Secretions in the male genital organs are secretions from the urethra (urethra) and secretions of the foreskin gland, located on the head of the penis, under the foreskin.The ejaculatory duct, prostatic duct, urethral gland, and bulbourethral gland open into the urethra.
In healthy people, only urine and semen flow through the urethra.These are physiological waste products from the penis and they do not cause any discomfort.Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
For many different reasons, men's health deteriorates and instead of normal secretions, abnormal secretions or urine and sperm changes appear.
Physiological forms of excretion
Normal discharge standards correspond to the functions of organs in the genitourinary system:
- Urine is clear, straw-colored to golden yellow, practically odorless and contains no sediment or other impurities;
- Prostate secretions are thick, milky viscous, and have a characteristic sperm odor;
- Ejaculation: sperm from the ejaculatory duct mixes with secretions from the Littre (urethral), Cooper (bulbourethral) glands and prostatic secretions, acquiring a gray-white color and mucus consistency;
- Fresh mucus from the foreskin looks like a thick white lubricant;may become yellowish or greenish over time.
Foreskin lubricant - smegma - is constantly secreted, accumulating under the inner layer of the foreskin and in the coronal groove of the penis.The lubricant consists of fats and bacterial residues, which are evenly distributed and reduce friction between the foreskin and glans.Maximum activity of the foreskin is characteristic of puberty;With age, secretion gradually decreases and in old age it stops completely.
If you ignore the rules of personal hygiene, then smegma can accumulate under the folds of the foreskin.In this case, the fatty part of the lubricant is oxidized, and the protein part decomposes (in fact, this is rotting) and the masses become green, with an unpleasant odor.The same process occurs with phimosis, when the foreskin sticks together, it is impossible to completely free the head of the penis from skin folds and remove smegma.The buildup and breakdown of lubricants can lead to chronic balanitis and balanitis (inflammation of the foreskin and glans of the penis), increasing the risk of tumor development.
Urethra, mucus, colorless secretions from the bulbourethral gland and urethra.These discharges appear in men during arousal related to sexual desire.The secretion of clear mucus is intended to lubricate the urethra and improve sperm movement.The amount of excretion ranges from little to much;These parameters are related to individual characteristics of the body and frequency of sexual activity.After prolonged abstinence, the amount of secretions increases.
A wet dream is the natural release of sperm that is not related to sexual intercourse.Usually observed in the morning, when testosterone levels are elevated.Depends on age and intensity of sexual activity: it appears in boys during puberty, in adult men - with irregular or rare sexual intercourse.
The prostate gland, secretes from the urethra a small amount of transparent mucus with gray-white impurities.Occurs after abdominal strain (eg, constipation) or after urination.The secretions include a mixture of semen and prostatic secretions;Increased mass and turbidity may be a sign of prostatitis.
Discharge of pathology
In men, the causes of discharge from the penis can be sexually transmitted diseases, tumors, nonspecific inflammation of the genital organs, various injuries, medical or surgical procedures.
Pathological discharge from the urethra is different from normal:
- By quantity (too abundant or too little, perhaps just right);
- According to color and transparency (from white to yellow-green, opaque);
- Due to impurities (blood, pus, mucus clots);
- Consistency (very liquid or too thick and sticky);
- By smell (sour, rotten, fishy);
- According to the frequency of occurrence (depending on the time of day, continuous or episodic discharge);
- Related to urination, sexual excitement, drinking alcohol, eating hot and spicy foods.
The nature of the secretion depends on the causative agent, the state of the immune system, accompanying diseases, as well as the severity and duration of inflammation (acute or chronic).
If there is a change in the amount, density or color of the secretions or if an unpleasant odor appears, you should consult a doctor and have tests done.There is no point in self-diagnosing;It is very difficult to accurately identify the disease based on just one symptom.
Penile discharge linked to STDs
Mucus: clear, viscous and small quantity of secretions, occurring in chronic forms of urethritis caused by chlamydia, mycoplasma or ureaplasma.Microscopy shows a moderate number of leukocytes in the secretions (norm up to 4 cells in the field of view).
Mucus: white, transparent secretion;observed in the acute phase of chlamydia, ureaplasmosis and mycoplasmosis.When infected with chlamydia, they accumulate on the head of the penis, as if "sticking" to the skin.
With the pathologies described above, the discharge will come from the urethra itself, since microorganisms irritate the mucous membrane of the urethra and the body tries to "wash them away".
It happens that a white secretion seems to cover the head.This is observed with chlamydia and candida.In the first case, a film is formed, in the second case - a loose, gelatinous coating.
Purulent discharge with an unpleasant odor is a characteristic of gonorrhea.They are sticky, thick, yellow or greenish in color and have a foul smell.Under a microscope, epithelial cells from the urethra and many white blood cells are visible in the material.
Symptoms accompanying gonococcal urethritis: continuous and abundant discharge;pain, itching and burning are especially severe when urinating.
With sexually transmitted diseases, combined infections are often observed, combining several pathogens at once.Gonorrhea and trichomoniasis accompany chlamydia;mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis are often found in pairs.Symptoms of such diseases differ from the classic manifestations;Urethral secretions can also have a completely different nature.Therefore, for the final diagnosis, modern highly reliable analytical techniques are used, and not the characteristics of the secretions.
Non-specific (non-venereal) inflammation
The cause of non-specific inflammation is its own microflora, which is classified as opportunistic and is activated only in case of problems with the body's immune defenses.Streptococci and staphylococci, fungi of the genus Candida and E. coli are always present on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes, but they begin to actively multiply and replace beneficial bacteria after hypothermia, prolonged stress, uncontrolled treatment with antibiotics, after radiation and chemotherapy courses.
