It is mainly men who feel discharge from the genitourinary canal during or after urination. You must be able to distinguish between normal physiological discharge and pathological discharge, which are often the first signs of diseases of the genitourinary system. The nature of the discharge allows us to establish the etiology of the disease and make a preliminary diagnosis.
Types of pathological discharge in men
Pathological discharge is caused by diseases of the genitourinary canal and adjacent organs. Pathological factors, characterized by different etiologies, cause damage to the urethra, which leads to the appearance of discharge. This process is called leukocyte urethria (urethritis). Pathological factors can be infectious, chemical or mechanical.
Mucous purulent discharge
- Such discharge consists of serous exudate, urogenital mucus and a small number of leukocytes. They look like a milky-white translucent liquid.
- Such discharge can serve as a sign of trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and ureaplasmosis. These diseases are rarely accompanied by pain, soreness and itching. Basically, its manifestation is limited to mucopurulent discharge upon completion of urination.
Purulent discharge
- Their appearance is considered a symptom of infectious urethritis. Purulent discharge consists of damaged cells of the epithelium of the genitourinary canal and urethral mucus. They have an increased concentration of leukocytes. Purulent discharge with a thick liquid looks completely yellow or slightly green.
- Often, such discharge comes with pain, pain, itching, burning when urinating, and is usually profuse. They are often symptoms of trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.
White release
When white discharge appears, a man should pay attention to its consistency.
White discharge with the consistency of cheese. Basically, such discharge indicates male candidiasis (thrush), and is rare. A course of chemotherapy or antibiotic treatment may cause candidiasis, as well as a decrease in immunity; it is not sexually transmitted.White discharge with a foamy consistency. Such discharge is often a sign of trichomoniasis, and can also indicate the presence of chronic prostatitis. If the cause is prostatitis, the discharge is often accompanied by a reduction or loss of potency and difficulty urinating.
Diagnostics
No matter how the pathological discharge looks, a man must consult a urologist. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose the disease and choose a treatment; it is not possible to diagnose it yourself. To accurately determine the cause of the discharge, samples are usually taken for culture on nutrient media and bacteriological studies. Additional diagnostic tools depend on which disease is suspected; this could be urography, CT, ultrasound.
Treatment
The treatment program depends on the symptoms of what disease the man has.
DTS. In this case, both partners must undergo treatment. Usually, this is an antibacterial therapy, judiciously combined with immunomodulatory drugs. Sometimes local treatment is also added (physiotherapy, prostate massage, drug installation into the urethra), as well as a special diet. The specific program depends on the type of STD.Thrush. Male candidiasis in most cases is eliminated by local treatment, but in advanced cases, general medications are needed. In addition, it is necessary to take medicines that strengthen the patient's immunity and a special diet.
Released from the penis
Discharge from the penis is considered normal if it does not cause discomfort or other negative symptoms. Otherwise, they are symptoms of various sexually transmitted pathologies or disorders of the genitourinary system and other structures of the body.
How to distinguish normal from pathology?
| Sign | Normal | Deviations |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance time, frequency | Before, during or after intercourse, during arousal | Regardless of intimacy, after sleep, after urination, defecation, sometimes always flow |
| Smell | Characteristic (egg white or chestnut) or odorless | Putrid, sour, fetid, fishy, etc. |
| Color, consistency | Transparent or whitish, the consistency is often like crude protein, sometimes sticky, viscous | Curdled, thick, white, greenish, brown, interspersed with blood clots and pus. Can be transparent in the case of viral diseases |
| Additional symptoms | No | Itching, burning, redness, pain |
When is discharge from the penis normal?
The rest do not have strong discharge of any kind in a healthy adult male. However, in some cases this is the norm:
- Precum. When it is aroused, a colorless sticky substance is released - ways to create a favorable environment conducive to the normal behavior of sperm. Doctors will suspect a problem if there are complaints about a large number of pre-ejaculate with low sexual arousal.
- Ejaculate. We are not talking about ejaculation in the form of an adequate finale of sexual relations, but about the residues that sometimes come out after intimacy. Usually this is a few drops of whitish or colorless liquid.
- Ejaculate during a wet dream. It is an involuntary ejaculation due to excessive sexual stimulation and an increased amount of testosterone. Often happens in a dream.
