Discharge from the genitals can bother not only girls, but also men. Males have normal, odorless secretions. Their source is the urethra. In women, the discharge is called leucorrhoea. If you notice unhealthy discharge on yourself, see a urologist immediately.
Norm or pathology?
The urethra is the male urethra. From there they appear from time to time. There is something called urethrorhoea. It can be physiological or libidinal. A transparent colored secretion appears from the outlet of the urethra. This happens in the morning, right after waking up, or when a man is sexually aroused.
Urethrorhoea can be more or less pronounced. The lubricant released during arousal contains sperm. Therefore, if you don't want to have children yet, it's worth protecting yourself even with preliminary genital caress. The secretion in men helps the sperm to pass through the urethra and into and out of the partner's vagina. After all, the environment there is acidic, and this is harmful to the life of sperm.
Defecatory prostorrhoea may be the second cause of discharge in boys and men. When a man ejaculates, the head of the penis produces an odorless and colorless discharge. Sometimes there may be white-gray inclusions. Their texture is viscous. These are secretions from the prostate and seminal vesicles. Its appearance is possible after the bladder has been emptied. It is then called micturitional prostorrhoea. In extremely rare cases, a man notices such discharge after coughing. It is not a disease, but a treatable disorder.
The next type of discharge from the male genital organ is. It contains the secret of the sebaceous glands of the head of the penis and the foreskin. If a man washes, changes his underwear and does not wear someone else's underwear, these secretions are washed out. And they won't be the center of attention. If hygiene is not adequate, quite a large amount of smegma can accumulate. Pathological flora reproduces and develops there, because the genitals and underwear will have an unpleasant smell.
Semen
Sperm - a secretion in which there are many smermia (spermatozoa). Sperm are released during ejaculation, that is, at the peak of pleasure during sexual intercourse of a different nature. Also, in a dream, men and boys sometimes have wet dreams, in which sperm are also released from the penis.
Wet dreams mainly occur during puberty. This is 2-5 cases per month. But with changes in hormone balance, wet dreams may occur several times a week. If the sperm does not flow out of the penis during orgasm, it is called "". This is a disease caused by a violation of the muscle tone of the vas deferens. Basically, this happens with diseases of the brain or chronic inflammation of the channels.
Pathological discharge
The physiological secretions that are usually found in men and men have been described above. Here we look at secretions that are associated with health problems. Basically, abnormal discharge from the urethra bothers men with urethritis. This is an inflammatory process that develops in the urethra. An infection or non-infectious factors can provoke urethritis.
Infection can be specific or non-specific. It is mainly trichomoniasis or gonorrhea. And non-specific urethritis can be caused by such pathogens:
- mycoplasma
- ureaplasma
- chlamydia
- herpes
- staphylococcus aureus
- streptococcus
Non-infectious causes of urethritis and discharge from the genitals:
- injury, urethral stricture
- irritation with chemicals
- mechanical damage to the mucous membrane
- allergenic effect
The color and transparency of discharge from the genital tract of men can be different. It depends on how active the inflammation is, what stage it is in, and what kind of flora it causes. The composition of secretions from the penis includes:
- mud
- liquid
- cells of different origins
If there is a lot of the last-named component, the secretion becomes cloudy, which can be visually observed by the person himself. If a large number of epithelial cells appear in the discharge, the discharge thickens and takes on a gray hue.
Symptoms of candidiasis:
- white spots on the head of the penis
- the head of the penis has an unpleasant smell, reminiscent of yeast or sour bread
- there are unpleasant sensations in the penis and perineal region: burning sensation, itching, sometimes pain
- more secretions when emptying the bladder
- reddish spots on the tip of the penis and inside the foreskin
- white discharge except when urinating
- pain during sex (head and foreskin)
- sexual partner (wife, daughter) complains of discomfort or pain during intercourse
- the partner's white discharge has a curd consistency
The second possible cause of white discharge in men is ureaplasmosis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis. It can also be inflammation of the prostate, the symptoms of which are:
- frequent urge to urinate
- discomfort during bowel movements
- burning in perineum and urethra
- intermittent and difficult bladder emptying
- sexual disorders
If prostatitis is not treated, the erection will disappear and it will be impossible to conceive a child in the future. Therefore, if one or more of the above symptoms appear, immediately consult a doctor for a personal consultation.
