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 signs of diseases of this system can be discharge from the genitourinary canal, most often detected by representatives of the stronger sex during the urination process or after it.According to the nature of these secretions, the etiology of the disease can be judged in advance and a preliminary diagnosis can be made.
In fact, most often men confuse normal physiological secretions, which are essentially secretions of the gonads, and pathological secretions formed during the course of the pathological process.
Secretory products of the gonads
Most often, the appearance of normal physiological secretions is accompanied by sexual excitement (erection), accompanied by the release of clear mucus from the male urogenital canal, which is a secretion product 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 sperm movement during ejaculation.
Also, discharge during excitement can be considered the process of sperm discharge (ejaculation), which occurs spontaneously without the influence of accompanying factors (wet dreams).
Most often, the penis is in a state of erection in the morning, when the level of testosterone in a man's blood is elevated.Therefore, more often at this time, secretions of the Cooper glands are observed.
The appearance of discharge from the urethra in the form of gray-white striped mucus is possible with strong straining of the abdominal walls during the act of defecation (defecatory prostatorrhea) or after urination (micsional 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 are related to its individual characteristics, less often a sign of chronic prostatitis.
All the phenomena described above are rare.And for a longer period of time, the outside of the healthy male urethra is leak-free.
Pathological discharge
It is 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 leakage.This process is called leukocytic urethritis.The influence of such pathological factors is distinguished.
- Mechanical - under their action, blood is first released from the genitourinary canal, and shortly after the start of the inflammatory process, pus appears.It can be the result of taking samples for laboratory analysis or the result of examination of the urethra using medical instruments (cystoscopy, urethroscopy).
- Chemical - as a result of the action of chemical substances of drugs on the mucosa of the genitourinary canal.It can occur after washing the urethra with medicinal 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 milky white translucent liquid.The appearance of such a discharge is one of the basic symptoms for the diagnosis of non-gonococcal urethritis.
It is observed when it is affected by the pathogens of chlamydia, trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis.The course of these diseases is characterized by the absence of symptoms of itching, soreness and pain.They are manifested in the initial stage only as a small amount of mucopurulent exudate at the end of urination after a prolonged abstinence.
Purulent discharge
It is a sign of infectious urethritis.Purulent discharge includes urethral mucus and damaged epithelial cells of the genitourinary canal.It is characterized by a high content of leukocytes.It is a thick, yellow-green or completely yellow liquid.
The appearance of dots of such a discharge is one of the main symptoms for diagnosing urethritis of gonococcal etiology.It is accompanied by itching, pain and pain with secretions in large quantities.
Purulent discharge from the urethra is characteristic of gonorrhea and trichomoniasis.It is 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 secretions with a consistency similar to cottage cheese from the penis is most often characteristic of male candidiasis (thrush).It happens very rarely.It can be caused by a decrease in the level of immunity as a result of a course of antibiotic therapy or chemotherapy.It is almost impossible to infect a healthy man with candidiasis through sexual contact.
White discharge with a foamy consistency occurs with trichomoniasis, which ranks first in prevalence among STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
Another reason for white discharge from the urethra can be the chronic form of prostatitis.This disease is accompanied by difficulty urinating and a decrease in the level of strength until its complete loss (impotence).
Discharges from the urethra of various types should be a reason for the patient to consult a doctor.They can also become symptoms to make a preliminary diagnosis of the disease.To more accurately determine the cause of the disease, discharge samples are taken for bacteriological studies and for culture in nutrient media.