Urethral discharge in men

A natural physiological process is the separation of a small amount of the urinary canal in men. This is a type of lubricant, which is obtained as a result of the work of the glands concentrated on the head of the penis. Abundance, heterogeneous consistency and cloudy color are signs of pathological disorders in the urogenital system.

Changes in the color, consistency or amount of discharge from the urethra in men indicate the presence of diseases of the genitourinary system

Normal discharge in men

A whitish or colorless liquid is constantly present on the foreskin of the penis. It may gradually come out of the urethra with pressure, sometimes spontaneously.

Table "Criteria for normal discharge in men"

Type of discharge	Characteristic
Smegma	The lubricant is produced in the preputial glands, has the consistency of sour cream, is white in color, sometimes with a yellow or green tint. The secret of fat residues and bacteria prevents the foreskin from rubbing against the head. Abundance depends on age - the largest amount of liquid in adolescence, and the smallest in old age (practically absent)
Colorless discharge that looks like clear mucus (libido urethrorhoea)	Mucus is produced by the urethral and bulbourethral glands during erection (when aroused). Their purpose is to lubricate the urethra for the smooth passage of seminal fluid through it. The amount of secretion is usually scanty, but it can increase depending on sexual abstinence from contact (the less often a man has sex, the more abundant the preeculative secret - sometimes it drips from the penis). Is it possible to get pregnant from such secretions? Practically not, because they contain too little sperm. But after the eruption of seminal fluid, repeated intercourse without protection can lead to conception
Ejaculation is not related to intercourse (emission)	Spontaneous ejaculation occurs in the morning (highest levels of testosterone in the blood). A similar phenomenon occurs during sleep. Pollution is most often observed in adolescents, but it can also occur in adult men who do not have regular sexual relations.
Clear discharge from the urethra (space)	The composition of the secretion is sperm and prostate secretion. Fluid comes out of the urinary canal with strong tension during defecation, coughing. Vitreous discharge from the penis occurs even after passing urine - a normal phenomenon

Clouding of the discharge or acquiring an unusual shade of it is the first symptom of urogenital pathologies. Violations can be accompanied by a change in the color of urine, pain in the lower abdomen, discomfort in the genitals.

Causes of urethral discharge

Venereal pathogens, non-specific infections, malignant tumors, mechanical damage (injuries, operations) can cause atypical discharge from the penis. The nature of the discharge from the penis depends on the specific pathology in the genitourinary system.

Inflammatory processes

Foci of inflammation can be caused by a violation of the microflora of the genital organs caused by opportunistic organisms - staphylococcus aureus, Candida fungus, Escherichia coli. Such bacteria are always present in a small amount on the mucous membrane of the foreskin, and with a decrease in immunity (long-term use of antibiotics, moral exhaustion or hypothermia of the body), they begin to actively develop, causing serious diseases.

1. Thrush. This pathology is characterized by curdled white discharge with white balls, which resembles cottage cheese. The secret is full of unpleasant sour smell. When ejaculating or urinating, a man feels a burning sensation in the penis, pain and pain in the groin.
2. Inflammatory lesion of the foreskinit is characterized by purulent gelatinous secretions with the smell of rot. At the same time, severe redness and pain appear on the head.
3. Urethral gardnerellosis. The nature of the excreted liquid is scarce, the smell of rotten fish is felt, the color is green or yellow.
4. Prostatitis. The secreted liquid is cloudy, appears at the end of urination. In the acute course of the disease, the pathological secret from the penis is abundant, and in the chronic period it is scarce. With atypical discharge, the man suffers from difficult urination and pain in the groin.

Non-specific inflammations are not sexually transmitted. The source of their appearance is an imbalance of the urogenital flora.

Non-inflammatory pathologies

Pathological discharge can be caused by chronic diseases or injuries not only of the genital organs, but also of the spine, nervous system, constant stress.

1. Haematorrhea- the condition is characterized by bloody discharge without clots. Usually, the cause can be mechanical damage (trauma, catheter placement, flora swabbing). In this case, the excreted blood without clots stops quickly. In the case of small stones, mucus with bloody threads is present from the urinary canal after or during the emptying of the bladder.
2. Spermatorrhea- involuntary leakage of semen outside of intercourse or masturbation. The cause of the whitish discharge is a weakening of the tone of the seminiferous tubules, a violation of their innervation.
3. Oncological neoplasms in the organs of the genitourinary system. The brown discharge contains blood clots, the consistency is slimy, there are purulent inclusions and the appropriate smell.

