Separation in men: norm or pathology?

Discharge from a man's penis can tell about his male health, the presence of diseases of the genitourinary system. Often, discharge is the only or one of the symptoms of a serious disease, so you should be very careful about them, observe changes in color, smell, consistency, etc. Sh.

Male genital discharge includes all discharge from the urethra, sebaceous and skin glands, prostate duct, and ejaculatory duct. Depending on the nature of their origin, they are divided into physiological and pathological. The latter occurs as a result of the development of an infectious, inflammatory or other disease of the prostate, bladder or other organ of the genital system.

Everything is normal: physiological discharge

There are three types of physiological secretions that are released from the penis to one degree or another and do not indicate the presence of a disease:

• urethrorrhea;
• heard
• sperm

Urethrorrhea

In most cases, clear discharge in men is libidinous or physiological urethrorrhea. This is a transparent colored secret that is secreted by the urethral glands. Secretion flows from the urethra, usually during arousal. The purpose of the secret is to lubricate the ducts before the sperm passes.

The amount of secreted urethroure can be insignificant or quite abundant. It depends on the period of sexual abstinence, as well as the individual characteristics of the man. After prolonged abstinence from sexual contact, along with urethrorrhea, a small amount of spermatozoa may be released, which will change its color.

It is worth noting that in the case when the amount of discharge is more than usual, it is necessary to consult a doctor, because such a phenomenon may indicate the development of the disease.

I heard

Smegma, also called preputial lubrication, is secreted by glands located in the foreskin. The purpose of the secret is to reduce the friction between the head of the penis and the foreskin. Smegma is constantly released. During puberty, it may be more, before old age - less.

Smegma consists of fat and bacteria. It accumulates under the inner lobe of the forehead. By following daily hygiene procedures, the secret is easily washed off. Otherwise, its accumulation is an excellent environment for the development of bacteria, which leads to the inflammatory process. If the fat is not washed off in time (it should be done at least once a day), then it begins to decompose and rot. From here it changes color from white transparent to yellow or green. It has an unpleasant smell.

sperm

Sperm refers to the physiological secretion of the male genital organ. Normally, semen is a mixture of secretions from the gonads and sperm that are released during sexual intercourse or masturbation. Although men are also at risk of involuntary ejaculation, which is called wet dreams. Most often they occur in adolescent boys, when puberty occurs, or with prolonged abstinence. Involuntary ejaculation occurs at night or early in the morning because it is associated with the production of testosterone.

The natural secretions of men also include urine, the color of which can be clear, yellow or light brown, and secretions from the prostate. The specific smell of sperm will help to distinguish prostrate. The discharge is thick and whitish in color. A change in the amount of discharge, their color and smell, as well as the appearance of cloudiness or mucus can be the first symptom of prostatitis or cancer.

Pathological discharge

The causes of pathological discharge can be very different. They include:

• inflammatory processes, including conditionally pathogenic ones caused by own flora;
• oncological diseases;
• STD;
• Consequences of operations or injuries.

Also, pathological discharge differs in color. They can be white, gray, yellow, brown and so on. In addition, there may be an admixture of blood or pus. The nature of the discharge can be scanty or abundant, they can be released constantly or periodically, for example, in the morning or after going to the toilet, etc. Sh.

Different diseases often have similar secretions, but at the same time, one disease can be manifested in different ways in different representatives of the stronger sex. Self-diagnosis of the disease by secretion is impossible. If you notice any changes in their color, abundance, smell, or the presence of mucus, blood or pus, you should definitely consult a doctor and undergo the necessary tests.

STD-related penile discharge

Sexually transmitted diseases are most often accompanied by:

1. Mucous clear 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 number of leukocytes.
2. Clear or white mucoid purulent discharge occurs with mycoplasmosis or ureaplasmosis. They can also accompany chlamydia. In this case, the discharge sticks to the top of the penis.
3. Purulent discharge in men indicates gonorrhea. They can be brown, yellow or green in color, have an unpleasant rotten smell and are very dense. They also contain an increased number of leukocytes and microscopic epithelial particles. The abundance depends on the degree of development of the disease. Other symptoms of gonorrhea are itching and burning, which increases after going to the toilet, pain and discomfort in the genital area.

The peculiarity of sexually transmitted diseases is 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 amount of discharge, can change significantly, therefore, it is impossible to diagnose the disease without clinical studies only with the discharge.

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 course of treatment, the disease attacks with renewed energy, so you should not start the disease and self-medication. The appointment of effective treatment depends on the correct diagnosis. And it cannot be determined based only on the nature of the discharge.

