Relief from the natural openings of the human body can tell a lot about the state of human health. The nature of the discharge from the ear speaks of health or disease of the ear, the discharge from the nose provides comprehensive information about the pathology of this organ, the discharge from the penis indicates the state of the organs of the male reproductive system.
Often, abnormal discharge from the penis becomes the first, and sometimes the only, symptom of a serious illness. Therefore, a man, paying attention to his sexual organs, should pay attention not only to its size, but also to the nature of the secretions.
Discharge from the penis is a collective concept that combines discharge from the urethra (urethra), discharge from the sebaceous glands (many of which are located at the head of the penis) and discharge from pathological skin formation. There are three types of normal (physiological) secretions and various types of pathological secretions.
Physiological release from the penis
The first type of normal discharge is libidinal (physiological) urethrorrhea, which is a transparent secretion that flows from the urethra against a background of sexual stimulation. The source of secretion during stimulation in men in this case is the urethral gland. The amount of secretion can vary from small to significant, depending on the physiological characteristics of the man and the duration of the period of sexual abstinence. Sometimes physiological urethrorrhea accompanies defecation. It should be noted that the secretory composition released during urethrorrhea includes a number of spermatozoa, which, if it enters the female genitalia, can lead to conception and the development of pregnancy.
In some cases, the discharge resembles physiologically, but in larger quantities, may be a manifestation of diseases of the reproductive system, therefore, if the nature or amount of discharge begins to differ from your normal norm, it is advisable to discuss this issue with your doctor.
The second type of normal discharge from the penis is smegma. Smegma is a glandular secretion located in the skin of the foreskin and glans of the penis. The amount of smegma is usually small, and if daily hygiene procedures are followed, it is easy to wash and does not cause any problems. If the rules of personal hygiene are violated, smegma accumulates on the scalp and between the sheets of the foreskin and creates a prerequisite for the development of inflammatory processes.
To prevent the accumulation of smegma and subsequent inflammation, it is necessary to wash the penis regularly (1-2 times a day, with plenty of warm water using unscented soap). In the process of washing, it is important to move the foreskin and wash the glans of the penis, carefully removing all secretions.
Common secretions from the penis also include sperm (semen) - a mixture of secretions of the sex glands and spermatozoa, which are released during ejaculation (ejaculation) during intercourse or masturbation (self -satisfaction). Usually the release of sperm is accompanied by sexual release (orgasm). This group of normal discharge from the penis also includes wet dreams-involuntary ejaculation (usually at night) that occurs in boys during puberty (after 14-15 years) and in men after prolonged sexual abstinence. The average frequency of wet dreams varies-from 1-3 a week to 1-2 for 2-3 months.
Pathological discharge from the penis
The causes of the emergence of pathological discharge from the penis can be a variety of diseases, including inflammatory processes caused by their own opportunistic flora or sexually transmitted infections, oncological diseases, as a result of injury and surgery. Pathological secretions from the penis vary in amount (few, medium, many), color (transparent, turbid white, milky white, white, yellow, yellow-green, mixed with blood), consistency (liquid, thick), frequency of occurrence (continuous, intermittent, morning, associated with urination or alcohol intake). The nature of the discharge is influenced by the nature of the causative agent of the disease, the severity of inflammation, the state of the patient's immune system, the "prescription" of the disease and the presence of concomitant diseases. Note that the same disease may be accompanied by secretions of different properties, and, at the same time, different diseases may lead to the appearance of discharge from the penis that is completely different in appearance. That is why it is sometimes impossible to diagnose a disease by the appearance of discharge alone.
Discharge from the penis associated with venereal disease
The discharge of mucus from the penis - transparent and viscous with a small number of leukocytes - is characteristic of ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis and chlamydia.
Mucopurulent discharge - a translucent milky white liquid, composed of urethral mucus, inflammatory exudates and leukocytes - is characteristic of trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis and chlamydia during exacerbation. Chlamydia is also characterized by "sticking" of accumulated secretions on the glans of the penis.
Purulent discharge - a sticky fluid with a thick consistency, yellow or yellow -green in color, consisting of urethral mucus, flaky urethral epithelium and a large number of leukocytes - the most common symptom of gonorrhea. Characteristic features of gonorrheal urethritis are the severity of subjective symptoms, such as pain, soreness, itching (especially during urination), a significant amount and the nature of persistent discharge from the urethra.
Currently, patients with venereal diseases often suffer from combined infections - that is, infections caused by several infectious agents (trichomoniasis and chlamydia, gonorrhea and chlamydia, mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis, etc. ), which significantly alter symptoms and manifestations. infection. Therefore, only based on information about the nature of the discharge and patient complaints, it is impossible to make a final diagnosis and prescribe treatment. It is important that the symptoms of venereal disease (including discharge from the penis) are relatively easily stopped in the process of self -treatment with antibiotics. However, in this case, the disappearance of symptoms does not mean the disappearance of the disease. The disease only goes into the shadows, so that after the end of antibiotic therapy it will return with renewed vigor. In addition, illiteracy treatment leads to the formation of resistance of microorganisms to the antibacterial drugs used.
