An abnormal discharge from the penis rarely occurs in the absence of other symptoms. Often it is accompanied by frequent, painful urination and sore testicles. The sexual partners of men who experience these symptoms usually aren't in much better shape as they may be having increased vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, low-grade fever and painful urination. All of these are the tell-tale symptoms of a venereal disease.
Causes
Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause an abnormal discharge from the penis. According to MayoClinic.com, gonorrhea involves a "pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis." The Merck Manual notes this is often yellow-green in color. Chlamydia produces a comparable discharge. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea produce painful urination.
Treatment
If the discharge is caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia, treatment involves a course of antibiotics. Mayoclinic.com reports that antibiotics commonly used for chlamydia include azithromycin, doxycycline and erythromycin. The Merck Manuals indicate that "a cephalosporin antibiotic, such as ceftriaxone," is used to treat gonorrhea.
Both of these diseases often occur together. Under such circumstances, a single high dose of azithromycin is customary.
Statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, estimates that "2,291,000 non-institutionalized U.S. civilians ages 14-39" had chlamydia in 2008. During this time, 336,742 cases of gonorrhea were reported in the United States. Obviously, not all of these cases involved abnormal discharge from the penis because chlamydia and gonorrhea affect women as well.
Legal Considerations
Many states allow expedited partner therapy, otherwise known as EPT, which involves treating the partners of someone who has chlamydia or gonorrhea by providing the patient with drugs or prescriptions to take to his partner. Under EPT, the partner is never examined by a doctor. As of 2010, only eight states don't allow EPT.
Warning
Getting prompt treatment is important to prevent advanced symptoms of disease or complications. Even though the abnormal discharge from the penis may disappear, it is very important to finish the antibiotic prescription, or else a new generation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria may be in the making. MayoClinic.com urges patients to avoid sex during treatment.
