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Discharge from penis

Also called: Penile discharge, urethral discharge, drip, urethritis

Discharge from the penis that isn't urine or semen is usually a sign of an infection of the urethra (urethritis), most often from a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia or gonorrhea. It's easily treated with antibiotics, and partners need treatment too. Avoid sex until you've been tested and treated.

Common causesChlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, urinary infections
Usually serious?Usually treatable, but needs testing
Get checked ifAlways; get tested soon
If you think it's an emergency, call 911.Thinking about suicide? Call or text 988.

Overview

The urethra is the tube that carries urine out through the penis. When it's inflamed (urethritis), it can cause a white, yellow, or green discharge, burning when you pee, itching or tenderness at the tip of the penis, and sometimes pain with sex or ejaculation. Some people have no symptoms at all.

Bacteria like chlamydia and gonorrhea, the same bacteria that cause some urinary infections (E. coli), and viruses like herpes can cause urethritis. Without treatment, it can spread to the testicles or prostate and can pass to partners.

When to get medical care

Call 911Not usually an emergency. Call 911 if you can't pee at all and have severe pain.
Get care todayDischarge with fever or chills. Pain or swelling in the testicles. Blood in the urine or semen. Severe pain, or you can't pee. Sores or blisters on the penis.
See a doctor soonAny discharge from the penis. Burning or pain when you pee. Itching, tenderness, or swelling at the tip of the penis. A partner has an STI. Symptoms that come back after treatment.

Causes

Common causes include chlamydia, gonorrhea, Mycoplasma genitalium, and trichomoniasis. Other causes include urinary tract infections, herpes, prostate infection (prostatitis), irritation from spermicides, soaps, or lotions, and injury. Sometimes no cause is found (non-gonococcal urethritis).

OwieClear has pages on 4 conditions that can cause discharge from penis. Each shows how soon to get care.

Common causes

  • ChlamydiaSee a doctor if it doesn't get better

    A common bacterial STI.

  • GonorrheaSee a doctor if it doesn't get better

    A common bacterial STI that can cause discharge and burning when you pee.

  • TrichomoniasisSee a doctor if it doesn't get better

    A common STI caused by a tiny parasite.

  • Mycoplasma genitaliumSee a doctor if it doesn't get better

    A bacterial STI that can cause discharge and burning when you pee, much like chlamydia.

What you can do at home

  • Get tested at a doctor's office, urgent care, or sexual health clinic. Tests are usually a simple urine sample.
  • Don't have sex until you and your partners have been treated and finished treatment (usually 7 days after).
  • Tell your partners so they can be tested and treated, even if they have no symptoms.
  • Don't self-treat with leftover antibiotics; the wrong one can hide the infection without curing it.
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Avoid irritating products like scented soaps and spermicides.

Medicines

Bacterial urethritis is treated with antibiotics. Gonorrhea and chlamydia need specific antibiotics, often given together. Pain relievers can ease discomfort. Your partners need treatment too, or the infection can come back. Get retested in about 3 months.

At the doctor

The doctor will test for STIs and urinary infections.

Questions you may be asked

  • When the discharge started and what it looks like
  • Burning when you pee, or blood in urine or semen
  • Your sexual history and condom use
  • Whether a partner has had symptoms or tested positive
  • Fever, testicle pain, or sores

The exam

An exam of the penis, scrotum, groin, and belly, and sometimes a rectal exam.

Tests

  • A urine test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other STIs
  • A swab of the discharge
  • Blood tests for HIV and syphilis
  • A urine culture

Prevention

You can lower your risk.

  • Use condoms every time
  • Get tested regularly and with new partners
  • Limit the number of partners
  • Make sure partners are treated when you are

Check your symptoms

Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.

Start the symptom checker

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-13.