Disposal 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 the health or diseases of the ear, the discharge from the nose gives comprehensive information about the pathology of this organ, the discharge from the penis shows the condition of the organs of the male reproductive system.
Very often the unusual flow from the penis becomes the first and sometimes the only symptom of a serious disease. That is why a man, paying attention to his genitals, must pay attention not only to its size, but also to the nature of the secretions.
Separation from the penis is a collective concept that combines discharge from the urethra (urethra), discharge from the sebaceous glands (many of them are located on the head of the penis) and discharge from pathological skin formations. There are three types of normal (physiological) secretions and a wide variety of pathological secretions.
Physiological separation from the penis
The first type of normal discharge is libidinal (physiological) urethrosis, which is a transparent secretion that flows from the urethra against the background of sexual arousal. The source of secretions during arousal in men in this case are the urethral glands. The volume of secretions can vary from small to significant, depending on the physiological characteristics of the man and the length of the period of sexual abstinence. Sometimes physiological urethrosis accompanies the act of defecation. It should be noted that the composition of the secretion released during urethrosis includes a certain amount of sperm, which, if they enter a woman's genitals, can lead to conception and pregnancy.
In some cases, the discharge, which looks like physiological, but in larger quantities, may be a manifestation of a disease of the reproductive system, so if the nature or amount of discharge begins to differ from your usual norm, it is worth discussing this issue. with your doctor.
The second type of normal discharge from the penis is smegma. Smegma is the secretion of glands located in the skin of the foreskin and glans penis. The amount of smegma is usually small and if daily hygiene procedures are followed, it is easily washed away and does not cause problems. In violation of the rules of personal hygiene smegma accumulates on the scalp and between the sheets of the foreskin and creates conditions for the development of the inflammatory process.
To avoid the accumulation of smegma and subsequent inflammation, it is necessary to wash the penis regularly (1-2 times a day, with very warm water, using non-aromatic soaps). In the process of washing it is necessary to move the foreskin and wash the head of the penis, carefully removing all secretions.
Normal secretions from the penis include semen (sperm) - a mixture of secretions from the gonads and sperm, which is released during ejaculation (ejaculation) during intercourse or masturbation (masturbation). Sperm secretion is usually accompanied by sexual orgasm. This group of normal penile secretions also includes wet dreams - involuntary ejaculation (usually at night), which occurs in boys during puberty (after 14-15 years) and in men after prolonged sexual abstinence. The average frequency of wet dreams varies widely - from 1-3 per week to 1-2 for 2-3 months.
Pathological discharge from the penis
The causes of pathological discharge from the penis can be a variety of diseases, including inflammatory processes caused by its own opportunistic flora or sexually transmitted infections, cancer, the consequences of injuries and operations. Pathological secretions from the penis differ in volume (scarce, moderate, abundant), color (transparent, cloudy white, milky white, white, yellow, yellow-green, mixed with blood), consistency (liquid, thick), frequency of occurrenceconstant, periodic, morning, related to urination or alcohol intake). The nature of the discharge is influenced by the nature of the causative agent, the severity of the inflammation, the state of the patient's immune system, the "prescription" of the disease and the presence of concomitant diseases. nature and at the same time different diseases can lead to the appearance of completely similar-looking discharge from the penis. Therefore, it is sometimes simply impossible to diagnose a disease only on the appearance of the discharge.
Separation from the penis associated with sexually transmitted diseases
Mucous secretions from the penis - transparent and viscous with a small amount of leukocytes - are characteristic of ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis and chlamydia.
Mucopurulent secretion - a translucent milky white fluid consisting of urethral mucus, inflammatory exudate and leukocytes - is characteristic of trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis and chlamydia during exacerbations. Chlamydia is also characterized by "sticking" of accumulated secretions to the glans penis.
Purulent discharge - a sticky fluid with a thick consistency, yellow or yellow-green in color, consists of urethral mucus, exfoliated urethral epithelium and a significant number of leukocytes - the most common symptom of gonorrhea. A characteristic feature of gonorrheal urethritis is the severity of subjective symptoms, such as pain, pain, itching (especially during urination), a significant amount and the constant nature of discharge from the urethra.
Currently, patients with sexually transmitted diseases often have a combined infection - that is, an infection caused by several infectious agents (trichomoniasis and chlamydia, gonorrhea and chlamydia, mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis, etc. ), which significantly changes the symptoms and manifestations of infection. Therefore, based only on information about the nature of the discharge and the patient's complaints, it is not possible to make a definitive diagnosis and prescribe treatment. It is important to stop the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (including penile secretions) quite easily in the process of self-medication with antibiotics. In this case, however, the disappearance of symptoms does not mean the disappearance of the disease. The disease simply goes into the shadows, so after the end of antibiotic therapy will return with renewed vigor. In addition, illiterate treatment leads to the development of resistance of microorganisms to the antibacterial drugs used.
Separation from the penis associated with non-venereal inflammatory processes
In this case, the causative agent of the infection becomes a representative of its own opportunistic flora (streptococci, staphylococci, fungi of the genus Candida, Escherichia coli), which becomes more active as a result of reduced levels of human immune protection.
Non-gonorrheal urethritis - inflammation of the urethra (urethra) is accompanied by the appearance of mucopurulent secretions. A characteristic feature is the absence or mild severity of symptoms (pain, pain, itching) and a small amount of secretion, which occurs mainly during the long pause between urination.
Discharges with balanoposthitis (inflammation of the foreskin of the penis) are usually very significant, mucopurulent or purulent, accompanied by pain in the glans penis, swelling and redness of the foreskin.
Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) is accompanied by the appearance of mucous and mucopurulent secretions (depending on the severity of the inflammatory process), pulling pain in the perineum, impaired urination and potency.
A very common disease of the male genitals is thrush (candidiasis) - an inflammatory process associated with the activation of opportunistic fungi Candida. The typical manifestations of thrush in men are pronounced reddening of the skin of the penis, the appearance of itching, burning, as well as quite abundant boiled discharge.
Discharge from the penis that is not associated with inflammation
This is a rather rare type of discharge associated with trauma and tumor processes in the organs of the reproductive system, as well as diseases of the nervous system.
Spermatorrhea is the release of semen from the urethra without orgasm, outside of intercourse or masturbation. The main cause of spermatorrhea is a violation of the tone of the muscular 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 a leak of blood from the urethra. The most common cause of hematorrhea is a mechanical injury to the urethra due to the entry of foreign bodies, when taking a smear, after or during an instrumental examination of the urethra, bladder. Hematorrhea also occurs in injuries of the penis, urethra, malignant tumors of the urethra, penis, prostate, polyps, stones, sand in urolithiasis.
Prostatitis - leakage of prostate secretion from the urethra - is observed with a decrease in the tone of the smooth muscle fibers of the excretory duct of the prostate gland during its chronic inflammation or other diseases (eg with neurogenic bladder, prostate adenoma).
Finding the cause of separation from the penis
As there are many reasons for the appearance of an unusual (non-physiological) flow from the penis, a qualified urologist must look for the cause in each case. When examining a patient with complaints of secretions from the penis, the doctor should carefully examine the skin for rashes, feel the lymph nodes (for their enlargement, pain), examine the underwear.
The nature of the discharge from the penis is assessed at the beginning of the study and after a light massage of the urethra, which is performed after 2-3 hours of abstinence from urination. Compulsory tests that will require a man with an abnormal flow of the penis include general blood tests (enlarged) and urine tests, blood sugar tests, urethral smears, urethral secretions, and digital prostate exams. , if shown, ultrasound of the bladder and prostate, urography, computed tomography.
In inflammatory processes, the most valuable information is given by the examination of the smear from the urethra. 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 smearing. In order for the results of the smear to be informative and to help the doctor in making the diagnosis, it is necessary to properly prepare for the smear procedure. For this purpose, the topical use of antibiotics, antiseptics, antifungal drugs 3 days before the test is excluded. Within 3 hours before the examination it is necessary to refrain from urinating and external toilet of the genitals. Ointments are taken no earlier than 3 weeks after the end of systemic antibiotic therapy (administration of antibiotics orally or in the form of injections).
What do the results of the urethral smear show?
- Elevated leukocytes - acute urethritis, exacerbation of chronic urethritis.
- Elevated eosinophils - allergic urethritis.
- Elevated red blood cells - injuries, tumors, stones or sand with urolithiasis, severe inflammation.
- Epithelial cells in large numbers - chronic urethritis, urethral leukoplakia.
- Sperm - spermatorrhea.
- Lipoid grains - space.
- Mucus without blood cells - urethrosis.
- Key cells (small rods on epithelial cells) with a small number of neutrophils - urethritis.
With a normal smear, up to 4 leukocytes are found in the visual field, the bacterial flora is represented by single cocci, rods.
Finally
The appearance of secretions from the penis is best considered as a symptom of a disease whose nature can be determined only by a doctor and only in person. It is impossible to diagnose the pathology that led to the appearance of secretions, so it is not recommended to treat alone. Attempts at self-medication in this case do not lead to recovery, but only distort the symptoms of the disease and lead to a waste of time - valuable in some serious diseases. Take care of your health!