Vaginal discharge in men is normal.
But before you seek help from a doctor, you should know what is normal and what to worry about.
The appearance of such signs can be caused by various factors.
Normal state of the body
Discharge from the urethra in men can occur due to normal processes occurring in the body. Not every time such discharge can be considered as an indicator of disease. The following discharge in men proves the normal functioning of the body, the causes can vary:
- With sexual stimulation, a clear discharge appears on the head of the penis. This is due to the work of the urethral gland, and this phenomenon is intended to protect the inner surface of the urethra. In this case, it is worth repeating that this appears during morning awakening or erection.
- The appearance of semen during sexual intercourse or during a wet dream.
- The so-called defecation prostorrhea is the occurrence of discharge from the opening of the urethra. This is explained by the fact that the prostate fits the wall of the rectum, so when passing stool, the prostate can be compressed, which causes fluid to appear from the urethra.
- In small amounts, prostate secretions can also be released during urination, which is called micturative prostorrhea.
Discharge from the urethra in men is not always a sign of any inflammatory process. These symptoms are episodic. White discharge does not lead to pain, there is no male disturbance, and therefore there is no reason to worry.
What to worry about?
The male body is designed in such a way that any change in its function can be seen immediately by men. As soon as such discharge from the urethra has become a frequent occurrence, they change their color and consistency, you should see a doctor. It should be said about the signs:
- The discharge in men, which appears from the urethra, is of a pathological nature, there is gray, yellow, green liquid.
- If blood appears in the urine while urinating, you should immediately seek help from a doctor.
- If an unpleasant smell emanates from the penis, then this is a clear sign of the inflammatory process and the activity of microorganisms, which can cause inflammation, white liquid appears.
- Pathological discharge, unlike normal, is released, accompanied by pain, discomfort. Mainly these symptoms are aggravated by urination or stimulation.
- Discharge in men may indicate the presence of this disease. In this case, they can often be confused with ordinary ones, so they are the most difficult to recognize. On the other hand, delay can lead to a chronic form of the disease.
What should be done to recognize the danger in time? You should pay special attention to your health and follow some rules:
- Extra care should be taken when visiting the toilet after sleeping. During the sleep period, secretions can accumulate in the urethra, so if they occur, it is easier to recognize in the morning.
- Underwear is very important. If even during the whole day at least one drop protrudes from the urethra, after drying, it will leave a clearly visible mark.
- When you press on the penis, especially if you run your hand from the pubis to the head of the organ, white mucus is released. It can be other colors and textures, depending on the disease.
- An unhealthy diet, especially eating foods that contain a lot of spices and alcohol, can also cause the phenomenon to occur.
- The lips of the opening of the urethra stick together or a crust forms on them - all this can indicate the release of fluid, which then dries up.
- Most venereal diseases are sexually transmitted, so you should not forget about this either. If, after accidental contact, white discharge occurs, you should seek help, self-treatment is not recommended.
With what can be connected?
White discharge from the urethra or other white fluid is an important sign of the inflammatory process. The same must be said about purulent discharge. Doctors can extract enough information if they study the secreted fluid and make a diagnosis, start treatment.
Discharge in men may indicate the following diseases:
- Urethritis is the most common cause. The urethra independently tries to protect itself with the help of glands, which is why white mucus appears in its mucous membrane in the necessary amount.
- Sexually transmitted diseases, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis or ureaplasmosis.
- Penile cancer, where fluid is also released due to inflammation of the urethra.
- The appearance of inflammation may be caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract from other organs. This is due to poor health, immune system, poor hygiene or trauma.
- The appearance of discharge with blood is a serious sign that may indicate prostate oncological pathology.
The consistency of the secretion, its color and transparency are the result of any process that occurs in a man's body. Therefore, the specific color of the discharge is explained by the following factors:
- If epithelial cells are present in large numbers, then the discharge is gray and has a high viscosity.
- A large number of leukocytes enter the focus of inflammation during bacterial reproduction. For this reason, yellow discharge, sometimes green, appears.
- White mucus, resembling a mass of curd, often indicates the development of candidiasis.
- Keep in mind that the appearance of various secretions may occur in different ways depending on the situation. At the beginning of the disease, this may be a white discharge, which later turns yellow. This happens if the body has time to react to problems in the body.
What to do in such a situation?
Allotment in men immediately becomes a reason to go to the doctor, if the matter does not concern the normal functioning of the body. One examination will not be enough to make a diagnosis, so a series of analyzes of the removed fluid is required.
You should not treat yourself or try to be treated, you should visit a urologist or venereologist. The doctor, in coordination with the patient, will prescribe a study that includes secretion microscopy, inoculation on nutrient media or polymerase chain reaction if the previous methods are not fruitful.
Before visiting a medical institution, it is not recommended to take medication, as this can complicate the diagnosis of the disease. When establishing a venereal disease, both partners are subject to examination so that in the future there is no re-infection. If inflammation and mucus are found in both, treatment is prescribed for each pair.
Discharge from the penis is one of the most common complaints for which men seek help from urologists. After questioning and examining the patient, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations to make an accurate diagnosis. Modern medical methods make it possible to quickly detect the cause of pathological secretions and choose the optimal therapy regimen, taking into account all the features of the course of the disease.
