There are few women who know that men also have flow.Like women, men experience them normally and are odorless.In women only, it is called “leucorrhœa” and originates from the vagina, while in men, the discharge originates from the urethra.Of course, any abnormal discharge indicates poor health and a doctor should be consulted.
Physiological discharge
A man's health is indicated by the physiological discharge from the urethral outlet, which can be observed in the following cases:
Libidinal or physiological urethrorhoea
This condition is observed when clear discharge appears during sexual excitement or in the morning, immediately after sleep.Their number varies from man to man and is directly related to the severity of sexual arousal.But in any case, it should not be forgotten that such discharge, when it arises, contains a small amount of sperm, so if it gets on the partner's genitals, there is a risk of pregnancy.The function of the described secretions is to ensure that the sperms pass through the woman's urethra and vagina, where there is an acidic environment harmful to the "living", and enter the uterine cavity and the tubes for fertilization of the egg in a viable form.
Defecation prostatorrhea
During an increase in intra-abdominal pressure (during 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 may occur when urination is finished, in which case it is called voiding prostatorrhea.In exceptional cases, such discharge occurs 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 lubricant) is a secretion that consists of secretions from the sebaceous glands of the head of the penis and the foreskin.Usually, if a man follows the rules of personal hygiene, such a discharge does not cause discomfort, as it is 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.
Release of sperm
Sperm, which contain a large number of sperm, are usually released during ejaculation (ejaculation) at the end of sexual intercourse or spontaneously during sleep (emission).Impurities are observed in teenage boys and occur several times a month or 1-3 times a week (hormonal changes).
In some cases, spermatorrhea, i.e. discharge from the urethra in men without sexual intercourse and orgasm, indicates a pathology when the tone of the muscle layer of the vas deferens is disturbed due to chronic inflammation or brain diseases.
Pathological discharge
All other secretions beyond physiology are pathological and primarily indicate inflammation of the urethra or urethritis.The causes of urethritis are different in men;they can be infectious or non-infectious.
Infectious causes are divided into specific and non-specific causes.
- Specific etiological factors include sexually transmitted diseases - trichomoniasis.
- 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 (Escherichia coli, streptococci, staphylococci).
Non-infectious inflammatory factors include:
- allergic reactions
- mechanical damage to the mucous membrane of the urethra
- irritation of the urethra by chemicals
- trauma, urethral stricture.
The transparency and color of male secretions can 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.
- Cloudy - if there are many cells, then the discharge has a cloudy color.
- Gray or thick - when epithelial cells dominate the discharge, it takes on a gray color and becomes thick.
- Yellow, green or yellow-green - if the discharge contains a large number of leukocytes, they become yellow or even green in color;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.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 when urinating;
- there are reddish spots (irritation, inflammation) on the head and inner surface of the foreskin;
- pain occurs during intercourse, discomfort in the area of the head and foreskin;
- white discharge is observed not only during urination;
- the partner complains of itching and burning, pain during intercourse, and a cheesy discharge.
In addition to urogenital candidiasis, white discharge can be caused by chlamydia and/or ureaplasmosis and mycoplasmosis, and we can also talk about inflammation of the prostate, which is characterized by:
- difficulty and periodic urination;
- burning sensation in the perineum and urethra;
- discomfort during defecation;
- frequent urge to urinate;
- sexual disorders (reduced libido and erection, rapid ejaculation, lost orgasm).
It is important for men to remember that advanced prostatitis can lead not only to permanent erectile dysfunction, but also to infertility.
Transparent selection
- Chlamydia, ureaplasmosis - in the chronic stage of the disease, clear mucous discharge is possible in case of chlamydia or ureaplasma urethritis.As the process worsens, the number of leukocytes in the exudate increases and becomes greenish or yellowish in color.
- Trichomoniasis, gonorrhea - also clear, abundant discharge with a large amount of mucus, which is observed during the day, is possible in the initial stages of Trichomonas or gonococcal infection.In the case of chlamydia (ureaplasmosis), subjective sensations (pain, itching, burning) are often absent, and clear discharge appears after prolonged abstinence from urination.
Yellow discharge
The purulent discharge, which contains the exfoliating epithelium of the urethra, a significant number of leukocytes and the mucous membrane of the urethra, has a yellowish or greenish tint.Yellow discharge or mixed with green discharge is a characteristic sign of sexually transmitted diseases.
- Gonorrhea - the discharge is thick and has an unpleasant putrid smell, it is observed throughout the day, and it is accompanied by pain when urinating.A man should first think of a gonorrhea infection when the classic pair of symptoms appear: discharge and itching.
- Trichomoniasis - also with yellow discharge, trichomoniasis cannot be ruled out, although it is often asymptomatic.In case of severe symptoms of trichomonas infection, in addition to purulent discharge, the man experiences a burning sensation and pain during urination, a frequent and irresistible urge to urinate, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and discomfort in the perineum.
Discharge with smell
Poor hygiene
An unpleasant odor of the perineum and especially of the penis can also be observed if intimate hygiene conditions are not observed:
- Smegma is an excellent breeding ground for those microorganisms that, during their reproduction and destruction, create an unpleasant odor if the external genitalia are not thoroughly washed regularly.
- In addition, smegma itself can have an unpleasant odor if there is a metabolic disorder (for example, diabetes in men).In this case, the secretion of smegma is so intense that it soaks the underwear.
Infections
Odorous discharge is most often observed in the case of an infectious lesion of the urethra.First of all, you need to rule out gonorrheal urethritis - thick, yellow or green discharge that can be observed throughout the day.
The sour smell of discharge is a pathognomonic symptom of urogenital candidiasis.Infection with fungi of the Candida genus causes a cheesy or milky discharge.
It is also possible to have a fishy smell of discharge, 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 is a conditionally pathogenic microorganism and begins to multiply actively only under certain conditions:
- weakened immunity;
- simultaneous inflammatory processes of the urogenital organs;
- intestinal dysbiosis;
- condom use with spermicides;
- long-term treatment with antibiotics or immunosuppressants (cytostatics, corticosteroids);
- Tight underwear made of synthetic fabric;
- easy sex life.
Foul-smelling secretions can also occur due to diseases such as:
- balanitis (inflammation of the head of the penis)
- balanoposthitis (inflammation of the inner surface of the foreskin).
But in addition to discharge (not from the urethra, but from smegma), these diseases are accompanied by hyperemia and itching, pain in the penis, and ulcers and wrinkles on the head.
Bloody discharge
Infections
In the case of an infectious lesion of the urethra, bloody discharge or blood-streaked discharge is often observed.In cases of gonorrhea, trichomonas or candidiasis urethritis, a mixture of blood is typical.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 this is injury to the urethra during medical procedures.Immediate bleeding is observed during rough bougienage, insertion and removal of catheters, cystoscopy or smears.They differ in that the blood is scarlet, there are no blood clots, and the bleeding itself stops very quickly.
Passing 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 mucous membrane and the walls of blood vessels, causing bleeding.In this case, blood is most noticeable during urination, which is accompanied by pain.
Glomerulonephritis
In the presence of glomerulonephritis, gross hematuria (blood in the urine, visible when urinating) is also possible.In this case, there is a trinity of symptoms: gross hematuria, edema, increased blood pressure.
Malignant tumors
One of the signs of malignant tumors of the urogenital system (prostate cancer, penis, testicles and others) is the appearance of blood in a man.In this case, the blood will be brown or dark, and blood clots may appear.
Evacuation of blood with semen
We must not forget about such a symptom as the release of blood with sperm (hematospermia).There are false and true hematospermia.In false cases, blood mixes with sperm as it passes through the urethra.And it's true, blood enters the ejaculate before it passes through the urethra.Hematospermia is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- pain during ejaculation;
- urinary tract disorders;
- pain and/or swelling in the genitals (testicles and scrotum);
- discomfort and pain in the lower back;
- rise in body temperature.
One of the causes of hematospermia is:
- too active sex life or vice versa,
- long-term sexual abstinence, during sexual intercourse, blood vessel walls in the tissues of the genital organs crack
- previous surgery or biopsy can also cause blood in the semen
- hematospermia appears in 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.