In men, one of the most feared symptoms is discharge from the penis through urethra within the penis. Functionally, the penis serves only two purposes: one is to allow urine to pass from the bladder to the outside world. The other function is to engage in sexual activity to allow the deposit of sperm into the female vagina.
In these two occasions, a natural discharge (discharge of urine and sperm) may occur separately in different occasions. Otherwise, discharge from the penis is always an indication of an underlying disease.
In women, on the other hand, a natural clear or slightly creamy, often, odourless discharge may occur from 15-45. Once in a month (not a calendar month), a woman may experience during her reproductive years, menstrual blood or period that lasts three to seven days. Any other discharge that is of different in colour and smell, of high quantity is an indication of a disease.
What causes discharge in men? Urethral discharge in men is usually due to infections. In majority of cases, the infection had been caught through sex. Examples of such infections are gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, syphilis and lymphogranuloma venerum. Some bacteria, such as E.coli, may also alarm in the individual. Occasionally, the discharge may be due to worms. The virus, herpes simplex, may seldom produce penile discharge.
Other parasites, such as giardiasis, and mycoplasma, may cause discharge. Injuries to the penis, bladder, and organs may also lead to discharge from it.
What causes vaginal discharge in women? The case of women is slightly different because of the role that women play. The anatomy or structure of women and their hormones lead women to be more vulnerable to vaginal discharge. All of these causes for men may also cause discharge in women.
In addition, thrush or candidiasis is common in women, especially during their “period” and pregnancy. This causes thick, creamy, copious vagina discharge. Trichomonas vaginalis may lead to greenish vaginal discharge.
Cancer of the vagina, cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb), cancer of the womb (endometrial cancer) and cancer of the ovaries may cause a woman to have abnormal vaginal discharges.
Foreign body, such as tampon, or any object left in the vagina and drugs (illegal) may increase vagina discharge.
Medications that had been prescribed for other ailments may also cause an increase in vagina discharge. Surgery of recent origin, such as caesarean section, natural childbirth and surgery in the womb area are known to cause vaginal discharges. Diseases that link the rectum and anus or bladder to the vagina could also cause vagina discharge. Illegal abortion or legal abortion that left some products of conception behind could in short term or medium term cause offensive and colourful vaginal discharge.
Danger is lurking
Abnormal discharge or discharge that occurs outside the normal ones that I have described calls for urgent attention. Sexually transmitted diseases could cause fertility problems in women by causing pelvic inflammatory diseases, oophoritis and blockage of the fallopian tubes. Even in absence of these, infection of the reproductive tract could lead to miscarriages or afflict the fetus in the womb. In addition, infection of the female reproductive tract could lead to poisoning of the blood (septiceamia) and kidney failure as in gonorrhoea infections. Syphilis could cause mental derangement because of its effect on the brain. HIV could lead to death of the individual.
In men, penile or urethral discharge may lead to blockage of the urethra resulting in urinary retention. This may be the emergency that brings the sufferer to the emergency room of the physician. Infection, such as STD, may lurk in the prostate and testes leading to low sperm count and infertility. Also, any of the infections that is mentioned may also lead to epididymo-orchitis or inflammation of the testes.This is another emergency. Kidney infection and septicaemia, could also occur. Brain damage and death can occur too. A lingering infection may persist.
On some occasions, penile or urethral as well as vaginal discharge may be accompanied by wounds or ulcers in the genital areas. The groin may also be swollen and painful or be painless.
Solutions
Not all vaginal discharges are due to infections or are sexually transmitted. Personal hygiene is paramount and clean environment matters. After defeacation, clean backwards if using tissue paper or use a lot of water to wash the areas instead.
A vaginal discharge requires medical attention. Doctors are trained as healers not judges and patients should feel free to approach their doctors for help before complications sets in. In some occasions, specialist physicians, such as gynaecologists or dermatologists, may be required to deal with the discharges.