White discharge in men is a common occurrence.
But before you seek help from a doctor, it's important to find out what's normal and what should be a cause for concern.
The appearance of such signs can be caused by various factors.
The normal state of the body
Discharge from the urethra in men can occur due to normal processes in the body. Not every time such a discharge can be considered an indicator of the disease. The following discharges in men testify to the normal functioning of the body, the causes of which can be diverse:
- With sexual arousal, a clear discharge appears on the glans. This is due to the work of the urethral glands, and this phenomenon is aimed at protecting the inner surface of the urethra. In this case, it should be repeated that this occurs during arousal or morning erection.
- The appearance of semen during intercourse or during wet dreams.
- The so-called defecation prostorrhea is the appearance of discharge from the mouth of the urethra. This is explained by the fact that the prostate fits tightly to the walls of the rectum, so when passing feces, the prostate can be compressed, causing fluid to leak from the urethra.
- The secret of the prostate can also be released in small amounts during urination, the so-called voiding prostorrhoea.
Discharge from the urethra in men is not always a sign of inflammatory processes. These symptoms are episodic. White discharge does not cause pain, there are no male disorders, and therefore there is nothing to worry about.
What should be of concern?
The male body is designed in such a way that changes in how it functions are immediately visible to men. As soon as such excretions from the urethra occur in heaps, change their color and consistency, you should consult a doctor. Regarding the signs:
- The discharge in men that appears from the urethra is pathological in nature, there are gray, yellow, green liquids.
- If blood appears in the urine when urinating, you should immediately consult a doctor.
- If an unpleasant odor emanates from the penis, this is a clear sign of the inflammatory process and the activity of microorganisms that can cause inflammation, a white liquid appears.
- Pathological discharge, unlike normal, is released, accompanied by pain and discomfort. These symptoms in particular are made worse by urination or arousal.
- Discharge in males may indicate the presence of the disease. In this case, they can often be confused with ordinary ones, so they are the most difficult to spot. A delay, in turn, can lead to a chronic form of the disease.
What needs to be done to recognize the danger in time? Take special care of your health and follow a few rules:
- Greater caution is required when going to the toilet after sleeping. Secretions can accumulate in the urethra during the sleeping period, so it's much easier to spot when it's occurring in the morning.
- Underwear is of particular importance. If at least one drop protrudes from the urethra throughout the day, after drying it leaves a clearly visible trace.
- When you press on the penis, especially when you sweep your hand from the pubic bone to the head of the organ, white mucus is released. Depending on the disease, it can have other colors and textures.
- An unhealthy diet, especially the consumption of spicy and alcoholic foods, can also lead to the occurrence of such phenomena.
- The lips of the urethral opening stick together or crusts form on them - all this may indicate the release of fluid, which then dries up.
- Most STDs are sexually transmitted, so don't forget that either. If white discharge appears after accidental contact, you should seek help, self-treatment is not recommended.
What can it be connected to?
White discharge from the urethra or other white fluids are important signs of an inflammatory process. The same must be said about purulent discharge. Doctors can glean enough information by examining the fluid that is drained and making a diagnosis and beginning treatment.
Vaginal discharge in men can indicate the following diseases:
- Urethritis is the most common cause. The urethra tries to protect itself independently with the help of the glands, which is why white mucus appears in its mucous membrane in the required amount.
- Sexually transmitted diseases, which include gonorrhea, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis or ureaplasmosis.
- Cancer of the penis, in which fluid is also released due to inflammation of the urethra.
- Inflammation can occur due to bacteria entering the urinary tract from other organs. This is due to a weakening of health, the immune system, poor hygiene or trauma.
- The appearance of blood discharge is a serious sign that can indicate an oncological pathology of the prostate.
The consistency of secretions, their color and transparency are the result of all the processes occurring in a man's body. Therefore, a specific color of the discharge is explained by the following factors:
- When epithelial cells are present in large numbers, the discharge is gray and has a high viscosity.
- When bacteria multiply, a large number of leukocytes enter the focus of inflammation. Because of this, a yellow, sometimes green discharge appears.
- White mucus, resembling curd mass, often indicates the development of candidiasis.
- It is worth noting that the appearance of various secretions can occur in different ways, depending on the situation. At the beginning of the disease, this can be a white discharge, which then changes to yellow. This happens when the body has time to react to a problem in the body.
What to do in such situations?
Referrals in men immediately become a reason to go to the doctor when it is not about the normal functioning of the body. One examination is not enough to make a diagnosis, so a series of analyzes of the released fluid is required.
You should not self-medicate or seek treatment, you need to see a urologist or venereologist. The doctor, in consultation with the patient, will order tests that include microscopy of secretions, inoculation on culture media, or polymerase chain reaction if previous methods have not yielded results.
Before visiting a medical institution, taking any medication is not recommended, as it can make it difficult to diagnose the disease. If a sexually transmitted disease is detected, both partners are examined to prevent reinfection in the future. If inflammation and mucus are detected in both, treatment is prescribed for each partner.
Penile discharge is one of the most common ailments that men seek help from a urologist for. After interviewing and examining the patient, the doctor may order additional tests to make an accurate diagnosis. The methods of modern medicine make it possible to quickly identify the cause of pathological secretions and select the optimal therapeutic regimen, taking into account all the peculiarities of the course of the disease.
Physiological Secretions
The discharge that arises from the penis actually comes from different parts of the genitourinary system. The resulting secret can 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, after a full examination of the patient, will be able to distinguish the norm from pathology.
Variants of physiological secretions from the penis:
Libidinal urethrorrhoea
Under this term, physiological secretions from the urethra (urethra) are hidden when aroused. The secretions are secreted by glands located in and around the urethra (paraurethral and bulbourethral glands). The resulting secret maintains an alkaline environment in the urethra favorable for the promotion of spermatozoa. Libidinal urethrorrhea occurs only in men of childbearing age. With age, the glands of the urethra atrophy and secretion ceases.
The amount of secretion during sexual arousal is variable and depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. The normal secret of the urethral glands is transparent, mucous, with no pus or blood impurities. A significant increase in the volume of discharge requires a consultation with a urologist.
sperm
Sperm is a mixture of prostate secretions and sperm. Normally, the ejaculate is thick, white, without any extraneous matter. Sperm is released during ejaculation during sexual intercourse or when masturbating. It is possible for a small amount of sperm to be released during wet dreams - involuntary ejaculation at night. Pollution occurs in boys after the age of 14 and is one of the signs of puberty. It is possible that men have wet dreams after a long period of abstinence (read about the pros and cons of abstinence here).
smegma
Smegma is a secret secreted by the glands of the foreskin and glans. Fresh smegma is off-white and yellows over time. Depending on intimate hygiene, the volume of smegma is small. A significant accumulation of smegma is noted with insufficient self-care. Such a discharge can be considered a symptom of the disease, and also cause the development of an inflammatory process (balanitis and balanoposthitis).
Physiological discharge from the penis is normal and does not require treatment. The following changes deserve attention:
- increase in secretion volume;
- change in consistency (discharge becomes too runny or thick);
- color change to yellow, yellow-green, brown;
- the appearance of blood impurities;
- the appearance of unpleasant sensations: itching, burning, pain in the intimate area;
- Dysuria or impaired urination (increased frequency, false urge to empty the bladder, urinary retention, pain or burning when urinating).
Pathological discharge
The cause of pathological discharge can be a variety of diseases. Infections of the genital and urinary tract, foreign objects, injuries, tumors - all this can lead to an increase in the volume of the secret, a change in its color or consistency. It is quite difficult to diagnose based on the nature of the discharge alone. In case of incomprehensible symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
Options for pathological discharge from the penis:
Slimy
Copious, viscous and thick, clear or milky-white discharge from the penis indicates the development of an infection. Similar symptoms are characteristic of the chronic course of chlamydial, mycoplasma and ureaplasma infections, trichomoniasis. Other symptoms of the disease (itching, burning, dysuric phenomena) are mild or absent.
Transparent mucus discharge from the penis can be a sign of such pathological conditions:
- Spermatorrhea - the release of sperm outside of sexual arousal, without erection and orgasm. The cause of spermatorrhea is a decrease in muscle tone of the vas deferens as a result of inflammation or impaired innervation. In the study, sperm are detected in the material.
- Prostatorrhea - spontaneous secretion of the prostate. Occurs with inflammation of the prostate and the appearance of tumors.
purulent
Yellow and yellow-green thick discharge is found in many sexually transmitted diseases (including gonorrhea). Pus is an accumulation of dead cells of the epithelium of the urethra, mucus and a large number of leukocytes. In the acute stage there is itching and burning in the intimate area, discomfort when urinating. Possible increase in body temperature. With the transition of infection to the bladder and the development of cystitis, dysuric phenomena appear in the form of frequent and painful urination or urinary retention.
Bloody
The volume of blood released from the urethra can be different: from a slight staining of the secretion in brown or pink color to clear bleeding. The cause of the appearance of blood can be a violation of the urethra or bladder (including the penetration of foreign objects or careless instrumental diagnostics). Bloody discharge is a common symptom of neoplasms of the prostate, urethra and other organs of the urogenital area.
What to do?
The appearance of a suspicious discharge from the penis - pods to contact a urologist. Many diseases of the genitals and urinary system are similar to each other, and self-diagnosis does not work. Often the disease even takes an atypical course, and only a doctor can understand the whole variety of symptoms. Do not postpone the visit to a specialist and expect that the problem will miraculously resolve itself.
During the first visit, the doctor always asks about complaints, examines the patient and takes material for research. Further actions of the doctor 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.
Conclusions
Discharge from the penis is a symptom that occurs in a variety of diseases, from infection to oncology. Self-medication for an incomprehensible discharge is not allowed. Uncontrolled intake of drugs or the use of traditional medical techniques can aggravate the course of the disease and lead to an unfavorable outcome. Entrust your health to a professional. Compliance with all the doctor's recommendations will help to avoid complications and speed up recovery.