White discharge in men is a common phenomenon.
But before you seek help from a doctor, you need to understand what is normal and what should worry you.
The appearance of such signs can be caused by various factors.
The normal state of the body
Urethral discharge in men can occur due to normal processes occurring 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 different:
- During sexual arousal, a transparent 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 occurs during arousal or morning erection.
- The appearance of sperm during 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 fits tightly to the walls of the rectum, so when passing stool, the prostate can be compressed, which leads to the appearance of fluid from the urethra.
- A small amount of prostate secretion can also be released during urination, the so-called micturative prosteria.
Discharge from the urethra in men is not always a sign of any inflammatory processes. These symptoms are episodic. White discharge does not cause pain, there are no male disorders, and therefore there is no cause for concern.
What should concern you?
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 frequent, they change their color and consistency, you should consult a doctor. It should be said about the signs:
- Discharge in men, which appears from the urethra, has a pathological nature, there are gray, yellow, green liquids.
- If blood appears in the urine during urination, you should immediately seek help from a doctor.
- If an unpleasant smell is emitted from the penis, this is a clear sign of the inflammatory process and the activity of microorganisms that can lead to inflammation, a white liquid appears.
- Pathological discharge, unlike normal, is released accompanied by pain, discomfort. These symptoms are especially aggravated by urination or agitation.
- Discharge in men 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 recognize. In turn, the delay can lead to a chronic form of the disease.
What should be done to recognize the danger in time? You should be especially careful about your health and follow a number of rules:
- More care should be taken when visiting the toilet after sleep. During the period of sleep, secretions can accumulate in the urethra, so if they appear, it is much easier to recognize them in the morning.
- Underwear is of particular importance. If even during the whole day at least one drop is released from the urethra, after drying it will leave a clearly visible trace.
- When pressing on the penis, especially if you pass your hand from the pubis to the head of the organ, a white mucus is released. It can be of other colors and textures, depending on the disease.
- An unhealthy diet, especially the consumption of foods containing a lot of spices and alcohol, can also lead to the appearance of such phenomena.
- The lips of the opening of the urethra stick together or crusts form on them - all this can indicate the release of fluid, which then dries up.
- Most STDs are sexually transmitted, so you shouldn't forget that either. If a white discharge appears after accidental contact, you should seek help, self-medication is not recommended.
What can it be related to?
White discharge from the urethra or other white fluids are important signs of an inflammatory process. The same should be said about purulent discharge. Doctors can extract enough information if they examine 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 itself tries to protect itself with the help of the glands, which is why white mucus appears in its mucosa in the required amount.
- Sexually transmitted diseases that include gonorrhea, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, or ureaplasmosis.
- Penile cancer that also discharges due to inflammation of the urethra.
- The appearance of inflammation may be due to the entry of bacteria into the urinary tract from other organs. This is due to weakened health, the 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 the secretions, their color and transparency are the result of any processes taking place in the man's body. Therefore, a certain 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 multiplication of bacteria. For this reason, a yellow discharge appears, sometimes green.
- White mucus resembling cottage cheese 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 react to a problem in the body.
What to do in such situations?
Separation in men immediately becomes a reason to visit a doctor if the issue does not affect 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 self-medicate or try to treat yourself, you should visit a urologist or venereologist. The doctor, in coordination with the patient, will prescribe tests that include microscopy of secretions, inoculation on nutrient media or polymerase chain reaction, if the previous methods did not give results.
Before visiting a medical institution, it is not recommended to take medication, as this can complicate the diagnosis of the disease. When a venereal disease is detected, both partners are subject to examination so that there is no 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 with which men seek help from a urologist. After questioning and examining the patient, the doctor can prescribe additional tests to make an accurate diagnosis. The methods of modern medicine make it possible to quickly find the cause of the pathological secretions and choose the optimal treatment scheme, taking into account all the characteristics of the course of the disease.
Physiological secretions
The secretion that comes out of 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 a sign of illness. The doctor will be able to distinguish the norm from the pathology after a complete examination of the patient.
Variations of physiological secretions from the penis:
Libidinous urethrorhoea
This term covers physiological secretions from the urethra (urethra) during arousal. The secretion is secreted by glands located in and around the urethra (paraurethral and bulbourethral glands). The resulting secretion maintains an alkaline environment in the urethra, favorable for the promotion of sperm. Libidinous urethrorrhea occurs only in men of reproductive age. In old age, the glands of the urethra atrophy and the secretion stops.
The volume of secretions during sexual arousal is variable and depends on the individual characteristics of the body. The normal secretion of the urethral 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 sperm. Usually, the ejaculate is thick, white, without foreign inclusions. Semen 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 appears in boys after the age of 14 and is one of the signs of puberty. The appearance of wet dreams in men after long abstinence is not excluded (read about the benefits and harms of abstinence here).
Smegma
Smegma is a secretion secreted by the glands of the foreskin and glans penis. Fresh smegma is gray-white, turning yellow over time. If intimate hygiene is observed, the volume of smegma will be small. A significant accumulation of smegma is noted with insufficient self-care. Such a discharge can be taken as 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 are worth noting:
- increase in the volume of secretions;
- change in consistency (discharge becomes too liquid 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 during urination).
Pathological discharge
The cause of pathological discharge can be 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 secretion, 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 consult a doctor.
Variants of pathological discharge from the penis:
mucosa
Abundant, viscous and thick, transparent or milky 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 arousal, without erection and orgasm. The cause of spermatorrhoea is a decrease in the tone of the muscles of the vas deferens as a result of inflammation or impaired innervation. During the examination, spermatozoa were found in the material.
- Prostatorrhea - spontaneous secretion of the prostate. It occurs with inflammation of the prostate gland and the appearance of tumors.
Purulent
Yellow and yellow-green thick discharge occurs in many sexually transmitted diseases (including gonorrhea). Pus is a collection 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 during urination. Possible increase in body temperature. In the case of passing the infection to the bladder and the development of cystitis, dysuric phenomena appear in the form of frequent and painful urination or retention of urine.
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 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). Blood discharge is a common symptom of neoplasms of the prostate, urethra and other organs of the urogenital area.
What to do?
The appearance of suspicious discharge from the penis - pods to contact a urologist. Many diseases of the genital organs and the urinary system are similar to each other and will not work for self-diagnosis. Often, the disease even acquires an atypical course, and only a doctor can understand the full variety of symptoms. Do not delay the visit to a specialist and expect that the problem will miraculously resolve itself.
At 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 results obtained. Based on the results of the examination, the optimal treatment regimen is selected to get rid of unpleasant symptoms and restore health.
conclusions
Discharge from the penis is a symptom that occurs in various diseases from infection to oncology. Self-medication for any incomprehensible discharge is not permissible. Uncontrolled intake of drugs or the use of traditional medicine techniques can worsen the course of the disease and lead to an unfavorable outcome. Entrust your health to a professional. Following all the doctor's recommendations will help avoid the development of complications and speed up recovery.