Allocations in men: the norm or pathology?

Discharge from the penis of a man can give information about men's health, the presence of diseases of the genitourinary system. Usually, discharge is one or only one of the symptoms of a serious illness, so you should pay close attention to them, color, odor, consistency, etc. You must observe the changes.

Discharge from the male genital organ refers to all discharges from the urethra, sebaceous and skin glands, prostate duct and ejaculate duct. Depending on the nature of their formation, they are divided into physiological and pathological. The latter occurs 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, which to some extent are released from the penis and do not indicate the presence of diseases:

• urethra;
• smegma;
• sperm

urethra

In most cases, clear discharge in men is libidinal or physiological urethrorhea. This is the secret of a transparent color secreted by the urethral glands. Usually, at the moment of stimulation, a secret flows from the urethra. The purpose of the secret is to lubricate the channels prior to sperm passage.

The amount of expelled urethrhea may be insignificant or quite large. It depends on the period of sexual abstinence and the individual characteristics of the man. After staying away from sexual contact for a long time, a small amount of sperm that will change its color may be released along with the urethra.

It is worth noting that if the amount of discharge is more than normal, it is necessary to consult a doctor, as 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 the friction between the head of the penis and the foreskin. Smegma is constantly released. In adolescence, it can be more, in old age - less.

Smegma consists of oil and bacteria. It accumulates under the inner leaf of the foreskin. Subject to daily hygiene procedures, the glaze is easily washed off. Otherwise, it is an excellent environment for the development of bacteria, the accumulation of which leads to the inflammatory process. If the grease is not washed off on time (this must be done at least once a day), it will begin to crumble 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 genitalia. Usually, semen is a mixture of secretions from the gonads and sperm that are released during sexual contact or masturbation. Although men also face the involuntary release of sperm called wet dreams. They occur most often 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 include urine, which can be clear, yellow, or light brown in color, and prostate secretion. The smell of the specific sperm will help distinguish prostorrhea. The discharge is thick and whitish in color. A change in the amount, color and odor of the discharge, as well as the appearance of turbidity or mucus, may be the first sign of prostatitis or cancer.

pathological discharge

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

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

Also, the color of pathological discharges is different. White, Grey, Yellow, Brown etc. they may be. In addition, there may be a mixture of blood or pus. The nature of the discharge can be scarce or abundant, they can be allocated constantly or periodically, for example, in the morning or after going to the toilet.

Different diseases often have similar secretions, but at the same time, one disease can manifest itself differently in different representatives of the stronger sex. It is impossible to self-diagnose the disease with secretions. If you notice any change in color, abundance, smell or the presence of mucus, blood or pus mixture, you should definitely go to a doctor and have the necessary tests done.

Discharge from the penis associated with STDs

Sexually transmitted diseases are most often accompanied by:

1. Mucous transparent secretions that are viscous. Usually their small number indicates the presence of mycoplasmal or ureaplasmic urethritis or the development of chronic chlamydia. Microscopic examination shows a moderate level 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 odor of rot 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 increased itching and burning 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, the nature and amount of discharge can vary significantly, therefore, it is impossible to diagnose the disease without clinical studies only from discharge.

Self-diagnosis and subsequent self-treatment of STDs with antibiotics leads to the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease, but the cause remains. After the completion 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 it, relying only on the nature of the discharge.

Discharge associated with non-venereal inflammation

In the body of every person, the so-called conditionally pathogenic flora is constantly present, for example, the fungus Candida, E. coli, streptococcus and others. It usually 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 non-gonococcal urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Their characteristic feature is a slight profuseness, which can increase between major urination interruptions. The disease is not characterized by other symptoms (pain, itching) or is very weakly expressed.
2. Balanoposthitis is accompanied by copious secretions of mucus of yellow or green color, sometimes with pus. Signs of inflammation of the foreskin are pain and redness of the head of the penis, as well as its strong redness.
3. The appearance of prostatitis is characterized by cloudy discharge after urination. In the acute form of the disease, the discharge is very abundant, and when it passes into the chronic form, its color becomes whitish and its amount decreases.
4. Candidiasis, or thrush, caused by the fungus Candida, is accompanied by a curdled discharge with a pronounced sour odor. There is redness on the head and foreskin, there may be pain or itching. The causes of candidiasis are the use of antibiotics, chemotherapy or radio wave therapy, 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 odor.

Discharges not associated with the inflammatory process

Discharges that are not accompanied by the inflammatory process are extremely rare in the stronger sex. The cause of such secretions can be mechanical damage, diseases of the nervous system, oncology, etc.

1. Spermatorrhea - spontaneously flowing sperm. The appearance of such secretions is in no way associated with sexual intercourse or masturbation. Semen flow is not accompanied by orgasm. The cause of this phenomenon is most often spinal injuries, as well as neurological diseases. The vas deferens lose their tone and ability to retain sperm.
2. Hematorrhea is bloody discharge from the urethra. Hematorrhea, smear taking, instrumental examination, catheter insertion, etc. It occurs as a result of mechanical damage to the urethra in processes. Additionally, spotting after urination may indicate kidney stones, a tumor, or another serious condition.
3. Prostatorrhea - secretion of prostate secretion. 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 may indicate cancer of the prostate, bladder, penis, or urethra. The discharge may contain blood clots or pus.

Inspections to help determine the reason for eviction

The appearance of pathological discharge can be associated with various diseases. Only a qualified doctor can determine the true cause of evacuation and prescribe the correct treatment.

A patient with complaints of discharge from the penis needs to undergo a series of studies that will help determine the cause of their appearance. The examination by a doctor begins with a detailed examination of the genital area for rash, redness and other visible symptoms. Most often, the discharge remains in the underwear, which the doctor also carefully examines.

One of the mandatory stages of the examination is palpation of the lymph nodes. The doctor will check whether they increase, whether they are mobile or immobile, whether there is pain when pressed, etc. checks.

The doctor also examines the nature of the discharge immediately and after 2-3 hours (the patient should refrain from urinating during this period). Prostate diseases (adenoma, prostatitis or tumor) helps to determine the palpation of the prostate gland. In normal condition, 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 determine the cause of discharge:

• general blood analysis;
• detailed urinalysis;
• blood sugar test (done in the morning on an empty stomach);
• contamination from the urethra;
• urethral secretion culture.

In the case of an infectious disease, the smear plays an important role in making the diagnosis. This study includes not only the pathogen, but also the prescription of the disease, its course, etc. The presence of an inflammatory process associated with infection is indicated by an increased number of leukocytes. The norm does not take into account more than 4 leukocytes in the field of view.

In order for the smear to give the most accurate information about the patient's health status, preparation for the purchase process is required. Before taking the smear, you can not urinate for at least 2 hours, as well as performing water procedures. In addition, it is necessary to stop local treatment with antibiotics or other drugs for three days. 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 copious or other signs of the disease appear, the doctor may prescribe:

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

The doctor can only diagnose cancer after the biopsy results.

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

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