When the penis is in a state of arousal, a small amount of fluid is released from the urethra. This is a normal phenomenon that is inherent in almost all healthy men. With the development of diseases, the consistency and volume of the lubricant change. There is an unpleasant odor, a feeling of pain or burning when urinating or having an erection. Such a clinical picture requires special attention from a person, since there is a threat to health.
Excretion during arousal in men is called pre-ejaculate. It protrudes from the opening of the urethra at the moment when the guy is excited. The presemen is secreted by the bulbourethral glands and Littre's glands, which are located throughout the canal, from the external opening to the neck of the bladder.
Allocations during arousal in men perform the following functions:
- provide free passage of seminal fluid through the urethra;
- destroy bacteria;
- moisturize and suppress the acidic environment in the urethra.
The presemen is also capable of acting as a lubricant during intercourse, but in most cases the amount allocated will not be enough for this. Pre-ejaculate is one of the components of semen. It enters the seminal fluid during ejaculation, mixes with the seed, which allows you to protect sperm from the acidic environment of the woman's vagina.
In the photo above, healthy discharge in men when aroused.
The volume of pre-ejaculate directly depends on the degree of excitation of the guy. Maximum concentration is achieved with strong sexual desire. The normal amount of liquid is 5 ml.
Some representatives of the stronger sex are physiologically unable to secrete lubricant. The absence of presemen during an erection reduces the ability to conceive.
A healthy pre-ejaculate has the following characteristics:
- lack of smell;
- transparency;
- viscosity;
- lack of lumps or inclusions;
- does not cause discomfort or pain.
The preseed performs cleansing functions, so its consistency can change. A man can observe clouding of the lubricant during repeated sexual contact, lack of hygiene, or before ejaculation. She will return to normal in 1-2 days. Otherwise, the development of a pathogenic process should be suspected.
Pathological mucus secretions in men differ from healthy ones in color, smell and consistency. They are almost always accompanied by discomfort.
Symptoms indicating a lubricant deviation from the norm:
- the appearance of fluid from the urethra during the day;
- the occurrence of an unpleasant odor;
- pain when urinating;
- the formation of excessively large amounts of mucus;
- arbitrary release of lubricant without sexual arousal;
- the presence of third-party inclusions;
- change in consistency to too thick or liquid.
These signs are characteristic of pathological processes indicating the development of diseases.
Unhealthy discharge in men are divided into types:
| Type of | Description |
|---|---|
| Spermatorrhoea | Voluntary flow of semen without reaching orgasm. The cause of the process is a reduced tone of the muscles of the vas deferens. Pathology develops due to chronic inflammation |
| Hematorrhea | Isolation of lubricant with blood impurities. Appears with injuries of the mucous membrane of the urethra |
| Leukocyte urethrorrhea | Exudative phase of the inflammatory process resulting from thermal, mechanical, chemical or viral damage to the urethral mucosa |
| Mucopurulent | They consist of a small number of leukocytes, serous fluid and glandular secretions. This mucus is characterized by active formation at night. A man notices a discharge of pus in the morning, and yellow spots can be found on his underwear. Mucopurulent discharge appears when the urethra is affected by bacteria: Trichomonas, ureamycoplasma, chlamydia |
| Purulent | They include a large number of leukocytes, urethral epithelium, mucus and serous fluid. They have a thick consistency and an unpleasant odor. They appear in the form of drops that have a yellow or greenish tint. Indicate the development of gonococcal urethritis, which is formed against the background of chlamydia and gonorrhea |
The amount of secreted mucus can be both plentiful and small. It can be quite difficult to notice poor lubrication. To do this, you have to press on the urethra so that the fluid comes out of the hole. It dries quickly, forming a film on the membrane of the glans penis. The viscous consistency leads to sticking of the sponges of the urethra.
The appearance of a secret excreted from the human body informs both about the norm and about deviations. For example, with a runny nose or otitis media, the appearance of fluid clearly indicates the disease. The human reproductive system is much more complex. Discharge in men during arousal can report a normal state of health, or vice versa, signal the development of a disease.
Should men have discharge during sexual arousal?
In men, the appearance of mucus in the urethra in some cases is a natural and necessary process. When an erection occurs, transparent discharge appears in the amount of a few drops. They are called pre-seminal fluid, such physiological phenomena are completely normal.
