Allocations 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 need to be very careful with them, watch for changes in color, smell, consistency, and so on.

Male genital organ discharge refers to all discharges from the urethra, sebaceous glands and skin, prostate duct and ejaculatory duct. Depending on the nature of their occurrence, they are divided into physiological and pathological. The latter appear 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 that, to one degree or another, are released from the penis and do not indicate the presence of disease:

• urethrorrhea;
• smegma;
• sperm

urethrorrhea

In most cases, the clear discharge in men is libidinal or physiological urethrorrhea. This is the secret of a transparent color that is secreted by the urethral glands. A secret flows from the urethra, usually at the time of arousal. The purpose of the secret is to lubricate the ducts before the passage of sperm.

The amount of urethrorrhea excreted may be negligible 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, along with urethrorrhea, a small amount of sperm may be released, which will change its color.

It is worth noting that in the case when the amount of discharge has become greater than normal, it is necessary to consult a doctor, as this phenomenon may indicate the development of the disease.

smegma

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

Smegma is made up of fat and bacteria. It accumulates under the inner sheet of the foreskin. Subject to daily hygiene procedures, the secret is easily washed off. Otherwise, its accumulation is an excellent environment for the development of bacteria, which leads to an inflammatory process. If the fat is not washed off in time (this should be done at least once a day), it will begin to disintegrate and rot. From there, it changes color from transparent white to yellow or green. There is an unpleasant smell.

Sperm

Sperm refers to the physiological secretions of the male sexual organ. Normally, semen is a mixture of secretions from the gonads and sperm, released during sexual contact or masturbation. Though men also come across involuntary release of sperm, which is called wet dreams. Most often they occur in boys in adolescence, when puberty occurs, or with prolonged abstinence. Involuntary ejaculation occurs at night or early in the morning as it is associated with the production of testosterone.

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

pathological discharge

The causes of pathological discharge can be very different. These include:

• inflammatory processes, including those caused by the conditionally pathogenic flora itself;
• oncological diseases;
• STDs;
• consequences of operations or injuries.

In addition, pathological discharges differ in color. They can be white, grey, yellow, brown and so on. Also, there may be a mixture of blood or pus. The nature of the discharge can be scanty or abundant, it can be allocated constantly or periodically, 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 itself in different representatives of the stronger sex in different ways. It is impossible to self-diagnose the disease by secretions. If you notice any change in color, abundance, smell or the presence of a mixture of mucus, blood or pus, you should definitely visit a doctor and do the necessary studies.

Penis discharge associated with sexually transmitted diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases are most often accompanied by:

1. Transparent mucous secretions, which are viscous. Their small number usually indicates the presence of mycoplasmic or ureaplasmic urethritis, or the development of chronic chlamydia. Microscopic examination shows a moderate amount of leukocytes.
2. Clear or white colored mucopurulent discharge occurs with mycoplasmosis or ureaplasmosis. They can also accompany 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, have an unpleasant rotten smell and are very dense. They also contain an increased number of leukocytes and microscopic epithelial particles. The abundance depends on the degree of development of the disease. Other symptoms of gonorrhea are itching and burning, which increase after going to the bathroom, pain and discomfort in the genital area.

A characteristic of sexually transmitted diseases is that several infections become their causative agents 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 of discharge alone.

Self-diagnosis and subsequent self-treatment of sexually transmitted diseases with antibiotics leads to the fact that the symptoms of the disease disappear, but the cause remains. After the course of treatment is completed, the disease attacks with renewed vigor, so you should not start the disease and self-medicate. Appointment of an effective treatment depends on the correct diagnosis. And it is impossible to establish it, based solely on the nature of the discharge.

Discharge associated with non-venereal inflammation

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

Diseases of the genitourinary system, the causative agent of which is its own flora, are also accompanied by secretions:

1. Mucopurulent discharge often accompanies nongonococcal urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Its characteristic is a slight profusion, which can increase between large interruptions of urination. The disease is not characterized by other symptoms (pain, itching), or they are expressed very weakly.
2. Balanoposthitis is accompanied by abundant yellow or green mucous secretions, sometimes with pus. Symptoms of inflammation of the foreskin are its strong redness, as well as pain and redness of the head of the penis.
3. The appearance of prostatitis is characterized by cloudy discharge after urination. During the period of the acute form of the disease, the discharge becomes very abundant, and when it passes into the chronic form, it changes color to whitish and decreases in quantity.
4. Candidiasis or thrush caused by the Candida fungus is accompanied by a clotted discharge with a distinct 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, in addition to 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.

Discharges not associated with the inflammatory process

Discharges that do not accompany 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 - spontaneously flowing sperm. The appearance of such secretions is in no way associated with sexual intercourse or masturbation. The flow of semen is not accompanied by an orgasm. The cause of this phenomenon is most often neurological diseases, as well as spinal injuries. The vas deferens lose their tone and the ability to retain sperm.
2. Hematorrhea is bloody discharge from the urethra. Hematorrhea appears as a result of mechanical damage to the urethra in the process of smear collection, instrumental examination, placement of a catheter, and so on. Also, spotting after urination can indicate kidney stones, a tumor, or another serious condition.
3. Prostatorrhea - secretion of prostate secretion. The cause of prostorrhoea is relaxed muscles in the excretory duct of the prostate. A similar phenomenon often accompanies 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.

Tests to help determine the cause of discharge

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

A patient who complains of a discharge from the penis needs to undergo a series of studies that will help to determine the cause of its appearance. An examination by a doctor begins with a detailed examination of the genital area for a rash, redness, and other visible symptoms. Often, the discharge remains on underwear, which the doctor also carefully examines.

One of the mandatory steps of the examination is palpation of the lymph nodes. The doctor checks whether or not they have increased, whether they remain mobile or immobile, whether the pain appears when pressed, and so on.

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

The following clinical studies also help to establish the cause of the discharge:

• general blood analysis;
• detailed urinalysis;
• blood sugar test (done in the morning on an empty stomach);
• urethral swab;
• culture of urethral secretions.

In the case of an infectious disease, the smear plays a key role in the diagnosis. This study allows not only to establish the pathogen, but also the prescription of the disease, its course, etc. The presence of an inflammatory process associated with the infection is indicated by an increased number of leukocytes. The standard considers a maximum of 4 leukocytes in the field of vision.

In order for the smear to provide the most truthful information about the patient's health status, it is necessary to prepare for the collection procedure. Before taking a smear, you can not urinate for at least 2 hours, in addition to carrying out procedures with water. In addition, for three days it is necessary to interrupt local treatment with antibiotics or other drugs. The course of treatment with oral antibiotics or injections must be completed 2 weeks prior to the study.

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

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

The doctor can make a diagnosis of cancer only after the results of a biopsy.

If a patient seeks help with profuse staining, he is admitted to the hospital immediately. In other cases, treatment is carried out after establishing 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 exacerbates the problem and can lead to the development of complications. If you are concerned about your man's health, if unusual discharge appears, do not delay a visit to the urologist.