Discharge from the genitourinary canal is mostly detected by men during or after urination. You must be able to distinguish between normal physiological discharge and pathological discharge, which are often the first signs of diseases of the genitourinary system. The nature of the discharge allows us 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 the organs adjacent to it. Pathological factors, characterized by different etiologies, cause damage to the urethra, which leads to discharge. This process is called leukocyte urethritis (urethritis). Pathological factors can be infectious, chemical or mechanical in nature.
Mucous purulent discharge
- Such discharge consists of serous exudate, urogenital mucus and a small number of leukocytes. They have the appearance of a transparent milky-white liquid.
- Such discharge can serve as a signal for trichomoniasis, chlamydia and ureaplasmosis. These diseases are rarely accompanied by pain, soreness and itching. Basically, their manifestation is limited to mucopurulent discharge after 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 comes with pain, soreness, itching, burning when urinating and is usually abundant. The most common symptoms are trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.
White discharge
When white discharge appears, a man should pay attention to its consistency.
White discharge of cheesy consistency. Basically, such discharge indicates male candidiasis (thrush), and it is rare. The cause of candidiasis can be a course of chemotherapy or antibiotic treatment, as well as a decrease in immunity, it is not transmitted sexually.White discharge with foamy consistency. Such discharge often becomes a sign of trichomoniasis, and may 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 what the pathological discharge looks like, a man must consult a urologist. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose the disease and choose treatment; self-diagnosis is useless. In order to determine the exact cause of the discharge, samples are usually taken for culture on nutrient media and bacteriological studies. Additional diagnostic tools depend on the suspected disease; it can be urography, CT, ultrasound.
Treatment
The treatment program depends on the symptoms of which disease the male discharge is.
STD. In this case, both partners must undergo treatment. As a rule, this is antibacterial therapy, wisely combined with immunomodulatory drugs. Sometimes local treatment is added (physiotherapy, prostate massage, insertion of medication into the urethra), as well as a special diet. The specific program depends on the type of sexually transmitted disease.Thrush. In most cases, male candidiasis is eliminated by local treatment, but in advanced cases, general drugs are needed. In addition, it is necessary to take medicines that strengthen the patient's immunity and a special diet.
Penile discharge
Penile discharge is considered normal if it does not cause discomfort or other negative signs. Otherwise, they are symptoms of various sexually transmitted pathologies or disorders of the genitourinary system and other body structures.
How to distinguish a normal state from a pathology?
| Sign it | Norm | Deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Time of appearance, frequency | Before, during or after sexual intercourse, during arousal | Regardless of intimacy, after sleeping, after urination, defecation, sometimes it constantly leaks |
| The smell | Characteristic (white or chestnut) or odorless | Foul, sour, smelly, fishy, etc. |
| Color, consistency | Transparent or whitish, the consistency often resembles crude protein, sometimes sticky, viscous | Clotted, thick, white, greenish, brown, dotted with blood clots and pus. It can be transparent in case of viral disease |
| Additional symptoms | no | Itching, burning, redness, pain |
When is penile discharge normal?
A healthy adult male has no heavy discharge of any kind at rest. However, in some situations this is the norm:
- Precum. When it wakes up, a sticky, colorless substance is released - a lubricant to create a favorable environment suitable for normal transport of sperm. Doctors will suspect a problem if there are complaints of a large amount of preejaculate with low sexual arousal.
- To ejaculate. We are not talking about ejaculation in the form of an adequate finale of sexual intercourse, but about the remains that sometimes come out after intimacy. It is usually a few drops of whitish or colorless liquid.
- Ejaculate during wet dreams. It is an involuntary ejaculation due to sexual overstimulation and increased testosterone. They often occur in sleep.
- Smegma is the secretion of a gland located in the area of the petals of the foreskin.. It serves as a protective fluid and lubricant for the head of the penis. It doesn't dry out, doesn't get inflamed and doesn't hurt thanks to it. The amount of smegma is small, almost invisible on underwear. However, with hormonal changes it increases; if the imbalance is not related to pathology, it is also normal.
Smegma in large quantities can enter the urethra, where it accumulates and "fades", forming coagulated flakes, as in thrush. This is also conditionally considered the norm: if sufficient hygiene is observed, the problem disappears.
