Discharge from the urogenital canal is mainly found in men during or after urination. You must be able to distinguish between normal physiological discharge and pathological discharge, which are often the first signs of disease of the genitourinary system. The nature of the discharge allows us to determine the etiology of the disease and make a preliminary diagnosis.
Types of pathological discharge in men
Pathological discharge is caused by diseases of the urogenital canal and adjacent organs. Pathological factors characterized by various etiologies cause damage to the urethra and lead to the appearance of discharge. This process is called leukocyte urethra (urethritis). Pathological factors can be infectious, chemical or mechanical in nature.
Mucous purulent discharge
- This discharge consists of serous exudate, urogenital mucus, and a small number of leukocytes. They look like a translucent milky-white liquid.
- Such discharge can serve as a signal of trichomoniasis, chlamydia and ureaplasmosis. These diseases are rarely accompanied by pain, aching and itching. Its manifestation is essentially limited to a mucous-purulent discharge after cessation of urination.
Purulent discharge
- Their appearance is considered a symptom of infectious urethritis. Purulent discharge consists of cells of the damaged epithelium of the urogenital canal and urethral mucus. You have an increased concentration of leukocytes. Purulent discharge looks like a thick liquid that is completely yellow or slightly green.
- Often such discharge is accompanied by pain, pain, itching and burning during urination and is usually profuse. Most often these are symptoms of trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.
White discharge
When white discharge appears, a man should pay attention to its consistency.
- White discharge with a cheesy consistency.Basically, such discharge indicates male candidiasis (thrush) and is rare. The cause of candidiasis can be chemotherapy or antibiotic treatment, as well as reduced immunity; it is not sexually transmitted.
- White discharge with a foamy consistency.Such discharge is often a sign of trichomoniasis and may also indicate the presence of chronic prostatitis. If the cause is prostatitis, the discharge is often accompanied by a decrease or loss of potency and difficulty urinating.
diagnosis
Regardless of what the pathological discharge looks like, a man needs to see a urologist. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose the disease and select treatment; it is pointless to diagnose it yourself. To accurately determine the cause of the discharge, samples are usually taken for culture on nutrient media and for bacteriological studies. Additional diagnostic tools depend on the suspected disease; these can be urography, CT or ultrasound.
Treatment
The treatment program depends on the symptoms of what disease the man's discharge is.
- HOURS.In this case, both partners must undergo treatment. As a rule, this involves antibacterial therapy, usefully combined with immunomodulatory medications. Sometimes local treatment is also included (physiotherapy, prostate massage, introduction of medication into the urethra) and a special diet. The specific program depends on the type of sexually transmitted disease.
- Thrush.In most cases, male candidiasis can be eliminated with local treatment, but in advanced cases, general medications are required. In addition, taking medications to strengthen the patient's immunity and a special diet are required.
Discharge from the penis
Discharge from the penis is considered normal if it does not cause discomfort or other negative signs. Otherwise, these are symptoms of various sexually transmitted pathologies or disorders of the genitourinary system and other body structures.
How to distinguish a normal condition from pathology?
| Sign | standard | deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Time of occurrence, frequency | Before, during or after sexual intercourse, during arousal | Regardless of intimacy, after sleeping, after urination, bowel movements, sometimes constant dripping |
| Odor | Characteristic (egg white or chestnut) or odorless | Rotten, sour, smelly, fishy, etc. |
| Color, consistency | Transparent or whitish, the consistency often resembles raw protein, sometimes sticky, viscous | Clotted, thick, white, greenish, brown, riddled with blood clots and pus. Can be transparent in case of viral illness |
| Additional symptoms | No | Itching, burning, redness, pain |
When is discharge from the penis normal?
A healthy adult man does not have any heavy discharge at rest. However, in some situations this is the norm:
- Precum. When aroused, a sticky, colorless substance is released - a lubricant that creates a favorable environment that promotes the normal transport of sperm. Doctors suspect a problem if there are complaints of a large amount of pre-ejaculate with little sexual arousal.
- Ejaculate. This is not an ejaculation in the form of an adequate completion of sexual intercourse, but rather the residue that sometimes appears after intimacy. Usually this is a few drops of a whitish or colorless liquid.
- Ejaculate during wet dreams. It is an involuntary ejaculation due to sexual overstimulation and an increased amount of testosterone. Often occurs in dreams.
- Smegma is the secretion of glands located in the petal area of the foreskin.. Serves as a protective fluid and lubricant for the glans. It does not dry out, does not become inflamed and does not cause injury. The amount of smegma is small and almost invisible on underwear. However, it increases with hormonal changes; if the imbalance is not linked to any pathology, this is also normal.
Smegma can enter the urethra in large quantities, where it accumulates and "fades", forming clotted flakes, as in thrush. This is also conditionally considered the norm: with sufficient hygiene, the problem disappears.
When is discharge a symptom of illness?
