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What Does White Urethral Discharge In An Elderly Person Indicate?

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Posted on Mon, 25 Jul 2016
Question: I am an elderly white female. I have noticed a white discharge that appears to be coming from the urethra. I have no pain or itching. I hD routine urinalysis a few months ago. It did show a trace of blood
but no cancer cells. What could be causing this white discharge? My email address is YYYY@YYYY . Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need to test discharge smear under microscope and with gram stain

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I am Dr Ramadevi Wani. I will be answering your concerns today.

I appreciate your concerns..
I hope you are sure that the white discharge is coming from urethra. Sometimes vaginal discharge which is passed along with the initial part of urine stream can be confused as urethral discharge. So I just want to confirm that it is from urethra.
Do you have any other complaints like itching or burning while passing urine? Are you sexually active?

This discharge is due to inflammation of the urethral mucosal lining. This inflammation can be due to
1. soaps, body powders
2. Infection - Bacterial or viral. If you are sexually active, STD like chlymydia/ Gonococci infection needs to be ruled out.
3. Even a long bike ride, sexual activity can initiate inflammation of urethra.
4. Cancer. It does not seem to be the cause in your case. In the presence of cancer the discharge is foul smelling, bloody and there would be lumps.growths felt near the urethra.

Please consult your doctor for examination.
Your doctor will test the discharge smear under microscope and with gram stain. Urine cultutre sensitivity also will be done. Based on the results of investigations, you will be treated.
If you are sexually active STD screening will be requested.

I hope this is helpful. If you have further concerns, I will be happy to answer.
Best wishes,
Dr Rama
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramadevi Wani (20 hours later)
Dr. Wani, I do not have itching or burning and have not been sexually active for years. Thank you for your response.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramadevi Wani (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This discharge from urethra seems to be a non STD infection or allergy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome Back.

This white discharge from urethra seems to be a non STD infection or allergy.
Please consult your doctor for examination.

If you have further concerns, I will be happy to answer.
Best wishes,
Dr Rama
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ramadevi Wani

OBGYN

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 1457 Questions

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What Does White Urethral Discharge In An Elderly Person Indicate?

Brief Answer: Need to test discharge smear under microscope and with gram stain Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to Healthcare Magic. I am Dr Ramadevi Wani. I will be answering your concerns today. I appreciate your concerns.. I hope you are sure that the white discharge is coming from urethra. Sometimes vaginal discharge which is passed along with the initial part of urine stream can be confused as urethral discharge. So I just want to confirm that it is from urethra. Do you have any other complaints like itching or burning while passing urine? Are you sexually active? This discharge is due to inflammation of the urethral mucosal lining. This inflammation can be due to 1. soaps, body powders 2. Infection - Bacterial or viral. If you are sexually active, STD like chlymydia/ Gonococci infection needs to be ruled out. 3. Even a long bike ride, sexual activity can initiate inflammation of urethra. 4. Cancer. It does not seem to be the cause in your case. In the presence of cancer the discharge is foul smelling, bloody and there would be lumps.growths felt near the urethra. Please consult your doctor for examination. Your doctor will test the discharge smear under microscope and with gram stain. Urine cultutre sensitivity also will be done. Based on the results of investigations, you will be treated. If you are sexually active STD screening will be requested. I hope this is helpful. If you have further concerns, I will be happy to answer. Best wishes, Dr Rama