Male urethral discharge

Male urethral discharge is of different nature, occurs most often in infectious and inflammatory diseases and is an immediate reason for contacting a specialist.If not paid attention to in time, symptoms may become latent.Physiological secretions include:

• Secretion during awakening, from the urethral glands;
• Discharge when straining to defecate;
• Smegma is a secretion from the foreskin glands that accumulates due to inadequate intimate hygiene;
• Sperm - released during ejaculation or nocturnal emissions (during puberty, during long periods of abstinence).

The causes of pathological discharge are as follows:

• mechanical damage;
• Reproductive organ diseases;
• sexually transmitted infections;
• Development of existing flora.

The nature of the discharge varies and is evaluated based on the following parameters:

• quantity,
• consistency,
• color,
• The time and frequency of occurrence.

Urethral discharge is associated with specific pathological flora (gonococci, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and other STD pathogens) and may be as follows:

• Clear, mucous, often sparse—often associated with the presence of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma species;
• Mucopurulent - the result of the presence of trichomonas, chlamydia and other pathogens in the acute phase;
• Purulent: thick, light yellow or green. Characteristics of gonorrhea. The so-called "morning drip" phenomenon refers to the discharge of pus due to thick secretions when urinating for the first time in the morning.

These characteristics of pathological secretions should not be relied upon for diagnosis. Mixed infections, in which multiple pathogens are present simultaneously, often occur, so the clinical picture becomes uncertain. During the latent and asymptomatic phases of the disease, as well as during remission, discharge is minimal or completely absent.Nonspecific processes in the urethra are also accompanied by pathological discharge.The reasons are factors such as lack of personal hygiene and reduced immunity. Opportunistic flora (staphylococci, fungi, streptococci, etc. ) begin to actively multiply on the mucosa, causing the typical symptoms of urethritis. Generally, they are less noticeable than specific inflammations.Discharge is accompanied by some symptoms:

• Itching and burning sensation in urethra;
• Frequent urge to urinate;
• Pain when urinating;
• Lower abdominal discomfort.

If you do not pay attention to these alarming symptoms, the inflammatory process can spread to the prostate, seminal vesicles, testicles and their appendages. Balanitis and balanoposthitis are often related.Pathological secretions of male reproductive organ diseases also include:

• Prostatic leakage: Secretion of secretions from the prostate. This is usually a sign of prostatitis or adenoma;
• Release of sperm outside of sexual arousal. With vas deferens lesions and chronic inflammation;
• Bleeding or blood leakage: usually occurs after manipulation of the urethra, incorrect smear technique, insertion of a urinary catheter, cystoscopy, or injury due to passage of a stone. In some cases, bleeding is a very dangerous symptom and a warning of malignant pathology.

Diagnosis of causes of urethral discharge

Diagnosis of conditions associated with urethral discharge includes laboratory and instrumental studies:

1. The smear is then subjected to microscopy, bacterial culture, and PCR. This is necessary to determine the severity of the existing pathogens and pathological processes.
2. Check for discharge directly after urethral massage.
3. General clinical examination of blood and urine.
4. Prostate secretion, PSA analysis.
5. Pelvic organ ultrasound, MRI, urography, etc.

The presence of an inflammatory process in the urethra may serve as an indication for early investigation and treatment, since later complications are more difficult to treat. One of the most dangerous complications of urethritis is infertility.