If a man notices unnatural discharge from the penis, he should consult a doctor. Without medical training and diagnostic equipment, it is difficult to independently determine the disease.
The most common pathologies associated with the appearance or change in the fluid secreted from the penis are sexually transmitted diseases, inflammatory processes and dysfunctions of muscular structures and the central nervous system.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexual infections are initially asymptomatic; the incubation period is 7 to 21 days, sometimes 6 months. Discharge appears when infected with the following diseases:
- Hepatitis;
- HIV;
- Gonorrhea;
- chlamydia;
- trichomoniasis;
- candidiasis;
- ureaplasmosis;
- human papilloma viruses;
- mycoplasmosis;
- AIDS.
Chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis initially cause a clear, viscous discharge. The only sign of pathology is the absence of reasons for the natural appearance of fluid. Further pathologies lead to a change in the color and consistency of the secreted fluid - it becomes translucent, mucous and resembles pus.
Gonorrhea is characterized by foul-smelling greenish or brown substances. Accompanied by severe pain and itching.
With hepatitis, a small amount of fluid often leaks out, which settles on the glans and forms a white coating when it dries. A characteristic additional symptom is clouding and darkening of the urine.
Candidiasis is accompanied by the appearance of cheesy clots, of which there are significantly fewer than in female "thrush". There is itching, burning and redness on the head.
With trichomoniasis, stretchy, translucent mucus, pain and itching occur with frequent urination. The urethra swells and the surrounding area becomes red and inflamed.
Inflammatory processes
Pathologies that cause discharge from the penis are not always sexually transmitted. Sometimes the problem occurs against the background of a spreading infection that occurs after tactile contact or is transmitted by airborne droplets.
Large quantities of bacteria, viruses and fungi trigger an inflammatory reaction. Abnormal discharge occurs due to inflammation of the urethra, spermatic cords, seminiferous tubercle, prostate, foreskin and other elements of the reproductive system.
The nature of the discharge depends on the microorganism that caused the disease. For example, bacteria almost immediately trigger the formation of pus: the mucus smells bad and has an unpleasant color.
Changes in sperm volume and sperm quality
If sperm flow without prior arousal and subsequent orgasm, this is a pathology. Doctors diagnose spermatorrhea. The reasons lie in muscle disorders and problems of the central nervous system. Occurs more often in old age or with advanced prostatitis, prostate adenoma.
Discharge with blood - hematospermia, occurs with malignant neoplasms in the urethra, penile cancer, trauma. Sometimes this is the result of stones passing through the urinary tract.
diagnosis
Urologists examine the genitals after listening to the patient's complaints and taking an anamnesis. In this case, specialists simultaneously take prostate juice through rectal massage. Further laboratory tests are required:
- blood analysis;
- prostate secretion;
- analysis of urine;
- Sperm.
It is important to evaluate the discharge yourself. To do this, they are subjected to a microscopic examination. This method allows you to identify the root cause of the problem – bacteria, viruses, fungi.
Next, doctors move on to instrumental diagnostics:
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, penis, scrotum;
- Dopplerography;
- radiography;
- MRI;
- CT;
- cystoscopy;
- urethroscopy;
- scintigraphy.
If neoplasms are found during the examination, diagnosticians carry out a puncture.
Treatment
Treatment methods depend on the diagnosis. First of all, doctors prescribe drugs that are suitable for eliminating pathogenic microflora:
- antibiotics;
- antiviral;
- Antifungal.
Urologists prescribe drugs mainly orally, sometimes intravenous or intramuscular administration of drugs is required.
Additionally, treatment with antihistamines and painkillers is required to relieve symptoms. Topical medications – antipruritic creams, gels, ointments – help relieve itching.
Patients are shown sitz baths with sedatives, painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Washing after each urination helps prevent the spread of infections.
If the problem lies in disorders of the central nervous system or endocrinological pathologies, doctors involve highly specialized specialists.
Additional therapies
Problems of the genitourinary system should be treated comprehensively. In addition to medications, doctors choose:
- rectal prostate massage;
- Therapeutic massages of the lumbar region;
- exercise therapy;
- Physical therapy;
- Reflexology.
Such procedures restore natural metabolism and prevent stagnation. The urologist prescribes a special diet that helps strengthen men's health. It is necessary to take vitamin complexes: vitamins C, E, A, group B.
prevention
In most cases, sexually transmitted diseases are the cause of discharge from the penis. Therefore, the most effective preventive measure is to carefully choose a sexual partner and use barrier contraceptives.
Urologists also recommend observing a number of rules:
- Lead an active lifestyle.
- Monitor your own health and undergo preventive examinations.
- Treat pathologies in a timely manner.
- Wear loose underwear and pants.
- Avoid frequent changes in sexual partners.
- Be aware of your food. The diet should contain the vitamins, micro and macro elements necessary for a man: selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium.