What male discharge is normal?

Aug 11, 2023

Male discharge is any fluid that comes from the urethra other than urine. There are various reasons for this discharge, including ejaculation, smegma, and balanitis.

The urethra is a narrow tube that carries urine from the bladder and semen from the ejaculatory ducts. These fluids travel along the urethra before exiting the body at the urethral opening in the tip of the penis.

Some types of discharge are natural and help protect or lubricate the penis. Others may occur as a result of an underlying health condition.

These may be accompanied by symptoms such as pain, irritation, or an unpleasant smell.

This article describes the types of penile discharge that doctors consider normal and those they consider to be abnormal. We outline the symptoms associated with each and provide information on when to see a doctor.

Normal discharge includes preejaculate and ejaculate. These are released from the tip of the penis during sexual arousal and intercourse.

Although not strictly penile discharge, smegma is another substance that may build up around the head of the penis.

The sections below will cover these types of normal male discharge in more detail.

Preejaculatory fluid, or precum, is a thick alkaline mucus produced in the bulbourethral glands. The bulbourethral glands, or Cowper’s glands, are two pea-sized glands located below the prostate gland.

During sexual stimulation, the bulbourethral glands secrete up to 4 milliliters (ml) of preejaculate into the urethra.

Preejaculatory fluid may:

Whereas the bulbourethral glands release preejaculatory fluid, it is the testes that release sperm. Nonetheless, a 2011 study found that some preejaculate contains live sperm. Preejaculatory samples from the participants contained up to 23 million sperm.

Researchers are not sure whether preejaculate is contaminated immediately before ejaculation or contaminated with sperm leftover from a previous ejaculation.

Ejaculate, or semen, is a milky, cloudy fluid that travels through the urethra and out of the penis following sexual stimulation. This process is called ejaculation, and it usually happens during orgasm.

Healthy sperm concentrations in semen are around 15–150 million sperm per ml of semen.

Sperm are produced in the testes. They then mature inside ducts located behind the testes. These ducts are called the epididymis and the vas deferens.

During sexual stimulation, the sperm mix with seminal fluid to form semen. Seminal fluid is a whitish liquid produced by the prostate glands and glands called the seminal vesicles.

Sperm make up a small part of semen. Semen is composed of the following:

Smegma is a thick, white substance made up of skin cells, skin oils, and moisture. It is secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin around the genitals. In males, smegma tends to build up between the head of the penis and the foreskin.

Smegma is a natural lubricant that helps keep the genitals moist and enables the foreskin to retract during sexual intercourse.

However, smegma buildup may produce a foul odor and can act as a breeding ground for bacteria. Washing the penis once per day with clean, warm water will help reduce smegma buildup.

That said, males should avoid washing the penis too frequently with soap or shower gel, as these products can cause irritation and soreness.

The presence of male discharge at times other than sexual stimulation may signal an underlying health concern. We describe some of these in the sections below.

Balanitis refers to inflammation of the skin around the head of the penis. When the inflammation also affects the foreskin, it is known as balanoposthitis.

Some symptoms of balanitis include:

Many factors can cause balanitis, including:

Both circumcised and uncircumcised males can develop balanitis. However, one 2017 study found that balanitis is 68% less prevalent among circumcised males than uncircumcised males.

Trichomoniasis is a common infection that affects around 3.7 million people in the United States. The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis causes trichomoniasis.

Around 70% of people with trichomoniasis do not experience any symptoms. If symptoms do occur in males, they may include:

Urethritis is characterized by inflammation of the urethra, and it can be infectious or noninfectious.

Urethritis often develops as a result of an STI. If it develops due to gonorrhea, it is called gonococcal urethritis. If the cause is unknown, it is called nongonococcal urethritis.

Over 40% of people with nongonococcal urethritis do not experience symptoms.

However, some males may experience the following symptoms:

The following pathogens can also cause urethritis:

C. trachomatis is the most common cause of nongonococcal urethritis. It accounts for around 15–40% of cases.

Urethritis can also result from vigorous sex, masturbation, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

UTIs are a common type of bacterial infection. They affect part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the bladder, kidneys, and urethra.

UTIs occur when bacteria from the skin or rectum enter the urethra and cause infection in the urinary tract.

UTIs tend to be more common in females, who have shorter urethras that are closer to the rectum. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urethra and reach the bladder and kidneys.

However, males can also develop UTIs. Males with a UTI may experience symptoms such as:

Factors that increase the risk of developing a UTI include:

A person cannot pass a UTI to a sexual partner. However, the person may experience pain and discomfort during sex.

STIs can spread from person to person as a result of unprotected sexual activity and genital contact.

STIs that may cause abnormal penile discharge include:

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most reported STI in the U.S. However, most people with chlamydia are unaware that they have it, as it often does not cause any symptoms.

C. trachomatis is the cause of chlamydia. These bacteria can infect the urethra, rectum, and throat.

In males, chlamydia may cause the following symptoms:

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a common infection in the U.S., particularly among adolescents and young adults.

N. gonorrhoeae is the cause of gonorrhea. These bacteria can infect the urethra and rectum. Sometimes, the infection may also affect the eyes, throat, and joints.

Symptoms of gonorrhea in males include:

A male should see a doctor if they experience discharge from the penis that is not any of the following:

To determine what is causing the penile discharge, a doctor may:

After identifying the cause of the discharge, the doctor will determine the best course of treatment.

Discharge from the penis that happens during sexual arousal, as a result of sexual intercourse, and after ejaculation is normal.

Abnormal discharge tends to:

In these instances, the discharge could be a sign of a medical condition that needs evaluation and treatment. It is important to make an appointment with a doctor.