Discharge from the genitourinary tract is most often detected by men during or after urination. You need to be able to distinguish between normal physiological discharge and pathological discharge, which are often the first signs of genitourinary system disease. 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 genitourinary tract and organs adjacent to it. Pathological factors characterized by various etiologies damage the urethra, causing discharge. This process is called leukocyte urethritis (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 have the appearance of a translucent milky white liquid.
- Such discharge can serve as a signal of trichomoniasis, chlamydia and ureaplasmosis. These diseases are rarely accompanied by aches, pains and itching. Basically, its manifestations are limited to mucopurulent discharge upon completion of urination.
purulent discharge
- Their appearance is considered a symptom of infectious urethritis. Purulent discharge consists of damaged epithelial cells of the genitourinary tract and urethral mucus. They have an increased concentration of leukocytes. Purulent discharge looks like a thick liquid that is completely yellow or slightly green.
- Often such discharges are accompanied by pain, aching, itching, burning during urination and are often abundant. Most often these are symptoms of trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.
white discharge
When white discharge appears, the man should pay attention to its consistency.
- Cheese-like white discharge.Basically, such a discharge indicates male candidiasis (thrush) and is rare. The cause of candidiasis may be chemotherapy or antibiotic treatment, as well as a decrease in immunity, it is not transmitted sexually.
- Foamy white discharge.This discharge often becomes a sign of trichomoniasis and may also indicate the presence of chronic prostatitis. If the cause is prostatitis, the discharge is usually accompanied by a decrease or loss of potency and difficulty urinating.
Diagnosis
No matter how pathological discharge appears, a man needs to consult a urologist. Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease and choose treatment; There is no use in diagnosing it on your own. To accurately determine the cause of the discharge, samples are usually taken for culture and bacteriological studies on nutrient media. Additional diagnostic tools depend on which disease is suspected; these may be urography, CT or ultrasound.
Treatment
The treatment program depends on which disease the man's discharge is symptomatic of.
- STD.In this case, both partners need to receive treatment. As a rule, this is antibacterial therapy judiciously combined with immunomodulatory drugs. Sometimes local treatment (physiotherapy, prostate massage, insertion of medication into the urethra) and a special diet are also added. The specific program depends on the type of STD.
- Thrush.Male candidiasis is eliminated in most cases by local treatment, but in advanced cases general medications are required. In addition, medications that strengthen the patient's immunity and a special diet must be taken.
discharge from penis
Discharge from the penis is considered normal if it does not cause discomfort or other negative symptoms. Otherwise, these are symptoms of various sexually transmitted pathologies or disorders of the genitourinary system and other structures of the body.
How to distinguish a normal situation from pathology?
| Signature | Norm | Deflection |
|---|---|---|
| Time of occurrence, frequency | Before, during or after sexual intercourse, during arousal | Dripping after sleep, after urination, after defecation, sometimes constantly, regardless of proximity |
| Smell | Characteristic (egg white or chestnut color) or odorless | Putrid, sour, putrid, fishy, etc. |
| Color, consistency | Transparent or whitish, consistency usually similar to crude protein, sometimes sticky, viscous | Curled, thick, white, greenish, brown, interspersed with blood clots and pus. May be transparent in case of a viral disease |
| Additional symptoms | NO | Itching, burning, redness, pain |
When is discharge from the penis normal?
A healthy adult male does not have any strong discharge at rest. But in some cases this is the norm:
- precum. When stimulated, a sticky, colorless substance is released; it is a lubricant that creates a favorable environment that allows normal transport of sperm. If there is a complaint of low sexual arousal and large amounts of pre-ejaculation, doctors will suspect a problem.
- discharge. We are not talking about ejaculation as an adequate finale of sexual intercourse, but about the residues that sometimes appear after intimacy. Usually this is a few drops of a whitish or colorless liquid.
- Cum during wet dreams. It is an involuntary ejaculation due to sexual overstimulation and increased amount of testosterone. It often occurs in a dream.
- Smegma is the secretion of the glands located in the area of the leaves of the foreskin.. It acts as a protective fluid and lubricant for the head of the penis. In this way, it does not dry out, become inflamed or injured. The amount of smegma is small and almost invisible in underwear. However, it increases with hormonal changes, which is normal if the imbalance is not due to pathology.
Smegma in large quantities can enter the urethra, where it accumulates and "fades", forming curled scales like thrush. This is also conditionally considered the norm: if adequate hygiene is observed, the problem disappears.
When is discharge a symptom of a disease?
If a man notices an unnatural discharge from his penis, he should consult a doctor. It is difficult to independently determine the disease without medical training and diagnostic equipment.
