Detachments in men: norm or pathology?

Discharge from a man's penis can provide information 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 it is necessary to pay close attention to them, color, smell, consistency, etc. changes should be observed.

Male genital secretions include all secretions from the urethra, sebaceous and skin glands, prostate gland and ejaculatory duct. Depending on the nature of their formation, they are divided into physiological and pathological. The latter occurs as a result of the development of infectious, inflammatory or other diseases of the prostate gland, bladder or other organs of the genitourinary system.

Everything is normal: physiological discharge

There are three types of physiological secretions that leave the penis to one degree or another and do not indicate the presence of diseases:

• urethrhoea;
• smegma;
• sperm

urethrhoea

In most cases, clear discharge in men is libidinal or physiological urethrorhoea. This is the secret of the transparent color secreted by the urethral glands. A discharge from the urethra, usually during awakening. The purpose of the secret is to lubricate the ducts before the passage of the sperm.

The amount of excreted urethrourea can be insignificant or quite large. It depends on the period of abstinence from sex, as well as the individual characteristics of the man. After a long period of abstinence, a small amount of sperm can be released, which will change its color, along with urethrorrhoea.

It should be noted that if 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.

Smegma

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 released continuously. It can be more in adulthood, less in old age.

Smegma consists of fat and bacteria. It collects under the inner leaf of the foreskin. By following daily hygiene procedures, cannabis is easily washed off. Otherwise, its accumulation is an excellent environment for the development of bacteria that cause an inflammatory process. If the oil is not washed on time (this should be done at least once a day), then it begins to decompose and rot. From this, it changes its color from white-transparent to yellow or green. It has an unpleasant smell.

Sperm

Semen refers to the physiological secretions from the male genitalia. Semen is usually a mixture of gonadal secretions and spermatozoa released during intercourse or masturbation. Although men also experience the involuntary release of sperm, called wet dreams. They often occur during adolescence, puberty, or in boys who have been abstinent for a long time. Forced ejaculation occurs at night or early in the morning because it is related to the production of testosterone.

Natural male secretions include urine and prostate secretions, which can be clear, yellow, or light brown in color. The specific smell of the sperm will help to distinguish prostorrhea. The discharge is thick and whitish. A change in the amount of discharge, their color and smell, as well as the appearance of turbidity or mucus can be the first sign of prostatitis or cancer.

Pathological discharge

The causes of pathological ejaculation can be very different. These include:

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

Also, pathological discharges differ in color. They are white, gray, yellow, brown, etc. can be. In addition, there may be a mixture of blood or pus. The nature of discharge can be more or less, they can be constant or periodic, for example, in the morning or after going to the toilet, etc.

Different diseases often have similar secretions, but at the same time, one disease can manifest itself in different ways in different representatives of the stronger sex. It is impossible to self-diagnose the disease with secretion. If there is any change in their color, abundance, smell, or the presence of a mixture of mucus, blood or pus, you should definitely consult a doctor and undergo the necessary examinations.

Penile discharge associated with an STD

Sexually transmitted diseases are most often accompanied by:

1. Mucous transparent secretions that are viscous. Usually, their small number indicates the presence of mycoplasmal or ureaplasmal urethritis or the development of chronic chlamydia. Microscopic examination shows a moderate amount of leukocytes.
2. Clear or white mucopurulent discharge occurs with mycoplasmosis or ureaplasmosis. They can also be accompanied by chlamydia. At this time, the discharge sticks to the head of the penis.
3. Purulent discharge in men indicates gonorrhea. They can be brown, yellow or greenish in color, have an unpleasant rotten smell and are very dense. They also contain an increased number of leukocytes and microscopic particles of the epithelium. The abundance depends on the degree of development of the disease. Other symptoms of gonorrhea are increased itching and burning after going to the toilet, pain and discomfort in the genitals.

A feature of sexually transmitted diseases is that several infections are their causative agents at once. In this case, the course of the disease, as well as the nature and amount of discharge, can change significantly, so it is impossible to diagnose the disease without clinical studies only from the discharge.

Self-diagnosis and subsequent treatment of sexually transmitted diseases with antibiotics leads to the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease, but the cause remains. After the course of treatment is over, the disease attacks with renewed force, so you should not start treating the disease and self-medicating. Effective treatment depends on the correct diagnosis. And it is impossible to establish it based only on the nature of the discharge.

Discharge associated with non-venereal inflammation

In the body of each person there is conventionally called pathogenic flora, for example, Candida fungi, E. coli, streptococci, etc. It usually does not make itself felt, but under certain conditions (hypothermia, stress, weakening of the immune system) it can cause an inflammatory process.

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

1. Mucopulent discharge is often accompanied by non-gonococcal urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). Their characteristic feature is a slight abundance that can increase between large breaks in urination. The disease is not characterized by other symptoms (pain, itching) or is expressed very weakly.
2. Balanoposthitis is accompanied by abundant mucous secretion of yellow or green color, sometimes with pus. Symptoms of inflammation of the foreskin are its intense redness, as well as pain and redness of the head of the penis.
3. The appearance of prostatitis is characterized by cloudy discharge after urination. During the acute form of the disease, the discharge is very abundant, and when it passes into the chronic form, its color becomes whitish and its quantity decreases.
4. Candidiasis or thrush, caused by Candida fungi, is accompanied by curdled discharge with a characteristic sour smell. There is redness of the head and foreskin, there may be pain or itching. The causes of candidiasis are the use of antibiotics, chemotherapy or radio wave therapy, as well as other factors that weaken the immune system.
5. Urethral gardnerellosis occurs as a result of microflora disruption (dysbacteriosis) and is accompanied by a small amount of yellow or green discharge with a characteristic fishy smell.

Discharges not related to the inflammatory process

Discharges that do not accompany the inflammatory process are extremely rare in the strong sex. The cause of such secretions is mechanical damage, diseases of the nervous system, oncology, etc.

1. Spermatorrhea - spontaneous flow of sperm. The appearance of such secretions is in no way related to sexual intercourse or masturbation. Sperm flow is not accompanied by orgasm. The cause of this phenomenon is mostly neurological diseases, as well as spinal cord injury. The vas deferens loses its tone and ability to store sperm.
2. Hematorrhea is a bloody discharge from the urethra. Haematorrhea smear taking, instrumental examination, catheter installation, etc. it appears as a result of mechanical damage to the urethra in the process. In addition, spotting after urination can indicate kidney stones, a tumor, or another serious condition.
3. Prostatorrhea - secretion of the prostate gland. Prostorrhea is caused by the relaxed muscles of the excretory duct of the prostate gland. A similar phenomenon is often accompanied by 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.

Examinations that will help determine the cause of discharge

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

A patient complaining of discharge from the penis should undergo a number of studies that will help determine the cause of its appearance. The doctor's examination begins with a detailed examination of the genital area for rashes, redness and other visible symptoms. Often, the discharge remains in the underwear, which the doctor also carefully examines.

One of the mandatory stages of the examination is the palpation of the lymph nodes. The doctor will ask whether they are growing, whether they are mobile or stationary, whether they are painful when squeezed, etc.

The doctor also examines the nature of discharge immediately and after 2-3 hours (during this time the patient should refrain from urinating). Diseases of the prostate gland (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 case of disease, one lobe is larger than the other.

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

• general blood analysis;
• detailed urinalysis;
• blood sugar test (taken in the morning on an empty stomach);
• smear from the urethra;
• culture of urethral secretions.

In the case of an infectious disease, the smear plays a key role in establishing the diagnosis. This study not only helps to determine the pathogen, but also the recipe, course of the disease, etc. The presence of an inflammatory process associated with infection is indicated by an increase in the number of leukocytes. The norm does not count more than 4 leukocytes in the field of vision.

In order for the smear to give the most accurate information about the patient's state of health, it is necessary to prepare for the admission procedure. You cannot urinate for at least 2 hours before taking a smear, and you can also perform water procedures. In addition, it is necessary to stop local treatment with antibiotics or other drugs for three days. A 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, the doctor may prescribe the following:

• Ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder or prostate;
• computed tomography;
• urography.

A doctor can diagnose cancer only after the results of the biopsy.

If a patient asks for help with a lot of spotting, he is immediately admitted 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 sign of a serious illness. But remember that only a doctor can determine the cause of this unpleasant phenomenon during an individual examination and research. Self-treatment only aggravates the problem and can lead to the development of complications. If you are concerned about the health of your men, do not delay a visit to the urologist if an unusual discharge appears.