Genital discharge is usually detected by men during or after urination. You should 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 makes it possible 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 urinary tract and adjacent organs. Pathological factors characterized by various etiologies damage the urethra and lead to the formation of discharge. This process is called leukocyte urethritis (urethritis). Pathological factors can be infectious, chemical or mechanical in nature.
mucoid purulent discharge
- Such a flow consists of serous exudate, urogenital mucus and a small number of leukocytes. They have the appearance of a clear milky white liquid.
- Such discharge can be a signal of trichomoniasis, chlamydia and ureaplasmosis. These diseases are rarely accompanied by pain, soreness and itching. Basically, their appearance is limited to mucopurulent discharge after urination.
Purulent discharge
- Their appearance is a symptom of infectious urethritis. Purulent discharge consists of damaged epithelial cells of the urethra and mucus in the urethra. The concentration of leukocytes increases in them. Purulent discharge looks like a thick liquid that is completely yellow or slightly green in color.
- Often, such discharge is accompanied by pain, soreness, itching, burning during urination and is often abundant. Often they are symptoms of trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.
White discharge
When a white discharge appears, a man should pay attention to its consistency.
White discharge with a cheesy consistency.Basically, such a discharge indicates candidiasis (thrush) in men and is rare. Candidiasis can be caused by a course of chemotherapy or antibiotic treatment, as well as a decrease in immunity, which is not sexually transmitted. White discharge with foamy consistency.Such discharge often becomes a symptom of trichomoniasis, and also indicates the presence of chronic prostatitis. If the cause is prostatitis, the discharge is often accompanied by a decrease or loss of potency and difficulty urinating.
Diagnostics
No matter what the pathological discharge looks like, a man should definitely consult a urologist. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose the disease and choose treatment, self-diagnosis is useless. Culture samples are usually taken from nutrient media and bacteriological studies to determine the exact cause of the discharge. Additional diagnostic tools depend on what disease is suspected, it can be urography, CT, ultrasound.
To treat
The treatment program depends on the symptoms of the man.
STD.In this case, both partners should be treated. As a rule, this antibacterial therapy is judiciously combined with immunomodulatory drugs. Sometimes local treatment is also added (physiotherapy, prostate massage, injection of drugs into the urethra), as well as a special diet. The specific program depends on the type of STI. Thrush.Male candidiasis in most cases is eliminated by local treatment, but in advanced cases, general medications are required. In addition, it is necessary to take medicines that strengthen the patient's immunity and a special diet.
Discharge from the penis
Penile discharge is considered normal if it does not cause discomfort or other negative symptoms. Otherwise, they 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?
| Signature | Norm | Deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Time of appearance, frequency | Before, during or after sex, during arousal | Despite intimacy, after sleeping, after urinating, defecation, sometimes continuous drop |
| smell | Characteristic (egg white or chestnut) or odorless | Rotten, sour, fruit, fish, etc. b. |
| Color, consistency | Clear or white, the consistency is often similar to crude protein, sometimes sticky and viscous. | Clotted blood, mixed with pus, thick, white, green, brown. It can be obvious in the case of a viral disease |
| Additional symptoms | Are not | Itching, burning, redness, pain |
When is penile discharge normal?
A healthy adult male does not have heavy discharge at rest. However, in some cases this is the norm:
- Precum. Upon awakening, a sticky, colorless substance is released - a lubricant to create a favorable environment for the normal transport of sperm. Doctors suspect that there is a problem if there are complaints of excessive ejaculation with low sexual arousal.
- Ejaculation. We are not talking about ejaculation as an adequate finale of intercourse, but about the residue that sometimes comes out after intercourse. It is usually a drop or two of a white or colorless liquid.
- Ejaculation during wet dreams. This is involuntary ejaculation due to sexual overstimulation and increased testosterone. It often appears in dreams.
- Smegma is a secretion of the glands located in the area of the foreskin.. Acts as a protective fluid and lubricant for the head of the penis. Thanks to it, it does not dry out, does not swell and does not hurt. The amount of smegma is small and almost invisible in underwear. However, with hormonal changes, it increases, if the imbalance is not associated with pathology, this is also normal.
Smegma may enter the urethra in large quantities, where it accumulates and forms crusted crusts similar to those seen in thrush. This is conventionally considered the norm: if sufficient hygiene is observed, the problem will disappear.
When is discharge a sign of illness?
