Allocations in men: norm or pathology?

Discharge from the penis of a man 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 about 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, the prostate duct and the 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, which, to one degree or another, are released from the penis, and do not indicate the presence of diseases:

• urethrorrhea;
• smegma;
• sperm

urethrorrhea

In most cases, 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 excreted urethrorrhea can be insignificant or quite abundant. It depends on the period of sexual abstinence, as well as 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 usual, it is necessary to consult a doctor, since such a phenomenon may indicate the development of the disease.

Smegma

Smegma, also called preputial lubrication, is secreted by glands located on 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, by old age - less.

Smegma is made up of fat and bacteria. It accumulates under the inner leaf 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 grease is not washed off in time (this should be done at least once a day), then it begins to disintegrate and rot. From this, it changes color from white-transparent to yellow or green. There is an unpleasant smell.

Sperm

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

Natural male secretions also include urine, the color of which can be transparent, yellow or light brown, and prostate secretion. The specific smell of spermine will help to distinguish prostorrhea. The discharge is thick and whitish in color. A change in the amount of discharge, their color and smell, as well as the appearance of cloudiness or mucus may 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 conditionally pathogenic own flora;
• oncological diseases;
• STDs;
• consequences of operations or injuries.

Also, pathological discharges differ in color. They can be white, grey, yellow, brown and so on. In addition, there may be an admixture of blood or pus. The nature of the discharge can be scarce or plentiful, they 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 changes in their color, abundance, smell, or the presence of an admixture of mucus, blood or pus, you should definitely visit a doctor and undergo the necessary studies.

Discharge from the penis associated with STDs

Sexually transmitted diseases are most often accompanied by:

1. Mucous transparent secretions, which are viscous. Usually, their small number indicates the presence of mycoplasmal or ureaplasmic urethritis, or the development of chronic chlamydia. Microscopic examination shows a moderate amount of leukocytes.
2. Mucopurulent discharge of a transparent or white color 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 in color, have an unpleasant rotten smell and are very dense. They also contain an increased number of leukocytes and microscopic particles of the epithelium. Abundance depends on the degree of development of the disease. Other symptoms of gonorrhea are itching and burning, which increase after going to the toilet, pain and discomfort in the genital area.

A feature 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, therefore, it is impossible to diagnose the disease without clinical studies from 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. Upon completion of the course of treatment, the disease attacks with renewed vigor, so you should not start the disease and self-medicate. The appointment of effective treatment depends on the correct diagnosis. And it is impossible to establish it, based only on the nature of the discharge.

Discharge associated with non-venereal inflammation

In the body of each person, the so-called conditionally pathogenic flora is constantly present, for example, Candida fungus, E. coli, streptococcus and others. Usually it does not make itself 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 non-gonococcal urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Their characteristic feature is a slight profusion, which may 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 secretions of yellow or green color, 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 curdled discharge with a distinctive 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.

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 are 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 injuries of the spine. The vas deferens lose their tone and 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 taking a smear, instrumental examination, installing a catheter, and so on. In addition, spotting after urination may indicate kidney stones, a tumor, or another serious condition.
3. Prostatorrhea - secretion of the secretion of the prostate. The cause of prostorrhea is the relaxed muscles of the excretory duct of the prostate gland. A similar phenomenon often accompanies prostatitis or adenoma.
4. Brown discharge with or without mucus may 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 may 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 needs to undergo a series of studies that will help determine the cause of their appearance. An examination by a doctor 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 have increased or not, whether they remain mobile or motionless, whether 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 must refrain from urinating). Diseases of the prostate (adenoma, prostatitis or tumor) helps to determine the palpation of the prostate gland. In the normal state, both lobes of the prostate are of 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 (taken in the morning on an empty stomach);
• smear from the urethra;
• culture of urethral secretions.

In the case of an infectious disease, the smear plays a key role in making a diagnosis. This study allows not only to establish the pathogen, but also the prescription of 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 considers no more than 4 leukocytes in the field of view.

In order for the smear to give the most truthful information about the patient's health status, it is necessary to prepare for the taking procedure. Before taking a smear, you can not urinate for at least 2 hours, as well as carry out water procedures. In addition, for three days it is necessary to stop local treatment with antibiotics or other drugs. 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.

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

If a patient seeks help with profuse spotting, then 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 worried about your men's health, if unusual discharge appears, do not postpone a visit to the urologist.