Discharge from the genitourinary tract is mainly detected in men during or after urination. You should be able to distinguish between normal physiological vaginal discharge and pathological vaginal discharge, which is often an early sign of diseases of the genitourinary system. The nature of the vaginal discharge allows us to determine the etiology of the disease and make a preliminary diagnosis.
Types of pathological vaginal discharge in men
Pathological vaginal discharge is caused by diseases of the genitourinary tract and the organs adjacent to it. Pathological factors, characterized by various etiologies, cause damage to the urethra, resulting in the appearance of discharge. This process is called leukocyte urethria (urethritis). Pathological factors can be infectious, chemical, or mechanical.
Purulent mucous discharge
- The discharge consists of serous exudate, urogenital mucus and a small number of leukocytes. They look like a clear milky white liquid.
- Such discharge can be a signal of trichomoniasis, chlamydia and ureaplasmosis. This disease is rarely accompanied by pain, burning and itching. Basically the manifestation is limited to mucopurulent discharge after completing urination.
Pus discharge
- Their appearance is considered a symptom of infectious urethritis. Purulent discharge consists of damaged epithelial cells of the genitourinary tract and urethral mucus. They have increased leukocyte concentrations. Purulent discharge looks like a thick liquid that is completely yellow or slightly green in color.
- Often, the discharge is accompanied by pain, soreness, itching, burning when urinating, and is usually profuse. Most often it is a symptom of trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.
Vaginal discharge
When vaginal discharge appears, men should pay attention to its consistency.
- Vaginal discharge with a cheese-like consistency.Basically, this discharge indicates male candidiasis (thrush), and it is rare. The cause of candidiasis may be chemotherapy or antibiotic treatment, as well as decreased immunity; not transmitted sexually.
- Vaginal discharge is white with a foamy consistency.Such discharge is often a sign of trichomoniasis, and may also indicate the presence of chronic prostatitis. If the cause is prostatitis, the discharge is often accompanied by a decrease or loss of potency and difficulty urinating.
Diagnostic
No matter how pathological the vaginal discharge is, a man should consult a urologist. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose the disease and choose treatment; diagnosing it yourself is pointless. To accurately determine the cause of the discharge, samples are usually taken for culture on nutrient media and bacteriological study. Additional diagnostic tools depend on what disease is suspected; it can be urography, CT, ultrasound.
Treatment
The treatment program depends on the symptoms of the male vaginal discharge.
- PMS.In this case, both partners must undergo treatment. Typically, this is antibiotic therapy, combined with immunomodulatory drugs. Sometimes local treatment is also added (physiotherapy, prostate massage, instillation of drugs into the urethra), as well as a special diet. The specific program depends on the type of PMS.
- Thrush.Male candidiasis in most cases is eliminated by local treatment, but in advanced cases, general treatment is necessary. In addition, it is necessary to take medications that strengthen the patient's immunity and a special diet.
Discharge from the penis
Discharge from the penis is considered normal if it does not cause discomfort or other negative signs. Otherwise, it is a symptom of various sexually transmitted pathologies or disorders of the genitourinary system and other body structures.
How to distinguish normal conditions from pathology?
| Sign | Norm | Deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Time of appearance, frequency | Before, during or after sexual intercourse, during arousal | Despite the intimacy, after sleep, after urination, defecation, sometimes dripping continuously |
| Smell | Characteristic (egg white or chestnut) or odorless | Rotten, sour, putrid, fishy, etc. |
| Color, consistency | Transparent or whitish, the consistency often resembles raw protein, sometimes sticky, thick | Thick, thick, white, greenish, brown, interspersed with blood clots and pus. Can be transparent if a viral disease occurs |
| Additional symptoms | NO | Itching, burning, redness, pain |
When is discharge from the penis normal?
Healthy adult men do not secrete any potent fluids at rest. However, in some situations, this is normal:
- Precum. When aroused, a sticky, colorless substance is released - a lubricant to create an environment favorable for the normal transport of sperm. The doctor will suspect a problem if there are complaints of large amounts of ejaculation with low sexual desire.
- Ejaculation. We are not talking about ejaculation as the end of adequate sexual intercourse, but about the remains that sometimes come out after intercourse. Usually in the form of a few drops of whitish or colorless liquid.
- Ejaculation during a wet dream. This is involuntary ejaculation due to excessive sexual stimulation and increased testosterone levels. Often happens in dreams.
- Smegma is the secretion of glands located in the foreskin area.. Functions as a protective fluid and lubricant for the head of the penis. It does not dry out, does not become inflamed and does not hurt from it. The amount of smegma is small, almost invisible on underwear. However, hormonal changes increase, if the imbalance is not related to pathology, this is also normal.
Large amounts of smegma can enter the urethra, where it builds up and "smears out, " forming thickened flakes, much like canker sores. This is also conditionally considered the norm: if adequate hygiene is observed, the problem will disappear.
