Discharge from the urethra in men has a different nature, it occurs most often in infectious and inflammatory diseases and serves as an immediate reason to contact a specialist.
If you do not pay attention to it in time, the symptoms may become latent.
Physiological secretions include:
- discharge during awakening from the glands of the urethra;
- discharge during bowel movements during straining;
- smegma is the secretion of the glands of the foreskin, which accumulates due to insufficient intimate hygiene;
- sperm - during ejaculation or emission (in puberty, with long-term abstinence).
Pathological discharge has the following causes:
- mechanical damage;
- diseases of the genital organs;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- development of existing flora.
The nature of discharge varies and is assessed based on the following parameters:
- quantity,
- sequence,
- color,
- time and frequency of occurrence.
Discharge from the urethra associated with specific pathological flora (gonococci, chlamydia, trichomonas and other STD pathogens) may be as follows:
- transparent, mucous, usually several of them - often associated with the presence of ureaplasma and mycoplasma;
- mucopurulent - the result of the presence of trichomonas, chlamydia and other pathogens in the acute period;
- purulent: thick, yellowish or greenish. It is characteristic of gonorrhea. The phenomenon called "morning drop" occurs: during the first urination in the morning, the discharge is thick and sticky, so a drop of pus is released.
These features of pathological discharge should not be considered as a basis for making a diagnosis. Coinfection often occurs, that is, the presence of several pathogens, so the clinical picture is uncertain. In latent and asymptomatic forms of the disease, as well as during remission, secretion is extremely low or completely absent.
Non-specific processes in the urethra are also accompanied by pathological discharge.Their reasons are non-observance of personal hygiene rules, weakened immunity and other factors. Opportunistic flora (staphylococci, fungi, streptococci, etc. ) begin to multiply actively in the mucous membranes, causing typical symptoms of urethritis. As a rule, they are expressed less 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 disturbing 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 includes:
- prostatorrhea: discharge of prostatic secretions. Often this is a sign of prostatitis, adenoma;
- release of sperm outside of sexual excitement. It is accompanied by pathological changes and chronic inflammation in the vas deferens;
- bleeding or hematorrhea: often seen 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 a malignant pathology.
Diagnosis of the causes of urethral discharge
Diagnosis of conditions accompanied by urethral discharge includes laboratory and instrumental studies:
- Smear followed by microscope, 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 examination of blood and urine.
- Analysis of prostate secretion, PSA.
- Pelvic ultrasound, MRI, urography, etc.
The presence of an inflammatory process in the urethra serves as an indicator for examination and treatment as early as possible, since complications are more difficult to treat later. One of the most dangerous complications of urethritis is infertility.