If a man notices an unnatural discharge from his penis, he should consult a doctor. Without medical knowledge and diagnostic equipment, it is difficult to diagnose the disease on your own.
The most common pathologies associated with the formation or change of the fluid secreted from the penis are STDs, inflammatory processes, and disorders of the muscle structures and the central nervous system.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexually transmitted infections are initially asymptomatic, the incubation period lasts from 7 to 21 days, sometimes up to 6 months. Discharge occurs after 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 lack of reasons for the natural appearance of fluid. Further pathologies lead to a change in the color and consistency of the excretory fluid - it becomes clear, slimy, reminiscent of pus.
Gonorrhea is characterized by a foul-smelling green or brown substance. Accompanied by severe pain and itching.
Hepatitis often causes a small amount of fluid to leak out, which settles on the head of the penis, and when it dries, it forms a white coating. A characteristic additional symptom is cloudy and cloudy urine.
Candidiasis is accompanied by the formation of mysterious clots, but their number is much smaller than in the case of "thrush" in women. There is itching, burning, redness of the head.
With trichomoniasis, frequent urination is accompanied by long, clear mucus, pain and itching. The urethra is swollen, red and inflamed.
Inflammatory processes
Genital discharge pathologies are not always sexually transmitted. Sometimes the problem occurs against the background of an infection that occurs after tactile contact or is spread by airborne droplets.
A large number of bacteria, viruses and fungi cause an inflammatory reaction. Abnormal discharge occurs due to inflammation of the urethra, spermatic cords, testicular 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 immediately cause the formation of pus: the mucus has an unpleasant smell and color.
Changes in sperm quantity and quality
If the sperms are released without prior stimulation and then without orgasm, this is a pathology. Doctors diagnose spermatozoa. Causes include muscle damage and central nervous system problems. It usually occurs in old age or with prostatitis, prostate adenoma.
Blood discharge - hematospermia, occurs in malignant tumors of the urethra, cancer of the penis, trauma. Sometimes it is the result of a stone passing through the urinary tract.
Diagnostics
Urologists listen to the patient's complaints and after collecting the anamnesis, examine the genitals. In this case, specialists receive prostate juice through rectal massage. Additional laboratory studies are required:
- Blood analysis;
- secretion of the prostate gland;
- urinalysis;
- Sperm.
It is important to evaluate the discharge itself. For this, they are subjected to microscopic examination. This method makes it possible to identify the main source of the problem - bacteria, viruses, fungi.
After that, doctors proceed to instrumental diagnostics:
- Ultrasound of pelvic organs, penis, uterus;
- dopplerography;
- Radiography;
- MRI;
- CT;
- cystoscopy;
- urethroscopy;
- Scintigraphy.
If new tumors are found during the examination, the diagnosticians will perform a puncture.
To treat
Treatment depends on the diagnosis. First of all, doctors prescribe appropriate drugs to eliminate pathogenic microflora:
- antibiotics;
- anti-virus;
- Antifungal.
Urologists prescribe medications mostly orally, sometimes requiring intravenous or intramuscular injections.
In addition, a course of antihistamines and pain relievers is required to relieve symptoms. Topical medications - anti-itch creams, gels, ointments - can help relieve itching.
Patients are prescribed sedatives, pain relievers, or anti-inflammatory medications and sitz baths. Washing after each urination helps prevent the spread of infection.
If the problem is a disorder of the central nervous system or an endocrine pathology, doctors involve highly specialized specialists.
Complementary therapies
Problems of the genitourinary system should be treated comprehensively. In addition to drugs, doctors choose:
- Rectal prostate massage;
- Therapeutic massage of the lower back;
- exercise therapy;
- Physiotherapy;
- Reflexology.
Such procedures restore the natural metabolism and prevent stagnation. The urologist prescribes a special diet that improves men's health. It is necessary to take vitamin complexes: C, E, A, B vitamins.
Prevention
In most cases, the cause of discharge from the penis is sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, the most effective preventive measures are careful selection of sexual partners and the use of contraceptive methods.
Urologists also recommend following a number of rules:
- Lead an active lifestyle.
- Take care of your health and get a preventive checkup.
- Timely treatment of pathologies.
- Wear loose underwear and pants.
- Avoid changing sexual partners too often.
- Watch your diet. Diet should include vitamins, micro and macro elements necessary for a man: selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium.