Distributions 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 be very attentive to them, watch for changes in color, smell, consistency, etc.

Male genital secretion refers to any secretion 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 other organ of the genitourinary system.

Everything is normal: physiological secretion

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 libidinous or physiological urethrorhoea. This is the secret of the transparent color that is secreted by the urethral glands. A discharge oozes from the urethra, usually during arousal. The purpose of the secretion is to lubricate the ducts before the passage of the sperm.

The amount of urethrorhoea 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 urethrorhoea, a small amount of semen may be released, which will change 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 glands located on the foreskin. The purpose of the secretion is to reduce the friction between the head of the penis and the foreskin. Smegma is constantly released. During puberty it can be more, in old age - less.

Smegma consists of fat and bacteria. It accumulates under the inner sheet of the foreskin. With 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), then it begins to break down and rot. From this it changes its color from white-transparent to yellow or green. An unpleasant smell is felt.

sperm

Semen refers to the physiological secretions from the male genital organ. Normally, semen is a mixture of gonadal secretions and sperm released during intercourse or masturbation. Although men also experience involuntary release of semen, which is called wet dreams. They are most common in adolescent boys, when puberty occurs or during prolonged abstinence. Involuntary ejaculation occurs at night or early in the morning as it is related to the production of testosterone.

Natural male secretions also include urine, the color of which can be clear, yellow or light brown, as well as prostate secretion. The specific smell of spermine will help to distinguish the protea. The secretion is thick and whitish in color. A change in the amount of secretions, 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 reasons for pathological discharge can be very different. They include:

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

Also, pathological discharges differ in color. They can be white, gray, yellow, brown, etc. In addition, there may be an admixture of blood or pus. The nature of discharge can be scanty or abundant, they can be released constantly or periodically, for example, in the morning or after going to the toilet, 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. Self-diagnosis of the disease through secretions is impossible. If you notice changes in their color, abundance, smell, or the presence of an admixture of mucus, blood, or pus, you should definitely visit a doctor and undergo the necessary tests.

Penile discharge associated with sexually transmitted diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases are most often accompanied by:

1. Mucous transparent secretions that 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 amount of leukocytes.
2. Mucopurulent secretion of transparent or white color appears in mycoplasmosis or ureaplasmosis. They can also accompany chlamydia. In this case, the discharge adheres 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 epithelial particles. The abundance depends on the degree of development of the disease. Other symptoms of gonorrhea are itching and burning that worsen after going to the toilet, 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 the discharge can change significantly, therefore it is impossible to diagnose the disease without clinical studies only from the 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 completing the course of treatment, the disease attacks with new force, 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 on the nature of the disposal alone.

Discharge associated with non-venereal inflammation

The so-called conditionally pathogenic flora is constantly present in the body of every person, for example Candida fungi, E. coli, streptococci, etc. It is usually not felt, but under certain conditions (hypothermia, stress, weakening of the immune system) it can cause an inflammatory process.

Diseases of the genitourinary system, the cause of which is its own flora, are also accompanied by secretions:

1. Muco-purulent discharge often accompanies non-gonococcal urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Their characteristic feature is a slightly profuse urination, which can increase between large interruptions of 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 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 acute form of the disease, the discharge becomes very abundant, and when it passes into a chronic form, it changes its color to whitish and decreases in quantity.
4. Candidiasis or thrush, caused by the Candida fungus, is accompanied by a fresh discharge with a characteristic sour smell. 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 scanty secretions of yellow or green color with a characteristic fishy smell.

Discharges that are not related to the inflammatory process

Discharges that do not accompany the inflammatory process are extremely rare in the stronger sex. The cause of such secretions is mechanical damage, diseases of the nervous system, oncology, etc.

1. Spermatorrhea - spontaneous discharge of semen. The appearance of such secretions is in no way related to sexual intercourse or masturbation. The flow of seminal fluid is not accompanied by an orgasm. The cause of this phenomenon is most often neurological diseases, as well as spinal injuries. The vas deferens loses its tone and ability to hold sperm.
2. Hematorrhea is bloody discharge from the urethra. Hematorrhea occurs as a result of mechanical damage to the urethra in the process of taking a smear, instrumental examination, installing a catheter, etc. In addition, spotting after urination may indicate kidney stones, a tumor or another serious disease.
3. Prostatorrhea - secretion of the secretion of the prostate. The cause of prostatitis 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 mean cancer of the prostate, bladder, penis, or urethra. The discharge may contain blood clots or pus.

Investigations to determine the cause of the discharge

The appearance of pathological discharge 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 should undergo a series of tests that will help determine the cause of their appearance. The doctor's examination begins with a detailed examination of the genital area for rashes, redness and other visible symptoms. Often the secretion 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 whether they have increased or not, whether they remain mobile or immobile, whether there is pain when pressed, etc.

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

The following clinical tests also help to determine the cause of the discharge:

• general blood analysis;
• detailed analysis of urine;
• blood sugar test (taken in the morning on an empty stomach);
• smear from the urethra;
• urethral discharge culture.

In an infectious disease, the smear plays a key role in making the 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 give the most accurate information about the patient's state of health, it is necessary to prepare for the collection procedure. Before taking a smear, you cannot urinate for at least 2 hours, as well as perform water procedures. In addition, for three days, it is necessary to stop local treatment with antibiotics or other drugs. A course of treatment with oral antibiotics or injections should be completed 2 weeks before the examination.

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

• Ultrasound of kidneys, bladder or prostate;
• CT;
• urography.

A doctor can diagnose 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 carried out after establishing the cause of the discharge.

Male genital discharge 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 examination. Self-medication only worsens the problem and can lead to the development of complications. If you are worried about your man's health, if an unusual discharge appears, do not delay the visit to a urologist.