Discharge in men: norm or pathology?

Discharge from a man's penis can tell about his male health, the presence of diseases of the genitourinary system. Often discharge is the only or one of the symptoms of a serious illness, so you have to be very careful with them, observe changes in color, smell, consistency and so on.

Discharge from the male genital organ refers to all discharge from the urethra, sebaceous and skin glands, prostate duct and ejaculatory duct. Depending on the nature of their origin, they are divided into physiological and pathological. The latter occur as a result of the development of an infectious, inflammatory or other disease of the prostate, bladder or other organ of the genitourinary system.

Everything is normal: physiological discharge

There are three types of physiological secretions, which, to one degree or another, are released from the penis, and do not indicate the presence of a disease:

• urethrorrhea;
• smegma;
• sperm

urethrorrhea

In most cases, clear discharge in men is libidinal or physiological urethrorhoea. This is the secret of the transparent color secreted by the urethral glands. Secretion flows from the urethra, usually at the moment of excitement. The purpose of the secret is to lubricate the ducts before the sperm passes through.

The amount of urethrorhoea excreted can be slight or quite abundant. It depends on the period of sexual abstinence, as well as on the individual characteristics of the man. After prolonged abstinence from sexual contact, with urethrorrhaea, a small amount of sperm can be released, which will change its color.

It is worth noting that in the case when the amount of discharge has become larger than usual, it is necessary to consult a doctor, because such a phenomenon may indicate the development of a disease.

Smegma

Smegma, also called preputial lubrication, is secreted by glands located on the foreskin. The purpose of the secret is to reduce the friction between the head of the penis and the foreskin. Smegma is constantly released. In puberty it can be more, until old age - less.

Smegma consists of fat and bacteria. It accumulates under the inner leaf of the cuticle. With daily hygiene procedures, the secret is easily washed away. Otherwise, its accumulation is an excellent environment for the development of bacteria, which leads to the inflammatory process. If the fat is not washed off on time (it should be done at least once a day), then it starts to decompose and rot. From this, it changes color from white-transparent to yellow or green. There is an unpleasant smell.

Sperm

Semen refers to the physiological secretions from the male genital organ. Usually, semen is a mixture of secretions from the gonads and spermatozoa, which is released during sexual contact or masturbation. Although men also face the involuntary release of sperm, which is called wet dreams. They most often occur in adolescent boys, when puberty occurs, or during prolonged abstinence. Involuntary ejaculation occurs at night or early in the morning, because it is associated with the production of testosterone.

Natural male secretions include urine, the color of which can be transparent, yellow or light brown, and prostate secretions. The specific smell of spermine will help to distinguish prostorrhea. The discharge is thick and whitish. A change in the amount of secretions, their color and smell, as well as the appearance of turbidity or mucus can be the first symptom of prostatitis or cancer.

Pathological discharge

The causes of pathological discharge can be very different. This includes:

• inflammatory processes, including those caused by conditionally pathogenic own flora;
• oncological diseases;
• sexually transmitted diseases;
• consequences of operations or injuries.

Also, pathological discharge differs in color. They can be white, gray, yellow, brown and so on. In addition, there may be an admixture of blood or pus. The nature of the discharge can be scanty or abundant, they can be released constantly or occasionally, for example, in the morning or after going to the toilet, and so on.

Different diseases often have similar secretions, but at the same time one disease can manifest in different representatives of the stronger sex in different ways. It is impossible to independently diagnose the disease based on secretions. If you notice any changes in their color, abundance, smell or the presence of mucus, blood or pus admixture, be sure to visit a doctor and undergo the necessary studies.

Penile discharge associated with sexually transmitted diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases are most often accompanied by:

1. Mucous transparent secretions, which are viscous. Usually, their small number indicates the presence of mycoplasma or ureaplasma urethritis, that is, the development of chronic chlamydia. Microscopic examination shows a moderate amount of leukocytes.
2. Mucopurulent discharge of transparent or white color occurs in mycoplasmosis or ureaplasmosis. They can also track chlamydia. In this case, the discharge sticks to the head of the penis.
3. Purulent discharge in men indicates gonorrhea. They can be brown, yellow or greenish in color, have an unpleasant rotten smell and are very thick. They also contain an increased number of leukocytes and microscopic epithelial particles. The number depends on the degree of development of the disease. Other symptoms of gonorrhea are itching and burning, which intensify after going to the toilet, pain and discomfort in the genital area.

A characteristic of sexually transmitted diseases is that multiple infections become their cause at once. In this case, the course of the disease, as well as the nature and amount of discharge can change significantly, so it is impossible to diagnose the disease without clinical studies from the discharge alone.

Self-diagnosis and subsequent self-treatment of sexually transmitted diseases with antibiotics leads to the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease, but the cause remains. At the end of the treatment, the disease attacks with new force, so you should not start the disease and self-medicate. The appointment of effective treatment depends on the correct diagnosis. And that is impossible to determine only on the basis of the nature of the discharge.

