Why is there penile discharge?

What then is considered abnormal penile discharge?

Penile discharge resulting from the following conditions are considered abnormal. They may include:

Urethritis

Urethritis is the inflammation of the urethra. It is often accompanied with a yellowish-green penile discharge and burning sensation during urination. The frequency and urgency of urination may also increase with urethritis. In less common cases, no symptoms may appear at all.

Balanitis

Balanitis is a more common condition among men, affecting around 3 percent of the male population. It is the inflammation of the glans of the penis and may occur to both circumcised and uncircumcised men. Balanitis may be accompanied by a red, botchy rash that itches. Discharge may occur from under the foreskin. It may also be painful during urination.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

While UTI may be more common in women than in men, bacteria may also sometimes reach the male urinary tract and cause an infection. Symptoms of an UTI include clear or pus-tinged fluid discharged from the penis, urgency to urinate, pain during urination and urine that is cloudy and/or foul smelling. Sometimes a fever may also accompany an UTI.

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)

Some sexually transmitted disease may also cause abnormal penile discharge. These include but are not limited to chlamydia, a bacteria caused infection that may show no symptoms at all, or gonorrhea, another common STD that again may show no symptoms. When symptoms are present, they are often pain during urination, swollen testicles and white, yellowish or even greenish discharge from the penis.

When is it necessary to consult a doctor?

If the discharge has been established to not be urine, ejaculation or pre-ejaculation, consult a doctor at the soonest. The underlying cause may be something more severe that requires medical attention and treatment.

During diagnosis, a doctor will typically examine your medical and sexual history, your symptoms and test samples of the discharge using lab techniques.

Appropriate treatment will follow if necessary. The types of treatments involved is dependent on the underlying cause of abnormal penile discharge. Treatments may include antibiotics for bacterial infections, antifungals for fungal infections and steriods for allergic reactions.

In Conclusion

Penile discharge that is urine or resulting from ejaculation and pre-ejaculation is normal and should not be cause for worry. There should not be pain or irritation arriving from such discharges.

Visit a doctor immediately, however, if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• redness or irritation of the penis
• discharge that is oozing, abnormally colored or foul smelling
• discharge not resulting from sexual activity or urine

The signs and symptoms may be indications of more severe conditions that require immediate attention.