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 for contact with a specialist.
If you do not pay attention to this in time, the symptoms can become latent.
Physiological secretions include:
- discharge during arousal, which comes from the glands of the urethra;
- discharge during bowel movement under strain;
- smegma is the secretion of the glands of the foreskin, which accumulates due to insufficient intimate hygiene;
- spermatozoa - released during ejaculation or emission (during puberty, with prolonged abstinence).
Pathological discharge has reasons such as:
- mechanical damage;
- diseases of the genital organs;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- development of the existing flora.
The nature of the disposal varies and is assessed based on the following parameters:
- amount,
- consistency,
- color,
- time and frequency of occurrence.
Discharge from the urethra, which is associated with specific pathological flora (gonococci, chlamydia, trichomonads and other STD pathogens), can be as follows:
- transparent, mucous membranes, usually few of them - often associated with the presence of ureaplasmas and mycoplasmas;
- mucopurulent - the result of the presence of trichomonads, chlamydia and other pathogens in the acute period;
- purulent: thick, yellowish or greenish. 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 making a diagnosis. Coinfection often occurs, that is, the presence of several pathogens, so the clinical picture becomes uncertain. In latent and asymptomatic forms of the disease, as well as in the period of remission, discharge is extremely scarce or completely absent.
Nonspecific processes in the urethra are also accompanied by pathological discharge.The reasons for them are non-observance of personal hygiene, weakened immunity and other factors. Conditionally pathogenic flora (staphylococci, fungi, streptococci, etc. ) begins to multiply actively on the mucous membranes, causing typical symptoms of urethritis. As a rule, they are less pronounced than in specific inflammation.
Discharge is accompanied by some manifestations:
- 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 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 prostatic secretion. Often this is a sign of prostatitis, 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 urethral manipulation, improper smear technique, urinary catheter placement, cystoscopy, or injury from a passing stone. In some cases, hematorrhea is a very dangerous symptom warning of malignant pathology.
Diagnosis of the causes of discharge from the urethra
Diagnosis of conditions accompanied by urethral discharge includes laboratory and instrumental tests:
- 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 blood and urine tests.
- Analysis of prostate secretion, 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 later complications are much more difficult to treat. One of the most dangerous complications of urethritis is infertility.