Penile discharge is fluid that comes from the

urethra The urethra (from Greek οὐρήθρα – ''ourḗthrā'') is a tube that connects the urinary bladder to the urinary meatus for the removal of urine from the body of both females and males. In human females and other primates, the urethra c ...

at the end of the

penis A penis (plural ''penises'' or ''penes'' () is the primary sexual organ that male animals use to inseminate females (or hermaphrodites) during copulation. Such organs occur in many animals, both vertebrate and invertebrate, but males d ...

that is not

urine Urine is a liquid by-product of metabolism in humans and in many other animals. Urine flows from the kidneys through the ureters to the urinary bladder. Urination results in urine being excreted from the body through the urethra. Cellular ...

, precum or

semen Semen, also known as seminal fluid, is an organic bodily fluid created to contain spermatozoa. It is secreted by the gonads (sexual glands) and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals and can fertilize the female ovum. Sem ...

. Common causes include infections due to

gonorrhea Gonorrhea, colloquially known as the clap, is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium ''Neisseria gonorrhoeae''. Infection may involve the genitals, mouth, or rectum. Infected men may experience pain or burning with u ...

chlamydia Chlamydia, or more specifically a chlamydia infection, is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium '' Chlamydia trachomatis''. Most people who are infected have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear they may occur only several we ...

, or

trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis (trich) is an infectious disease caused by the parasite ''Trichomonas vaginalis''. About 70% of affected people do not have symptoms when infected. When symptoms occur, they typically begin 5 to 28 days after exposure. Symptoms ca ...

. In gonorrhea the discharge may be white, yellow, or green. A swab of the discharge is usually performed. Treatment depends on the cause. Spread of infection is reduced by also treating sexual contacts. Risk factors include being sexually active men under the age of 25, having a recent new sexual partner, or having unprotected sex.

Definition and clinical features

Penile discharge is liquid from the

at the end of the penis that is not urine or semen. The dripping of clear fluid (

pre-ejaculate Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid, pre-seminal fluid or Cowper's fluid, and colloquially as ''pre-cum'') is a clear, colorless, viscous fluid that is emitted from the urethra of the penis during sexual arousal. It is similar in c ...

) when sexually excited is normal. There may be pain or burning when passing urine, soreness inside the penis or feeling of wanting to pass urine frequently.

Causes

Common causes include infections due to

, or

. Other causes include: * Non-specific urethritis *

Acute prostatitis Acute prostatitis is a serious bacterial infection of the prostate gland. This infection is a medical emergency. It should be distinguished from other forms of prostatitis such as chronic bacterial prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndro ...

* Infection under the foreskin * Warts at the opening of the urethra * Herpes simplex virus ulcer at the opening of the urethra * Object in the urethra or recent surgical procedure. * A bloody discharge may be a sign of

urethral cancer Urethral cancer is a rare cancer originating from the urethra. The disease has been classified by the TNM staging system and the World Health Organization. Symptoms include blood in the urine, lump at end of penis, or bloody penile discharge. ...

Evaluation

A swab of the discharge is usually performed. Other investigations may include tests for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis. Men who have sex with men may also need to have throat and rectal swabs.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause and any antibiotic prescribed depends on which infection is found. Spread of infection is reduced by informing sexual partners so that they can also be treated, and not having sex (including oral or anal) until tests are completed and seven days have passed after treatment.

Epidemiology

Risk factors include being sexually active men under the age of 25, having a recent new sexual partner, unprotected sex (without a condom), or having the presence of any sexually transmitted infection.

References

{{reflist Cutaneous conditions Men's health Sexually transmitted diseases and infections Symptoms and signs