Questions Your Doctor May Ask - and Why!
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in his assesment of the symptom: Penis discharge.
These may include a physical examination or other medical tests.
Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing
your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information
you can share with your doctor may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- How long have you had the penis discharge?
Why: to determine if acute or chronic.
- Does the discharge come from the urethra (opening where the urine comes out) or from a sore on the skin of the penis?
Why: If discharge comes from the urethra suggests urethritis. If the discharge comes from a sore on the skin of the penis must consider all causes of penile ulcers (such as herpes simplex infection, primary or secondary syphilis, Behcet's syndrome, Donovanosis, Chancroid or Lymphogranuloma venereum) or penile cancer.
- How would you describe the penile discharge?
Why: e.g. pus-like, yellow, green, foul smelling, blood stained.
- Has there been a recent history of excessive masturbation?
Why: Excessive masturbation may cause a mechanical urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) and a consequent penile discharge.
- History of trauma or damage to the urethra from physical injury?
Why: e.g. cycling, horse riding - Injury to the urethra may cause a mechanical urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) and a consequent penile discharge.
- Has anything been inserted into the urethra?
Why: A foreign body in the urethra may cause a penile discharge.
- Past medical history?
Why: e.g. diabetes predisposes to Candida infection of the foreskin (a type of Balanitis); Reiter's syndrome may follow a bacterial bowel infection or non-gonococcal urethritis.
- Sexual history?
Why: especially if involved in unsafe sex without condoms when not in a monogamous relationship which will increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis.
Questions your doctor may ask about related symptoms:
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse
your condition. These may include:
- Redness of the foreskin?
Why: suggests Balanitis (inflammation of the foreskin). This may be due to bacterial infection or Candida infection. People with diabetes and infants with wet nappies are particularly prone to this problem.
- Symptoms of gonorrhea (gonococcal urethritis)?
Why: e.g. pus-like urethral discharge, pain and stinging with urination, redness around the opening of the urethra. Symptoms usually develop a few days after sexual contact. Males who have sexual intercourse with males may also have a discharge from the anus.
- Symptoms of Chlamydia (Chlamydia urethritis)?
Why: e.g. mucous-like or watery or pus-like urethral discharge which usually develops 1-3 weeks after sexual intercourse.
- Symptoms of Reiter's syndrome?
Why: e.g. urethritis (painful urination with penile discharge), conjunctivitis (red painful eyes) and painful peripheral joints. Lesions on palms, soles, penis and mouth.
- Symptoms of cancer of the penis?
Why: e.g. blood stained or foul smelling discharge from a lesion on the penis. The lesion is usually a nodular warty growth or an ulcer. May also have enlarged lymph nodes in the groin.
- Symptoms of Balanitis?
Why: e.g. soreness, irritation and a discharge from under the folds of the foreskin, swelling of the foreskin. May be caused by complications of gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, herpes simplex, syphilis, Reiter's syndrome, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen planus or seborrheic dermatitis.
- Symptoms of prostatitis?
Why: urethritis may be complicated by prostatitis. Features include high fever, chills, low back pain, pain around the anus, urinary frequency, urinary urgency and poor urinary stream.
- Symptoms of a Urinary tract infection?
Why: urethritis may be complicated by a urinary tract infection. Features include fever, urinary frequency, stinging or pain on urination and sometimes blood in the urine.
- Symptoms of epididymitis?
Why: urethritis may be complicated by epididymitis. Features include fever, sudden pain in the scrotum, rapid enlargement of one side of the scrotum and marked tenderness of the spermatic cord. Pain is relieved by elevating the scrotum.
» Next page: Symptom combinations for Penis discharge
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