Discharge from the genitourinary canal is mainly detected by men during or after urination. It is necessary to be able to distinguish normal physiological discharge from pathological discharge, which are often the first signs of a disease of the genitourinary system. The nature of the discharge makes it possible 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 various etiologies, cause damage to the urethra, leading to the appearance of discharge. This process is called leukocyte urethra (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 pain, pain and itching. Basically, their manifestation is limited to mucopurulent discharge at the end of urination.
Purulent discharge
- Their appearance is considered a symptom of infectious urethritis. Purulent discharge consists of cells of the damaged epithelium of the genitourinary canal 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 discharge is accompanied by pain, pain, itching, burning when urinating and is usually abundant. Most often these are symptoms of trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.
White discharge
When white discharge appears, a man should pay attention to its consistency.
- White discharge with a cheese consistency.Basically, such discharge indicates male candidiasis (thrush) and is rare. The cause of candidiasis can be chemotherapy or antibiotic treatment, as well as a decrease in immunity; it is not transmitted sexually.
- White discharge of foamy consistency.Such discharge often becomes a sign of trichomoniasis, and may also indicate the presence of chronic prostatitis. If the cause is prostatitis, the discharge is often accompanied by a decrease or loss of power and difficulty urinating.
Diagnostic
Regardless of the appearance of pathological discharge, a man should consult a urologist. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose the disease and select treatment; diagnosing it yourself is useless. To accurately determine the cause of the release, samples are usually taken for nutrient medium culture and bacteriological studies. Additional diagnostic tools depend on the suspected disease: this may be urography, CT scan or ultrasound.
Treatment
The treatment program depends on the symptoms of the disease the man is suffering from.
- STDs.In this case, both partners must undergo treatment. As a rule, it involves antibacterial therapy, judiciously combined with immunomodulatory drugs. Sometimes local treatment is also added (physiotherapy, prostate massage, installation of medication in the urethra), as well as a special diet. The specific program depends on the type of STD.
- Lily of the valley.Male candidiasis in most cases is eliminated by local treatment, but in advanced cases, general medications are required. Additionally, it is necessary to take medications that strengthen the patient's immunity and a special diet.
Discharge from the penis
Discharge from the penis is considered normal if it does not cause inconvenience or other negative signs. 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 state from a pathology?
| Sign | Standard | DETOUR |
|---|---|---|
| Time of onset, frequency | Before, during or after sexual intercourse, during arousal | Regardless of intimacy, after sleep, after urination, defecation, sometimes constantly dripping |
| Smell | Characteristic (egg white or chestnut) or odorless | Putrid, sour, fetid, fishy, etc. |
| Color, consistency | Transparent or whitish, the consistency often resembles raw protein, sometimes sticky, viscous | Curdled, thick, white, greenish, brown, dotted with blood clots and pus. May be transparent in case of viral illness |
| Additional symptoms | No | Itching, burning, redness, pain |
When is penis discharge normal?
A healthy adult male has no significant discharge at rest. However, in some situations it is the norm:
- Precum. When excited, a sticky, colorless substance is released - a lubricant to create a favorable environment for the normal transport of sperm. Doctors will suspect a problem if they complain of a large amount of pre-ejaculate with low sexual arousal.
- Ejaculate. We are not talking about ejaculation in the form of a proper finale to sexual intercourse, but about the residue that sometimes comes out after intimacy. It is usually a few drops of a whitish or colorless liquid.
- Squirting during wet dreams. This is involuntary ejaculation due to sexual overstimulation and increased testosterone. This often happens in a dream.
- Smegma is the secretion of glands located at the level of the petals of the foreskin.. Serves as a protective liquid and lubricant for the head of the penis. It does not dry out, ignite or get injured thanks to it. The amount of smegma is small, almost invisible on underwear. However, with hormonal changes this increases; if the imbalance is not associated with pathology, this is also normal.
Smegma in large quantities can enter the urethra, where it accumulates and "fade", forming curdled flakes, as in the case of thrush. This is also considered the norm under certain conditions: if sufficient hygiene is observed, the problem disappears.
When is discharge a symptom of illness?
If a man notices artificial discharge from the 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 in the fluid secreted by the penis are STDs, inflammatory processes and disorders in the functioning of muscular structures and the central nervous system.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexual infections are initially asymptomatic, the incubation period is 7 to 21 days, sometimes 6 months. Discharge appears in case of infection 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 sign of pathology is the absence of causes explaining the natural appearance of fluid. Other pathologies lead to a change in the color and consistency of the secreted fluid - it becomes translucent, mucous, reminiscent of pus.
Gonorrhea is characterized by foul-smelling greenish or brown substances. Accompanied by severe pain and itching.
Hepatitis often causes a small volume of fluid to leak; 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 they are significantly fewer 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 during frequent urination. The urethra swells, the area around it becomes red and inflamed.
Inflammatory processes
Conditions that cause penis discharge are not always sexually transmitted. Sometimes the problem arises against the background of an infection that spreads after touch 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 tubercle, prostate, foreskin and other elements of the reproductive system.
The type of discharge depends on the microorganism causing the disease. For example, bacteria almost immediately cause the appearance of pus: the mucus is foul-smelling and has an unpleasant color.
Changes in sperm volume and quality
If sperm flow without prior excitement or subsequent orgasm, this is a pathology. Doctors diagnose spermatorrhea. The reasons lie in muscular disorders and problems with the central nervous system. Occurs more often in old age or in cases of advanced prostatitis, prostate adenoma.
Discharge of blood - hematospermia, appears with malignant neoplasms of the urethra, cancer of the penis, trauma. Sometimes the result of stones passing through the urinary tract.
Diagnostic
Urologists, after listening to the patient's complaints and collecting anamnesis, examine the genitals. In this case, specialists simultaneously take juice from the prostate using rectal massage. Additional laboratory tests are required:
- Blood test ;
- Prostatic secretion;
- Urine analysis;
- Sperm.
It is important to assess the flow rate itself. To do this, they are subjected to microscopic examination. It is this method that allows you to identify the main source of the problem - bacteria, viruses, fungi.
Then doctors move on to instrumental diagnostics:
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, penis, scrotum;
- Dopplerography;
- Radiography;
- MRI;
- CT scan;
- Cystoscopy;
- Urethroscopy;
- Scintigraphy.
If neoplasms are detected during the examination, diagnosticians give an injection.
Treatment
Treatment methods depend on the diagnosis. First of all, doctors prescribe drugs suitable for eliminating pathogenic microflora:
- Antibiotics;
- Antiviral;
- Antifungal.
Urologists prescribe medications primarily orally, sometimes requiring intravenous or intramuscular administration of medications.
In addition, a course of antihistamines and analgesics is necessary to relieve the symptoms. Local medications - creams, gels, antipruritic ointments - help eliminate itching.
Patients are shown sitz baths with sedatives, painkillers or anti-inflammatories. Washing after each urination will help prevent the spread of infection.
If the problem lies in disorders of the central nervous system or endocrinological pathologies, doctors turn to highly specialized specialists.
Additional therapies
Problems of the genitourinary system must 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, penis discharge is due to sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, the most effective preventive measure is careful selection of a sexual partner and use of barrier contraception.
Urologists also advise following a number of rules:
- Live an active life.
- Monitor your own health and undergo preventive examinations.
- Treat pathologies on time.
- Wear loose-fitting underwear and pants.
- Avoid frequent changes of sexual partners.
- Watch your diet. The diet should contain vitamins, micro- and macroelements necessary for a man: selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium.