White Discharge in Men – Causes and Treatment
We often perceive men as strong heroes capable of moving mountains and never falling ill. However, just like women, men have their own health concerns. One of these is the presence of white discharge from the male genital organ. At first, it may go unnoticed until it starts causing discomfort.
Normal Male Discharge
White discharge in men, often referred to as “belii,” can be thin or mucus-like and comes from the urethra. It is usually harmless, indicating normal physiological processes, especially when it appears after sleep, urination, or during arousal and erection.
Such discharge results from the function of the bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands located near the base of the penis. These glands lubricate the urethra before ejaculation, easing the passage of sperm.
Discharge may also appear during involuntary morning emissions due to increased testosterone levels, or during bowel movements as a result of straining (defecation-related prostatorrhea). It appears as grayish mucus and may be a normal occurrence or a sign of prostatitis. In a healthy man, such discharges are rare and usually absent in the outer urethra.
Abnormal Discharge
If discharge is observed while the penis is at rest, it may indicate an infection or inflammation. The color, texture, and smell vary depending on the underlying cause. Gray and thick suggests high epithelial content, yellow or green may indicate leukocytes, and curdled discharge is typical of a yeast infection (candidiasis).
Candidiasis in Men
Candidiasis is rarer in men and usually signals a weakened immune system—often due to antibiotics or chemotherapy. Identifying the root cause requires thorough diagnostics.
Regardless of the type, discharge warrants a visit to the doctor. The physician will order laboratory tests, which can detect infections like Trichomonas or Gonococcus, and often confirm the presence of yeast.
In addition to microscopy, cultures may be taken to identify the specific pathogen, which guides targeted treatment.
Treatment
Antibiotics are the primary treatment, particularly broad-spectrum ones when the cause is unknown. For yeast infections, urologists prescribe specific antifungals. Self-treatment is not recommended and can worsen the condition.
Urethritis
If discharge contains erythrocytes and mucus, and appears after urinalysis, urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) may be diagnosed. The more profuse the discharge, the more extensive the inflammation. It can also result from trauma caused by kidney stones or chemical irritation. Antibiotics are used for treatment.
STIs
Discharge accompanied by itching or burning often indicates STIs like:
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Chlamydia – sexually transmitted, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis
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Mycoplasmosis – spread sexually and via household contact
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Ureaplasmosis – caused by Ureaplasma, spread through sexual contact
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Trichomoniasis – very common, marked by foamy white or yellowish discharge
Prostatitis
This serious condition includes white discharge among its symptoms. It’s often due to an infection reaching the prostate and is worsened by sedentary lifestyles, chronic illness, constipation, and hypothermia. These factors contribute to pelvic congestion, facilitating microbial growth.
Folk Remedies
Alongside medical treatment, some herbal remedies can be helpful:
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Barberry and viburnum juice – 1 shot daily
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Yarrow tea – 100 ml four times a day
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Powdered bark (blackthorn, cherry, viburnum, willow) – up to four times a day
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Powdered acorns – one dose in the morning and evening for 9 days
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Strawberry root decoction – 1 glass daily for 5 days
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Oak bark decoction – boil 17g in 4 glasses water until 1 glass remains, drink three times a day
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Cold rosehip flower tea – one glass three times a day
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Juice mixtures: plantain + sorrel or wild strawberry – 1 shot, three times daily
Additional practices include cold water dousing from the stomach down to the genitals, avoiding hot food and drinks, and abstaining from alcohol during treatment.
