Vaginal discharge in men (with and without unpleasant odor): causes, diagnosis, treatment

Normally, the male genital organs produce certain secretions, which primarily perform a protective function. However, changes in the nature and frequency of discharge may be an early sign of developing urological diseases, for example sexually transmitted infections, inflammatory processes or tumors. Everyone should know how to distinguish physiological secretions from pathological secretions. If deviations from the norm occur, you should immediately seek medical help. Below we will consider the most common types of discharge from the urethra in men and their possible causes.

Discharge in men: normal and abnormal

Urinary secretions in men exit through the urethra or urinary tract. The following physiological variants of vaginal discharge in men are possible:

• Urine.Liquid with a yellowish color and a slight characteristic odor. It is usually released in portions during controlled micturition. One of the urinary tract disorders is urinary incontinence. In this case, there is a periodic and uncontrolled release of urine in portions of varying volume, or constant, but drop by drop. This symptom indicates the presence of pathology in the urinary system.
• Pre-cum.Colorless and odorless mucus, which is secreted during sexual and erotic stimulation (during masturbation, moderate erotic stimulation, during sexual intercourse and before ejaculation). Produced by Cooper's glands located paraurethrally. Pre-ejaculate functions as a natural lubricant and deacidifier in the male urethra and female genital tract to increase sperm viability. A deviation from the norm is a large amount of pre-ejaculatory discharge.
• Prostate secrets.Gray white opalescent liquid. Produced by the prostate, it is part of the ejaculate and ensures the normal fertilizing ability of sperm. The release of prostate fluid outside of ejaculation is called prostatorrhea. Normally, secretions can be released during mechanical action on the gland (massage) and during straining (during defecation). Other forms of prostatorrhea indicate disturbances in the function of the gland.
• Ejaculation.The mucous liquid is white and gray with a characteristic odor. It has a complex composition. It is usually released during ejaculation during male orgasm. Physiological is considered to be ejaculatory discharge during sexual intercourse and during wet dreams (in adolescents and adult men during abstinence), as well as during strong sexual and erotic stimulation. Isolated cases of ejaculation during sleep, resulting from fear or physical stress, are not considered pathology. All other options for sperm release are a reason to consult a doctor.

Often men's attention is drawn to whitish discharge on the head. This is smegma, or sebaceous gland secretion. Normally, the secretions are evenly distributed over the head, are washed off during hygiene procedures and do not cause discomfort.

If the gland is overactive or the rules of personal hygiene are violated, the secret accumulates in the preputial sac (in the foreskin) and becomes clearly visible. Microorganisms can use smegma for reproduction. Therefore, preventing stagnation of secretions is an important measure to maintain the health of the genital organs. If the secretions produced are excessive, you should consult a doctor.

Normal vaginal discharge in men should be as described above. Any changes in the nature, frequency and timing of urination, ejaculation or prostate secretions should alert you and be a reason to contact a urologist.

Pathological discharge from the urethra in men

Unusual secretions from the urethra indicate the development of pathological processes in the genitourinary tract. Urological diseases in men can manifest themselves not only in the form of severe vaginal discharge. Even scanty secretions, alternating with "clean" periods, should attract attention. The most common types of pathological vaginal discharge in men are as follows:

• Mucus.Abundant mucus secretion accompanies inflammatory changes in the urethra. The discharge may be clear, cloudy, or whitish.
• Mucopurulent discharge.Pus discharge from the urethra indicates an infectious process. Large amounts of pathological discharge provoke a feeling of stickiness and discomfort. Scanty - found exclusively in the form of traces on linen.
• Vaginal discharge.White mucous discharge in men accompanies nonspecific infectious and inflammatory processes. A thick, creamy discharge usually accompanies candidiasis.
• Gray secret.Gray or mucous discharge may be sperm or prostatic secretions that flow outside physiological conditions. But it is better to consult a specialist to rule out pathology.
• Bloody trouble.Brown or pink urine, dark red or clear mucus streaked with blood, as well as the appearance of blood in the semen are signs of structural changes in the genitourinary organs, which may be caused by injury, intense inflammation or the development of neoplasms.
• Foul vaginal discharge.Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor is a characteristic of a genital infection. A specific rotten or putrid odor coming from the genitals should be a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

Over time, even without treatment, a man may notice changes in the nature and volume of pathological discharge. In some cases, secretions stop, giving the impression of recovery. However, this is often associated with the development of a chronic pathological process and its transition to an indolent form. After some time, pathological discharge from the urethra in men may resume. The chronic course of diseases of the urogenital tract is fraught with the development of serious complications (impotence, infertility, etc. ).

