Penis or Penile Discharge: Causes and Treatment
The average penis discharges are pre-ejaculation and ejaculation, which occur with sexual arousal and sexual activity. Smegma, which is often seen in uncircumcised men who have an intact penile foreskin, is also a regular occurrence.
- Penis discharge may be watery (clear)
- Cloudy (containing pus) or bloody
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) or a sexually transmitted infection are common causes of discharge from the penis.
- Discharge from the penis is often accompanied by pain or burning when urinating and the need to urinate frequently.
- Itching can also accompany discharge from the penis.
- Discharge from the penis is commonly a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and accurate diagnosis and treatment, usually by staff at a specialized sexual health clinic.
Causes of Discharge From Penis
Pre-ejaculation
- Pre-ejaculation is a liquid that comes out of the penis during arousal. People also refer to it as "pre-cum."
- Cowper's glands produce pre-ejaculation, which exits the penis in the same way as semen and urine.
- In most cases, there are only a few drops of pre-ejaculate, so some people may not notice it at all.
Urinary tract infection
- UTIs are rare in men younger than 50 years old, and the risk increases as they age.
- Men with UTIs may find it very painful to urinate or not be able to empty the bladder.
- Some people may have incontinence or a heavy need to urinate.
- There may be white or foamy discharge from the penis, and sometimes, there may also be blood in the urine.
- A UTI is a bacterial infection. Most of the time, antibiotics will be needed to treat the disease.
- A doctor must prescribe the correct type of antibiotics to kill bacteria, so people should avoid self-medicating or using old antibiotics.
Balanitis
- Balanitis is a disease in which the head of the penis becomes inflamed.
- This common infection affects 3 to 11% of men in their life.
- Anything that irritates the foreskin or head of the penis, including harsh soaps and other chemicals, can cause balanitis.
- Balanitis can cause swelling or itching at the head of the penis. It's even possible to notice discharge under the foreskin or on the penis' head.
- Yeast infections are the most common cause of balanitis.
- Diabetes is a risk factor for yeast infections so balanitis may be more common among people living with this condition.
Prostatitis
- The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that surrounds the urethra and is in the front of the rectum.
- The prostate produces prostate fluid, which helps lubricate semen.
- Men with prostatitis may experience:
- Prostate pain
- Difficulty urinating
- Discharge from the penis
- Prostatitis occurs when the prostate becomes inflamed and irritated, sometimes due to a bacterial infection.
- Chronic prostatitis can develop due to a problem with the immune system or after damage to the prostate or surrounding nerves.
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Get A Second OpinionSmegma
- Smegma is a combination of dead skin cells, water, and sebum from skin oil. It is usually white or yellow.
- Smegma lubricates the head of the penis, helping to prevent friction pain, especially during sexual activity.
- Smegma also contains bacteria. These bacteria are generally healthy and beneficial, but harmful bacteria sometimes grow out of control on smegma.
- An overgrowth of harmful bacteria can cause odour and can play a role in certain infections, including urinary tract infections.
Symptoms of Penis Discharge
Abnormal Fluid Release
Noticeable discharge from the penis that differs in colour, consistency, or odour from usual
Pain or Burning Sensation
Discomfort or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation, often accompanied by discharge
Genital Itching or Irritation
Persistent itching or irritation around the genital area, possibly indicating an underlying infection
Swelling or Redness
Inflammation or redness around the tip of the penis or along the urethra
Presence of Blood
Blood in the discharge or urine may indicate a more severe condition requiring immediate medical attention
Foul Odor
Foul-smelling discharge emanating from the penis is often a sign of infection or inflammation
Frequency of Discharge
Recurrent or persistent discharge unrelated to sexual activity or arousal, suggesting an underlying health issue
Accompanying Symptoms
Additional symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, or swollen lymph nodes in the groin area
Diagnosis
- Discharge from the penis or urethritis is diagnosed by finding white blood cells (neutrophils or pus cells) on a urethral swab or in a "first-feed" urine sample (that is, urine is removed from the moment you begin to urinate).
- The infecting organism could be identified from these samples. Ideally, the patient should be seen at a sexual health clinic for rapid specimen examination because transferring specimens to a hospital laboratory can lead to misdiagnosis.
- The colour and consistency of the discharge do not help distinguish NSU from gonococcal urethritis.
- Gonococcal urethritis is diagnosed in 98 percent of men by microscopic examination of discharge from a urethral swab.
Treatment of Penis or Male Discharge
Treatment will depend on the cause of the discharge from the penis.
- Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics
- Fungal infections, such as those that result from yeast, are fought with antifungals
- Allergic irritation can be soothed by steroids
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Book an AppointmentWhen to see a Doctor?
Not all male discharges are a sign of a problem. Sometimes, it pops up due to the temporary production of more smegma or pre-ejaculation.
In other cases, an individual may simply notice the discharge more, perhaps because they are paying more attention to their penis or because they are suddenly feeling self-conscious.
A person should consult a urologist about penile discharge if they experience:
- Discharge that is not from pre-ejaculation or ejaculation.
- Pain when urinating, having sex, or bathing.
- Swelling in or around the penis.
- A foul smell coming from the penis.
- Fever or other signs of infection, such as nausea.
Complications of Penile Discharge
Once the primary cause is diagnosed, follow the treatment plan that you and your healthcare professional specifically designed to reduce the risk of possible complications, including:
- Difficulty or inability to retract the foreskin
- The opening of the penis is scarred and shortened
- Scarring of the penis
- Spread of cancer
- Spread of infection