The amount of mucus secretion depends entirely on the characteristics of the male body and must meet certain characteristics in order to be considered the norm. In particular, there should be no excessive density, color, specific odors.
The appearance of a secret occurs in the following cases leading to an erection:
- Masturbation;
- Sexual caresses of a partner;
- Thoughts of intimacy.
The frequency of occurrence of this phenomenon also depends on the characteristics of the reproductive system. Some men encounter discharge with every arousal, others observe them extremely rarely.
From the point of view of medical specialists, the presence of exudate during sexual arousal promotes conception - it plays the role of an additional conductor for sperm in the process of reaching the egg and reduces the level of acidity of the female vagina, which destroys sperm. Accordingly, secretions from the genital organ are actively involved in the process of fertilization and are considered a significant mechanism of the male reproductive system.
Why is this happening?
Doctors have not fully established the cause of fluid leakage from the penis, however, it has been proven that the release of lubricant in men during arousal helps to facilitate the exit of the head of the reproductive organ from the folds without injury or damage. It is necessary to carefully observe intimate hygiene, the secreted liquid is an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria.
It is important to note that prolonged abstinence provokes much more abundant discharge, and the composition of the secret becomes thicker and cloudy. It is necessary to ensure that there is no change in color, streaks of blood, and an unpleasant odor do not appear. Some doctors believe that the occurrence of fluid occurs because the body is preparing for intimacy with a woman.
Pathological discharge can appear for various reasons:
- Improper nutrition, in particular, the use of sour, spicy, pickles;
- Inflammatory processes provoked by pathogenic bacteria;
- venereal diseases;
- Concomitant complications after surgery or injuries;
- Oncological pathologies.
Varieties of secretions
Several types of discharge are normal, provided that they are not accompanied by additional signs.
However, if a specific smell, itching, fever, soreness in the groin or in the penis becomes a contributing factor, then this is already a cause for concern and contacting a urologist.
Types of discharge related to the norm
Absolutely normal and natural are 3 types of produced and flowing secrets.
- Libidinous urethrorrhea. A secret that has the function of lubrication. It looks like a liquid of transparent consistency, has no smell. Appears in small volumes, does not cause inconvenience. It contains a small amount of spermatozoa, however, with unprotected sex, a partner's pregnancy may occur;
- Spegma. Whitish secret, sometimes has a yellowish tint, often smells unpleasant. The secretion of fluid is provided by glands located under the foreskin. Her appearance does not indicate pathology, but indicates that the man neglects the rules of personal hygiene;
- Sperm. White liquid of mucous consistency. Ejection occurs from the urethra during orgasm. Contains a high percentage of sperm and secretion.
Secretions containing mucus
Often indicate the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases. In cases where the secret has an increased viscosity, but remains transparent, the following diseases are likely to be present:
Also, ailments are confirmed by the presence of a high level of leukocytes in blood tests.
Mucous departments of milky light with purulent streaks accompany diseases such as:
In the presence of these pathologies, the liquid can also be released in a calm state, after which it sticks to the head of the penis and dries up.
Purulent discharge
Evidence of gonorrhea. The resulting liquid is yellow with a greenish tint and an unpleasant odor. The consistency is thick and sticky. When analyzed in secret, a significant level of leukocytes is detected.
Discharge during inflammation
Inflammatory diseases that change the composition of secretions are caused by:
- Staphylococcus;
- coli;
- Candida fungus;
- Streptococcus.
When non-gonococcal urethritis occurs - inflammation in the urethral canal, the secreted fluid is characterized by:
- Turbidity and stickiness;
- The presence of mucus;
- Purulent content.
Accompanied by soreness, discomfort, itching.
The disease of the foreskin, balanoposthitis, is characterized by abundant discharge containing a lot of purulent contents. There is redness, swelling, severe pain.
Prostatitis is characterized by the secretion of mucus mixed with pus. Additional symptoms - pain, reduced erectile function, frequent urge to empty the bladder.
To determine candidiasis, it is enough to study the photo, which shows the secret characteristic of it. It has the consistency of cottage cheese, this form of mycosis is accompanied by reddening of the glans penis, unbearable itching.
Discharge with blood
The secret containing the blood requires the most careful attention. Similar signs indicate:
- Infectious diseases, in particular chronic infectious urethritis;
- Injury to the urethral canal during medical procedures;
- Removal of sand and stones from the kidneys, to a greater extent, blood is noticeable during urination;
- Malignant formations in the prostate gland, ovaries, genitals. In this case, the discharge contains brown or dark blood, often in the form of clots.
Norm or deviation?
An unequivocal sign of pathology is the presence of mucus, pus, discoloration, a fishy or sour smell, the appearance of stickiness or turbidity.
- Average density;
- Transparency;
- Lack of smell.
With minor changes in color and consistency, it is important to analyze:
- Own sex life, the presence or absence of casual and unprotected relationships;
- Factors contributing to the decrease in the protective functions of the body;
- Possible changes in the usual menu;
- Presence of comorbidities.
Do I need to see a doctor?
An immediate visit to the doctor requires a secret that is uncharacteristic for a man. Any changes in the structure and color of the fluid require examination in order to identify factors leading to such violations.
Diagnostic measures include:
- spermogram;
- A smear from the urethral canal;
- Ultrasound examination of the organs of the genitourinary system;
- Urine sampling for general analysis;
- Clinical blood test.
Based on the diagnostic results, a treatment regimen for the underlying disease that caused the appearance of pathological exudate is prescribed. Ignoring such signs leads to a deterioration in well-being and the transition of the disease to a chronic form that is difficult to treat. A timely visit to the urologist will allow you to quickly cope with the disease and maintain health for a long period.
Pre-ejaculate (pre-semen, or Cooper's fluid) is a clear, colorless, viscous pre-seminal fluid that is released from the urethra of a man's penis to the outside when he comes into a state of sexual arousal. Pre-ejaculate is inevitable during human sexual intercourse. This secret is also secreted by a man during masturbation, in preparation for sexual intercourse (eg petting), or at an early stage of copulation, some time before the man reaches full orgasm and ejaculates.
Origin of pre-cum
The presemen is formed mainly by the bulbourethral glands (Cooper's glands), as well as by the glands of Littre.
The glands of Littre are an additional site for the formation of the presemen. These are grape-shaped tubular-alveolar glands of the urethra, located along its entire length, from the external opening to the neck of the bladder, in the submucosal, fibromuscular and connective tissue layers. They secrete and excrete a mucous fluid, the amount of which increases with sexual arousal. Together with the secretion of the Cooper glands, the secretion of the glands of Littre also serves to moisten the urethra, to maintain an alkaline reaction favorable for spermatozoa during their passage through the urethra.
The amount of excreted pre-ejaculate
The amount of pre-seminal fluid secreted by a male varies greatly among individuals. Some men do not excrete presemen, while in others its volume reaches 5 ml. The preseed contains a number of chemicals present in the seed, such as acid phosphatase. And some seed markers, such as gamma-glutamyltransferase, are completely absent from the preseed.
Function performed by preseed
The acidic environment of the male urethra and the female vagina is hostile to the male's semen. The presemen neutralizes the residual acidity in the urethra caused by urine, which creates a more favorable environment for the passage of the seed. Normally, the vaginal environment is acidic; the introduction of presemen before ejaculation may alter the vaginal environment to favor the survival of the seed. The precum can pick up semen left in the urethra from previous ejaculations. The presemen does not act as a lubricant during intercourse, but facilitates the passage of sperm through the canal during ejaculation, and also participates in the coagulation of the seed.
Risks Associated with Presemen Isolation
Studies have shown the presence of HIV in the majority of presemen samples from HIV-infected men. Infection with the immunodeficiency virus leads to HIV infection, the last stage of which is known as AIDS. Many also express concern that sperm cannot be found in the pre-semen and therefore cannot cause pregnancy, using this fact against the use of interrupted intercourse (removal of the penis) as a method of preventing pregnancy. No large-scale studies have been conducted to determine the content of sperm in presemen, but a number of small studies have suggested that sperm is present in presemen. It is also likely that the pre-semen that is released after a recent ejaculation will contain sperm, since after an orgasm there is always some ejaculate in the ducts.
Increased preseminal formation
Some men are concerned about the amount of pre-semen they produce. One physician described a patient who was confused by the fact that the precum seeped through the pants during kissing and other mild erotic stimulation. Several reports have shown satisfactory results when such men were treated with a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. In such cases, one physician recommended a differential diagnosis with prostorrhea, prostatic discharge during straining associated with urination or defecation.
religious attitude
For Sunni Muslims, the excretion of presemen during the corresponding sleep requires the performance of a ritual of purification.