Discharge associated with non-venereal inflammation

The so-called conditionally pathogenic flora is constantly present in the body of every person, for example Candida, E. coli, streptococci and others. Usually it is not felt, but under certain conditions (hypothermia, stress, weakening of the immune system) it can cause an inflammatory process.

Diseases of the genitourinary system, which are caused by one's own flora, are also accompanied by secretions:

1. Mucopurulent discharge often accompanies non-gonococcal urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Their characteristic feature is slight exuberance, which can increase between large interruptions of urination. The disease is not characterized by other symptoms (pain, itching), or they are very weakly expressed.
2. Balanoposthitis is accompanied by abundant mucous discharge of yellow or green color, sometimes with pus. Symptoms of inflammation of the foreskin are its severe redness, as well as pain and redness of the head of the penis.
3. Prostatitis is characterized by cloudy discharge after urination. During the acute form of the disease, the discharge becomes very abundant, and when it becomes chronic, it changes color to whitish and decreases in quantity.
4. Candidiasis or thrush caused by the fungus Candida is accompanied by clotted discharge with a characteristic sour smell. There is redness of the head and foreskin, there may be pain or itching. The causes of candidiasis are the use of antibiotics, chemotherapy or radio wave treatment, as well as other factors that depress the immune system.
5. Gardnerellosis of the urethra occurs as a result of a violation of the microflora (dysbacteriosis) and is accompanied by scanty secretions of yellow or green color with a characteristic fishy smell.

Discharge that is not associated with the inflammatory process

Discharges that do not follow the inflammatory process are extremely rare in the stronger sex. The cause of such secretions is mechanical damage, diseases of the nervous system, oncology and so on.

1. Spermatorrhea - spontaneous flow of semen. The appearance of such secretions is in no way related to sexual intercourse or masturbation. Sperm flow is not accompanied by orgasm. The cause of this phenomenon is most often neurological diseases, as well as injuries to the spinal column. The vas deferens lose tone and the ability to retain sperm.
2. Hematorrhea is bloody discharge from the urethra. Hematorrhea occurs as a result of mechanical damage to the urethra in the process of swabbing, instrumental examination, catheter insertion, and so on. In addition, spotting after urination can indicate kidney stones, a tumor, or another serious condition.
3. Prostatorrhea - secretion of prostate secretions. The cause of prolapse is relaxed muscles of the prostate outlet. A similar phenomenon is often accompanied by prostatitis or adenoma.
4. Brown discharge with or without mucus can indicate cancer of the prostate, bladder, penis, or urethra. The discharge may contain blood clots or pus.

Examinations to help determine the cause of the discharge

The appearance of pathological discharge can be associated with various diseases. Only a qualified doctor can determine the true cause of the discharge and prescribe the correct treatment.

A patient who complains of discharge from the penis must undergo a series of studies that will help determine the cause of their appearance. The doctor's examination begins with a detailed examination of the genital area for rashes, redness and other visible symptoms. Often the discharge remains on the underwear, which the doctor also carefully examines.

One of the mandatory stages of the examination is the palpation of the lymph nodes. The doctor checks whether they are enlarged or not, whether they remain mobile or stationary, whether there is pain when pressed, and so on.

The doctor also examines the nature of the discharge immediately and after 2-3 hours (the patient must refrain from urinating during this period). Diseases of the prostate (adenoma, prostatitis or tumor) helps to determine the palpation of the prostate. In a normal state, both lobes of the prostate are the same size, in the presence of disease one lobe is larger than the other.

The following clinical studies also help determine the cause of the discharge:

• general blood analysis;
• detailed urine analysis;
• blood sugar test (taken in the morning on an empty stomach);
• swab from the urethra;
• culture of urethral secretions.

In the case of an infectious disease, the smear plays a key role in establishing the diagnosis. This study makes it possible not only to determine the pathogen, but also to prescribe the disease, its course, and so on. The presence of an inflammatory process associated with infection is indicated by an increased number of leukocytes. The norm does not consider more than 4 leukocytes in the field of vision.

In order for the smear to give as true information as possible about the patient's state of health, it is necessary to prepare for the taking procedure. Before taking a swab, you must not urinate for at least 2 hours, as well as perform water procedures. In addition, local treatment with antibiotics or other drugs should be stopped for three days. The course of treatment with oral antibiotics or injections must be completed 2 weeks before the study.

If the discharge in men with a smell is abundant or other symptoms of the disease are observed, then the doctor may prescribe:

• Ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder or prostate;
• computed tomography;
• urography.

A doctor can diagnose cancer only after the biopsy results.

If the patient asks for help due to profuse bleeding, he is immediately admitted to the hospital. In other cases, treatment is carried out after determining the cause of the discharge.

Discharge from the male genital organ can be a symptom of a serious illness. But remember that only a doctor can determine the cause of this unpleasant phenomenon during a personal examination and research. Self-medication only worsens the problem and can lead to the development of complications. If you are concerned about the health of your men, if an unusual discharge appears, do not delay a visit to the urologist.