Discharge from the genitourinary tract is mainly detected by men during or after urination. You need to be able to distinguish between normal physiological discharge and pathological discharge, which is often the first sign of diseases of the genitourinary system. The nature of the discharge allows us to establish the etiology of the disease and make an early 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, 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.
Purulent discharge of mucus
- Such 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. This disease is rarely accompanied by pain, soreness and itching. Basically, their manifestation is limited to mucopurulent discharge after finishing 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 discharge comes along with pain, pain, itching, burning when urinating, and usually a lot. Often they are symptoms of trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.
Whiteness
When discharge appears, a man should pay attention to its consistency.
White discharge with a cheesy consistency. Basically, such discharge indicates male candidiasis (thrush), and is rare. The cause of candidiasis may be a course of chemotherapy or antibiotic treatment, as well as a decrease in immunity; it is not sexually transmitted.White discharge with foamy consistency. Such discharge is often a sign of trichomoniasis, and can also indicate the presence of chronic prostatitis. If the cause is prostatitis, discharge is often accompanied by a decrease or loss of potency and difficulty urinating.
Diagnostics
Regardless of how the pathological discharge looks, a man must consult a urologist. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose the disease and choose treatment; self-diagnosing is useless. To accurately determine the source of the release, samples are usually taken for culture on nutrient media and bacteriological studies. Additional diagnostic tools depend on the suspected disease; this may be urography, CT, ultrasound.
Treatment
The treatment program depends on the symptoms of the disease from which the man is discharged.
STDs. In this case, both partners must undergo treatment. As a rule, this is antibacterial therapy, judiciously combined with immunomodulatory drugs. Sometimes local treatment is also added (physiotherapy, prostate massage, installation of drugs into the urethra), as well as a special diet. Specific programs depend on the type of STD.Thrush. Male candidiasis in most cases is eliminated by local treatment, but in advanced cases, general medicine is needed. In addition, it is necessary to take medicines 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 discomfort or other negative signs. Otherwise, it is a symptom of various pathologies or sexual disorders transmitted through the genitourinary system and other body structures.
How to distinguish a normal state from a pathology?
| Sign | norm | deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Time of appearance, frequency | Before, during or after sexual intercourse, during passion | Regardless of intimacy, after sleeping, after urinating, defecating, sometimes continuous dripping |
| Smell | Characteristic (egg white or chestnut) or odorless | Messy, sour, rotten, fishy, etc. |
| Color, consistency | Transparent or whitish, the consistency often resembles raw protein, sometimes sticky, viscous | Wavy, thick, white, greenish, brown, alternating with clotted blood and pus. Can be transparent in the event of a viral disease |
| Additional symptoms | Nope | Itching, burning, redness, pain |
When does it come out of the penis normally?
A healthy adult male does not have any type of heavy discharge at rest. However, in some situations this is the norm:
- prepaid. When aroused, a sticky, colorless substance is released - a lubricant to create a good environment conducive to the normal transport of sperm. Doctors will suspect a problem if there is a complaint of a large amount of pre-ejaculation with low sexual arousal.
- Ejaculation. We are not talking about ejaculation in the final form of adequate sexual intercourse, but about the remnants that sometimes come out after intimacy. Usually this is a few drops of whitish or colorless liquid.
- Ejaculation during a wet dream. It is an involuntary ejaculation due to excessive sexual stimulation and increased testosterone levels. Often happens in dreams.
- Smegma is a glandular secretion located in the area of the foreskin.. Acts as a protective fluid and lubricant for the head of the penis. It is not dry, not inflamed and not injured thanks to him. The amount of smegma is small, almost invisible on underwear. However, with hormonal changes, it 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 "fades", forming curdled pieces, as with thrush. This is also considered a conditional norm: if adequate hygiene is observed, the problem disappears.
When is discharge a symptom of illness?
If a man notices unusual discharge from the penis, he should see a doctor. It is difficult to determine the disease independently without medical education and diagnostic equipment.
The most common pathologies related to the appearance or changes of fluid secreted from the penis are STDs, inflammatory processes and disorders in the function of muscle structures and the central nervous system.
