The secretions of the male genitalia appear in the form of a small amount of fluid or mucus, which have different conditions and colors. The fluid (mucus) is secreted from the urethra and can also separate the secretions of the foreskin glands, which are located under the skin covering the head of the penis.
Physiological discharge
- The normal standard of urine is light golden, no peculiar smell;
- The standard of prostate secretion rate is stickiness, white color, and a certain sperm odor;
- The standard of ejaculation is that the sperm is mixed with the secretions secreted by the prostate, which is gray and has the consistency of mucus;
- The standard for smegma is thick white grease.
The smegma (foreskin lubricant) accumulates under the foreskin of the penis and is the accumulation of fat and certain bacterial residues. Lubricants are used to reduce the friction between the head and the foreskin. In different periods of life, the secretion of the foreskin glands is different, reaching a peak in adolescence and stopping completely in old age.
If hygiene rules are not followed, lubricant (scalp) will be collected under the foreskin. The fat is oxidized, and the proteins that make up the ingredients begin to decompose. In short, the process of decay has begun. The color of the lubricant changed to green and a rotten smell appeared. The constant accumulation of lubricant can lead to chronic balanitis, or worse, it can develop into a malignant tumor.
The urethral glands secrete a colorless fluid called a runny urethra. It plays a role in protecting the urethra. Its appearance is related to strong awakening during erection. The amount of secretions depends on the physiological characteristics of each organism, but after long-term refusal of sex, the amount will increase.
In the morning, there may be dreams that are not related to sexual activity (sperm discharge spontaneously). Both adolescents and adult men who have not had sex for a long time may be contaminated.
With the intense tension of the abdominal muscles, a small amount of translucent mucus is released from the urethra. In addition, prostate discharge may occur during constipation.
Discharge pathological changes
Abnormal discharge from the penis may indicate a sexually transmitted disease (STD), cancer, non-specific inflammation, or genital trauma.
It is possible to distinguish those secretions related to pathological properties from ordinary secretions by their nature, smell, and color:
- Emissions become more abundant, or conversely decrease;
- The color has changed, and the secretions have become turbid;
- There are blood impurities, pus, mucus clumps;
- Structural changes: secretions become viscous;
- The smell becomes fishy, sour or rotten;
- An unpleasant sensation occurs when urinating.
If you notice any changes in your discharge, it is very dangerous to self-medicate. You must seek medical attention as soon as possible, and you must have a laboratory test and a smear.
The discharge characteristics of venereal diseases
A secretion that becomes very viscous and has a transparent color is usually a chronic form of mycoplasma, urea, and chlamydia. During analysis, white blood cells can be found in a field of view of up to 5 units.
If the secretion becomes white and translucent, it indicates the presence of acute mycoplasma, chlamydia, and ureaplasmosis.
A discharge with purulent spots and a characteristic smell is a sign of gonorrhea. Their structure is thick and sticky, and the color is yellow-green. In laboratory tests, a large number of white blood cells were detected. Also noticed the pain when urinating.
A variety of pathogen infections are common in sexually transmitted diseases. The symptoms and nature of the secretions take on a completely different appearance, so it is important to conduct high-quality laboratory tests to determine the true pathogen of the disease.
Male non-STD inflammation and secretions
When non-specific bacteria enter the pelvic organs, non-venereous inflammation occurs, which may also be the result of immune problems. When a smaller number of pathogenic bacteria begin to defeat beneficial bacteria, their own microbiota will become conditional pathogenic bacteria, leading to non-STD inflammation.
Non-gonococcal urethritis is characterized by a small amount of purulent mass discharge. I often have the urge to urinate and itching. Infections are on the rise, first infecting the bladder and then the kidneys. When the kidneys are infected, the secretions contain blood. This is a very dangerous symptom.
Candida fungi cause candidiasis. The number of these fungi will increase as their immunity weakens and antibiotics are taken. Symptoms include secretions that resemble cottage cheese in structure. Sour taste, itching, especially when urinating.
Gardnerella urethral disease is determined by a specific fishy smell, and the secretions are yellow-green and small in size. This type of infection occurs when the microbiota is violated, that is, when ecological disorders occur.
If the foreskin becomes inflamed (balanoposthitis), the discharge becomes purulent and mucus. The head of the penis turns red and becomes very painful.
Prostatitis manifests as a cloudy discharge that appears at the end of urination. This disease has serious complications, such as inability to get an erection, complete impotence, and anuria.
Non-inflammatory secretions
Nocturnal emission is passive leakage of semen without masturbation or intercourse. This disease is usually the result of stress, neurosis or spinal disease. For spermatorrhea, the duct is innervated by nerves.
Bloody discharge may occur when urethral trauma, smears, catheterization, and sand or pebbles pass through the urethra. In this case, bleeding is very painful.
A serious symptom is brown discharge with pus and blood-they indicate the presence of a malignant tumor.
If you find that you have abnormal secretions, you should immediately contact a medical institution for necessary inspections. The sooner a correct diagnosis is made, the sooner you will recover.
How is the exam progressing?
- First, check the penis. This procedure is necessary to identify trauma marks on the head and foreskin. Watch out for rashes or discharges.
- Mandatory inspection and palpation of the inguinal lymph nodes to determine their size, condition, and temperature.
- Sampling of prostate secretions for laboratory research-for this purpose, prostate massage is performed through the rectum.
In the laboratory, under the microscope, the collected materials are studied:
- The smear can determine the maturity of white blood cells and their number in the field of view. Increased numbers indicate acute urethritis or chronic inflammatory processes;
- An increase in the number of eosinophils indicates an allergic process in the urethra;
- When red blood cells are detected, we can talk about tumors, severe inflammation;
- If the number of epithelium exceeds normal, then we are chronic urethritis;
- Smear contains sperm-nocturnal emission;
- Mucus found in the smear-urethral leak;
- There are lipid particles in the smear-prostatic fluid.
In order to obtain reliable results, you must follow some rules: do not wash yourself before taking the material, do not have sex the day before the analysis, and do not go to the toilet a few hours before the material is taken.
LHC inoculation is required to identify the largest number of microorganisms belonging to the same species. Their characteristics are being studied to further diagnose the infection. Perform general analysis of blood and urine. If necessary, perform an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs and prostate according to the indications, and then perform a tomographic scan.
Any abnormal discharge is an important reason to see a doctor. You cannot self-medicate, even if the disease seems obvious to you. In this way, complications that are difficult to treat even with the strongest antibiotics. The inflammatory process will not stop, only a latent form, which is full of serious complications, even death.
Precaution
Any disease is easier to prevent than treatment, so by following simple personal hygiene rules, you can protect yourself from many problems. In addition, there are some rules:
- Underwear should be made of natural materials, not tight;
- Need proper contraception;
- Casual sex should be avoided.
If STDs are detected in at least one of them, mandatory treatment must be given to both parties. Otherwise, re-infection will continue to occur, which is dangerous for the transition to a chronic form or even infertility.