The normal functioning of the organs of the genitourinary system for a man is an important factor not only for the normal physiological functioning of the whole organism, but also an important component of the psychological health of the male ego.
The first signals of diseases of this system may be discharge from the genitourinary canal, most often detected by representatives of the stronger sex during the process of urination or after it.By the nature of these secretions, one can preliminarily judge the etiology of the disease and make a preliminary diagnosis.
In fact, most often men confuse normal physiological secretions, which are essentially the secretions of the gonads, and pathological secretions formed during the course of the pathological process.
Secretion products of the gonads
Most often, the appearance of normal physiological discharge is associated with sexual arousal (erection), accompanied by the release of clear mucus from the male urogenital canal, which is a product of the secretion of the Cooper or bulbourethral glands.There are only two of them.They are located directly under the base of the cavernous bodies of the penis.The main function of the secretion of these glands is to lubricate the urogenital canal before the release of sperm for better movement of sperm during ejaculation.
Also, discharge during arousal can be considered the process of ejaculation of sperm (ejaculation), which occurs spontaneously without the influence of accompanying factors (wet dreams).
Most often, the penis is in an erect state in the morning, when the level of testosterone in a man’s blood is elevated.Therefore, most often at this time, secretions of the Cooper glands are observed.
The appearance of discharge from the urethra in the form of mucus with streaks of grayish-white color is possible with strong straining of the abdominal walls during the act of defecation (defecatory prostatorrhea) or after urination (mictional prostatorrhea).Such secretions consist of a mixture of secretions from the prostate glands and seminal vesicles.Both types of prostatitis are characteristic of a physiologically healthy organism and to a greater extent relate to its individual characteristics, less often a sign of chronic prostatitis.
All the phenomena described above are uncommon.And for a longer period of time, the outer part of a healthy male urethra is without discharge.
Pathological discharge
Associated with diseases of the genitourinary canal and adjacent organs.Due to the influence of pathological factors of various etiologies, damage to the urethra occurs, accompanied by discharge.This process is called leukocyte urethria.The influence of such pathological factors is distinguished.
- Mechanical - under their action, blood is first released from the genitourinary canal, and some time after the onset of the inflammatory process, pus appears.It may be a consequence of sampling for laboratory tests or the result of examination of the urethra using medical instruments (cystoscopy, urethroscopy).
- Chemical - as a result of the action of chemical substances of medications on the mucous membrane of the genitourinary canal.It may occur after washing the urethra with drug solutions (instillation) in the treatment of a number of diseases of the genitourinary system.
- Infectious - as a result of the vital activity of pathogens, which can be protozoa, bacteria, or fungi.
Mucous and pus-filled discharge from the urethra
They consist of urogenital mucus, serous exudate and a small number of leukocytes.They are a translucent milky-white liquid.The appearance of such discharge is one of the fundamental symptoms for diagnosing non-gonococcal urethritis.
Observed when affected by pathogens of chlamydia, trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis.The course of these diseases is characterized by the absence of symptoms of itching, pain and pain.They manifest themselves in the initial stage only as a small amount of mucopurulent exudate at the end of urination after prolonged abstinence.
Purulent discharge
It is a sign of infectious urethritis.The purulent discharge includes urethral mucus and cells of the damaged epithelium of the genitourinary canal.Characterized by a high content of leukocytes.It is a liquid of thick consistency, yellow with green color or completely yellow.
The appearance of drops of such discharge is one of the main symptoms for diagnosing urethritis of gonococcal etiology.Accompanied by itching, pain and pain with discharge in large quantities.
Purulent discharge from the urethra is characteristic of gonorrhea and trichomoniasis.Accompanied by a burning sensation in the area of the genitourinary canal during urination.
Causes of white discharge from the male urethra
The appearance of white discharge with a curd-like consistency from the penis is most often characteristic of male candidiasis (thrush).Occurs very rarely.It may be caused by a decrease in the level of immunity as a result of a course of antibiotic therapy or chemotherapy.Infecting a healthy man with candidiasis through sexual contact is almost impossible.
White discharge with a foamy consistency appears with trichomoniasis, which ranks first in prevalence among STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
Another reason for white discharge from the urethra may be the chronic form of prostatitis.This disease is accompanied by difficulty urinating and a decrease in the level of potency up to its complete loss (impotence).
Discharge from the urethra of various types should be a reason for the patient to consult a doctor.They can also become symptoms for making a preliminary diagnosis of the disease.In order to more accurately determine the cause of the disease, samples of discharge are taken for bacteriological studies and for culture on nutrient media.