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 entire organism, but also an important component of the psychological health of the male ego.
The first signs of diseases of this system can be secretions 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, it is possible to preliminarily judge the etiology of the disease and make a preliminary diagnosis.
In fact, very often men confuse normal physiological secretions, which are essentially the secretions of the gonads, and pathological secretions formed during the pathological process.
Products of gonadal secretion
Most often, the appearance of normal physiological secretions 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 Cooper's or bulbourethral glands.There are only two of them.They are located directly under the base of the corpora cavernosa 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 erect in the morning, when the level of testosterone in the man's blood is high.Therefore, very often at this time secretions from Cooper's glands are observed.
The appearance of secretions from the urethra in the form of mucus with greyish-white streaks is possible with strong tension of the abdominal walls during the act of defecation (defecatory prostatorrhea) or after urination (micturitional prostatorrhea).These 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 relate to a greater extent 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 a healthy male urethra remains free of secretions.
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 urethra.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 start of the inflammatory process, pus appears.It can be a consequence of taking samples 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 drugs on the mucosa of the genitourinary canal.It can occur after washing the urethra with pharmacological solutions (instillation) in the treatment of a number of diseases of the genitourinary system.
- Infectious - due to the vital activity of pathogens, which can be protozoa, bacteria or fungi.
Mucous, 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 this secretion 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 phase 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.Purulent secretion 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-green or completely yellow in color.
The appearance of drops of such secretion 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 often characteristic of male candidiasis (thrush).It occurs very rarely.It can be caused by a decrease in the level of immunity following 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 terms of prevalence among sexually transmitted diseases (STIs).
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 until 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 to make a preliminary diagnosis of the disease.In order to more precisely determine the cause of the disease, wastewater samples are taken for bacteriological studies and for cultivation on nutrient media.