Nonspecific (nonspecific) urethritis.Inflammatory secretions are small in amount, visible in the urine as strings or mucous clumps and appear right at the beginning of the disease.Symptoms in the form of burning and itching during urination are less pronounced than with gonorrhea, but nausea is frequent and does not bring relief.With progressive infection, the bladder becomes inflamed first, then the ureters and kidneys;Fluid mixed with bright red blood appears.
Candidiasis (thrush), urethral yeast infection.Usually develops based on suppression of the immune system after a course of antibiotics, chemotherapy or radiotherapy;Sexual transmission of candidiasis in men is very rare.Thrush is characterized by a sour-smelling curd-like discharge, combined with itching and burning during urination (urination) and ejaculation (ejaculation), and may be accompanied by dull pain in the groin, above the pubic bone and in the lower back.
Gardnerellosis of the urethra.The waste has a fishy smell;they are very few, yellowish white or bluish in color.According to some classifications, Gardnerella is classified as a sexually transmitted disease (STD), but in men, contracting Gardnerella through sexual contact is more curious.In fact, this disease is associated with a disruption of the normal microflora, i.e. dysbiosis.When treating, it is necessary to use immune modulators and probiotics (lactic acid bacteria).
Balanoposthitis, inflammation of the foreskin.At the site, people observe a lot of pus and may be mixed with mucus.They are always accompanied by swelling and congestion (redness) of the foreskin, and pain in the tip of the penis.
With prostatitis, cloudy discharge appears at the end of urination, copious discharge - during the acute inflammation phase;little and white - when the disease becomes chronic.Prostatitis is often complicated by difficulty urinating and weak erection, which in severe cases even leads to anuria (complete absence of urine) and impotence.
Discharge is not related to inflammation
Spermia is the phenomenon of ejaculation in the form of passive flow of sperm, occurring outside of sexual intercourse or masturbation without orgasm.It is caused by certain diseases of the nervous system, spinal injuries, chronic stress and any long-term inflammation in the genital area.Sperm spermatorrhea is associated with neurological impairment and decreased tone of the vas deferens.
Bleeding, bleeding.Often occurs with injuries to the urethral canal during flower arrangements, after catheterization, or when smears are taken from mucous membranes.In these cases, the blood is fresh, not clotted, the amount is small and the bleeding stops quickly.When small kidney stones or sand pass, blood will flow out during or immediately after urination, bloody stools are accompanied by very severe abdominal pain (renal colic).Bleeding in the form of glomerulonephritis (glomerulonephritis) is associated with edema and persistently high blood pressure, as well as the appearance of protein in the urine.
Brown vaginal discharge, accompanied by blood clots or mucus, mixed with pus, appears with malignant tumors emanating from the prostate, urethra or bladder.Brown mucus can form during the healing process of mucous membranes and is released during urethral and/or bladder polyps.
Prostatitis is the secretion of the prostate gland that drains from the urethra.Occurs in chronic prostatitis, prostate adenoma, neurological disorders (neurogenic bladder).
The algorithm checks for the presence of pathological discharge from the penis
- Examine the perineum, penis, foreskin, and glans.The purpose is to identify deformations of genital organs, traces of trauma, signs of external inflammation, discharge, rashes, etc.Traces of discharge are sometimes noticeable on underwear.
- Palpate the inguinal lymph nodes, evaluate their condition: size, hotter or colder than surrounding tissues, painful or not, soft or hard, mobile or attached to the skin, whether there are ulcers on the skin or not.
- Digital prostate examination;Massage the prostate through the rectum and collect secretions for microscopic examination.Before massage, you should limit urination for 1-2 hours.With prostate adenoma, its lobes enlarge almost equally, dense cords can be felt.Their uneven growth and consistency are typical of melanoma;When palpating the prostate, clotted blood may flow from the urethra.
- Material: smear for microscopy and culture.When examined under a microscope, the stained smear reveals blood cells, epithelium, sperm, fat, and some pathogens (Escherichia coli, gonococci, Gardnerella, yeast).An increased number of leukocytes is characteristic of acute urethritis or exacerbation of chronic inflammation, eosinophils - allergic urethritis.Erythrocytes are detected in severe inflammation, tumors, genital lesions and urinary stones.A large amount of epithelium is a sign of chronic urethritis and urethral leukoplakia.With spermatorrhea, sperm are found in smears, with urethra - mucus, with prostate - lipid granules.For information content and reliability of results, smear tests are performed no earlier than 3 days after application of topical antibiotics, antifungals and antiseptics.If antibiotic treatment is systemic, it should take at least 3 weeks after the course.Before applying, do not wash;Try not to urinate for 2-3 hours.
- General clinical blood test, blood sugar test - in the morning, on an empty stomach.Detailed urine analysis (morning portion, immediately after sleep).
- Ultrasound of the prostate, bladder and kidneys;CT and urography.
If symptoms of genital inflammation are severe, before receiving test results, the patient will be immediately prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics.In case of heavy bleeding, hospitalization and aggressive measures must be taken to stop the bleeding.Suspicion of malignancy can only be confirmed by biopsy results;The final diagnosis is made on the basis of histological examination.
Important:
- Discharge from the penis is only a symptom and cannot be used as a guide when making a diagnosis.
- Independent prescription of medication is unacceptable.medication, even if the symptoms seem clear of a specific disease.