Discharge from the urethra in men is of a different nature, most often occurs in infectious and inflammatory diseases and serves as an immediate reason to contact a specialist.
If you do not pay attention to this in time, the symptoms can become latent.
Physiological secretions include:
- discharge during awakening, which comes from the urethral glands;
- discharge during bowel movements during straining;
- smegma is the secretion of the foreskin glands, which accumulates due to insufficient intimate hygiene;
- sperm – released during ejaculation or emission (during puberty, with long-term abstinence).
Pathological discharge has causes such as:
- mechanical damage;
- diseases of the genital organs;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- development of the existing flora.
The nature of the download varies and is evaluated based on the following parameters:
- quantity,
- durability,
- color,
- time and frequency of occurrence.
Discharge from the urethra, which is associated with specific pathological flora (gonococci, chlamydia, trichomonas and other STD pathogens), can be as follows:
- transparent, mucous, usually few of them - 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, yellow or green. Characteristic of gonorrhea. The so-called "morning drop" phenomenon occurs: during the first urination in the morning, a drop of pus is released, as the discharge is thick and sticky.
These characteristics of the pathological discharge should not be taken as a basis for establishing a diagnosis. Coinfection often occurs, i. e. the presence of several pathogens, so the clinical picture becomes uncertain. In the latent and asymptomatic forms of the disease, as well as in the period of remission, the discharge is extremely little or completely absent.
Non-specific processes in the urethra are also associated with pathological discharge.Their causes are lack of personal hygiene, weakened immunity and other factors. Opportunistic flora (staphylococci, fungi, streptococci, etc. ) begin to multiply actively in the mucosa, causing typical symptoms of urethritis. As a rule, they are less pronounced than with specific inflammation.
The discharge is accompanied by several manifestations:
- itching, burning in the urethra;
- frequent urge to urinate;
- painful sensations during urination;
- discomfort in the lower abdomen.
If you do not pay attention to the alarming symptoms, the inflammatory process spreads to the prostate gland, 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: discharge of prostate secretions. Often this is a sign of prostatitis, adenoma;
- release of sperm outside of sexual arousal. It is associated with 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 injury from a passing stone. In some cases, hematorrhea is a very dangerous symptom, warning of a malignant pathology.
Diagnosis of the causes of urethral discharge
Diagnosis of conditions associated with 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 indicator for examination and treatment as early as possible, because complications are much more difficult to treat later. One of the most dangerous complications of urethritis is infertility.