White discharge in men is a common occurrence.
But before seeking help from a doctor, you should find out what is normal and what should be alarming.
The appearance of such signs can be caused by several factors.
The normal state of the body
Discharge from the urethra in men can occur due to normal processes that take place in the body. This discharge cannot always 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 varied:
- With sexual arousal, a clear discharge appears on the head of the penis. 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 is worth repeating that this appears during arousal or morning erection.
- The appearance of semen during intercourse or during wet dreams.
- The so-called defecation prostorrhoea is the occurrence of secretion by the opening of the urethra. This is explained by the fact that the prostate fits perfectly into the walls of the rectum, so when passing stool, the prostate can be compressed, which causes fluid to appear from the urethra.
- In small amounts, the prostate secret can also be released during urination, the so-called voiding prostorrhea.
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 no reason for concern.
What should be cause for concern?
The male body is designed in such a way that any changes in its functioning are immediately visible to men. As soon as this discharge from the urethra becomes a frequent occurrence, it changes color and consistency, you should see a doctor. It should be said about the signs:
- Discharge in men, which appears in the urethra, is pathological in nature, there are gray, yellow and green fluids.
- If blood appears in the urine during urination, you should immediately seek the help of a doctor.
- If an unpleasant odor emanates from the penis, this is a clear sign of the inflammatory process and the activity of microorganisms, which can lead to inflammation, then a white liquid appears.
- Pathological discharge, unlike normal, is released, accompanied by pain, discomfort. Especially these symptoms are aggravated by urination or excitement.
- Discharge in men may indicate the presence of the disease. In this case, they can often be confused with the common ones, so they are the most difficult to recognize. In turn, the delay can lead to a chronic form of the disease.
What needs to be done to recognize the danger in time? You must be especially attentive to your health and follow a series of rules:
- Greater care should be taken when visiting the bathroom after sleeping. During the sleep period, secretions can accumulate in the urethra, so if they occur, it is much easier to recognize in the morning.
- Underwear is of particular importance. If, even throughout the day, at least one drop stands out from the urethra, then after drying it will leave a clearly visible trail.
- When you press on the penis, especially if you run your hand from the pubis to the head of the organ, white mucus is released. It can be of other colors and textures, depending on the disease.
- An unhealthy diet, especially the consumption of foods that contain a lot of spices and alcohol, can also lead to the occurrence of such phenomena.
- The lips of the urethral opening stick together or form crusts - all this can indicate the release of fluid, which then dries up.
- Most sexually transmitted diseases are sexually transmitted, so you shouldn't forget that either. If, after accidental contact, white discharge occurs, 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 extract enough information if they study the secreted fluid and make a diagnosis, start treatment.
Discharge in men can indicate the following diseases:
- Urethritis is the most common cause. The urethra independently tries to protect itself with the help of the glands, which is why white mucus appears on its mucous membrane in the necessary 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.
- The appearance of inflammation may be due to bacteria entering the urinary tract from other organs. This is due to a weakened health, immune system, poor hygiene, or trauma.
- The appearance of bloody discharge is a serious sign that may indicate an oncological pathology of the prostate.
The consistency of secretions, their color and transparency are the result of any processes that take place in a man's body. Therefore, a certain color of the discharge is explained by the following factors:
- If epithelial cells are present in large numbers, the discharge is gray and has high viscosity.
- A large number of leukocytes enter the focus of inflammation during the reproduction of bacteria. For this reason, a yellow, sometimes green, discharge appears.
- White mucus, similar to a curd mass, often indicates the development of candidiasis.
- It is worth mentioning that the appearance of various secretions can occur in different ways, depending on the situation. At the beginning of the disease, it may be a white discharge, which later changes to yellow. This happens if the body has time to respond to a problem in the body.
What to do in such situations?
Allocations in men immediately become a reason to go to the doctor if the matter does not concern the normal functioning of the body. One exam will not be enough to make a diagnosis, so a series of analyzes of the released fluid is necessary.
You should not treat yourself or try to be treated, you need to visit a urologist or venereologist. The physician, in coordination with the patient, will prescribe studies that include microscopy of secretions, inoculation in nutrient medium, or polymerase chain reaction if the above methods do not work.
Before visiting a medical institution, it is not recommended to take medication, as this can complicate the diagnosis of the disease. When establishing a disease of a venereal nature, both partners are subject to examination so that in the future there is no reinfection. If inflammation and mucus are found in both, treatment is prescribed for each partner.
Penis discharge is one of the most common complaints men seek help from a urologist with. After questioning and examining the patient, the doctor may prescribe additional tests to make an accurate diagnosis. The methods of modern medicine make it possible to quickly detect the cause of pathological secretions and select the optimal therapeutic regimen, taking into account all the features of the course of the disease.
physiological secretions
The discharge that comes from the penis actually comes from different parts of the genitourinary system. The resulting secret may be a discharge from the urethra, sebaceous glands or pathological formations on the skin. Some discharges are normal, while others are considered a sign of illness. The doctor will be able to distinguish the norm from the pathology after a thorough examination of the patient.
Variants of physiological secretions of the penis:
libidinous urethrorrhea
Under this term, the physiological secretions from the urethra (urethra) are hidden during arousal. 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 to the promotion of sperm. Libidinous urethrorrhea occurs only in men of reproductive age. In old age, the urethral glands atrophy and secretion ceases.
The volume of secretions during sexual arousal is variable and depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. The normal secret of the urethral glands is transparent, mucous, without pus or blood impurities. A significant increase in the volume of discharge requires consultation with a urologist.
Sperm
Semen is a mixture of prostate secretion and sperm. Normally, the ejaculate is thick, white, with no extraneous inclusions. Sperm is released during ejaculation during intercourse or during masturbation. It is possible to release a small amount of sperm 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 not excluded the appearance of wet dreams in men after a long abstinence (read about the benefits and harms of abstinence here).
smegma
Smegma is a secret secreted by the glands of the foreskin and glans of the penis. Fresh smegma is grayish white, turning yellow over time. Subject to intimate hygiene, the smegma volume will be small. A significant buildup of smegma is seen with insufficient self-care. Such 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:
- increased volume of secretions;
- change in consistency (discharge becomes too liquid or thick);
- color change to yellow, yellow-green, brown;
- the appearance of impurities in the blood;
- the occurrence of unpleasant sensations: itching, burning, pain in the intimate region;
- dysuria or difficulty urinating (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 tract and urinary system, foreign bodies, lesions, 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 make a diagnosis based on the type of discharge alone. If you have any incomprehensible symptoms, you should see a doctor.
Options for pathological discharge from the penis:
mucosa
A copious, viscous, 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 mucous secretion from the penis can be a sign of such pathological conditions:
- Spermatorrhea - the release of sperm out of sexual arousal, without erection and orgasm. The cause of spermatorrhoea is a decrease in tone of the vas deferens muscles as a result of inflammation or impaired innervation. In the study, sperm are detected in the material.
- Prostatorrhea - spontaneous secretion of the prostate. It occurs with inflammation of the prostate and the appearance of tumors.
Purulent
Thick yellow and yellowish-green discharge is found in many sexually transmitted diseases (including gonorrhea). Pus is a collection of dead cells from the urethral epithelium, mucus and a large number of leukocytes. In the acute phase, there is itching and burning in the intimate region, discomfort when urinating. Possible increase in body temperature. In the case of the transition from 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 light brown or pink coloring of the secretion to unmistakable bleeding. The cause of the appearance of blood can be an injury to the urethra or bladder (including the entry of foreign bodies or careless instrumental diagnoses). Bloody discharge is a common symptom of neoplasms of the prostate, urethra, and other organs in the urogenital area.
What to do?
The appearance of any suspicious discharge from the penis - pods to contact a urologist. Many diseases of Organs genitals and urinary system are similar to each other and will not work for self-diagnosis. Often, the disease even takes an atypical course, and only a doctor can understand the full range of symptoms. Do not put off visiting a specialist and hope that the problem will miraculously resolve itself.
In the first consultation, the doctor always asks about the complaints, examines the patient and takes material for research. Other actions by the doctor will depend on the results obtained. Based on the results of the examination, the optimal therapy regimen is selected to get rid of unpleasant symptoms and restore health.
conclusions
Penis discharge is a symptom that occurs in a variety of diseases, from infection to oncology. Self-medication for any incomprehensible discharge is not allowed. Uncontrolled medication intake or the use of traditional medicine techniques can worsen the course of the disease and lead to an unfavorable outcome. Trust your health to a professional. Complying with all the doctor's recommendations will help to prevent the development of complications and speed up recovery.