When is discharge a symptom of disease?
If a man notices an unnatural discharge from the penis, he should consult a doctor. It is difficult to independently determine the disease without medical education and diagnostic equipment.
The most common pathologies associated with the appearance or change of fluid that is excreted 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, the incubation period is from 7 to 21 days, sometimes even 6 months. Discharge appears when infected with the following diseases:
- Hepatitis;
- HIV;
- gonorrhea;
- chlamydia;
- trichomoniasis;
- candidiasis;
- Ureaplasmosis;
- Human papillomavirus;
- mycoplasmosis;
- AIDS.
Chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis first cause a clear, viscous discharge. The only sign of pathology is the absence of a reason for the natural appearance of the fluid. Further pathologies lead to a change in the color and consistency of the excreted liquid - it becomes transparent, slimy, resembling pus.
Gonorrhea is characterized by greenish or brown substances with an unpleasant odor. It is accompanied by severe pain and itching.
Hepatitis often causes leakage of a small amount of fluid that settles on the head of the penis, and when it dries, a white coating forms. A characteristic additional symptom is turbidity and darkening of urine.
Candidiasis is accompanied by the appearance of cheesy clots, but they are significantly less than in the case of female thrush. There is itching, burning and redness of the head.
With trichomoniasis, there is stretchy, transparent mucus, pain and itching with frequent urination. The urethra swells, 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 the spread of infection that occurs after tactile contact or is transmitted by airborne droplets.
Bacteria, viruses and fungi in large quantities cause an inflammatory reaction. Abnormal discharge occurs due to inflammation of the urethra, spermatic cords, spermatozoa, prostate, foreskin and other elements of the reproductive system.
The type of discharge depends on the microorganism that caused the disease. For example, bacteria almost immediately cause the appearance of pus: the mucus has an unpleasant smell and has an unpleasant color.
Changes in sperm volume and quality
If sperm flows without prior excitement and subsequent orgasm, it 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 - hematospermia, appears in malignant neoplasms in the urethra, penile cancer, trauma. Sometimes it is the result of a stone passing through the urinary tract.
Diagnostics
Urologists, after listening to the patient's complaints and collecting the anamnesis, examine the genitals. In this case, experts simultaneously take prostate juice through rectal massage. Additional laboratory tests are required:
- Blood analysis;
- prostate secretion;
- Urinalysis;
- Sperm.
It is important to assess the discharge itself. To do this, they undergo a microscopic examination. This method allows you to identify the main source of the problem - bacteria, viruses, fungi.
Then the doctors move on to instrumental diagnostics:
- Ultrasound of pelvic organs, penis, scrotum;
- Dopplerography;
- Radiography;
- MRI;
- CT;
- Cystoscopy;
- Urethroscopy;
- Scintigraphy.
If neoplasms are found during the examination, diagnosticians perform a puncture.
Treatment
Treatment methods depend on the diagnosis. First of all, doctors prescribe drugs that are suitable for eliminating pathogenic microflora:
- Antibiotics;
- Antivirus;
- Antifungal.
Urologists prescribe drugs mostly orally, sometimes requiring intravenous or intramuscular administration of drugs.
In addition, a course of antihistamines and pain relievers is required to relieve symptoms. Topical medicines - anti-itch creams, gels, ointments - help to get rid of itching.
Patients are shown sitz baths with sedatives, painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Washing after each urination will help prevent the spread of infection.
If the problem is central nervous system disorders or endocrinological pathologies, doctors include highly specialized specialists.
Additional therapies
Problems of the genitourinary system should be treated comprehensively. In addition to medicines, doctors choose:
- Rectal prostate massage;
- Therapeutic massages of the lumbar region;
- exercise therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- Reflexology.
Such procedures restore the 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, the cause of discharge from the penis is sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, the most effective preventive measure is the careful selection of a sexual partner and the use of barrier contraception.
Urologists also advise you to follow a number of rules:
- Lead an active lifestyle.
- Monitor your health and undergo preventive examinations.
- Treat pathologies on time.
- Wear loose underwear and pants.
- Avoid frequent changes of sexual partners.
- Watch your diet. Diet should contain vitamins, micro and macro elements necessary for humans: selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium.