Discharge from the genitourinary tract is mainly detected by men during or after urination. You must be able to distinguish between normal physiological discharge and pathological discharge, which are often the first signs of disease of the genitourinary system. The nature of the discharge allows us to establish the etiology of the disease and make a preliminary diagnosis.
Types of pathological discharge in men
Pathological discharge is caused by diseases of the genitourinary canal and organs adjacent to it. Pathological factors, characterized by various etiologies, cause damage to the urinary system, which leads to the appearance of discharge. This process is called leukocyte urethria (urethritis). Pathological factors can be infectious, chemical or mechanical in nature.
Mucous purulent discharge
- Such discharge consists of serous exudate, urogenital mucus and a small number of leukocytes. They have the appearance of a translucent milky white liquid.
- Such discharge can serve as a signal of trichomoniasis, chlamydia and ureaplasmosis. These diseases are rarely accompanied by pain, soreness and itching. Basically, their manifestation is limited to mucopurulent discharge after the completion of urination.
Purulent discharge
- Their appearance is considered a symptom of infectious urethritis. Purulent discharge consists of cells of the damaged epithelium of the genitourinary canal and urethral mucus. They have an increased concentration of leukocytes. Purulent discharge looks like a thick liquid that is completely yellow or slightly green.
- Often such discharge comes with pain, pain, itching, burning when urinating, and is usually profuse. Mostly they are symptoms of trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.
White discharge
If white discharge appears, a man should pay attention to its consistency.
White discharge with a cheesy consistency. Basically, such discharge indicates male candidiasis (thrush), and is rare. The cause of candidiasis can be a course of chemotherapy or antibiotic treatment, as well as a decrease in immunity; it is not sexually transmitted.White discharge with a foamy consistency. Such discharge is often a sign of trichomoniasis, and may also indicate 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 must consult a urologist. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose the disease and choose the treatment, self-diagnosis is useless. To accurately determine the cause of the discharge, samples are usually taken for culture on nutrient media and bacteriological studies. Additional diagnostic tools depend on which disease is suspected; this could be urography, CT, ultrasound.
treatment
The treatment program depends on the symptoms of which disease the discharge of the man is.
std. In this case, both partners must be treated. As a rule, this is antibacterial therapy, cleverly combined with immunomodulatory drugs. Sometimes local treatment is also added (physiotherapy, prostate massage, installation of a drug in the urethra), as well as a special diet. The specific program depends on the type of STD.Thrush. Male candidiasis is eliminated in most cases by local treatment, but in advanced cases, general medication is required. In addition, it is necessary to take medicines that strengthen the patient's immunity and a special diet.
Discharge of the penis
Discharge from the penis is considered normal if it does not cause discomfort or other negative signs. Otherwise, there 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?
| Sign | Norm | Deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Time of appearance, frequency | Before, during or after intercourse, during recovery | Regardless of intimacy, after sleep, after urination, defecation, sometimes constantly turning |
| Smell | Characteristic (egg white or chestnut) or odorless | Putrid, sour, fetid, fishy, etc. |
| Color, consistency | Transparent or whitish, the consistency often resembles a red protein, sometimes sticky, viscous | Curdled, thick, white, greenish, brown, alternating with blood clots and pus. Can be transparent in the case of a viral disease |
| Additional symptoms | No | Itching, burning, redness, pain |
When is the discharge of the penis normal?
A healthy adult man does not have a strong discharge of any kind at rest. However, in some situations this is the norm:
- Precum. When it is awakened, a sticky, colored substance is released - a lubricant to create a favorable environment that promotes the normal transport of sperm. Doctors will suspect a problem if there are complaints about a large amount of pre-ejaculate with low sexual arousal.
- to ejaculate. We are not talking about ejaculation in the form of an adequate finale of intercourse, but about the remains that sometimes come out after intimacy. Usually this is a few drops of a whitish or colorless liquid.
- Ejaculate during wet dreams. It is an involuntary ejaculation due to sexual overstimulation and an increased amount of testosterone. Often happens in a dream.
- Smegma is the secretion of glands located near the petals of the vagina.. Serves as a protective fluid and lubricant for the head of the penis. It doesn't dry out, it doesn't get inflamed and it doesn't hurt. The amount of smegma is small, almost invisible on underwear. However, with hormonal changes it increases, if the imbalance is not associated with pathology, this is also normal.
Smegma in large quantities can enter the urethra, where it accumulates and "disappears", forming crossed flakes, as with thrush. This is also considered a conditional norm: if sufficient hygiene is observed, the problem disappears.
When is discharge a symptom of an illness?
If a man notices unnatural discharge from the penis, he should consult a doctor. It is difficult to determine the disease independently without medical training and diagnostic equipment.
The most common pathologies associated with the appearance or change of the fluid secreted from the penis are STDs, inflammatory processes and disorders in the functioning of muscle structures and the central nervous system.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexual infections are initially asymptomatic, the incubation period is from 7 to 21 days, sometimes 6 months. Discharge appears if you are infected with the following diseases:
- hepatitis;
- HIV;
- gonorrhea;
- chlamydia;
- Trichomoniasis;
- candidiasis;
- ureaplasmosis;
- human papilloma virus;
- Mycoplasmosis;
- AIDS.
Chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis first cause clear, viscous discharge. The only sign of pathology is the absence of reasons for the natural appearance of fluid. Further pathologies lead to a change in the color and consistency of the secreted liquid - it becomes translucent, slimy, reminiscent of pus.
Gonorrhea is characterized by foul-smelling green or brown substances. Accompanied by severe pain and itching.
Hepatitis often causes a small volume of fluid to leak out; it settles on the head of the penis, and when it dries, a white coating forms. A characteristic additional symptom is cloudiness and darkening of the urine.
Candidiasis is accompanied by the appearance of cheesy clots, but there are significantly fewer of them than in the case of female "thrush". There is itching, burning and redness of the head.
With trichomoniasis, stretchy, translucent mucus, pain and itching appear with frequent urination. The urethra swells, the surrounding area becomes red and inflamed.
Inflammatory processes
Pathologies that cause the discharge of the penis are not always sexually transmitted. Sometimes the problem occurs against the background of the spread of an infection that occurs after tactile contact or is transmitted by airborne droplets.
Bacteria, viruses and fungi in large quantities cause an inflammatory reaction. Abnormal discharge appears due to inflammation of the urethra, spermatic cord, spermatic tuberculosis, prostate gland, foreskin and other elements of the reproductive system.
The type of discharge depends on the microorganism that caused the disease. For example, bacteria almost immediately provoke the appearance of pus: the mucus is unpleasant and has an unpleasant color.
Changes in sperm volume and quality
If the sperm flows without prior arousal and subsequent orgasm, this is a pathology. Doctors diagnose spermatorrhea. The reasons lie in muscle disorders and problems of the central nervous system. More often occurs in old age or with advanced prostatitis, prostate adenoma.
Discharge with blood - hematospermia, appears with malignant neoplasms in the urethra, penile cancer, trauma. Sometimes the result of stones through the urinary tract.
Diagnostics
Urologists, after hearing the patient's complaints and collecting the anamnesis, examine the genitals. In this case, specialists simultaneously take prostate juice through rectal massage. Further laboratory tests are required:
- blood analysis;
- Prostate secretion;
- analysis of urine;
- Sperm.
It is important to evaluate the discharge itself. To do this, they are subjected to a microscopic examination. This method allows you to identify the main source of the problem - bacteria, viruses, fungi.
Next, the doctors go to instrumental diagnostics:
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, penis, scrotum;
- Dopplerography;
- Radiography;
- MRI;
- CT;
- Cystoscopy;
- Urethroscopy;
- Scintigraphy.
If neoplasms are found during the examination, the puncture diagnoses.
treatment
Treatment methods depend on the diagnosis. First of all, doctors prescribe drugs that are suitable for the elimination of pathogenic microflora:
- antibiotics;
- antiviral;
- Antifungal.
Urologists prescribe drugs mainly orally, sometimes requiring intravenous or intramuscular administration of drugs.
In addition, a course of antihistamines and painkillers is required to relieve the symptoms. Local medicines - antipruritic creams, gels, ointments - help to get rid of itching.
Patients are shown sitz baths with sedatives, pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Washing after each urination helps prevent the spread of infection.
If the problem lies in disorders of the central nervous system or endocrinological pathologies, the doctors involve highly specialized specialists.
Additional therapies
Problems of the genitourinary system should be treated comprehensively. In addition to medication, doctors choose:
- Rectal prostate massage;
- Therapeutic massages of the lumbar region;
- exercise therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- Reflexology.
Such procedures restore the natural metabolism and prevent stagnation. The urologist prescribes a special diet that helps to strengthen men's health. It is necessary to take vitamin complexes: vitamins C, E, A, group B.
prevention
In most cases, the cause of the discharge of the penis is sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, the most effective preventive measure is a careful selection of a sexual partner and the use of barrier contraception.
Urologists also advise to follow a number of rules:
- To live an active lifestyle.
- Monitor your own health and do preventive examinations.
- Treat pathologies in a timely manner.
- Wear loose underwear and pants.
- Avoid frequent changes of sexual partners.
- Watch your diet. The diet should contain vitamins, micro and macro elements necessary for a man: selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium.