The genitals and urinary organs in men are in direct contact. Therefore, the penetration of various pathological microorganisms often causes inflammation of both systems. Not only urine passes through the urethra, but also seminal fluid during ejaculation. Unlike the female body, men have only one outlet. For this reason, discharge from the penis may indicate not only pathologies of the genital area, but also diseases of the urinary system. In most cases, combined inflammation is observed. The appearance of pathological fluids from the penis is the reason for contacting a urologist.
Penis Discharge: Normal
Every man is familiar with discharge from the penile opening. The appearance of a transparent, odorless, viscous fluid on the head of the penis is considered normal. As is known from anatomy, several ducts flow into the urethra. In addition, there are preputial glands on the glans penis. They are under the skin of the foreskin. These glands constantly secrete a mucous secretion (smegma). Natural lubrication prevents friction between the foreskin and the head of the penis. The maximum activity of the glands is observed during puberty. With age, the discharge becomes less. Smegma can have a whitish or yellowish tint, since bacterial particles are present in its composition.
The normal secretions that appear in the lumen of the urethra constantly include: urine, sperm and prostate secretion. Despite the fact that all these fluids are physiological, their occurrence does not always indicate the norm. It is worth paying attention to the amount of secret and the frequency of its removal.
Discharge from the penis: causes
The causes of pathological discharge from the urethra can be various. In most cases, these are inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system. They develop as a result of infection or as a result of chronic pathologies. Discharge from the penis appears for the following reasons:
- Sexually transmitted diseases. Sexually transmitted infections are often accompanied by the appearance of a pathological secretion on the head of the penis. In most cases, sexually transmitted diseases have other manifestations. Among them, one can note pain during urination and during intercourse, an increase in body temperature, and the appearance of rashes on the penis.
- Inflammatory pathology. Transparent discharge from the penis may indicate a chronic disease of the organs of the male reproductive system. The inflammatory process most often occurs in the prostate gland (prostatitis) or the urethra.
- Allergic reactions. Excretions may be associated with increased activity of the glands. Most often it is caused by an allergy to contraceptives, wipes.
- Tumors of the male genital organs. Increased secretion of prostate gland is associated with prostate adenoma. Benign organ hyperplasia is observed in elderly men. In some cases, discharge from the penis appears with cancerous tumors.
- Semen and urinary tract injuries.
- Diseases of the central nervous system, affecting a decrease in muscle tone.
Regardless of the cause of the discharge, it is worth consulting a doctor. The choice of treatment method depends on what kind of pathology the patient has.
Varieties of discharge from the penis
Discharge from the penis can be different. They differ in color, composition, texture and smell. The appearance of a secret in the lumen of the urethra does not always occur spontaneously. In most cases, it is associated with sexual arousal, taking medications or alcohol, urinating, eating spicy or sweet foods.
Discharges are mucous, purulent, bloody and mixed. If the exudate in its properties differs from the normal secretion of the prostate gland or seminal fluid, then there is an inflammatory process. An infectious disease is indicated by a change in the consistency, color and smell of secretions. In some cases, pathological impurities may be present in physiological fluids. These include pus, blood, lumps of mucus. Pathological discharge from the penis in men is accompanied by unpleasant sensations during urination, sexual dysfunction, and a rash.
It is worth noting that if the exudate does not differ from the normal secret in its properties, this does not always indicate the absence of the disease. In addition to the color and consistency of secretions, attention should be paid to their volume and frequency of occurrence. Increased secretion of the gonads may indicate pathologies of the nervous and endocrine systems.
Discharge in inflammatory processes
The discharge from the white penis is associated with inflammatory processes. Often they appear due to infection by pathogenic microorganisms. Inflammation may be bacterial, viral, or fungal. Depending on the route of transmission of the pathogen, sexually transmitted infections and non-specific diseases of the genital tract are isolated. The first are associated with infection during sexual contact. Nonspecific inflammatory processes occur due to a decrease in immunity, non-observance of personal hygiene, hypothermia. The most common sexually transmitted pathologies in men include:
- Gonorrhea.
- Chlamydia
- Genital herpes.
- Ureaplasmosis.
- Trichomoniasis
- Mycoplasmosis
To determine the causative agent of the infection and prescribe the appropriate treatment, a microscopic examination of the secretions from the penis is performed. The pathological secret in sexually transmitted diseases is characterized by a thick consistency and an unpleasant odor. Excessive discharge may indicate nonspecific genital inflammation. Such pathologies include prostatitis, urethritis, balanitis. In addition, impurities are observed in diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract.
The appearance of transparent and white selections
White discharge from the penis does not always indicate that there is inflammation of the genitourinary system. Sometimes they are observed with increased secretion of the prostate gland. Prostatorea is associated with muscle tension in the abdominal wall. It occurs with prostate adenoma, chronic constipation. Turbidity of the exudate indicates the development of the inflammatory process - prostatitis.
Urethrorrhea is the secretion of mucus by the glands located in the urethra. It occurs during sexual arousal. Mucus serves as a lubricant designed to improve the passage of seminal fluid. In some cases, urethrorea is observed outside of sexual intercourse. Most often this happens in the morning in young men and adolescents.
Penis secretions include pollutions. They are associated with increased levels of male sex hormones. Spontaneous release of sperm often occurs in adolescents in the morning. Emissions indicate hormonal fluctuations. Also, sperm comes out if there is a violation of the tone of the vas deferens. The causes are inflammatory processes and diseases of the central nervous system.
Purulent discharge from the urethra
With infectious pathologies of bacterial etiology, purulent discharge from the penis occurs. Most often, they indicate the development of gonorrhea. This disease refers to sexually transmitted infections. Pathology is accompanied by severe urethral edema and purulent exudate secretion. It consists of epithelial cells of the urethra and a large number of neutrophils. With gonorrhea, white, greenish, or yellow discharge from the penis can be noted. They have an unpleasant odor. Urination is accompanied by cutting pain.
Another common sexually transmitted infection is chlamydia. With this pathology, mucopurulent discharge is noted. They have a thick consistency and seem to stick to the glans penis. In some cases, concomitant infections are diagnosed.
Urethral spotting
The reason for contacting a doctor should be a blood discharge from the penis. Most often, they indicate diseases of the urinary tract. Blood can be released during injuries of the urethral canal. Hematorrhea occurs after performing diagnostic procedures on the bladder. Also, spotting appears after the introduction of foreign bodies into the lumen of the urethra, in particular a catheter. In this case, hematorea disappears within a few minutes or hours.
If blood is constantly noted during urination, an urgent examination should be made. This symptom may indicate the occurrence of kidney stones, glomerulonephritis, and tumor diseases.
Diagnosis of pathologies of the urinary system
When pathological findings from the penis appear, the patient is examined. Diagnostic measures include:
- Interrogation of the patient and examination of the genitals.
- Finger examination of the prostate gland. It allows not only to assess the condition of the organ, but also to obtain the secret of the prostate.
- Microscopic examination of secreted exudate.
- Laboratory diagnostic methods - a general analysis of blood and urine.
- Instrumental examinations - ultrasound of the prostate, urography, cystoscopy.
In some cases, a smear microscopy obtained from the excreted fluid is sufficient to diagnose the disease.
The consequences of genital pathologies
The consequences of male genital diseases can be serious. Complications of inflammatory pathologies include infertility and impotence. Prostate tumors lead to impaired urination and the development of renal failure.
Penis Discharge Treatment
To get rid of pathological discharge from the penis, an examination is necessary. After performing all the tests, the doctor will prescribe treatment. Medications are selected depending on the causative agent of the infection. With gonorrhea, the well-known drug Penicillin is used.
Antibacterial drugs from the group of macrolides, tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones are used to treat chlamydia and other infections. These include medications Azithromycin, Doxycycline, Levofloxacin.
Prevention of the appearance of secretions from the penis
For the prevention of genital tract infections, barrier methods of contraception are used. To avoid the development of chronic inflammatory diseases, it is necessary to maintain the immune system, maintain a healthy lifestyle and regular sexual activity. You should also refrain from masturbation. Personal hygiene helps to cope with pathogenic bacteria.