Discharge from the penis is associated with non -sexual inflammatory processes
In this case, the causative agent of the infection becomes a representative of its own opportunistic flora (streptococcus, staphylococcus, fungi of the genus Candida, Escherichia coli), which becomes more active due to decreased levels of human immune defense. .
Non -gonorrheal urethritis - inflammation of the urethra (urethra) is accompanied by the appearance of mucopurulent discharge. Characteristic features are the absence or severity of mild symptoms (pain, soreness, itching) and a small amount of discharge that appears especially during long breaks between urination.
Provision with balanoposthitis (inflammation of the foreskin of the penis) is usually very pronounced, mucopurulent or purulent, accompanied by pain in the glans of the penis, swelling and redness of the foreskin.
Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) is accompanied by the appearance of mucus and mucopurulent secretions (depending on the severity of the inflammatory process), pulling pain in the perineum, urinary disorders and potency.
A very common disease of the male genitalia is thrush (candidiasis) - an inflammatory process associated with opportunistic activation of the Candida fungus. The typical manifestations of thrush in men are redness on the skin of the penis, the appearance of itching, burning, and even quite a lot of curdled discharge.
Discharge from the penis is not associated with inflammation
This is a type of discharge that is relatively rarely associated with trauma and tumor processes in the organs of the reproductive system, as well as with diseases of the nervous system.
Spermatorrhea is the release of semen from the urethra without orgasm, outside of sexual intercourse or masturbation. The main cause of spermatorrhea is a violation of the tone of the muscle membrane of the vas deferens associated with diseases of the central nervous system, less often with chronic inflammatory processes. In some cases, the cause of spermatorrhea cannot be determined.
Hematorrhea is the discharge of blood from the urethra. The most common cause of hematorrhea is a mechanical injury to the urethra due to the introduction of a foreign body, when taking a smear, after or during instrumental examination of the urethra, bladder. Hematorrhea also occurs with trauma to the penis, urethra, malignant tumors of the urethra, penis, prostate, polyps, stone discharge, sand in urolithiasis.
Prostatorrhea - leakage of prostate secretions from the urethra - is observed with a decrease in the tone of smooth muscle fibers of the excretory tract of the prostate gland during chronic inflammation or other diseases (e. g. , with neurogenic bladder, prostate adenoma).
Finding the cause of penis ejaculation
Since there are many reasons for the appearance of unusual (non -physiological) discharge from the penis, a qualified urologist should look for the cause of each particular case. When examining patients with complaints coming out of the penis, the doctor should carefully examine the skin for rashes, feel the lymph nodes (for enlargement, pain), examine the underwear.
The nature of the discharge from the penis is assessed at the beginning of the examination and after a light massage of the urethra, which is carried out after 2-3 hours of abstinence from urination. Among the mandatory studies that must be passed by men who experience unusual discharge from the penis are general blood (expanding) and urine tests, blood sugar tests, smear tests from the urethra, urethral secretion inoculation, digital prostate examination. glands, if indicated, ultrasound of the bladder and prostate, urography, computed tomography.
In the inflammatory process, the most valuable information is provided by urethral smear studies. The results of this study depend on the severity and duration of the disease. Inflammation is indicated by the presence of 4 or more leukocytes, the appearance of cylindrical and parabasilar epithelium indicates the severity and depth of the inflammatory process.
Preparation for taking smears. In order for the smear results to be informative and assist the physician in making a diagnosis, it is necessary to make proper preparations for the smear sampling procedure. For this purpose, local use of antibiotics, antiseptics, antifungal drugs was excluded for 3 days before the study. Within 3 hours before the study, it was necessary to refrain from urination and external toileting of the genitals. Smears are taken no earlier than 3 weeks after the end of systemic antibiotic therapy (introduction of antibiotics orally or in the form of injections).
What do the results of a urethral smear show?
- Increased leukocytes - acute urethritis, exacerbation of chronic urethritis.
- Increased eosinophils - allergic urethritis.
- Increased red blood cells - trauma, tumors, excretion of stones or sand with urolithiasis, severe inflammation.
- Epithelial cells in large numbers - chronic urethritis, urethral leukoplakia.
- Spermatozoa - spermatorrhea.
- Lipoid grains - prostorrhea.
- Mucus without blood cells - urethrorrhea.
- Primary cells (small stems on epithelial cells) with a small number of neutrophils - urethritis.
In a normal smear, up to 4 leukocytes in the field of view are detected, the bacterial flora is represented by a single cocci, rods.
Finally
The appearance of discharge from the penis is best considered a symptom of the disease, its nature can only be determined by a doctor and only at a face -to -face appointment. It is not possible to independently diagnose the pathology that leads to the appearance of secretions, therefore it is not advisable to treat it yourself. Attempts for self -treatment in this case do not lead to recovery, but only distort the symptoms of the disease and lead to loss of time - valuable in some serious diseases. Take care of your health!