Discharge associated with non-venereal inflammation

The so-called conditionally pathogenic flora, for example, Candida fungus, E. coli, streptococcus and others, are constantly present in the body of each person. As a rule, it will not be felt, but under certain conditions (hypothermia, stress, weakening of the immune system) it can cause an inflammatory process.

Diseases of the genitourinary system, the causative agent of which is its own flora, are also accompanied by secretion:

1. Mucous purulent discharge is often accompanied by non-gonococcal urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Their characteristic feature is a slight excess, which can increase between large interruptions of urination. The disease is not characterized by other symptoms (pain, itching), or it is very weak.
2. Balanoposthitis is accompanied by abundant mucous discharge of yellow or green color, sometimes purulent. Symptoms of inflammation of the forehead are its intense redness, as well as headache and redness of the penis.
3. The appearance of prostatitis is characterized by cloudy discharge after urination. During the acute form of the disease, the discharge becomes very abundant, and during the transition to the chronic form, the color changes to whitish and decreases in quantity.
4. Candidiasis or thrush caused by the fungus Candida is accompanied by curd discharge with a distinctive sour smell. There is redness of the head and foreskin, there may be pain or itching. Candidiasis can be caused by the use of antibiotics, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as well as other factors that suppress the immune system.
5. Gardnerellosis of the urethra occurs as a result of microflora disturbance (dysbacteriosis) and is accompanied by yellow or green discharge with a characteristic fishy smell.

Discharge that is not related to the inflammatory process

Among the representatives of the stronger sex, discharge that is not accompanied by an inflammatory process is extremely rare. The cause of such discharge is mechanical damage, diseases of the nervous system, oncology, etc. Sh.

1. Spermatorrhea - spontaneous flow of sperm. The appearance of such a secretion is in no way related to sexual intercourse or masturbation. Sperm flow is not accompanied by orgasm. The cause of this phenomenon is most often neurological diseases, as well as spinal injuries. The vas deferens loses its tone and ability to hold sperm.
2. Hematorrhea is bloody discharge from the urethra. Hematorrhea occurs as a result of mechanical damage to the ureter during swabbing, instrumental examination, catheter placement, etc. Sh. In addition, spotting after urination can indicate kidney stones, tumors or other serious conditions.
3. Prostatorrhea - secretion of prostate secretion. The cause of prostatitis is the 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 cancer of the prostate, bladder, penis, or urethra. The discharge may contain blood clots or pus.

Investigations to determine the cause of the discharge

The appearance of pathological discharge can be related to various diseases. Only a qualified doctor can determine the true cause of the discharge and prescribe the correct treatment.

A patient who complains of discharge from the penis should undergo a series of tests that will help determine the cause of their appearance. The doctor's examination begins with a detailed examination of the genitals, revealing rashes, redness and other visible symptoms. Discharge often remains on the underwear, which is carefully checked by the doctor.

One of the mandatory stages of the examination is the palpation of the lymph nodes. The doctor checks whether they have grown or not, whether they remain mobile or immobile, whether there is pain when pressed, etc. Sh.

The doctor also checks the nature of the discharge immediately and after 2-3 hours (during this period the patient should refrain from urinating). Prostate diseases (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, in the presence of disease, one lobe is larger than the other.

The following clinical studies also help to determine the cause of the discharge:

• general blood analysis;
• detailed urine analysis;
• blood sugar test (taken in the morning on an empty stomach);
• smear from the urethra;
• Urethral secretion culture.

In the case of an infectious disease, the smear plays a crucial role in making a diagnosis. This study allows not only to determine the causative agent, but also to prescribe the disease, its course, etc. Sh. The presence of an inflammatory process associated with infection is indicated by an increased number of leukocytes. The norm includes no more than 4 leukocytes in the field of vision.

In order for the smear to give us the most accurate information about the patient's health, it is necessary to prepare for the sampling procedure. Do not urinate for at least 2 hours before getting a smear, and also do water procedures. In addition, it is necessary to stop local treatment with antibiotics or other drugs for three days. The course of treatment with oral antibiotics or injections should be completed 2 weeks before the study.

If there is a lot of discharge in men with a smell or other symptoms of the disease are observed, then the doctor may prescribe:

• ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder or prostate;
• computed tomography;
• Urography.

A doctor can diagnose cancer only after the biopsy results.

If the patient seeks help due to abundant spots, then he is immediately transferred to the hospital. In other cases, treatment is carried out after determining the cause of the discharge.

Discharge from the male genital organ can be a symptom of a serious disease. But remember that only a doctor can determine the cause of this unpleasant phenomenon during personal examination and research. Self-medication only aggravates the problem and can lead to the development of complications. If you are worried about your man's health, if unusual discharge appears, do not delay a visit to a urologist.