Physiological secretions
The discharge that comes out of the penis actually comes from a different part of the genitourinary system. The resulting secretion may be a discharge from the urethra, sebaceous glands or pathological formations on the skin. Some discharges are normal, while others are considered signs of illness. The doctor will be able to distinguish the norm from the pathology after a complete examination of the patient.
Variants of physiological secretions from the penis:
Libidinous urethrorrhea
Under this term, physiological secretions from the urethra (urethra) are hidden during stimulation. The secretion is secreted by glands located in and around the urethra (parurethral and bulbourethral glands). The resulting secret maintains an alkaline environment in the urethra, which is suitable for the promotion of spermatozoa. Libidinous urethrorrhea only occurs in men of reproductive age. In old age, the urethral gland atrophies, and secretion stops.
The amount of secretion during sexual stimulation is variable and depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. The normal secret of the urethral gland is transparent, mucus, without impurities of pus or blood. A significant increase in the amount of discharge requires consultation with a urologist.
Sperm
Semen is a mixture of prostate secretions and spermatozoa. Usually, the ejaculate is thick, white, without foreign inclusions. Sperm is released during ejaculation during intercourse or during masturbation. It is possible to release a small amount of sperm during a wet dream - an involuntary ejaculation at night. Pollution occurs in boys after the age of 14 and is one of the signs of puberty. It is not excluded the appearance of wet dreams in men after long abstinence (read about the pros and cons of abstinence here).
Smegma
Smegma is a secret secreted by the foreskin and glans penis. Fresh smegma is grayish white, turning yellow over time. Subject to intimate hygiene, the amount of smegma will be small. Significant accumulation of smegma is observed with insufficient personal care. Such discharge can be taken as a symptom of the disease, and also cause the development of inflammatory processes (balanitis and balanoposthitis).
Physiological discharge from the penis is normal and does not require treatment. The following changes are worth noting:
- an increase in the amount of secretion;
- change in consistency (discharge becomes too liquid or thick);
- color change to yellow, yellow-green, brown;
- the appearance of blood impurities;
- the occurrence of unpleasant sensations: itching, burning, pain in the intimate area;
- dysuria, or urinary disturbances (increased frequency, false urge to empty the bladder, urinary retention, pain or burning when urinating).
Pathological discharge
The cause of pathological discharge can be various diseases. Infections of the genital tract and urinary system, foreign bodies, injuries, tumors - all this can lead to an increase in the amount of secretion, a change in its color or consistency. It is quite difficult to make a diagnosis based on the type of discharge alone. If you experience any unexplained symptoms, you should see a doctor.
Options for pathological discharge from the penis:
slimy
Abundant, viscous and thick, clear or milky white discharge from the penis indicates the development of infection. The same symptoms are characteristic of the chronic course of chlamydia, mycoplasma and ureaplasma infection, trichomoniasis. Other symptoms of the disease (itching, burning, disuric phenomenon) are mild or absent.
Transparent mucus discharge from the penis can be a sign of pathological conditions such as:
- Spermatorrhea - the release of sperm outside of sexual stimulation, without erection and orgasm. The cause of spermatorrhea is a decrease in muscle tone of the vas deferens due to inflammation or conservation disorders. In the study, spermatozoa were detected in the material.
- Prostatorrhea - spontaneous secretion of the prostate. Occurs with inflammation of the prostate gland and the appearance of tumors.
Sustained
Yellow and yellow-green discharge is found in many sexually transmitted diseases (including gonorrhea). Pus is a collection of dead cells of the urethral epithelium, mucus and a large number of leukocytes. In the acute stage, there is itching and burning in the intimate area, discomfort during urination. Possible increase in body temperature. In the case of the transition of the infection to the bladder and the development of cystitis, the dysuric phenomenon appears in the form of frequent and painful urination or urinary retention.
Bleeding
The amount of blood removed from the urethra can vary: from a slight staining of secretions in brown or pink color to unclear bleeding. The cause of the appearance of blood may be an injury to the urethra or bladder (including the introduction of a foreign body or careless instrumental diagnostics). Bloody discharge is a common symptom of neoplasms of the prostate, urethra and other organs in the urogenital area.
What to do?
The appearance of any suspicious discharge from the penis - pod to contact a urologist. Many diseases of the genital organs and the urinary system are similar to each other, and it will not work to self-diagnose. Often, the disease also takes an atypical course, and only a doctor can understand the whole range of symptoms. Don't put off visiting a specialist and expect the problem to magically resolve itself.
At the first visit, the doctor always asks about complaints, examines the patient and takes material for research. The doctor's further action will depend on the results obtained. Based on the results of the examination, the optimal therapy regimen is selected to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and restore health.
conclusion
Discharge from the penis is a symptom that occurs in various diseases from infections to oncology. Self-medication for any incomprehensible discharge is not allowed. Uncontrolled intake of drugs or the use of traditional medical techniques can worsen the course of the disease and lead to poor results. Entrust your health to professionals. Compliance with all the doctor's recommendations will help avoid the development of complications and speed up recovery.