
- bacterial form of the disease;
- the presence of ulcers (abscesses).
A sauna is prohibited for prostatitis, because the temperature in it is usually higher than in a bathhouse. The optimal bath temperature is 60-70 °C, while in a sauna it is 70-100 °C, which can cause overheating of the prostate gland much faster.
You can only take a steam bath for prostate cancer at the first stage. In later phases of the disease, excessive heat will do more harm than good.
In any case, be it prostatitis, adenoma or cancer, bath procedures can only be taken after consultation with the treating urologist. It is necessary to discuss with him all the conditions of admission and make sure that it is harmless in each individual case.
Visiting rules
By following certain rules and recommendations, you can reduce the risk of bath procedures to a minimum and enhance the beneficial effects:
- First of all, you need to consult with your doctor. You may need to undergo some tests to determine the presence of contraindications. In addition, he will describe in detail the safe frequency and mode of visits.
- In the acute phase of chronic prostatitis or the bacterial origin of the disease, you should refuse to visit.
- You can visit the bathhouse no more than 2 times a month. If no negative manifestations are observed, you can increase it up to 4 times with the doctor’s permission.
- The temperature in the steam room should not exceed 60 °C.
- You should not stay in the steam room for a long time. At first, it is recommended to stay there for 5 minutes, after which you take a break of 10 minutes. Repeat entering the steam room three times. If no negative manifestations are noticed, you can gradually increase the residence time to 10 minutes.
- After leaving the steam room, it is advisable to wash yourself with warm water.
- It is forbidden to wipe yourself with snow, dive into an ice hole and wash yourself with cold water.
- You can enhance the positive effect with the help of herbal medicine. To do this, you need to collect a broom from medicinal herbs or use an aspen one instead of a birch or oak one. For prostate diseases, the positive effect of aspen will be greater.
