Secretions from the genital tract are mainly detected by men during or after urination. You need to distinguish between normal physiological secretions and pathological secretions, these are often the first signs of genitourinary system diseases. The nature of the secretions allows us to determine the cause of the disease and make a preliminary diagnosis.
Types of pathological vaginal discharge in men
Pathological discharge is caused by diseases of the genital tract and neighboring organs. Pathological factors, characterized by many different causes, cause damage to the urethra, leading to the appearance of secretions. This process is called urethritis (urethritis). Pathological factors can be infectious, chemical or mechanical.
Mucus discharge
- Such secretions include serous secretions, urogenital mucus, and small numbers of leukocytes. They come in the form 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 manifestations are limited to mucus secretion after urination.
Leakage
- Their appearance is considered a symptom of infectious urethritis. Purulent fluid consists of damaged epithelial cells of the genital tract and urethral mucus. They have increased white blood cell levels. Purulent discharge looks like a thick liquid, completely yellow or slightly green in color.
- Usually, such discharge is accompanied by pain, soreness, itching, burning during urination and is often abundant. Usually they are symptoms of trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.
White discharge
When white discharge appears, men should pay attention to its consistency.
- The white fluid has a viscous smell.Basically, such discharge shows that men have candida infection (thrush) and is very rare. The cause of candidiasis can be chemotherapy or antibiotic treatment, as well as impaired immunity, and the disease is not sexually transmitted.
- White fluid with thick foam.Such discharge often becomes a sign of trichomoniasis and can also indicate the presence of chronic prostatitis. If the cause is prostatitis, the discharge is often accompanied by decreased or lost potency and difficulty urinating.
Diagnose
No matter what the pathological discharge looks like, men must consult a urologist. Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease and choose a treatment method, self-diagnosis is useless. To accurately determine the cause of discharge, samples are often taken to culture on nutrient media and study bacteria. Additional diagnostic tools depend on which disease is suspected; This may be a urinary tract X-ray, CT, ultrasound.
Treatment
The treatment program depends on the symptoms of the disease the man has.
- STD.In this case, both partners must undergo treatment. As a rule, this is antibacterial therapy, wisely combined with immunomodulators. Sometimes local treatments are also added (physical therapy, prostate massage, urethral administration of medications), as well as a special diet. The specific program depends on the type of STD.
- Oral thrush.Candidiasis in men in most cases is eliminated by local treatment, but in severe cases, conventional medications are required. In addition, it is necessary to use drugs to enhance the patient's immunity and a special diet.
Discharge from the penis
Discharge from the penis is considered normal if it does not cause inconvenience or other negative signs. On the other hand, they are symptoms of various sexually transmitted diseases or disorders of the genitourinary system and other structures of the body.
How to distinguish normal condition from pathology?
| Signal | quota | Differrence |
|---|---|---|
| Time of appearance, frequency | Before, during or after sex, while excited | Regardless of having sex, after sleeping, after urinating or defecating, sometimes it drips continuously |
| Odor | Characteristic (egg white or nutty) or odorless | Rotten, sour, foul, fishy, etc. v. |
| Color, consistency | Transparent or slightly white, the consistency is often similar to crude protein, sometimes sticky, viscous. | Lumpy, thick, white, green, brown, mixed with blood clots and pus. Transparency is possible in the case of viral diseases |
| Additional symptoms | ARE NOT | Itching, burning, redness, pain |
When is discharge from the penis normal?
A healthy adult man does not have any strong secretions at rest. However, in some cases this is the norm:
- Precum. When aroused, a sticky, colorless substance is secreted - a lubricant that creates a favorable environment for the normal transport of sperm. Doctors will suspect a problem if there are complaints of high amounts of premature ejaculation and low levels of sexual arousal.
- ejaculate. We are not talking about ejaculation in the form of a full final intercourse, but about the residue that sometimes escapes after intercourse. Usually this is a few drops of white or colorless liquid.
- Ejaculation in wet dreams. It is a phenomenon of unwanted ejaculation due to excessive sexual stimulation and increased testosterone levels. Often happens in dreams.
- Smegma is the secretion of glands located in the petal area of the foreskin.. Serves as a protective and lubricating fluid for the head of the penis. It does not dry out, does not get inflamed and does not hurt thanks to it. The amount of smegma is small, almost invisible on underwear. However, when hormones change, it increases. If the imbalance is not related to pathology, this is also normal.
Smegma in large quantities can enter the urethra, where it accumulates and "fades", forming clumpy plaques, similar to thrush. This is also considered a conditional standard: if full hygiene is observed, the problem will disappear.
When is vaginal discharge a symptom of disease?
