
Discharge from the penis that is not associated with sexual arousal is not considered normal and may be caused by various conditions, which include:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Prostatitis
- Balanitis
- Urethritis
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
UTI is an infection of your urinary system.
- UTIs typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder.
- Not everyone with a UTI develops recognizable signs and symptoms, but most people have at least one or more of the following symptoms:
- A persistent urge to urinate
- A stinging or burning sensation when urinating
- Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
- Blood in the urine or cloudy, strong-smelling urine (unusual discharge from the penis)
- Antibiotics are the first line of treatment for UTIs. Usually, UTI symptoms clear up within a few days of treatment. However, you may need to continue antibiotics for a week or more. It is very important to complete the entire course of antibiotics recommended by your doctor to ensure that the infection is completely eradicated. Drinking plenty of water to flush out the bacteria helps too.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is swelling of the prostate gland and sometimes the area around it.
- Apart from unusual discharge from the penis, prostatitis can cause pain in your penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen, and lower back.
- To treat acute bacterial prostatitis, you must take antibiotics that can penetrate the prostate tissue (such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) for at least 30 days. Taking antibiotics for less time may lead to a chronic (long-standing) infection. Most men can be treated at home and take antibiotics by mouth. However, occasionally, they may need to be hospitalized for intravenous antibiotics. Severe bacterial prostatitis can be difficult to cure. If a prostate abscess occurs, surgical drainage is usually necessary.
Balanitis
Balanitis is characterized by swelling of the foreskin and head of the penis. It can cause redness and discharge under the foreskin.
- Symptoms may include rash, itching or pain, foul smell and ulcers. Swelling may be due to infections or irritation. It often occurs in people with high blood sugars.
- Treatment depends on the cause.
- Salt baths are soothing while treatment takes effect.
- Anti-yeast cream is the most common treatment because most cases are due to candida.
- Antibiotics will clear infection caused by bacteria.
- Mild steroid cream to reduce inflammation is useful for balanitis caused by allergies or irritants.
- Sometimes, steroid cream is used in addition to anti-yeast or antibiotic medication to reduce inflammation caused by infection.
- If you have recurrent balanitis and have phimosis, then circumcision is an option to remove the foreskin.
Urethritis
- The urethra is the tube that runs from the bladder through the penis. When the urethra is swollen, it is called urethritis.
- Urethritis can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
- Symptoms may include
- Burning pain when you urinate
- Itching or tingling of the penis or pus discharge from the penis
- Pain when you have sex or masturbate
- Treatment depends on the cause of urethritis.
- Doctors may give antibiotics and antiviral medications in the form of tablets or injections.
- They may add medications to the regimen that treat pain and swelling.

QUESTION
Testosterone is a chemical found only in men. See AnswerSexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
STDs are infections that spread from person to person most commonly through bodily fluids or direct skin-to-skin contact during the oral, vagina, and anal sexual activities. Some STDs, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can spread through hypodermic needles. Pubic lice can spread through objects such as used damp towels or wet clothing.
- There are more than 30 bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are known to be transmitted sexually. The most common of these include:
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Trichomoniasis
- Hepatitis B
- Herpes simplex virus
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Symptoms may include
- Painful, swollen testicles
- Discharge from the penis
- Painful urination
- Lower abdomen pain
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Burning, itchiness, or irritation around the genitals
- Rash, bumps, blisters, or sores around the genitals
- Treatment for STDs varies depending on the specific type. Some STDs can be treated with antibiotics or antiviral medications. Viral infections can be managed but not always cured. Some medications help ease the severity of symptoms. There is no cure available for HIV, but it can often be treated with a combination of medications.
- STDs are serious infections that may cause lifelong or recurring symptoms and side effects. If you think you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you should see your doctor. Avoid sex until you have been examined. If your doctor diagnoses you with an STI, be sure to notify your sexual partner(s) right away. They may need testing or treatment, too.