Trichomoniasis can cause yellow discharge in men. But in most cases, the disease has a latent course, that is, there will be no symptoms. If symptoms persist, they will include:
- discomfort in the perineum
- a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen
- frequent and overwhelming urge to urinate
- burning and stinging sensation when urinating
Discharge with smell
The first possible reason (and the most harmless) is a violation of hygiene. As mentioned above, smegma is a normal (non-disease) male secretion. If you don't wash regularly, at least once a day, smegma accumulates, bacteria multiply in it and cause unpleasant smells. These scents may vary from person to person.
If you follow the hygiene rules and the unpleasant smell persists, the doctor may suspect a metabolic disorder. In such cases, the most common cause is diabetes mellitus. Smegma will stand out in sufficiently large quantities, because the clothes will be wet.
Infections also cause smelly discharge in men. Basically, a pathological process occurs in the urethra. A doctor may suspect urethritis caused by a gonorrhea infection. The nature of the discharge has been described above. If discharge from the penis has a sour smell in men, it is most likely that urogenital candidiasis develops.
If the discharge from the genitals has a fishy smell, the man probably suffers from gardnerellosis. The same pathogen in women is the so-calledBut these are very rare cases, the disease is much more common in women. Gardnerella is conditionally pathogenic flora. It multiplies when exposed to certain factors. Factors influencing the development of gardnerellosis:
- frivolous sex life
- tight synthetic underwear (not made from natural materials)
- long courses of antibiotics or immunosuppressants
- spermicidal condom
- urinary tract inflammation
- reduced immunity
Blood loss in men
The main reason is infection. The discharge may be completely bloody or contain streaks of blood. If the infection multiplies in the urethra, you will notice such a symptom, but not necessarily. Urethritis in such cases is mainly caused by Candida, Trichomonas or gonorrhea infection. The stronger the inflammation, the more blood is released.
The second probable cause is carelessly performed medical manipulations. The urethra is injured, so blood is released. Procedures that can damage the urethra:
- catheter placement
- catheter removal
- bougienage
- tampon purchase
- cystoscopy
Allocation by blood is simultaneous. It should be noted that in this case, scarlet blood, without blood clots, stops quickly.
The passage of tartar and sand is the next reason for bloody discharge from the penis. They are excreted from the kidneys or bladder and pass through the urethra. Microliths are hard, damage the mucous membrane and the walls of blood vessels, which will be the direct cause of bleeding. There are also pain sensations.
In some cases, it also provokes discharge with blood clots. Blood in the urine that a man sees when he goes to the toilet is called gross hematuria. Then, parallel to this, symptoms such as an increase in blood pressure and swelling develop.
Bloody discharge in boys and men can have an even more serious cause - cancer. Malignant tumors can originate from the following organs:
- testicles
- penis
- prostate etc.
The blood then turns brown or dark and blood clots appear in the discharge.
Isolation of blood with sperm
Such discharge is called "hematospermia". It can be true or false. If the hematospermia is false, the blood mixes with the sperm during its passage through the urethra. If this pathology is true, the blood mixes with the sperm before passing through the urethra.
Hematospermia is manifested by such signs (clinical picture):
- urinary disorders
- pain during ejaculation
- discomfort and back pain
- pain and/or swelling in the genitals
- high body temperature
Causes of bleeding with semen:
- prolonged sexual abstinence
- too active sexual life (the wall of blood vessels breaks during intercourse)
- varicose veins of the pelvic organs
- stones in the testicles and vas deferens
- malignant and benign formations in the urinary organs
- biopsy
- genital surgery
Physiological discharge
A man's health is proven by the physiological discharge from the urethral outlet, which can be observed in the following cases:
Libidinous or physiological urethrorhoea
This condition occurs when a clear discharge appears on the head of the penis during sexual excitement or in the morning, immediately after sleep. Their number varies in different men and is directly related to the severity of sexual excitement. But in any case, it is important to remember that such secretions contain a small amount of sperm in an excited state, so if they enter the partner's genitals, there is a risk of pregnancy. The function of the described secretions is to ensure the passage of sperm through the urethra and vagina of the woman, where there is an acidic environment that is harmful to the "gum", and to bring them in a viable form into the uterine cavity and tubes to fertilize the egg.
Stool protorrhoea
During an increase in intra-abdominal pressure (when straining), a transparent, odorless secretion may appear on the head of the penis, possibly with gray-white stripes. Such secretions are viscous and consist of a mixture of prostatic secretions and seminal vesicles. A similar discharge can also appear at the end of urination, in which case it is called urinary prostorrhoea. In exceptional cases, such discharge also appears with a strong cough. They cannot be considered an organic pathology, but only indicate a violation of the autonomous regulation of the functioning of the genital organs.
Smegma
Smegma (preputial lubrication) is a secret that consists of the secretion of the sebaceous glands of the head of the penis and the foreskin. Usually, if a man follows the rules of personal hygiene, such discharges do not cause discomfort, as they are mechanically washed off with water. But if hygiene is neglected, smegma accumulates and microorganisms multiply in it, which serves as a source of unpleasant odor.
sperm excretion
Spermatozoa, which contain a large number of sperm, are usually released during ejaculation (ejaculation) at the end of sexual intercourse, or spontaneously during sleep (pollution). Wet dreams are observed in adolescent boys and occur several times a month or 1-3 times a week (hormonal changes).
In some cases, spermatorrhea, that is, sperm flowing out of the urethra without sexual contact or orgasm, indicates a pathology when the tone of the muscle layer of the vas deferens is disturbed in chronic inflammation or brain diseases.
Pathological discharge
Any other discharge that is beyond physiology is pathological and primarily indicates inflammation of the urethra or urethritis. they are different, they can be infectious or non-infectious.
Infectious causes are divided into specific and non-specific causes.
- Specific etiological factors include sexually transmitted diseases, this and.
- Non-specific infectious urethritis is caused by opportunistic bacteria, viruses and fungi:
- chlamydial urethritis;
- ureaplasma and mycoplasma urethritis;
- candidal urethritis or urogenital candidiasis in men;
- herpetic urethritis and others (E. coli, streptococci, staphylococci).
Non-infectious factors of inflammation include:
- allergic reactions
- mechanical damage to the mucous membrane of the urethra
- irritation of the urethra by chemicals
- injury, urethral stricture.
The transparency and color of the male discharge may vary. These parameters are influenced by the intensity, stage and etiological factor of the inflammatory process. Phlegm is made up of fluid, mucus, and various cells.
- Muddy - if there are many cells, the discharge is cloudy in color.
- Gray or thick - if there is a predominance of epithelial cells in the discharge, it will become gray and thick.
- Yellow, green or yellow-green - if there are a large number of leukocytes in the discharge, they turn yellow or even green, it is also called purulent discharge.
It should be noted that with the same pathology, the nature of the discharge changes over time.
White discharge
In men, white discharge can occur for several reasons. First, candidiasis must be ruled out (see). The following symptoms can be observed with this disease:
- the head of the penis has an unpleasant smell of sour bread or yeast;
- the head of the penis is covered with a whitish coating;
- itching, burning and even pain appear in the penis and perineum;
- discharge appears during urination;
- reddish spots (irritation, inflammation) can be observed on the head and inner surface of the foreskin;
- there is pain during intercourse, discomfort is felt in the area of the head and foreskin;
- white discharge is observed not only during urination;
- the partner complains of itching and burning sensation, pain during intercourse, curdled discharge.
Transparent highlights
- Chlamydia, ureaplasmosis - transparent mucous discharge is possible in case of chlamydia or ureaplasmic urethritis in the chronic stage of the disease. As the process worsens, the number of leukocytes in the exudate increases and becomes greenish or yellowish in color.
- Trichomoniasis, gonorrhea - also transparent, copious discharge with a large amount of mucus, which can be observed during the day, is possible in the initial stages of Trichomonas or gonococcal infection. In case of chlamydia (ureaplasmosis), subjective sensations (pain, itching, burning sensation) are often absent, and clear discharge appears after prolonged urination.
yellow discharge
Purulent discharge, which includes the exfoliating epithelium of the urethra, a significant number of leukocytes, and the mucous membrane of the urethra, is yellowish or greenish in color. Yellow discharge or green discharge is a characteristic sign of sexually transmitted diseases.
