Discharge from the urethra in men is of a different nature, most often occurs in infectious and inflammatory diseases and serves as an urgent reason to contact a specialist.
If you do not pay attention to this in time, the symptoms may become latent.
Physiological secretions include:
- discharge during stimulation, originating from the urethral gland;
- discharge during defecation when straining;
- smegma is the secretion of the foreskin gland, which accumulates due to insufficient intimate hygiene;
- sperm – released during ejaculation or discharge (during puberty, with long-term abstinence).
Pathological discharge has reasons such as:
- mechanical damage;
- diseases of the genital organs;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- development of existing flora.
The emission properties vary and are evaluated based on the following parameters:
- quantity,
- consistent,
- color,
- time and frequency of occurrence.
Discharge from the urethra, associated with certain pathological flora (gonococcus, chlamydia, trichomonas and other STD pathogens), may be as follows:
- transparent, mucus, usually few of them - often associated with the presence of ureaplasma and mycoplasmas;
- mucopurulent - the result of the presence of trichomonas, chlamydia and other pathogens in the acute period;
- purulent: thick, yellowish or greenish. Characteristics of gonorrhea. A phenomenon called "morning drop" occurs: during the first urination in the morning, a drop of pus is released, because the discharge is thick and sticky.
These pathological discharge characteristics should not be taken as a basis for making a diagnosis. Coinfection often occurs, that is, the presence of several pathogens, so the clinical picture becomes uncertain. In the latent and asymptomatic form of the disease, as well as in the period of remission, discharge is very little or completely absent.
Non-specific processes in the urethra are also accompanied by pathological discharge.Their cause is lack of personal hygiene, weak immunity and other factors. Opportunistic flora (staphylococci, fungi, streptococci, etc. ) begin to actively multiply on the mucous membrane, causing typical symptoms of urethritis. As a rule, they are less noticeable than with certain inflammations.
Discharge is accompanied by several manifestations:
- itching, burning in the urethra;
- frequent urge to urinate;
- painful sensation when urinating;
- discomfort in the lower abdomen.
If you do not pay attention to alarming symptoms, the inflammatory process spreads to the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, testicles and appendages. Balanitis and balanoposthitis are often associated.
Pathological discharges in diseases of the genital organs in men also include:
- prostatorrhea: discharge of prostatic secretions. Often this is a sign of prostatitis, adenoma;
- release of sperm outside of sexual stimulation. It is accompanied by pathological changes in the vas deferens and chronic inflammation;
- bleeding, or hematorrhea: often appears after urethral manipulation, improper smear technique, urinary catheter insertion, cystoscopy, or injury from a passing stone. In some cases, hematorrhea is a very dangerous symptom, warning of malignant pathology.
Diagnosis of the cause of urethral discharge
Diagnosis of conditions accompanied by urethral discharge includes laboratory and instrumental studies:
- Smears followed by microscopy, bacteriological culture, PCR. This is necessary to determine the existing pathogen and the severity of the pathological process.
- Direct examination of discharge after urethral massage.
- General clinical examination of blood and urine.
- Analysis of prostate secretion, PSA.
- Pelvic organ ultrasound, MRI, urography, etc.
The presence of an inflammatory process in the urethra serves as an indication for examination and treatment as early as possible, because complications are more difficult to treat later. One of the most dangerous complications of urethritis is infertility.