- Remember that some people may contract herpes, chlamydia, and other STIs, but exhibit no symptoms. It is possible to transmit STDs even when no symptoms are present. Hence, practicing safe sex is a must.
- It is recommended to maintain genital hygiene to avoid any penile discharge. Keep your penis and scrotal area clean and dry. Wash the area daily using unscented soap and water.
Mayo Clinic: "Penis health: Identify and prevent problems"
Top Why Do I Have Discharge From My Penis Related Articles
Can You Flush Out a UTI With Water?
Patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) are usually advised to drink six to eight glasses (1.5 to 2 liters) of water every day to flush the infection out of the urinary system.What Are Causes of Yellow Discharge and What Does It Mean?
What is yellow discharge, and what could it mean? Learn the common causes of yellow discharge and when it is necessary to see your doctor for treatment. Normal vaginal discharge is typically thin, clear or white. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy that is yellow, green, gray, red or frothy could be a sign of infection and may require medical treatment.BPH Quiz
Take the Enlarge Prostate Quiz and challenge your knowledge of prostate problems. Learn causes, symptoms, treatments, and diagnosis as well as little-known facts about the prostate, and what happens to men when the prostate is enlarged.How Long Should a UTI Last After Antibiotics?
Depending on the severity of your UTI, you may need to take a 3-day, 7-day or even 2-week course of antibiotics. Since the bacteria causing your UTI can stay in your body even after symptoms are gone, it’s important to finish your entire course of antibiotics.Is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Contagious?
Bacteria such as E. coli or Pseudomonas can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). The incubation period for a UTI ranges from three to eight days.Is Balanitis Contagious?
Balanitis refers to inflammation of the head of an uncircumcised penis and can be caused by other medical conditions, poor personal hygiene, and infections like STDs. Learn about symptoms, risk factors, and treatment.Is Chlamydia Contagious?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is contagious and spreads through sexual contact. Chlamydia signs and symptoms may include painful urination, rectal irritation (proctitis), eye infections, and infertility. Women can also develop chronic pelvic pain, salpingitis, and endometritis.Signs of Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, PSA Test, Treatments
What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Learn the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, along with causes and treatments. Know the stages, survival rates and how to lower your risk of prostate cancer.Prostatitis (Inflammation of the Prostate Gland)
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Signs and symptoms of prostatitis include painful or difficulty urinating; fever; chills; body aches; blood in the urine; pain in the rectum, groin, abdomen, or low back; and painful ejaculation or sexual dysfunction. Causes of prostatitis include STDs, bacteria from urinary tract infections, or E. coli. Treatment for prostatitis depends on if it is a bacterial infection or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland.Prostatitis vs. BPH (Enlarged Prostate): What Is the Difference?
Prostatitis and BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia, enlarged prostate gland) are both conditions of the prostate gland. Check out the center below for more medical references on prostate gland conditions, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.STD Quiz
There are more sexually transmitted diseases than just the ones you've heard of. Find out what you've been missing with the STD Quiz.Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. E. coli, a type of bacteria that lives in the bowel and near the anus, causes most UTIs. UTI symptoms include pain, abdominal pain, mild fever, urinary urgency, and frequency. Treatment involves a course of antibiotics.Bladder Infections: UTI Causes, Symptoms, Treatments
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI's) can happen to anyone. Learn about symptoms, causes and home remedy treatments for bladder and kidney infections in women, infants, and men.UTI Symptoms Slideshow
Bladder infections can be painful and often require medical treatment. Get the latest information on urinary tract infections (UTI) . Learn how UTI's are diagnosed in infants, adults, and the elderly.Urinary Tract Infection Quiz
How would you know if you had urinary tract infection (UTI)? Take the Urinary Tract Infection in Adult Quiz to learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments for infection that can affect your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.What Triggers Balanitis and How Long Does It Last?
Balanitis is a condition where the glans penis, or head of the penis, becomes inflamed. Learn the signs of balanitis, its causes, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it. Learn about balanitis and how circumcision can prevent it.