5 Non-STD & STD-Related Penile Discharges To Know About

Penile discharges refer to fluids besides urine that are secreted from the urethra, including pre-ejaculate and ejaculate. Today, we will be talking about penile discharges that occur when the guy is not engaged in sexual activities or sexually aroused.

Depending on the cause, penile discharges vary in consistency and colour. Apart from pre-ejaculate and ejaculate, uncircumcised men may sometimes develop smegma, which is often mistaken as penile discharge. However, it is simply a collection of dead skin cells and oil collected under the foreskin.

Abnormal penile discharges are usually indicative of something serious and are usually experienced with a burning and painful sensation. It is vital to note that its abnormality is not only caused by STDs, such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia, but also non-STDs, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). Any penile discharge not due to sexual activities and arousal should warrant an immediate medical checkup.

Non-STD causes

1. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

While UTI more commonly affects females as compared to males due to their anatomical differences, men are not exempted from the possibility of developing the infection. There are several types of UTIs, with each affecting a different region of the urinary tract.

Penile discharge can be caused by urethritis, which is a UTI that has developed in the urethra, infecting and causing inflammation at the urethra, which can be caused by gonorrhoea.

In the case of non-STD causes, it is known as non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), which results in itching, persistent urge to urinate, and a burning and painful sensation when urinating. Some causes of NGU are adenovirus, damages caused by sexual intercourse, masturbation or catheters, irritations from soap or detergents, or genitalia injuries.

2. Prostatitis

Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate, which is the gland around the urethra that produces prostatic fluid, a vital element of semen. The inflammation can be caused by an immune system disorder, injury, or infection. Along with the development of abnormal penile discharge, prostatitis can be diagnosed with symptoms such as difficulty ejaculating, interrupted urine flow, bloody urine, foul-smelling urine, and pain in the penile region.

Prostatitis can be categorised into two: Acute prostatitis, which typically resolves on its own in a couple of days, or chronic prostatitis, which might persist for at least three months and require long-term treatment to resolve.

3. Balanitis

Balanitis is the inflammation of the foreskin and often affects uncircumcised men. While it is not a serious or fatal condition, it usually causes a lot of pain, swelling, and itchiness under the foreskin. It is usually caused by a combination of using harsh bathing products, health conditions such as obesity and diabetes, skin disorders such as phimosis, bacterial and fungal infections, as well as poor hygiene. However, suffering from STDs and STIs, such as yeast infections, trichomonas, syphilis, and HPV, can result in the development of balanitis.

STD causes

1. Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common types of STIs in Singapore and is caused by a bacterial infection. It is generally an asymptomatic STD that is highly transmitable without prior knowledge. However, in cases where symptoms surface, some of them include the individual experiencing a burning or painful sensation when attempting to urinate, swollen testicles, mucus-like or watery penile discharge that is beige or yellow in colour, and urethritis.

2. Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacteria that can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Fortunately, it can easily be resolved with a course of antibiotics. Gonorrhoea-related penile discharge often appears greenish, yellowish, or whitish, occasionally with a foul odour. Apart from penile discharge, gonococcal urethritis is a symptom that often surfaces.

There are cases in which an individual can develop both gonorrhoea and chlamydia at the same time.

When to seek medical treatment

As long as the penile discharge is not ejaculate, pre-ejaculate, or urine, it should warrant an immediate medical examination. While penile discharge is not life-threatening, it could be a sign of something more severe and could worsen if left untended. Treatment varies depending on the cause of the discharge:

  • Steroids to calm allergic irritations
  • Antifungals to treat fungal infections
  • Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections

Conclusion

Getting a complete STD test will help you know if your penile discharge is STD-related. Elyon Clinic is a men’s health clinic in Singapore that specialises in STD screening, testing, diagnosis, and treatment. We also offer preventive solutions, such as HIV PEP. Do not hesitate when it comes to your sexual health. Take charge of it. Contact us to find out more!