- Smegma is the secretion of glands located in the petal area of the foreskin.. It acts as a protective and lubricating fluid for the head of the penis. It doesn't dry out, it doesn't get inflamed and it doesn't hurt thanks to it. The amount of smegma is small, almost invisible on underwear. However, with hormonal changes, it increases; if the imbalance is not related to pathology, this is also normal.
Smegma in large quantities can enter the urethra, where it collects and "faes", creating curdled flakes, as with thrush. This is also considered the conditional norm: if enough hygiene is observed, the problem disappears.
When is discharge a sign of disease?
If a man notices an unnatural discharge from the penis, he should consult a doctor. It is difficult to determine the disease independently without medical education and diagnostic equipment.
The most common pathologies associated with the appearance or change of the fluid released from the penis are STDs, inflammatory processes and disturbances in the functioning of muscular structures and the central nervous system.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexual infections are initially asymptomatic, the incubation period is from 7 to 21 days, sometimes 6 months. Discharge is indicated when the following diseases are infected:
- Hepatitis;
- HIV;
- Gonorrhea;
- Chlamydia;
- Trichomoniasis;
- Candidiasis;
- Ureaplasmosis;
- The human papilloma virus;
- Mycoplasmosis;
- AIDS.
Chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis is the first cause of clear, viscous discharge. The only sign of pathology is the absence of reasons for the natural appearance of fluid. As a result of additional pathologies, the color and consistency of the secreted fluid changes - it is translucent, mucous, reminiscent of pus.
Gonorrhea is characterized by greenish or brown discharge. Accompanied by severe pain and itching.
Hepatitis often causes a small amount of fluid to leak out; it settles on the head of the penis, and when it dries, forms a white coating. An additional characteristic feature is the cloudiness and darkness of the urine.
Candidiasis is accompanied by the appearance of cheesy clots, but they are much smaller than in the case of female "thrush". There is itching, burning, and redness of the head.
With trichomoniasis, stretchy, translucent mucus, pain and itching appear with frequent urination. The urethra swells, the area around it becomes red and inflamed.
Inflammatory processes
Discharge from the penis is not always caused by sexually transmitted pathologies. Sometimes the problem occurs against the background of spreading infection that occurs after tactile contact or is transmitted by airborne droplets.
Bacteria, viruses and fungi in large quantities cause an inflammatory reaction. Abnormal discharge appears due to inflammation of the urethra, spermatic cords, spermatic tubercles, prostate gland, foreskin and other aspects of the reproductive system.
The type of discharge depends on the microorganism that caused the disease. For example, bacteria almost immediately provoke the appearance of pus: the mucus has a foul smell and an unpleasant color.
Changes in sperm quantity and quality
If sperm flow without prior arousal and subsequent orgasm, this is a pathology. Doctors diagnose spermatorrhea. The causes are muscle disorders and problems of the central nervous system. More often occurs in old age or with advanced prostatitis, prostate adenoma.
Discharge with blood — hematospermia, apparent with malignant neoplasms in the urethra, penile cancer, trauma. Sometimes as a result of stones passing through the urinary tract.
Diagnostics
Urologists, after listening to the patient's complaints and collecting anamnesis, examine the genitals. In this case, specialists take prostate juice at the same time through rectal massage. Further laboratory tests are required:
- Blood analysis;
- Prostate secretion;
- Analysis of urine;
- Sperm.
It is important to consider the discharge itself. To do this, they are examined microscopically. This method allows you to identify the main source of the problem - bacteria, viruses, fungi.
Then, the 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 take a puncture.
Treatment
Treatment methods depend on the diagnosis. First of all, doctors prescribe medications suitable for eliminating pathogenic microflora:
- Antibiotics;
- Anti-viral;
- Antifungal.
Urologists prescribe drugs mainly orally, sometimes require intravenous or intramuscular administration of drugs.
In addition, a course of antihistamines and painkillers is needed to relieve the symptoms. Local medications - antipruritic creams, gels, ointments - help get rid of itching.
Sitz baths are indicated for patients with sedatives, painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Washing after each urination will help prevent the spread of infection.
If the problem lies with 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;
- Physiotherapy;
- 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 the careful selection of a sexual partner and the use of barrier contraception.
Urologists also advise to follow some rules:
- To live an active lifestyle.
- Monitor your own health and undergo preventive examinations.
- Timely treatment of pathologies.
- Wear loose underwear and trousers.
- Avoid frequent changes of sexual partners.
- Watch your diet. The diet should contain vitamins, micro and macro elements that a man needs: selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium.