Male vaginal discharge (with or without unpleasant odor): causes, diagnosis, treatment

Under normal circumstances, male reproductive organs produce certain secretions, which mainly play a protective role. However, changes in the nature and frequency of secretions may be an early sign of the development of urinary tract diseases, such as sexually transmitted infections, inflammatory or neoplastic processes. Every man should know how to distinguish physiological discharge from pathological discharge. If something unusual occurs, seek medical help immediately. Below we discuss the most common types of male urethral discharge and their possible causes.

Discharges from the Male Genital Organs: Normal and Abnormal

The discharge of secretions from the male genitourinary organs through the urethra, or urethra. Male physiological discharges may take the following forms:

• Urine.Light yellow liquid with a faint characteristic odor. Usually, it is released in batches during a controlled action. One of the diseases of the urinary system is urinary incontinence. In this case, urine is either released periodically and uncontrolled in different volumes, or it is released constantly but drop by drop. This symptom indicates a disorder in the urinary system.
• Pre-ejaculation.Colorless, odorless mucus secreted during sexual and erotic stimulation (during masturbation, moderate erotic stimulation, during sexual intercourse, and before ejaculation). Produced by Cooper's glands located next to the urethra. Pre-ejaculation fluid acts as a natural lubricant and deacidifying agent for the male urethra and female reproductive tract to increase sperm motility. What's different from normal is the massive release of pre-ejaculation.
• Prostate secrets.Off-white milky liquid. It is produced by the prostate and is part of the semen, ensuring the normal fertilization ability of sperm. The release of prostatic fluid outside of ejaculation is called prostatic leakage. Typically, secretions can be released during mechanical action (massage) and straining (during defecation) on the gland. Other forms of prostatic leakage indicate glandular dysfunction.
• Ejaculation.Gray-white mucus with a special odor. Its ingredients are complex. Typically, it is released during male orgasm and ejaculation. Physiological sex is considered the release of ejaculate during intercourse and wet dreams (during abstinence in adolescent and adult males) and during intense sexual and sexual stimulation. Isolated cases of ejaculation during sleep due to startle or physical stress are not considered pathological. All other options for sperm release are reasons to consult a doctor.

Men's attention is often attracted by the white discharge on their heads. This is smegma, or secretions from the sebaceous glands. Under normal circumstances, secretions are evenly distributed on the head and are washed away during hygiene without causing any discomfort.If the glands are overactive or personal hygiene rules are violated, secretions can accumulate in the preputial sac (in the foreskin) and become visible. Microorganisms can use smegma to multiply. Therefore, preventing stagnation of secretions is an important measure to maintain the health of reproductive organs. If there is excessive discharge, a doctor should be consulted.Normal male discharge should be as described above. Any changes in the nature, frequency, and timing of urine, ejaculation, or prostate secretions should alert you and be reason to contact a urologist.

Pathological discharge from male urethra

Abnormal discharge from the urethra indicates a pathological process in the genitourinary tract. Male urinary tract disease can manifest itself in more than just increased discharge. Even minimal discharge, alternating with "clean" periods, should be cause for concern. The most common types of pathological discharge in men are as follows:

• slime.Profuse secretion of mucus is accompanied by inflammatory changes in the urethra. Discharge may be clear, cloudy, or white.
• Mucopurulent discharge.Discharge of pus from the urethra indicates an infectious process. Excessive pathological discharge can cause a sticky and uncomfortable feeling. Sparse – Found only as traces on linen.
• White discharge.White mucus discharge in men is accompanied by non-specific infections and inflammatory processes. Candidiasis is often accompanied by a thick, cheese-like discharge.
• Gray secret.Gray fluid or mucous discharge may be sperm or prostate secretions flowing outside of physiological conditions. But it is better to consult a specialist to rule out pathological causes.
• Damn question.Brown or pink urine, scarlet or clear mucus streaked with blood, and the presence of blood in semen are all signs of structural changes in the genitourinary organs, which may be caused by injury, severe inflammation, or the development of tumors.
• Foul-smelling discharge.Discharge with an unpleasant odor is characteristic of a genital infection. A specific rancid or putrid odor coming from the genitals should prompt medical attention.

Over time, even without treatment, patients may notice changes in the nature and amount of pathological discharge. In some cases, secretion ceases, resulting in a restored appearance. However, this is often associated with the development of chronic pathological processes and their transformation into slow forms. After a period of time, pathological discharge from the male urethra may return. The chronic course of diseases of the genitourinary tract is fraught with the development of serious complications (impotence, infertility, etc. ).

What other symptoms might there be?

Male genitourinary diseases rarely manifest simply as abnormal discharge. Other symptoms also require attention because they can be used to make hypotheses about the localization of the pathological process. Men may worry about the following deviations:

• Difficulty urinating (frequent urgency, difficulty urinating, feeling of incomplete urination, burning and stinging during urination);
• Changes in urine parameters (abnormal color, odor, foam, flaky sediment, etc. );
• lower abdominal pain;
• Toxic syndrome (weakness, lethargy, apathy, etc. );
• Decreased libido;
• erectile dysfunction;
• Ejaculation problems (premature ejaculation, difficulty reaching orgasm, changes in sperm characteristics, etc. );
• Soreness in the lower abdomen, perineum, or scrotum.

Pathological discharge can occur in both infectious and non-infectious diseases. The following symptoms indicate the contagious nature of bias:

• Pain and burning sensation during urination;
• Itching in the groin;
• rash, genital ulcers;
• An unpleasant odor emanates from the genitals;
• Decreased libido;
• Pelvic pain;
• Increased body temperature, drowsiness, weakness, etc.

You should seek help as soon as symptoms appear. The sooner a diagnosis is made and the correct treatment is instituted, the greater the likelihood of a full recovery.

What should I do if there is discharge from the male urethra?

Your doctor will help you determine exactly the nature of your pathological discharge. If you have signs of genitourinary tract disease, you should contact a urologist. Initial reception occurs in the following order:

1. Talk to the patient.The doctor conducts an investigation, identifies the chief complaint and collects medical records. Honesty when communicating with experts is extremely important in determining further inspection strategies.
2. Physical examination.A urologist visually assesses the condition of the reproductive organs and mucous membranes. A digital rectal examination can initially determine the size, structure, and tenderness of the prostate.
3. diagnosis.A urologist takes a smear from the urethra, which is then sent for microscopic analysis. Depending on the indication, patients are diagnosed with additional laboratory methods (blood tests, urine tests, and PCR tests for sexually transmitted infections) and instruments (ultrasound of pelvic organs, prostate, etc. ).

Based on the test results, the doctor makes a final diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatment.

Treatment of male discharge

In order to eliminate pathological discharges, appropriate treatment is carried out according to the cause of the existing deviation. Treatment may include the following:

• Pharmacological treatment uses antibacterial, antiviral, and antiprotozoal drugs, as well as immunomodulators and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Physical therapy is used in the comprehensive treatment of chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases.
• Surgical approach - mainly minimally invasive surgery to eliminate structural changes, proliferative processes and tumors.

The most common cause of male discharge is sexually transmitted infections. In this case, conservative treatment is performed. Treatment is performed on an outpatient basis. The duration of treatment varies from a few days to several months (depending on the type and form of the disease). At the end of treatment, control laboratory tests were performed.

Prevent male discharge

Physiological secretion reflects the normal health status of the male reproductive system. What needs to be prevented is not discharge, but genitourinary tract diseases. To achieve this goal, urologists recommend the following activities:

• Follow personal hygiene rules;
• Wear underwear made of natural fabrics;
• Selectivity in choosing a partner;
• Use barrier contraception during casual sex;
• Avoid hypothermia;
• engage in regular physical activity;
• Balanced diet;
• Say no to bad habits;
• Annual preventive exams with a urologist.

In cases of immunodeficiency, the body's sensitivity to representatives of opportunistic microbiota increases. Microorganisms that do not normally cause disease may lead to the development of nonspecific infectious-inflammatory processes. Therefore, it is necessary to observe preventive measures particularly carefully in cases of increased physical or psycho-emotional stress, acclimatization and treatment with immunity-lowering drugs.