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 discharge is the only or one of the symptoms of a serious illness, so you need to pay close attention, observe changes in color, smell, texture, and so on.

Discharge from the male genital organ refers to all discharge from the urethra, sebaceous and skin glands, prostate duct, and ejaculatory duct. Depending on the nature of their occurrence, 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 another organ of the genitourinary system.

Everything is normal: physiological discharge

There are three types of physiological secretions that, in one way or another, are released from the penis and do not indicate the presence of disease:

• urethrorrhea;
• smegma;
• semen

urethrorrhea

In most cases, the clear discharge in men is libidinal or physiological 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 the sperm.

The amount of urethrorrhea excreted can 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 its color.

It is worth noting that in the event that the amount of discharge has become 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 the glands located on the foreskin. The purpose of the secret is to reduce the friction between the head of the penis and the foreskin. Smegma is constantly released. During puberty, it can be more, with 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, its 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), it begins to disintegrate and rot. From this, it changes color from white-transparent to yellow or green. There is an unpleasant smell.

Semen

Sperm refers to the physiological secretions of the male sexual organ. Semen is usually a mixture of gonadal and sperm secretion released during sexual contact or masturbation. Although men also face the involuntary release of semen, which is called wet dreams. Most often they occur in adolescent boys, when puberty occurs or with prolonged abstinence. Involuntary ejaculation occurs at night or early in the morning, as it is associated with testosterone production.

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

Pathological discharge

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

• inflammatory processes, including those caused by their own conditionally pathogenic flora;
• oncological diseases;
• sexually transmitted diseases;
• consequences of operations or injuries.

In addition, pathological discharges differ in color. They can be white, gray, yellow, brown and so on. Also, there may be a mixture of blood or pus. The nature of the drains can be scarce or abundant, they can be assigned constantly or periodically, for example, in the morning or after going to the toilet, and so on.

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 secretion. If you notice any changes in their color, abundance, smell or the presence of a mixture 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 mycoplasmic or ureaplasmic urethritis or the development of chronic chlamydia. Microscopic examination shows a moderate amount 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 attaches 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 smell 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 the same time. 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 from discharge alone.

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. At 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 say, based on the nature of the discharge alone.

Secretion associated with non-venereal inflammation

In the body of each person, the so-called conditionally pathogenic flora is constantly present, for example, Candida fungus, E. coli, streptococcus and others. It usually does not make itself felt, but under certain conditions (hypothermia, stress, weakened immune system) it can provoke 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 non-gonococcal urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Their characteristic is a slight profusion, which can increase between major interruptions in urination. The disease is not characterized by other symptoms (pain, itching) or they are very weakly expressed.
2. Balanoposthitis is accompanied by abundant mucous secretions of yellow or green color, sometimes with pus. Symptoms of inflammation of the foreskin are its severe redness, as well as pain and redness of the head of the penis.
3. The appearance of prostatitis is characterized by cloudy secretions after urination. During the period of the acute form of the disease, the discharge becomes very abundant, and when it passes to the chronic form it changes color to whitish and decreases in quantity.
4. Candidiasis or thrush caused by the Candida fungus is accompanied by a curdled discharge with a characteristic acrid 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 depress the immune system.
5. Gardnerellosis of the urethra occurs as a result of a violation of the microflora (dysbacteriosis) and is accompanied by scanty secretions of yellow or green color with a characteristic fishy smell.

Discharges 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, and so on.

1. Spermatorrea - sperm that flows 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 are very often neurological diseases and spinal injuries. The vas deferens lose their tone and the ability to hold sperm.
2. Hematorea is a bloody discharge from the urethra. Hematorea appears as a result of mechanical damage to the urethra during the process of smear, instrumental examination, installation of a catheter, and so on. Also, spotting after urination can indicate kidney stones, a tumor, or another serious condition.
3. Prostatorrea - secretion of the secretion of the prostate. The cause of prostorrhea is the relaxed muscles of the excretory duct of the prostate gland. A similar phenomenon often accompanies prostatitis or adenoma.
4. Brown discharge with or without mucus can indicate cancer of the prostate, bladder, penis, or urethra. The discharge may contain blood clots or pus.

Tests to help determine the cause of discharge

The appearance of pathological secretions can 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 must undergo a series of studies that will help determine the cause of their appearance. An examination by a doctor begins with a detailed examination of the genital area 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 the palpation of the lymph nodes. The doctor checks if they are increased or not, if they remain mobile or immobile, if pain appears when they are pressed and so on.

The doctor also examines the nature of the discharge immediately and after 2-3 hours (the patient during this period must 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 a disease one lobe is larger than the other.

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

• general blood test;
• detailed urinalysis;
• blood glucose 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 diagnosis. This study allows not only to establish the pathogen, but also the prescription of the disease, its course, and so on. The presence of an inflammatory process associated with infection is indicated by an increase in the number of leukocytes. The norm considers no more than 4 leukocytes in the visual field.

In order for the smear to provide the most truthful information about the patient's state of health, it is necessary to prepare for the intake procedure. Before taking a smear, you can not urinate for at least 2 hours, as well as perform 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 should be completed 2 weeks before the study.

If the discharge in men with a smell is abundant or other symptoms of the disease are observed, the doctor may prescribe:

• Ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder or prostate
• computed tomography;
• urography.

The doctor can only make a diagnosis of cancer after the results of a biopsy.

If a patient seeks help with profuse spotting, he is immediately hospitalized. In other cases, the treatment is carried out after establishing the cause of the discharge.

Discharge from the male genital organ can be a symptom of a serious disease. But remember that only a doctor can determine the cause of this unpleasant phenomenon during a personal examination and research. Self-medication only aggravates the problem and can lead to the development of complications. If you are worried about the health of your men, if unusual discharge appears, do not postpone a visit to the urologist.