Like women, representatives of the stronger sex may experience discharge from the genitals. They may indicate a disorder in the body or simply indicate the normal functioning of the genitourinary system. Due to the relevance of this topic, we would like to consider this topic in more detail in the article.
physiological secretions
This discharge from the urethra is not an indicator of poor health, but, on the contrary, indicates that all body systems are functioning properly. The following types of discharge in men are considered normal:
- ejaculate– has a white color with a gray tint and the consistency resembles mucus;
- smegma- appears as a result of the work of the preputial glands, at first it is white, but then it can become yellow or green;
- prostate secret– has a white color, a viscous consistency and the corresponding smell;
- urine– in a healthy person it has a yellow tint and practically does not smell.
When analyzing urethral discharge, close attention must be paid to the exact appearance of the urine. If it has a strong odor, any impurities or flakes, this indicates a disorder in the body. Some medications can affect their color and smell, but once they are stopped, these indicators should normalize.
Causes of physiology
Mucous discharge may be observed with libidinal urethrorrhea, but is considered normal. As a rule, mucus appears in the morning, when a man experiences sexual arousal. The abundance of secretion depends directly on the degree of erection.
Important!In libidinal urethrorrhea, the mucus contains sperm, so there is a chance of getting pregnant if you have unprotected sex.
If a man follows the rules of personal hygiene, the appearance of smegma will not cause him discomfort. White discharge from the urethra is easily removed with water and arises as a result of the work of the glands located in the head of the penis. Smegma hydrates the penis and allows the foreskin to slide without discomfort. If hygiene is neglected for a long time, white fluid will begin to accumulate under the foreskin. In such a situation, the protein part disintegrates, so the color of the mucus turns green and a bright odor appears.
In the absence of regular sexual intercourse, spontaneous ejaculation may occur. Most often, wet dreams occur in teenagers, but adult men can also experience them. It is not always possible to accurately determine the causes of urethral discharge in men. In some cases, patients present with defecatory prostatorrhea. It occurs with elevated intra-abdominal pressure, sexual neurasthenia, or weakness of the pelvic muscles.
Pathological changes
A man can guess for himself that there are disturbances in the body. To do this, he simply takes a closer look at exactly how the mucus of the genital organ has changed. The cause of the disorder may be a tumor, inflammation, injury, STD, surgery, or medication.
Let's consider the distinctive signs that indicate the presence of pathology in the body:
- Volume.They can become too abundant or, on the contrary, almost stop appearing.
- Impurity.In addition to mucus, it is common to find lumps, blood, pus or some type of compaction.
- Color.An alarming symptom will be significant cloudiness, as well as a change in color to yellow or green.
- Smell.A healthy person will experience an odorless discharge. Otherwise, a sour, fishy or rotten smell occurs.
- Consistency.Mucus that is too sticky or thick requires the person to see a doctor.
The characteristics of the mucus or pus will depend on the provoking factor, immunity and the presence of other pathologies in the body.
Advice!If you notice any of the above changes, contact a specialist for help as soon as possible. Self-treatment can lead to serious complications.
So that you understand how important it is to consult a doctor in a timely manner, we will consider the possible causes of the appearance of pathological discharge from the urethra in men.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
With STDs, purulent, mucous or purulent-mucous discharge can be observed. In the first case, a very persistent unpleasant odor will appear, as well as a yellow or green tint. Additionally, the patient may notice intense itching, pain and burning when urinating. These symptoms indicate gonorrhea.
The mucous formations will have a transparent color and a rather viscous consistency. The presence of mucus may indicate sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, mycoplasma urethritis, or ureaplasma.
Important!The earlier these diseases are detected, the easier the treatment process will be.
Mucopurulent formations are white or translucent. They occur during exacerbation of chlamydia, mycoplasmosis or ureaplasmosis. If chlamydia is detected as a result of an STD test, the incubation period will be 3 weeks.
Very often, patients suffer from several sexually transmitted diseases at once, so purulent discharge from the urethra can combine with the mucous membranes. In this sense, doctors do not rely only on symptoms, but also take test results into account.
Inflammatory processes
Inflammation in the body occurs due to pathogenic human microflora, which is activated with weak immunity. Some types of fungi - E. coli and staphylococci - are always present on the mucous membranes, but they actively multiply only under stress, prolonged use of antibiotics or hypothermia.
Let's consider the diseases that can develop against the background of these changes:
- Candidiasis. If thrush begins to develop, a white discharge will be seen from the urethra. Additionally, the patient may experience pain in the groin, involuntary ejaculation, burning and unpleasant odor.
- Balanoposthitis.With the development of this disease, inflammation of the foreskin occurs, which causes the appearance of pus. In addition, intense swelling and sharp pain occur when touching the head of the penis.
- Non-gonorrheic urethritis.The mucus appears in clumps and in large quantities. A man may also experience itching and a constant desire to go to the bathroom. If inflammation occurs in the bladder, he may notice bleeding.
Other reasons
There are several cases when discharge from the urethra in men does not indicate venereal processes or inflammation. This includes spermatorrhea, during which sperm leak in men when they are aroused. During this process, the patient does not experience the sensation of orgasm and sperm may appear even outside of sexual intercourse.
In cases where the urethral valve is damaged, bleeding may occur. There will be very little blood, but there will be intense pain. These symptoms may be caused by high blood pressure, kidney stones, or large amounts of protein in the urine.
During bowel movements, brown discharge with a small amount of pus may occur.
Important!Such discharge indicates the presence of a malignant tumor located in the bladder, prostate or urethra.
Clear discharge from the urethra may be a symptom of prostatorrhea. They arise due to the active work of the prostate gland. This type of discharge usually indicates chronic prostatitis, prostate adenoma, or changes in the bladder.
Even if white discharge in men is not accompanied by itching, pain, swelling or other unpleasant symptoms, it is best to consult a specialist. A diagnostic examination will allow you to identify the cause of the changes and treat the pathology at an early stage.