Venereal disease
Sexual infection is initially asymptomatic, the incubation period is from 7 to 21 days, sometimes 6 months. Discharge appears when infected with the following diseases:
- Hepatitis;
- HIV;
- Gonorrhea;
- Chlamydia;
- Trichomoniasis;
- Candidiasis;
- Ureaplasmosis;
- Human papillomavirus;
- Mycoplasmosis;
- HELP.
Chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis first cause clear and viscous discharge. The only sign of pathology is the absence of a reason for the natural appearance of fluid. Further pathology leads to a change in the color and consistency of the secreted liquid - it becomes translucent, slimy, reminiscent of pus.
Gonorrhea is characterized by a foul-smelling greenish or brown substance. Accompanied by severe pain and itching.
Hepatitis often causes small amounts of fluid to leak; it settles on the head of the penis, and when it dries, a white coating forms. Additional characteristic symptoms are turbidity and darkness of urine.
Candidiasis is accompanied by the appearance of cheesy lumps, but there are fewer of them than in the case of female "thrush". There is itching, burning, and redness on 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 process
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 contact or is transmitted through airborne droplets.
Bacteria, viruses, and fungi in large quantities cause an inflammatory response. Abnormal discharge appears due to inflammation of the urethra, spermatic cord, spermatic tubercle, prostate gland, foreskin and other elements of the reproductive system.
The type of release depends on the microorganism that causes the disease. For example, bacteria almost immediately trigger the appearance of pus: the mucus smells bad and has an unpleasant color.
Changes in the quantity and quality of sperm
If the sperm flow without stimulation first and the next orgasm, this is a pathology. The doctor diagnosed spermatorrhea. The reason lies in muscle disorders and central nervous system problems. More common in old age or with advanced prostatitis, prostate adenoma.
Discharge with blood - hematospermia, appears with malignant neoplasms in the urethra, penile cancer, trauma. Sometimes due to stones passing through the urinary tract.
Diagnostics
The urologist, after listening to the patient's complaints and collecting the anamnesis, examines the genitals. In this case, the specialist simultaneously takes prostate juice through rectal massage. Further laboratory tests are required:
- Blood analysis;
- Prostatic secretions;
- Urine analysis;
- Sperm.
It is important to evaluate the release itself. To do this, they are subjected to microscopic examination. This method allows you to identify the main source of the problem - bacteria, viruses, fungi.
Next, the doctor turns to instrumental diagnostics:
- Ultrasound of pelvic organs, penis, scrotum;
- Dopplerography;
- Radiography;
- MRI;
- CT;
- Cystoscopy;
- Urethroscopy;
- Scintigraphy.
If a neoplasm is found during the examination, the diagnostician takes a puncture.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the diagnosis. First of all, the doctor prescribes the appropriate drugs for the elimination of pathogenic microflora:
- Antibiotics;
- Antivirus;
- Antifungal.
Urologists prescribe drugs mainly orally, sometimes requiring intravenous or intramuscular administration of drugs.
In addition, a course of antihistamines and painkillers is required to relieve symptoms. Local medicines - antipruritic creams, gels, ointments - help relieve itching.
The patient is shown sitting bath with sedatives, painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Washing after each urination will help prevent the spread of infection.
If the problem lies in a disorder of the central nervous system or endocrinological pathology, the doctor involves a very specialized specialist.
Additional therapy
Genitourinary system problems need to be treated comprehensively. In addition to medications, doctors choose:
- Rectal prostate massage;
- Therapeutic massage of the lumbar region;
- exercise therapy;
- Physiotherapy;
- Reflexology.
Such a procedure restores the natural metabolism and prevents stagnation. Urologists prescribe a special diet that helps strengthen men's health. It is necessary to take a complex of vitamins: vitamins C, E, A, group B.
Prevention
In most cases, the cause of penile discharge is a venereal disease. Therefore, the most effective preventive measures are the careful selection of sexual partners and the use of barrier contraception.
Urologists also advise following some rules:
- To live an active lifestyle.
- Monitor your own health and undergo preventive examinations.
- Treat pathology in a timely manner.
- Wear loose 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.