- Gonorrhea - the discharge is thick and has an unpleasant putrid smell, it is observed during the day and is accompanied by pain when urinating. A man should first think of a gonorrhea infection if he has a pair of classic symptoms: discharge and itching.
- Trichomoniasis - also with yellow discharge, trichomoniasis is not excluded, although it is often asymptomatic. In case of severe symptoms of trichomonas infection, in addition to purulent discharge, the man is disturbed by a frequent and irresistible urge to urinate, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and discomfort in the perineum.
Discharge with smell
Violation of hygiene
In particular, the unpleasant smell of the perineum and penis is observed if the conditions of intimate hygiene are not observed:
- Smegma is an excellent breeding ground for microorganisms, which multiply and die and create an unpleasant odor if you do not regularly wash the external genitalia thoroughly.
- In addition, in case of metabolic disorders, the smegma itself can have an unpleasant smell. At the same time, the release of smegma is so intense that it soaks your underwear.
infections
Odorous discharge is most often observed in the case of an infectious lesion of the urethra. First of all, gonorrheal urethritis must be ruled out - thick, yellow or green discharge that occurs throughout the day.
The sour smell of discharge is a pathognomonic symptom of urogenital candidiasis. Infection with fungi of the genus Candida causes the appearance of cheesy or milky discharge (see).
It is also possible to have a fishy smell of secretions, which is inherent in gardnerellosis, which is more characteristic of women (so-called bacterial vaginosis), and the development of this disease in men is quite meaningless. Gardnerella belongs to conditionally pathogenic microorganisms and begins to multiply actively only under certain conditions:
- weakening of the immune system;
- simultaneous inflammatory processes of the urogenital organs;
- intestinal dysbacteriosis;
- condom use with spermicides;
- long-term treatment with antibiotics or immunosuppressants (cytostatics, corticosteroids);
- Tight underwear made of synthetic fabric;
- frivolous sex life.
Discharge with blood
infections
In the case of an infectious lesion of the urethra, discharge with blood or blood streaks is often observed. Mixing of blood is typical in cases of gonorrhea, trichomonas or candidal urethritis. In addition, the amount of blood is directly related to the intensity of inflammation.
Blood is often observed in chronic urethritis (the mucous membrane of the urethra loosens and reacts with contact bleeding to the slightest irritation, including the passage of urine through the channel).
Medical manipulations
Another reason for these is injury to the urethra during medical procedures. One-step bleeding can be observed during rough bougienage, catheter insertion and removal, cystoscopy or smear. They differ from each other in that there is no blood clot in scarlet blood, and the bleeding itself stops very quickly.
Passage of stones, sand
Among other things, bloody discharge is observed when small stones or sand (from the kidneys or bladder) pass through the urethra. The hard surface of microliths damages the mucosa and blood vessel walls, causing bleeding. In this case, blood is most noticeable during urination, which is accompanied by pain.
Glomerulonephritis
Gross hematuria is also possible in the presence of glomerulonephritis. In this case, there is a trinity of symptoms: gross hematuria, edema, increased blood pressure.
Isolation of blood with sperm
We must not forget about such a symptom as discharge (hematospermia). There are false and true hematospermia. In the case of false blood, it is mixed with sperm during its passage through the urethra. And real blood enters the ejaculate before it passes through the urethra. Hematospermia is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- pain during ejaculation;
- urinary disorders;
- pain and/or swelling in the genitals (testicles and scrotum);
- discomfort and back pain;
- rise in body temperature.
One of the causes of hematospermia is:
- too active sex life or vice versa,
- prolonged sexual abstinence, while during intercourse the blood vessel walls rupture in the tissues of the genital organs
- previous surgery or biopsy can also cause blood in the semen
- hematospermia appears with benign and malignant tumors of the urinary organs
- in the presence of stones in the testicles and vas deferens
- with varicose veins of the pelvic organs.
As you know, discharge from a man's penis can be both physiological and pathological. Physiological includes secretions from gonadal activity, including sexual arousal.
Such secretions from the penis are a transparent viscous liquid, and their presence does not cause discomfort to a person. Physiological discharge on the head of the penis is normal and quite common in a healthy person. Other secretions on the head of men are pathological in nature and are usually accompanied by a specific infection.