In the case of problems in the contractile function of the smooth muscles of the urinary bladder, benign prostate tumor, the discharge is white or transparent, liquid and abundant, but odorless.

venereal infections

The first symptom of sexually transmitted diseases is abnormal discharge from the penis. Their nature depends on the specific pathogen:

1. Foamy mucus, colorless or whitish, containing pus, appears as a result of exacerbation of mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis or chlamydia. Especially a lot of weeping on the head of the penis when it is affected by chlamydia.
2. A small amount of clear and sticky fluid is a symptom of chronic chlamydial infection, mycoplasmosis or ureaplasmosis.
3. Green or yellow mucus with a strong odor is a sign of gonorrhea. The discharge in this case is sticky and abundant, has a thick consistency. The disease causes great discomfort - the genitals hurt, itch and burn, especially when urinating.

Important!

The amount of secretions from the penis, its color and smell can be changed by neglecting the disease. Infections are often combined (gonorrhea and trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis and mycoplasmosis), which worsens the patient's condition. In the case of unnatural fluid from the penis, consult a specialist immediately.

Which doctor should I contact?

An unusual secret from the urethra, difficult emptying of the bladder, pain in the groin are symptoms that should be taken to the hospital immediately. A urologist deals with diseases of the genitourinary system. After examining the patient and evaluating his complaints, the doctor may prescribe consultations with other highly specialized specialists:

• venereologist (if you suspect sexual infections);
• oncologist (if there are characteristic signs of the tumor process).

A complete laboratory and instrumental examination is required for a final diagnosis.

Diagnostics

The initial stage of a comprehensive examination is a thorough examination by a urologist:

1. Visual assessment of the state of the genitals - penis, head and foreskin, perineum. The purpose of the examination is to determine injuries, deformities, seals, inflammation and the presence of rashes on the skin.
2. Palpation in the groin area. The condition of the lymph nodes, their size, density, skin color is assessed.
3. Prostate examination. The procedure is performed by inserting a finger into the anus. The goal is to identify the seals in the prostate and take biological material for analysis.
4. Collection of secretions from the urinary canal for planting on flora and microscopy - allows you to identify the source of the disease and understand the degree of the inflammatory process.

Next, the patient should undergo a clinical blood test, if necessary, detailed biochemistry. Hardware diagnostics are also mandatory:

• Ultrasound of kidneys, prostate and bladder;
• CT scanner;
• urography.

Important!

If malignant tumors of the urogenital system are suspected, the man is prescribed a biopsy and a complete histological examination of the biological material.

Treatment of pathological secretions

Heterogeneous discharge from the urethra of an unnatural color is only a symptom of the disease. You need to treat the pathology that caused changes in the secret from the penis. Based on the type of negative processes in the urogenital system, doctors use several groups of drugs:

1. Antifungal drugs. They are used for candidal lesions.
2. Antibiotics from the cephalosporin group - used for gonorrhea, bacterial urethritis.
3. Long-term medications.
4. Anti-inflammatory antibiotic drugs.

In addition to drugs, the patient is given vitamin complexes, as well as immunostimulating drugs.

Prevention

To avoid the negative consequences of urogenital pathologies, it is important to follow preventive measures.

1. Observe hygiene. It is important to wash the head of the penis well, pushing the foreskin back to prevent the growth of bacteria.
2. Follow intimate life. Eliminate promiscuity, always protect yourself.
3. Empty your bladder in time to prevent it from overexerting itself.
4. Avoid stress, emotional overwork.
5. Optimize physical activity - do not exhaust your body with hard work or excessive training.

It is necessary to eat properly, eliminate bad habits and avoid hypothermia.

Normal discharge in men is clear or white in moderate amounts. The appearance of an unpleasant smell, impurity of pus or blood, a change in the consistency of the vitreous body to curd, sticky or watery are symptoms of pathological abnormalities in the organs of the genitourinary system. To identify the causes of this condition, you should contact a urologist. After a detailed examination, doctors prescribe appropriate treatment.