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About Arthur Goldstein, M.D.
Expertise
Any problems or questions related to the field of urology; ie urinary stone disease, urinary cancers (kidney, bladder, prostate, testis, etc.), urinary infections, impotency, etc.
Experience
I am retired from the active practice of urology. My 34 years was totally in the clinical field and involved the entire gamut of genitourinary problems, with special interest in male impotence and endourology.
Organizations
American Medical Association, American Urological Association, American College of Surgeons
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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Urology > Urology > Home treatment for urinary tract infection?
Expert: Arthur Goldstein, M.D.
Date: 8/11/2008
Subject: Home treatment for urinary tract infection?
Question
I am having a whitish discharge coming out of my penis, and while going to the bathroom in the mourning it burns. My testicles have also been hurting. But I don’t really feel the need that I have to go to the bathroom frequently and the last time I went it did not burn (but I also drank a lot of water). Now I've been looking up what this could possible be and the negative results I've came across are Chlamydia or gonorrhea since they both have the same symptoms that I am describing. But I don’t think I have a std since the last time I've had sex was over a month ago with my girlfriend who has gone to the doctor to get checked up on (she’s in the army) and was fine but she had a yeast infection not too long ago. Is this probably just an UTI, and if so, can I just drink a lot of water, and cranberry juice, don’t drink alcohol or coffee, eat surgery foods and hopefully have this go away?
Answer
Tray, a urethral discharge & burning with urination means there is inflammation of the urethra. Almost always, this is due to infection and will require antibiotic treatment (as opposed to home remedies). Discharge from the urethra is a common symptom that is called "urethritis". If thick and/or discolored (ie yellow, brown, green, etc.) it
may be due to gonorrhea (GC) or another STD (ie Chlamydia). Incidentally, the incubation period of Chylamydia is 1-6 weeks and for gonorrhea, 3-7 days. A clear or slightly opaque discharge is usually not due to GC or a STD but to non-venereal bacteria (like Staph or Strep) or a parasite called Trichomonas. These are referred to as "non-specific urethritis" or NSU.
In order to determine the cause, it is necessary to see your family physician or a urologist. The etiology of this type of urethritis can be determined by culturing & microscopically examining the discharge. If the culture demonstrates a bacterial infection, an appropriate antibiotic is prescribed. Trichomonas is treated with medication the most common being Flagyl.
Another common cause of NSU is fluid seeping out of the prostate gland. The prostate gland manufactures the major component of your semen in response to sexual stimulation. When a man becomes sexually aroused (foreplay, dreams, fantasies, etc.) and does not ejaculate, this fluid accumulates in the prostate gland. In such an instance, stool can push on the congested prostate causing a discharge of its fluid from the urethra (it acts like a massage of the gland). Likewise, as one urinates, the bladder contracts to expel urine. As the bladder squeezes out the last few drops, it also compresses the prostate. If the latter is congested, prostatic fluid will appear at the end of urination. Prostatic fluid discharge is also often noted just with sexual arousal in men with congested glands. This type of discharge is not in itself harmful and in itself does not require antibiotic therapy. Although aching in the testicle is common with prostatic congestion, burning is not. However, chronic congestion of the prostate may predispose to inflammation of the prostate gland, so called prostatitis. This can cause both the aching and burning. Periodic ejaculation in moderation (1-2 times a week) will help to prevent this phenomenon from happening.
Again, you need to see a physician to evaluate and treat you problem. Good luck.
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