The most common pathologies associated with the appearance or change of fluid secreted from the penis are sexually transmitted diseases, inflammatory processes and disorders in the functioning of muscle structures and the central nervous system.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexual infections are initially asymptomatic, with an incubation period of 7 to 21 days, sometimes up to 6 months. Discharge occurs when infected with the following diseases:
- Hepatitis;
- HIV;
- Gonorrhea;
- Chlamydia;
- Trichomoniasis;
- Candidiasis;
- Ureaplasmosis;
- Human papillomavirus;
- Mycoplasmosis;
- AIDS.
Chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis first cause clear, viscous discharge. The only symptom of pathology is the absence of causes for the natural appearance of the fluid. Other pathologies lead to a change in the color and consistency of the secreted fluid - it becomes translucent, mucous, and pus-like.
Gonorrhea is characterized by foul-smelling greenish or brown substances. It is accompanied by severe pain and itching.
Hepatitis often causes small amounts of fluid to leak out; It settles on the head of the penis and when it dries, a white layer forms. A characteristic additional symptom is cloudiness and darkening of urine.
Candidiasis is accompanied by the appearance of cheesy clots, but their number is significantly less than in the case of female "thrush". There is itching, burning and redness in the head.
In trichomoniasis, stretchy, translucent mucus, pain and itching occur during frequent urination. The urethra swells and the area around it 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 amounts of bacteria, viruses and fungi cause an inflammatory reaction. Abnormal discharge occurs due to inflammation of the urethra, spermatic cords, spermatic tubercle, prostate gland, foreskin and other elements of the reproductive system.
The type of discharge depends on the microorganism causing the disease. For example, bacteria almost instantly cause the appearance of pus: the mucus is foul-smelling and has an unpleasant color.
Changes in sperm volume and quality
If sperm flows without prior stimulation and subsequent orgasm, this is a pathology. Doctors diagnose spermatorrhea. The reasons lie in muscle disorders and central nervous system problems. It occurs more often in old age or with advanced prostatitis, prostate adenoma.
Discharge with blood - occurs with hematospermia, malignant neoplasms in the urethra, cancer of the penis, trauma. Sometimes it occurs as a result of stones passing through the urinary tract.
Diagnosis
Urologists examine the sexual organs after listening to the patient's complaints and taking his/her anamnesis. In this case, experts simultaneously remove prostate juice through rectal massage. Further laboratory tests are required:
- Blood analysis;
- Prostate secretion;
- Urine analysis;
- Sperm.
It is important to evaluate the current itself. To do this, they are subjected to microscopic examination. It is this method that allows you to determine the main source of the problem (bacteria, viruses, fungi).
Then doctors move on to instrumental diagnosis:
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, penis, scrotum;
- Dopplerography;
- Radiography;
- MRI;
- CT;
- Cystoscopy;
- Urethroscopy;
- Scintigraphy.
If neoplasms are found during the examination, diagnosticians make a puncture.
Treatment
Treatment methods depend on the diagnosis. First of all, doctors prescribe drugs suitable for the elimination of pathogenic microflora:
- Antibiotics;
- Antiviral;
- Antifungal.
Urologists prescribe medications mostly by mouth, sometimes requiring intravenous or intramuscular administration of medications.
Additionally, a course of antihistamines and painkillers are required to relieve symptoms. Local remedies - anti-itch creams, gels, ointments - help get rid of itching.
Patients are shown sitz baths containing sedatives, painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications. Washing after each urination will help prevent the spread of infection.
If the problem is caused by central nervous system disorders or endocrinological pathologies, doctors appoint highly specialized specialists.
Additional treatments
Genitourinary system problems should be treated comprehensively. In addition to medications, doctors select:
- Rectal prostate massage;
- Therapeutic massages of the lumbar region;
- exercise therapy;
- Physiotherapy;
- Reflexology.
Such procedures restore natural metabolism and prevent stagnation. The urologist recommends a special diet that helps strengthen men's health. It is necessary to take vitamin complexes: C, E, A, vitamins of group B.
Prevention
In most cases, the cause of discharge from the penis is sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, the most effective preventive measure is careful selection of sexual partners and use of barrier contraception.
Urologists also recommend following a number of rules:
- Living an active lifestyle.
- Monitor your own health and undergo preventive examinations.
- Treat pathologies in a timely manner.
- Wear loose underwear and trousers.
- Avoid frequent changes of sexual partners.
- Watch your diet. The diet should contain vitamins, micro and macro elements necessary for a man: selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium.