Assignment of men: norm or pathology?

The discharge from a man's penis can tell about a man's state of health, the presence of diseases of the urogenital system. Discharge is often the only or one of the symptoms of a serious illness, so you have to be very careful with them, you have to pay attention to the color, smell, texture, etc. changes.

Male genital secretions refer to all secretions from the urethra, sebaceous glands and skin glands, the prostate duct and the ejaculatory duct. Depending on the nature of their occurrence, they can be divided into physiological and pathological groups. The latter occur as a result of the development of infectious, inflammatory or other diseases of the prostate, bladder or other organs of the urogenital system.

Everything is normal: physiological discharge

There are three types of physiological secretions that are released from the penis to a certain extent and do not indicate the presence of diseases:

• urethrorhoea;
• smegma;
• semen

urethrorhoea

In most cases, clear discharge in men is libidinal or physiological urethrorhoea. This is the secret of the transparent color, which is secreted by the urethral glands. Secretion oozes from the urethra, usually during excitement. The purpose of the secret is to lubricate the channels before the sperms pass through.

The amount of secreted urethrorhoea can be insignificant or quite abundant. It depends on the period of sexual abstinence and the individual characteristics of the man. After prolonged abstinence from sexual contact, a small amount of sperm can be released along with urethrorhoea, which changes its color.

It is worth noting that if the amount of secretion is greater than usual, you should consult a doctor, as this phenomenon may indicate the development of the disease.

Smegma

Smegma, also known as preputial ointment, is secreted by glands located on 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, in old age - less.

Smegma consists of fat and bacteria. It accumulates under the inner leaf of the foreskin. In addition to following daily hygiene procedures, the secret can be 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 will fall apart and begin to rot. This changes its color from white to transparent to yellow or green. It has an unpleasant smell.

Semen

Sperm refers to the physiological secretion of the male genital organ. Semen is usually a mixture of secretions from the gonads and sperm that is released during sexual intercourse or masturbation. Although men also face the involuntary release of sperm, which is called wet dreams. They occur most often in adolescent boys, during puberty or during prolonged abstinence. Involuntary ejaculation occurs at night or early in the morning due to the production of testosterone.

Natural male secretions also include urine, the color of which can be transparent, yellow or light brown, as well as prostate secretions. The specific smell of spermine helps distinguish prostrorrhea. The discharge is thick and whitish. A change in the amount, color and smell of secretions, as well as cloudiness or the appearance of a mucous membrane, can be the first symptoms of prostatitis or cancer.

Pathological discharge

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

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

In addition, the color of pathological secretions differs. They can be white, gray, yellow, brown and so on. In addition, mixing of blood or pus may occur. The nature of discharge can be sparse or abundant, continuous or intermittent, 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 ways in different representatives of the stronger sex. Self-diagnosis of the disease based on secretions is impossible. If you notice any changes in their color, abundance, or smell, or if you notice a mixture of mucus, blood, or pus, be sure to see a doctor and get the necessary tests done.

Discharge from the penis associated with STDs

Sexually transmitted diseases are most often accompanied by:

1. Mucous membrane is a transparent secretion that is 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. Mucous purulent discharge, transparent or white in color, occurs in 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 smell and are very thick. 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 a burning sensation that increases after going to the toilet, pain and discomfort in the genital area.

Sexually transmitted diseases are characterized by the fact that several infections become their causative agent at the same time. In this case, the course of the disease, as well as the nature and quantity of the discharge, can change significantly, so it is not possible to diagnose the disease without clinical tests based on the discharge alone.

Self-diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases and subsequent self-treatment with antibiotics leads to the fact that the symptoms of the disease disappear, but the cause remains. After the end of the course, the disease attacks with renewed force, so you should not start the disease and self-medicate. The appointment of effective treatment depends on the correct diagnosis. And it's impossible to tell based on the nature of the release alone.

Discharge associated with non-genital inflammation

The so-called conditionally pathogenic flora, such as Candida fungus, E. coli, streptococcus and others, is constantly present in the body of every person. 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 urogenital system, which are caused by your own flora, are also accompanied by secretions:

1. Mucous purulent discharge often accompanies non-gonococcal urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Their characteristic feature is a slight abundance, which may increase between large interruptions of urination. Other symptoms (pain, itching) are not characteristic of the disease or are very weakly expressed.
2. Balanoposthitis is accompanied by abundant yellow or green mucous discharge, sometimes with pus. The symptoms of inflammation of the foreskin are severe redness of the skin and pain and redness of the head of the penis.
3. The appearance of prostatitis is characterized by cloudy discharge after urination. In the period of the acute form of the disease, the discharge becomes very abundant, in the chronic form, it turns whitish and decreases in quantity.
4. Candidiasis or thrush caused by the Candida fungus is accompanied by colostrum with a characteristic sour smell. The head and foreskin become red, pain or itching may occur. The causes of candidiasis are antibiotics, chemotherapy or radio wave treatment, as well as other factors that suppress the immune system.
5. Gardnerellosis of the urethra develops as a result of a violation of the microflora (dysbacteriosis) and is accompanied by a small amount of yellow or green discharge with a characteristic fishy smell.

Discharges not related to the inflammatory process

Discharges that do not accompany the inflammatory process are extremely rare in the stronger sex. The causes of such discharge are mechanical injuries, nervous system diseases, oncology, etc.

1. Spermatorrhoea - spontaneous flow of sperm. The appearance of such secretions is in no way associated with sexual intercourse or masturbation. The flow of sperm is not accompanied by an orgasm. The cause of this phenomenon is most often neurological diseases and spinal injuries. The vas deferens loses its tone and ability to retain sperm.
2. Hematorrhea is bloody discharge from the urethra. Haematorrhoea occurs as a result of mechanical damage to the urethra during swabbing, instrumental examination, catheter installation, and so on. In addition, spotting after urination can indicate a kidney stone, tumor, or other serious condition.
3. Prostatorrhea - secretion of secretions from the prostate. Prostorrhea is caused by 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 prostate, bladder, penile, or urethral cancer. Discharge may contain blood clots or pus.

Tests that help determine the cause of discharge

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

A patient complaining of penile discharge should undergo a series of tests to 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 discharge remains on the underwear, which the doctor carefully examines.

One of the mandatory stages of the examination is the palpation of the lymph nodes. The doctor will check whether they are enlarged or not, whether they are mobile or remain stationary, whether there is pain on pressure, etc.

The doctor 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) help to determine the palpation of the prostate gland. In a normal state, both lobes of the prostate are the same size, but in the presence of disease, one lobe is larger than the other.

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

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

In the case of an infectious disease, the smear plays a key role in establishing the diagnosis. This study makes it possible not only to determine the causative agent, but also to prescribe the course of the disease 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 a maximum of 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 admission procedure. You must not urinate or perform water treatment for at least 2 hours before applying the ointment. In addition, local treatment with antibiotics or other drugs should be stopped for three days. Treatment with oral antibiotics or injections should be stopped 2 weeks before the test.

If the secretions of men with a smell are abundant or other symptoms of the disease are detected, the doctor may prescribe:

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

A doctor can only diagnose cancer after the biopsy results.

If the patient asks for help because of severe spotting, he is immediately taken to the hospital. In other cases, the treatment is carried out after determining the cause of the discharge.

Discharge from the male genital organ can be a symptom of a serious illness. But remember that the cause of this unpleasant phenomenon can only be determined by a doctor during a personal examination and research. Self-medication only aggravates the problem and can lead to complications. If you are concerned about men's health, if unusual secretions appear, do not postpone a visit to the urologist.