Have you noticed discharge coming out of your penis? If so, don’t be alarmed. Sometimes it’s totally normal. Here’s a quick rundown of causes of discharge in men, when it’s nothing to worry about and when to see a doctor.
What is normal discharge?
Discharge is a general term to describe any non-urine fluid that comes from the urethra—the tube that carries semen from the ejaculatory ducts and urine from the bladder.
Normal discharge includes ejaculate and preejaculate. Smegma, which can build up around the tip of the penis, isn’t technically discharge but rather a secretion in the foreskin. It’s made up of skin oils, skin cells and moisture and it’s secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin.
Ejaculate, which is also known as semen, is the cloudy fluid that comes out of the penis during an orgasm. It’s a mix of sperm and seminal fluid.
Preejaculate is the mucus produced in the two pea-sized glands (called Cowper’s glands or bulbourethral glands) below the prostate gland.
What is abnormal discharge?
There are quite a few causes of abnormal discharge, including:
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia and gonorrhea
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which occur when bacteria from the rectum or skin get into the urethra and infect the kidneys, bladder and/or urethra
- Trichomoniasis, which is a common infection that may not cause any symptoms
- Balanitis, which refers to inflammation around the head of the penis
If you notice a discharge that’s not urine, ejaculate or preejaculate and you notice itching or burning, testicular pain or swelling, burning when urinating, strong-smelling urine, nausea or vomiting, excessive urination, trouble urinating, cloudy urine with pus or urine that looks red, pink or brown, it’s best to see your doctor sooner rather than later.
Most causes of discharge are treatable, and the sooner you get on medication, the lesser your chances of permanent damage.
