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White discharge and odor in men

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025
 
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The most common and at the same time harmless reason for the appearance of white discharge with a smell in men is a violation of intimate hygiene. The lack of regular care of the genitals leads to the accumulation of smegma. Bacteria multiply in it, which provoke unpleasant odors.

If everything is in order with hygiene, but the unpleasant smell remains, then this may indicate metabolic disorders. The most common endocrine pathology is diabetes mellitus. In this case, increased secretion of smegma is observed.

Another possible cause of smelly discharge is infection, inflammation and other pathological processes. Let's consider possible causes of discomfort:

  1. Candidiasis is a disease caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida. Opportunistic flora is present in any organism, but under the influence of certain factors it is activated. [ 1 ]

Causes of male candidiasis:

  • Weakened immunity.
  • Long-term antibacterial therapy.
  • Avitaminosis.
  • Improper nutrition.
  • Bad habits.
  • Stress.
  • Systemic diseases of the body.

Thrush manifests itself with the following symptoms:

  • White cheesy coating under the foreskin and on the head of the penis.
  • The plaque has an unpleasant sour smell.
  • During urination and sexual intercourse, the man experiences discomfort and pain.

The presence of the above symptoms is a reason for immediate medical attention. Treatment is carried out for both the man and his sexual partner. Antifungal drugs, vitamins, and local disinfecting procedures are prescribed for therapy.

  1. Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease that manifests itself as white, foamy discharge from the penis. [ 2 ]
  2. Spermatorrhea is a passive release of sperm that is not associated with pollution or sexual contact. It occurs when the tone of the vas deferens decreases, after spinal injuries, against the background of diseases of the nervous system and long-term inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system. After eliminating the cause of the disorder, the unpleasant symptom goes away on its own. [ 3 ]
  3. Gardnerellosis – occurs due to the action of opportunistic flora. In women, this disease is called bacterial vaginosis. The discharge has a fishy odor. [ 4 ]

The main causes and factors of the disease development:

  • Intestinal dysbacteriosis.
  • Long-term use of antibacterial drugs, immunosuppressants.
  • Promiscuous sexual ligaments.
  • Underwear made of synthetic materials or too tight.
  • Decreased immunity.
  • Use of condoms with spermicides.
  • Inflammation of the genitourinary organs.

The treatment is complex. The patient is prescribed drug therapy, penile lavage procedures, and vitamin therapy.

  1. Chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis - if these diseases occur in an acute form, then this is manifested by white, white-yellow and white-green discharge with an unpleasant odor. Pathologies have a pronounced symptom complex, so their diagnosis is not difficult. Treatment is complex. [ 5 ]
  2. Chronic prostatitis is a urological disease that most often affects men over 40 years of age. If the disease is of infectious origin or stagnant nature, it manifests itself as a whitish fluid with an unpleasant odor leaking from the penis. In addition, there are difficulties with urination, frequent urge to go to the toilet, decreased potency and erectile dysfunction. Without timely treatment, it can cause infertility. [ 6 ]
  3. Balanoposthitis or balanitis are pathologies of inflammatory origin. They are manifested by inflammation of the foreskin, discharge with an unpleasant odor and mucopurulent consistency. The patient complains of acute pain in the head of the penis, redness and swelling of the foreskin. [ 7 ]

White discharge without odor in men

Healthy men may have discharge from the urethra. It is usually white or clear and odorless.

Physiological urogenital fluid includes:

  1. Smegma is a preputial lubricant consisting of the secretion of the sebaceous glands of the foreskin and the head of the penis. The liquid is necessary to reduce friction on the surface of the mucous membranes. If hygiene rules are violated, smegma is not washed off, and various microorganisms multiply in it. This in turn leads to inflammatory reactions and the appearance of an unpleasant odor.
  2. Urethrorrhea is a clear white mucous fluid that comes out of the urethra. It acts as a lubricant, facilitating the passage of sperm through the urethra. The fluid can be abundant or scanty, and contains a small number of sperm.
  3. Prostatorrhea is the release of a small amount of prostate secretion when the abdominal muscles are strained. The whitish fluid may contain grey-white streaks and has no odor. [ 8 ]
  4. Pollution is an involuntary release of sperm without sexual contact. Pollution usually occurs at night or in the morning and is completely normal.

The appearance of the above-mentioned discharge is normal and does not require medical intervention.

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