Men’s penile discharge usually occurs during sexual arousal and pre-ejaculation in the form of a thick fluid that acts as a lubricant. Discharge can vary in thickness, color and odor.
Any penile discharge that is not white or yellow and does not contain semen should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Leaving abnormal discharge untreated can lead to serious health complications such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Causes
Penile discharge can be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection or treatable medical condition. The good news is that most of the causes are easy to diagnose and treat. If you are concerned that your penile discharge is not normal, seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible.
Discharge from the penis can vary in appearance, color and smell. Penile discharge that is white, cloudy, yellow or has a foul odor may indicate the presence of an STD. A discharge that is clear or resembles urine, pre-ejaculate or ejaculate can also indicate an infection or other medical issue.
Most forms of penile discharge are the result of a bacterial or fungal infection and not an STD. However, if the discharge is accompanied by pain or itching, you should contact your doctor right away.
Infections and conditions that can cause penile discharge include:
Nongonococcal urethritis – All infections of the urethra that aren’t caused by gonorrhea. This includes chlamydia, mycoplasma genitalium and trichomonas vaginalis.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) – Symptoms of a UTI can include a milky white discharge from the penis, burning or painful sensation when you urinate and a feeling that you need to urinate often.
Most of the time, a health care provider will take a sample of your discharge for lab testing and will ask about your medical history. Depending on the results, your health care provider might prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection or suggest other treatments such as drinking more fluids, improving hygiene and using condoms for STI prevention.
Symptoms
Generally speaking, penile discharge is any substance that comes out of the urethra (which runs through the penis) but isn’t urine or semen. For most men, this includes pre-ejaculate fluid or ejaculate fluid, which is secreted during sexual arousal and sexual activity. It’s also normal for males to have smegma, a type of thick white discharge that forms around the head of the penis and acts as a natural lubricant.
If you notice changes in the amount, color, odor, or frequency of your penile discharge, it’s best to visit a doctor as soon as possible. This way, you can receive diagnosis and treatment before any infection has a chance to spread to other parts of the body.
A common cause of abnormal penile discharge is a urinary tract infection, or UTI. Infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes can all cause UTIs, so it’s important to get tested and treated as soon as possible to prevent further complications.
Other causes of penile discharge include conditions like balanitis or prostatitis. These infections can also occur independently of sexual arousal and may appear as white or clear discharge, or it might be green or yellow, cloudy, pus-like, or even cheesy and foul-smelling. If you suspect an infection, be sure to visit a doctor for treatment as soon as possible and consider getting an at-home STD test to determine whether or not you have STIs.
Treatment
The good news is that discharge from the penis is usually a sign of infection, and many of these infections are treatable. However, it’s important to see a doctor or sexual health clinic to ensure the cause is accurately diagnosed before starting treatment. If the discharge is caused by an STD, antibiotics will likely be necessary.
Discharge from the penis is most often a result of infection or irritation of the urethra, which is the narrow small tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the body, including the opening at the end of the penis where urine and semen pass through. Semen and urine are the only things that should be coming out of the urethra, so any other liquid that is being emitted from this area is abnormal.
Normal discharge from the penis is clear and occurs as a result of sexual arousal and intercourse. This type of discharge is called smegma and helps to lubricate the penis.
Unusual or unexplained penile discharge may indicate the presence of an STI such as gonorrhoea, which typically causes white/yellow/green discharge from the urethra and painful urination. Other common STIs that can cause unexplained penile discharge include chlamydia, trichomonas vaginalis and mycoplasma genitalium. These infections can be transmitted through unprotected sex, but they can also occur without sexual activity.
Prevention
Penile discharge is a common and often embarrassing symptom that can be a sign of sexually transmitted diseases, which may cause serious and painful health issues if untreated. The most common STIs that can cause discharge from the penis include gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes. The symptoms of these infections vary from person to person, but they can include a watery, clear, opaque or cloudy discharge that can contain pus and blood and can be itchy. The best way to prevent STIs is through open communication with sexual partners, practicing safe sex, and seeking medical attention as soon as possible when concerns arise.
Discharge from the penis can be caused by a number of things, including infection and irritants such as soap, deodorant, and other chemicals that come into contact with the skin. Many men have to deal with penile discharge at one point or another, and it can be a source of embarrassment, shame, and fear of inadequacy. However, there are ways to overcome these feelings and get the help you need if needed.
Normal penile discharge is usually only fluid secreted from the urethra as a result of sexual arousal and intercourse, such as pre-ejaculate and ejaculate (semen). Penile discharge can also occur due to the accumulation of a thick substance called smegma in the foreskin of an uncircumcised man, and it might be more noticeable with certain medications.
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