What other symptoms may occur?

Diseases of the genitourinary system in men rarely manifest exclusively as discharge that does not correspond to the norm. Other symptoms also require attention, as they can be used to make assumptions about the localization of the pathological process. A man may be concerned about the following deviations:

• dysuric disorders (frequent urge to urinate, difficulty urinating, feeling of incomplete urination, burning and stinging sensation when urinating);
• changes in urine parameters (unusual color, odor, foamy, exfoliated sediment, etc. );
• pain in the lower abdomen;
• intoxication syndrome (weakness, drowsiness, apathy, etc. );
• decreased libido;
• erectile dysfunction;
• ejaculation problems (premature ejaculation, difficulty achieving orgasm, changes in sperm properties, etc. );
• aching pain in the lower abdomen, perineum or scrotum, etc.

Pathological vaginal discharge can occur in both infectious and non-infectious diseases. The following symptoms will indicate the infectious nature of the disorder:

• pain, burning when urinating;
• itching in the groin;
• rash, sores on the genitals;
• unpleasant odor coming from the genitals;
• decreased libido;
• pelvic pain;
• increased body temperature, drowsiness, weakness, etc.

You should seek help as soon as symptoms begin to appear. The sooner a diagnosis is made and appropriate treatment prescribed, the greater the chances of complete recovery.

What should men do if discharge comes from the urethra?

A doctor will help you accurately determine the nature of pathological vaginal discharge. If you have signs of disease of the urogenital tract, you should contact a urologist. Initial admission takes place in the following order:

1. Conversation with the patient.The doctor conducts a survey, finds out complaints and collects an anamnesis. Honesty when communicating with a specialist doctor is very important for determining further examination tactics.
2. Physical examination.The urologist visually assesses the condition of the genital organs and mucous membranes. Digital rectal examination allows you to determine the size, structure and tenderness of the prostate gland.
3. Diagnostic.The urologist takes a smear from the urethra, which is then sent for microscopic analysis. According to indications, patients are prescribed additional laboratory methods (blood tests, urine tests and PCR tests for sexually transmitted infections) and instrumental diagnostics (ultrasound of the pelvic organs, prostate, etc. ).

Based on the results of the examination, the doctor makes a final diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatment.

Treatment of vaginal discharge in men

To eliminate pathological vaginal discharge, etiotropic therapy is carried out, according to the cause of the existing abnormality. Treatment may include the following:

• Drug therapy uses antibacterial, antiviral, antiprotozoal drugs, as well as immunomodulators and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Physiotherapy is used in the complex treatment of chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases.
• Surgical method - structural changes, hyperplastic processes and neoplasms are removed mainly with the help of minimally invasive operations.

The most common cause of vaginal discharge in men is sexually transmitted infections. In this case, conservative treatment is performed. Therapy is carried out on an outpatient basis. The duration of treatment varies from several days to several months (depending on the type and form of the disease). At the end of treatment, a control laboratory examination is carried out.

Prevention of vaginal discharge in men

Physiological secretion reflects the normal state of health of the male reproductive system. What needs to be prevented is not vaginal discharge, but diseases of the genitourinary tract. To achieve this goal, urologists recommend the following activities:

• compliance with personal hygiene rules;
• wear underwear made from natural materials;
• selectivity in choosing sexual partners;
• use of barrier contraception during casual sexual intercourse;
• avoid hypothermia;
• regular physical activity;
• balanced diet;
• rejection of bad habits;
• annual preventive examination with a urologist.

In immunodeficiency conditions, the body's sensitivity to representatives of opportunistic microflora increases. Microorganisms that do not normally cause disease can cause the development of nonspecific infectious inflammatory processes. Therefore, in conditions of increased physical or psycho-emotional stress, acclimatization and treatment with drugs that lower the body's immunity, it is necessary to take preventive measures very carefully.