Bulbourethral gland is a paired organ of the male reproductive system. In another way, it is customary to call it by the name of the English anatomist and surgeon William Cowper (William Cowper) - cooper gland. In this article, we detailed the material about her. It should be noted right away that neither the name nor the doctor himself has any connection with the Cooper ligaments of the mammary gland, which got their name thanks to another Englishman, also an anatomical Cooper named Sir Astley Paston Cooper.
Pea-sized organ
Cooper glands - an organ whose dimensions in diameter do not exceed a centimeter. But there may be much less. A pair of endocrine glands is oval. They are located at a close distance from each other, literally five millimeters, behind the urethra, and are covered with its muscles.
The lumpy Cooper iron has ducts (quite long - up to 4 cm) that extend into the urethra.
As a man ages, these, and so small glands, decrease in size.
Gland function
Despite the fact that this organ is so small, its function is very important for the male urogenital system, namely, the mucous surface of the urethra. The secret that Cooper iron produces is a very viscous fluid that can neutralize the acidic environment of the urine in the urethra. And this, in turn, allows you to remove the remains of urine and other impurities. The glands produce a few drops of secretion (up to 5 ml).
Pre-ejaculate - the secret of the cooper gland, is produced at the time of male sexual arousal. It is transparent and viscous, has an alkaline reaction, contains enzymes. Its importance is that it significantly facilitates the movement of sperm. Excitation of the gland occurs due to the branches of the genital nerve, and it is saturated with blood from the branches of the genital arteries.
Cooperโs iron in men is similar to the bartholin glands of women.
Problems that may arise
The inflammatory processes of this tiny organ can bring a lot of suffering and discomfort.
Cuperitis - this is exactly the name of the disease that occurs due to inflammation of the bulbourethral gland.
Men complain about:
- Pain in the anus and in the perineum in the sitting position, during bowel movements, when walking.
- Fever, fever.
- Discharge from the urethra.
But all patients and doctors as the first symptom call acute stitching pain at the root of the penis.
Symptoms and diagnosis of inflammation of the cooper gland
Doctors often cannot diagnose for a long time because the symptoms of cuperitis are very similar to other diseases. The same complaints in patients with prostatitis, paraproctitis and others.
The cause of the disease is most often trichomonas and gonorrhea infections and their self-medication. At first, patients do not notice any special symptoms and discomfort. Therefore, diagnosis in the early stages of the disease is difficult.
As a rule, couperite can be suspected when examining a patient. Already in the first stages of the disease, with pressure on the area of โโthe bulbourethral gland, the patient experiences pain. Doctors note an increase in local temperature in the perineum, an increase in the cooper gland. And other unpleasant symptoms.
For the diagnosis of bacteriological analysis, the secret of the cooper gland is taken. Blood and urine tests confirm the diagnosis.
The doctor prescribes an ultrasound examination. An ultrasound doctor sees an enlarged gland that has a heterogeneous structure. If the process is started, then the signs of an abscess can also be confirmed by ultrasound.
Urethroscopy shows the reddened surface of the urethra.
Which doctor should I go to and what will happen if inflammation is not treated
If at least some symptoms appear that may indicate inflammation of the cooper gland in a man, it is urgent to consult a urologist.
If you start treatment of couperitis in time, then the disease can be defeated quite quickly. And the glands will bounce back.
If you do not treat cuperite, then you can bring the process to very sad consequences:
- The tissues around the gland become inflamed and lead to tumors in a large area.
- A purulent process will begin in the gland itself. This will cause fistula in the intestines or urethra. And a serious operation will be required.
- A purulent process can provoke other serious diseases of the genital organs - prostatitis, for example.
- Potency and erection are reduced.
- In the most severe cases, there may be sepsis (when pus enters the bloodstream).
How is couperite treated?
According to the results of analyzes of the secret of the cooper gland and urine, the attending physician selects and prescribes antibacterial drugs, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs. After completion of the course, control tests are mandatory. If treatment correction is required, then other drugs are selected.
In the most difficult cases, surgical treatment is performed: opening of abscesses, drainage.
As a rule, the patient is prescribed bed rest. It is necessary to provide comfortable conditions for pain relief, apply cold to the perineum.
When the acute period passes, the doctor prescribes a urological massage, which has a very positive effect on the outcome of the disease. Massage of the cooper glands is recommended to be done ideally several times a day for several minutes (up to 2 minutes). But, despite the fact that urological massage has been practiced successfully for a very long time, patients, as a rule, treat it with caution. There is an opinion that this is a painful procedure. You need to understand that a good specialist in the field of therapeutic massage will be able to ensure successful treatment using this method.