Any fluid coming from the penis other than urine and semen is abnormal — full stop. In the majority of cases, it is caused by an STI (gonorrhoea, chlamydia) or a urethral infection. All are treatable with the right antibiotics, but delay allows the infection to spread. At Mascot Healthcare, Akoka, we test and treat the same day. See current prices.
| Discharge appearance | Most likely cause | Other symptoms | Action needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thick yellow or green, profuse | Gonorrhoea (N. gonorrhoeae) | Burning on urination, starts 2–5 days after exposure | Urgent: swab + dual antibiotic treatment |
| Clear or white, watery or mucoid | Chlamydia (C. trachomatis) | Mild burning or none — often asymptomatic | Swab + azithromycin / doxycycline |
| Clear, thin, morning only | Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) | Mild discomfort, worse first urination | Urethral swab + antibiotic |
| Frothy, yellowish | Trichomoniasis | Itching, penile irritation | Swab + metronidazole — partner must be treated |
| Bloody or blood-stained | Urethral injury, calculus, or neoplasm | May be painless | Urgent assessment + imaging |
| Smegma (white, cheesy, under foreskin) | Normal secretion, not infection | None if no inflammation | Hygiene advice — no treatment needed |
Penile discharge from gonorrhoea or chlamydia is caused by the bacteria infecting the urethra (urethritis). Without treatment, the infection ascends into the reproductive tract, causing:
In Lagos, urethral stricture disease — often caused by recurrent gonorrhoea inadequately treated with the wrong antibiotic — is a significant source of morbidity in men in their 30s and 40s. Prevention is straightforward: test, get the right antibiotic, treat simultaneously with your partner.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Nigeria has very high resistance to ciprofloxacin — the most commonly self-purchased antibiotic for genital infections. Men who take cipro for gonorrhoea often feel temporary improvement but the infection persists, continues silently, and causes the complications described above. The correct treatment is dual antibiotic therapy (ceftriaxone + azithromycin) based on current resistance data.
Confidential urethral swab and prescription at Mascot Healthcare, Akoka. See current prices.