Allocations in men: norm or pathology?

Discharge from a man's penis can tell about his male health, the presence of diseases of the genitourinary system. Often the discharge is the only or one of the symptoms of a serious illness, so he should be very careful with them, watch for changes in color, smell, consistency, etc.

Discharge from the male genital organ refers to any discharge from the urethra, sebaceous and skin glands, prostatic duct, and ejaculatory duct. Depending on the nature of their appearance, 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 that, 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 physiologic 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 urethrorrhea excreted may be insignificant or quite abundant. It depends on the period of sexual abstinence, as well as on 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 color.

It is worth noting that in the event that the amount of discharge is 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 in 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, their accumulation is an excellent environment for the development of bacteria, which leads to an inflammatory process. If the fat 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 of the male sexual organ. Semen is usually a mixture of secretion from the gonads and sperm, released during sexual contact or masturbation. Although men also face the involuntary release of sperm, which is called wet dreams. Most often they occur in adolescent children, when puberty arrives or with prolonged withdrawal. Involuntary ejaculation occurs at night or early in the morning, as it is associated with the production of testosterone.

Natural male secretions also include urine, which can be clear, yellow, or light brown in color, and prostatic secretions. The specific smell of spermine will help distinguish prostorrhea. The discharge is thick and whitish in color. A change in the amount of discharge, its color and smell, as well as the appearance of cloudiness or mucus can be the first symptom of prostatitis or cancer.

pathological secretion

The causes of pathological discharge can be very different. These include:

• inflammatory processes, including those caused by the conditionally pathogenic flora itself;
• oncological diseases;
• STDs;
• consequences of operations or injuries.

Also, pathological discharges differ in color. They can be white, gray, yellow, brown and so on. Also, there may be an admixture of blood or pus. The nature of the discharges can be scarce or abundant, they can be distributed constantly or periodically, for example, in the morning or after going to the bathroom, etc.

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 its 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 sexually transmitted diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases are often accompanied by:

1. Transparent mucous secretions, which are viscous. Usually their small number indicates the presence of mycoplasma or ureaplasma urethritis, or the development of chronic chlamydia. Microscopic examination shows a moderate number 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 odor, and are very dense. They also contain an increased number of leukocytes and microscopic particles of the epithelium. The abundance depends on the degree of development of the disease. Other symptoms of gonorrhea are itching and burning, which increase after going to the bathroom, 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 of only discharge.

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. After the end 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, based solely 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 fungi, E. coli, streptococci 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 nongonococcal urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Its characteristic feature is a slight profusion, which can increase between large interruptions in urination. The disease is not characterized by other symptoms (pain, itching) or they are expressed very weakly.
2. Balanoposthitis is accompanied by copious yellow or green mucous secretions, 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 a 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. Thrush or candidiasis caused by the fungus Candida is accompanied by a curdled discharge with a characteristic sour odor. 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 suppress the immune system.
5. Gardnerellosis of the urethra occurs as a result of a violation of the microflora (dysbacteriosis) and is accompanied by sparse discharge of yellow or green color with a characteristic fishy odor.

Secretions 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, etc.

1. Spermatorrhea: sperm that flow spontaneously. 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 usually neurological disease, as well as injuries to the spine. The vas deferens lose their tone and ability to retain sperm.
2. Hematorrhea is a bloody discharge from the urethra. Hematorrhea appears as a result of mechanical damage to the urethra in the process of taking smears, instrumental examination, installation of a catheter, etc. Also, spotting after urinating can indicate kidney stones, a tumor, or another serious condition.
3. Prostatorrhoea - secretion secretion from the prostate. The cause of prostorrhea is the relaxed muscles of the excretory duct of the prostate. 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.

Tests 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 its appearance. An examination by a doctor begins with a detailed examination of the genital area looking 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 palpation of the lymph nodes. The doctor checks if they have increased or not, if they remain mobile or immobile, if there is pain when pressing, etc.

The doctor also examines the nature of the discharge immediately and after 2-3 hours (the patient during this period should refrain from urinating). Diseases of the prostate (adenoma, prostatitis or tumor) help determine the palpation of the prostate gland. In the normal state, both lobes of the prostate are the same size, in the presence of disease, one lobe is larger than the other.

The following clinical studies also help establish the cause of the discharge:

• general blood tests;
• 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, etc. The presence of an inflammatory process associated with an 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 provide the most accurate information about the patient's state of health, it is necessary to prepare for the taking procedure. Before taking a sample, you can not urinate for at least 2 hours, as well as carry out water procedures. Also, 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 an odor 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 immediately admitted to the hospital. In other cases, treatment is done 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 investigation. Self-medication only exacerbates the problem and can lead to the development of complications. If you are worried about the health of your men, if an unusual discharge appears, do not postpone a visit to the urologist.