Discharge from the urethra in men is of a different nature, most often occurs in infectious and inflammatory diseases and is an immediate reason to contact a specialist.
If you do not pay attention to it in time, the symptoms can become latent.
Physiological secretions include:
- discharge during excitement, which comes from the glands of the urethra;
- discharge during bowel movements during exercise;
- smegma is the secretion of the glands of the foreskin, which accumulates due to insufficient intimate hygiene;
- sperm – released during ejaculation or emission (during puberty, with long-term abstinence).
Pathological losses have causes such as:
- mechanical damage;
- diseases of the genital organs;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- development of existing flora.
The nature of the release varies and is evaluated based on the following parameters:
- quantity,
- consistency,
- color,
- time and frequency of appearance.
Discharge from the urethra, associated with specific pathological flora (gonococci, chlamydia, trichomonas and other STD pathogens), can be as follows:
- transparent, mucous, usually few in number - often associated with the presence of ureaplasmas and mycoplasmas;
- mucopurulent - the result of the presence of trichomonas, chlamydia and other pathogens in the acute period;
- purulent: thick, yellowish or greenish. Characteristic of gonorrhea. There is a phenomenon called "morning drip": during the first urination in the morning, a drop of pus is released, since the discharge is thick and sticky.
These features of pathological discharge should not serve as the basis for establishing a diagnosis. There is often co-infection, that is, the presence of several pathogens, so that the clinical picture becomes uncertain. In latent and asymptomatic forms of the disease, as well as during the period of remission, discharge is extremely rare or completely absent.
Nonspecific processes in the urethra are also accompanied by pathological discharge.Their causes are lack of personal hygiene, weakened immunity and other factors. Opportunistic flora (staphylococci, fungi, streptococci, etc. ) begins to actively multiply on the mucous membranes, causing typical symptoms of urethritis. As a rule, they are less pronounced than with specific inflammation.
The discharge is accompanied by some events:
- itching, burning in the urethra;
- frequent urge to urinate;
- painful sensations when urinating;
- discomfort in the lower abdomen.
If you do not pay attention to the alarming symptoms, the inflammatory process spreads to the prostate, seminal vesicles, testicles and their appendages. Balanitis and balanoposthitis are often associated.
Pathological discharge in diseases of the genital organs in men also includes:
- prostatorrhea: secretion of prostatic secretions. It is often a sign of prostatitis or an adenoma;
- release of sperm outside of sexual arousal. It is accompanied by pathological changes in the vas deferens and chronic inflammation;
- Bleeding or hematorrhea: Often occurs after manipulation of the urethra, improper smear technique, insertion of a urinary catheter, cystoscopy, or stone injury. In some cases, hematorrhea is a very dangerous symptom, warning of malignant pathology.
Diagnosis of the causes of urethral discharge
Diagnosis of conditions accompanied by urethral discharge includes laboratory and instrumental studies:
- Smear followed by microscopy, bacteriological culture, PCR. This is necessary to determine the existing pathogens and the severity of the pathological process.
- Direct examination of discharge after urethral massage.
- General clinical examinations of blood and urine.
- Analysis of prostate secretions, PSA.
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, MRI, urography, etc.
The presence of an inflammatory process in the urethra serves as an indication for examination and treatment as early as possible, since complications are much more difficult to treat later. Infertility is one of the most dangerous complications of urethritis.