If a man notices unusual discharge from the penis, he should consult a doctor. It is difficult to independently identify the disease without diagnostic equipment and medical education.
The most common pathologies associated with the appearance or changes in fluid secreted from the penis are STDs, inflammatory processes and dysfunction of muscle structures and the central nervous system.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexual infection is initially asymptomatic, with an incubation period of 7 to 21 days, sometimes 6 months. Discharge appears when suffering from the following diseases:
- Hepatitis;
- HIV;
- Dermatological diseases;
- Chlamydia;
- Trichomoniasis;
- candidiasis;
- ureaplasmosis;
- Human papilloma virus;
- Mycoplasmosis;
- AIDS.
Chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, and primary mycoplasmosis cause clear, viscous discharge. The only sign of pathology is the absence of a cause for the natural appearance of the fluid. Further pathologies lead to a change in the color and consistency of the secreted fluid - it becomes translucent, mucous, like pus.
Gonorrhea is characterized by green or brown substances with a foul smell. Accompanied by intense pain and itching.
Hepatitis often causes a small amount of fluid to leak out, pool on the head of the penis and when dry, a white film forms. Another characteristic symptom is cloudy and dark urine.
Candidiasis is accompanied by the appearance of gelatinous lumps, but they are significantly less than in the case of "thrush" in women. There is itching, burning and redness of the head.
With trichomoniasis, transparent, stretchy mucus, pain and itching appear during frequent urination. The urethra swells, the surrounding area becomes red and inflamed.
Inflammatory process
Conditions that cause discharge from the penis are not always sexually transmitted. Sometimes, the problem occurs due to spread of infection, which occurs after tactile contact or is transmitted by airborne droplets.
Bacteria, viruses and fungi in large quantities cause an inflammatory response. Abnormal discharge appears due to inflammation of the urethra, spermatic cords, seminal tubers, prostate, foreskin and other elements of the reproductive system.
The type of secretion depends on the causative microorganism. For example, bacteria almost immediately cause the appearance of pus: mucus with a foul smell and an unpleasant color.
Changes in sperm quantity and quality
If sperm flows without previous stimulation and subsequent orgasm, this is a pathology. Doctors diagnose spermatorrhea. The cause lies in muscle disorders and problems of the central nervous system. Often occurs in old age or with progressive prostatitis or prostate tumor.
Blood discharge - hemorrhage, appearance of malignant tumors in the urethra, penile cancer, trauma. Sometimes it is the result of stones passing through the urinary tract.
Diagnose
Urologists, after listening to the patient's complaints and collecting a history, will examine the genitals. In this case, specialists simultaneously remove prostate juice through rectal massage. Additional laboratory tests are needed:
- Blood analysis;
- Prostate secretion;
- Urine analysis;
- Sperm.
It is important to evaluate the discharge itself. To do this, they are subjected to microscopic examination. It is this method that allows you to determine the main source of the problem - bacteria, viruses, fungi.
Next, doctors turn to instrumental diagnosis:
- Ultrasound of pelvic organs, penis, scrotum;
- Dopplerography;
- X-ray;
- MRI;
- CT;
- Cystoscopy;
- Urethoscopy;
- Radiography.
If a tumor is detected during the examination, diagnosticians will perform a puncture.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the diagnosis. First of all, doctors prescribe appropriate drugs to eliminate pathogenic microflora:
- Antibiotics;
- Antiviral;
- Antifungal medication.
Urologists prescribe medications mainly orally, sometimes requiring intravenous or intramuscular injections.
In addition, it is necessary to take antihistamines and pain relievers to reduce symptoms. Topical medications - anti-itch creams, gels, ointments - help eliminate itching.
The patient is given a sitz bath with sedatives, pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Washing after each urination will help prevent the spread of infection.
If the problem lies in disorders of the central nervous system or endocrine diseases, the doctor will invite highly specialized specialists.
Complementary therapy
Problems of the genitourinary system require comprehensive treatment. In addition to medication, doctors choose:
- Rectal prostate massage;
- Lumbar therapeutic massage;
- exercise therapy;
- Physical therapy;
- Reflexology.
Such procedures restore natural metabolism and prevent stagnation. The urologist prescribes a special diet that helps strengthen men's health. It is necessary to take vitamin complexes: vitamins C, E, A, group B.
Prevent
In most cases, the cause of discharge from the penis is sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, the most effective prevention measure is to choose sexual partners carefully and use barrier contraception.
Urologists also advise following some rules:
- To live an active lifestyle.
- Monitor your own health and undergo preventive examinations.
- Treat diseases promptly.
- Wear loose underwear and pants.
- Avoid changing sexual partners frequently.
- Watch your diet. The diet should contain vitamins, micro and macro elements necessary for humans: selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium.