White discharge in men is a common phenomenon.
But before you seek help from a doctor, you should find out what is normal and what is alarming.
The appearance of such signs can be caused by various factors.
Normal state of the organism
Urethral discharge in men can occur due to normal processes in the body. Such discharge cannot be considered as an indicator of disease every time. The following discharge in men testifies to the normal functioning of the body, the causes of which can be different:
- With sexual excitement, a clear discharge appears on the head of the penis. This is due to the work of the urethral glands, and this phenomenon aims to protect the inner surface of the urethra. In this case, it is worth repeating that it appears during excitement or morning erection.
- Appearance of sperm during sexual intercourse or during wet dreams.
- The so-called defecation space is the appearance of discharge from the opening of the urethra. This is explained by the fact that the prostate adheres tightly to the walls of the rectum, so when the feces come out, the prostate can be squeezed, which causes fluid to appear from the urethra.
- A small amount of the secret of the prostate can be released during urination, the so-called micturative space.
Urethral discharge 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, so there is no reason to worry.
What should be concerned?
The male body is designed in such a way that all changes in its functioning are immediately visible to men. As soon as such discharge from the urethra becomes a frequent occurrence, changes color and consistency, it is necessary to consult a doctor. About the signs should be said:
- Discharge in men, which appears from the urethra, is of a pathological nature, it has gray, yellow, green liquids.
- If blood appears in the urine during urination, seek medical help immediately.
- If an unpleasant smell comes from the penis, then this is a clear sign of the inflammatory process and the activity of microorganisms, which can lead to inflammation, a white liquid appears.
- Pathological discharge, unlike normal, is released, accompanied by pain, discomfort. In particular, these symptoms are aggravated by urination or excitement.
- Discharge in men may indicate the presence of a disease. In this case, they can often be confused with ordinary 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 should especially take care of your health and follow a number of rules:
- You should be more careful when going to the toilet after sleeping. During sleep, the secretion can accumulate in the urethra, so it is much easier to recognize it in the morning if it appears.
- Underwear is of particular importance. If even during the whole day at least one drop is separated from the urethra, after drying it will leave a clearly visible mark.
- When you press the penis, especially if you pass 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 can also lead to the appearance of such phenomena, especially the consumption of food that contains a lot of spices and alcohol.
- The lips of the opening of the urethra come together or crusts form on them - all this may indicate the release of fluid, which then dries up.
- Most sexually transmitted diseases are sexually transmitted, so we should not forget this either. If white discharge appears after accidental contact, you should seek help, self-medication is not recommended.
What can it be associated with?
White discharge from the urethra or other white fluid are important signs of an inflammatory process. The same must be said for purulent discharge. Doctors can extract enough information if they study the excreted fluid and make a diagnosis, start treatment.
Discharge in men can indicate the following diseases:
- Urethritis is the most common cause. The urethra tries to protect itself with the help of glands, which is why white mucus appears in its mucosa in the required amount.
- Sexually transmitted diseases, which include gonorrhea, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis or ureaplasmosis.
- Penile cancer, in which fluid is also released due to inflammation of the urethra.
- The appearance of inflammation may be the result of bacteria entering the urinary tract from other organs. This is due to weakening of health, immune system, poor hygiene or trauma.
- The appearance of discharge with blood is a serious sign that may indicate oncological pathology of the prostate.
The consistency of secretions, their color and transparency are the result of any processes taking place in a man's body. Therefore, the specific color of the discharge is explained by the following factors:
- If epithelial cells are present in large numbers, then the discharge is gray and has a high viscosity.
- A large number of leukocytes enter the focus of inflammation during the reproduction of bacteria. For this reason, a yellow discharge appears, sometimes green.
- White mucus, which resembles curd, often indicates the development of candidiasis.
- It is worth noting that the appearance of various secretions can appear in different ways depending on the situation. At the beginning of the disease, it can be a white discharge, which then turns yellow. This happens if the body has time to respond to the problem in the body.
What to do in such situations?
Discharge in men immediately becomes a reason to go to the doctor, if the matter does not concern the normal functioning of the body. One examination will not be enough to make a diagnosis, so a series of analyzes of the released fluid is required.
You should not treat yourself or try to treat yourself, you should visit a urologist or venereologist. The doctor, in coordination with the patient, will prescribe studies that include secretion microscopy, inoculation on nutrient media, or polymerase chain reaction if previous methods have not yielded results.
Before visiting a medical facility, it is not recommended to take medication, as this can make the diagnosis of the disease more difficult. When determining a venereal disease, both partners are subject to an examination to prevent re-infection in the future. If inflammation and mucus are found in both, treatment is prescribed for each partner.
Penile discharge is one of the most common complaints that men seek help from a urologist. After examining and examining the patient, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations to establish an accurate diagnosis. The methods of modern medicine enable the rapid detection of the cause of pathological secretions and the selection of the optimal treatment regimen, taking into account all the characteristics 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 can be discharge from the urethra, sebaceous glands or pathological formations on the skin. Some discharge is normal, while others are considered a sign of illness. The doctor will be able to distinguish the norm from the pathology after a complete examination of the patient.
Variants of physiological secretions from the penis:
Libidinous urethrorhoea
Under this term, physiological secretions from the urethra (urethra) are secreted during arousal. The secretion is 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. Libidinous urethrorhoea occurs only in men of reproductive age. In old age, the glands of the urethra atrophy, and excretion stops.
The amount of secretions during sexual excitement is variable and depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. The normal secret of the urinary glands is transparent, mucous, without impurities of pus or blood. A significant increase in the volume of discharge requires consultation with a urologist.
Sperm
Semen is a mixture of prostate secretions and spermatozoa. Normally, the ejaculate is thick, white, without foreign inclusions. Sperm is released during ejaculation during sexual 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. The occurrence of wet dreams in men after prolonged abstinence is not excluded (read here about the advantages and disadvantages of abstinence).
Smegma
Smegma is a secret secreted by the glands of the prepuce and glans penis. Fresh smegma is greyish-white, which turns yellow over time. Subject to intimate hygiene, the volume of smegma will be small. A significant accumulation of smegma was observed with insufficient self-care. Such a discharge can be understood as a symptom of a disease, and it can 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 liquid or thick);
- change in color to yellow, yellow-green, brown;
- appearance of blood impurities;
- appearance of unpleasant sensations: itching, burning, pain in the intimate area;
- dysuria or difficulty urinating (increased frequency, false urge to empty the bladder, urinary retention, pain or burning during urination).
Pathological discharge
Pathological discharge can be caused by various diseases. Infections of the genital tract and urinary system, foreign bodies, 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 make a diagnosis based on the type of discharge alone. If you experience any incomprehensible symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
Options for pathological discharge from the penis:
Slimy
Abundant, 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 chlamydia, mycoplasma and ureaplasma infections, trichomoniasis. Other symptoms of the disease (itching, burning, dysuric phenomena) are mild or absent.
Transparent mucous discharge from the penis can be a sign of such pathological conditions:
- Spermatorrhea - release of sperm outside of sexual excitement, without erection and orgasm. The cause of spermatorrhoea is a decrease in the muscle tone of the vas deferens as a result of inflammation or disturbed innervation. In the study, spermatozoa are detected in the material.
- Prostatorrhea - spontaneous secretion of the prostate. It occurs in inflammation of the prostate gland and the appearance of tumors.
Purulent
Yellow and yellow-green thick discharge is found in many sexually transmitted diseases (including gonorrhea). Pus is a collection of dead cells of the urethral epithelium, mucus and a large number of leukocytes. In the acute phase, there is itching and burning in the intimate area, discomfort during urination. Possible increase in body temperature. In the case of transition of the infection to the bladder and the development of cystitis, dysuric phenomena occur in the form of frequent and painful urination or retention of urine.
Bloody
The amount of blood that is released from the urethra can be different: from a slight staining of secretions in brown or pink color to unequivocal 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 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 any suspicious discharge from the penis - pods to contact a urologist. Many diseases of the genital organs and urinary system are similar to each other and will not be able to self-diagnose. Often the disease even takes an atypical course, and only a doctor can understand the whole range of symptoms. Do not delay seeing a specialist and expect the problem to magically 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 will depend on the obtained results. Based on the examination results, the optimal therapy regimen is selected to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and restore health.
conclusions
Discharge from the penis is a symptom that occurs in various diseases, from infection to oncology. Self-treatment of any unexplained discharge is not allowed. Uncontrolled taking of medication or use of traditional medicine techniques can worsen the course of the disease and lead to an unfavorable outcome. Entrust your health to professionals. Compliance with all the doctor's recommendations will help to avoid the development of complications and speed up recovery.