When is vaginal discharge a symptom of a disease?
If a man notices unusual discharge from the penis, he should consult a doctor. It is difficult to independently determine the disease without medical education and diagnostic equipment.
The most common pathologies associated with the appearance or change in fluid secreted from the penis are PMS, inflammatory processes and dysfunction of muscle structures and the central nervous system.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexual infections initially show no symptoms, the incubation period is 7 to 21 days, sometimes 6 months. Discharge appears when infected with the following diseases:
- Hepatitis;
- HIV;
- Gonorrhea;
- Chlamydia;
- trichomoniasis;
- candidiasis;
- ureaplasmosis;
- human papilloma virus;
- mycoplasmosis;
- AIDS.
Chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis first cause clear, thick discharge. The only sign of pathology is the absence of a natural cause for the appearance of fluid. Further pathology causes a change in the color and consistency of the secreted fluid - it becomes clear, slimy, reminiscent of pus.
Gonorrhea is characterized by a greenish or brown substance that has a foul odor. Accompanied by severe pain and itching.
Hepatitis often causes small amounts of fluid to come out; settles on the head of the penis, and when it dries, a white coating forms. A typical additional symptom is that the urine becomes cloudy and dark.
Candidiasis is accompanied by the appearance of cheesy lumps, but their number is much less than in cases of female "thrush". There is itching, burning and redness on the head.
With trichomoniasis, stretchy and clear mucus, pain, and itching appear during frequent urination. The urethra swells, the area around it becomes red and inflamed.
Inflammatory process
Pathologies that cause discharge from the penis are not always sexually transmitted. Sometimes the problem occurs against the background of the spread of infections that occur after tactile contact or are transmitted by airborne droplets.
Bacteria, viruses and fungi in large quantities cause an inflammatory reaction. Abnormal vaginal discharge appears due to inflammation of the urethra, sperm cord, sperm tubercles, prostate gland, foreskin and other elements of the reproductive system.
The type of vaginal discharge depends on the microorganism that causes the disease. For example, bacteria immediately provoke the appearance of pus: the mucus has a foul smell and an unpleasant color.
Changes in sperm volume and quality
If sperm flows without previous arousal and subsequent orgasm, this is a pathology. The doctor diagnosed spermatorrhea. The causes lie in muscle disorders and problems with the central nervous system. More often occurs in old age or with advanced prostatitis, prostate adenoma.
Bloody discharge - hematospermia, appears with malignant neoplasms in the urethra, penile cancer, trauma. Sometimes the result of stones passing through the urinary tract.
Diagnostic
The urologist, after listening to the patient's complaints and collecting anamnesis, examines the genitals. In this case, the specialist simultaneously extracts prostate juice through rectal massage. Further laboratory tests are required:
- Blood analysis;
- Prostate secretion;
- Urine analysis;
- Sperm.
It is important to evaluate the discharge itself. To do this, they undergo a microscopic examination. It is this method that allows you to identify the main source of the problem - bacteria, viruses, fungi.
Next, the doctor turns to instrumental diagnostics:
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, penis, scrotum;
- Dopplerography;
- Radiography;
- MRI;
- CT;
- Cystoscopy;
- Urethroscopy;
- Scintigraphy.
If neoplasms are found during the examination, the diagnostician will perform a puncture.
Treatment
Treatment methods depend on the diagnosis. First of all, the doctor prescribes appropriate drugs to eliminate pathogenic microflora:
- Antibiotics;
- Anti virus;
- Antifungal.
Urologists prescribe drugs mainly orally, sometimes requiring intravenous or intramuscular administration of drugs.
In addition, antihistamines and painkillers are needed to relieve symptoms. Local remedies - antipruritic creams, gels, ointments - help relieve itching.
The patient is shown sitz baths with sedatives, painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Washing after urinating will help prevent the spread of infection.
If the problem lies in central nervous system disorders or endocrinological pathology, doctors involve highly specialized specialists.
Additional therapy
Problems of the genitourinary system must be treated comprehensively. In addition to medications, doctors select:
- Rectal prostate massage;
- Therapeutic massage of the lumbar area;
- exercise therapy;
- Physiotherapy;
- Reflexology.
The procedure restores natural metabolism and prevents stagnation. Urologists prescribe a special diet that helps strengthen men's health. It is important to take vitamin complexes: vitamins C, E, A, group B.
Prevention
In most cases, the cause of discharge from the penis is a sexually transmitted disease. Therefore, the most effective preventive measures are careful selection of sexual partners and the use of barrier contraception.
Urologists also advise following a number of rules:
- To live an active lifestyle.
- Monitor your own health and undergo preventive examinations.
- Treat pathology in time.
- Wear loose underwear and trousers.
- Avoid frequently changing sexual partners.
- Pay attention to your diet. Food should contain vitamins, micro and macro elements necessary for men: selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium.