Pre-seminal fluid or pre-seminal fluid is not the same thing as semen. Outwardly, it resembles a transparent, sticky mixture secreted from the urethral opening of the penis. It is released before ejaculation, mixed with semen during ejaculation, and enters the vagina during unprotected sex.
Visually, this liquid resembles raw egg white. During wakefulness in humans, fluid is secreted by the Cooper's and Littre's paraurethral glands. It contains prostate juice.
Cooper's glands - or also called bulbourethral glands - are about the size of a pea and are located below the prostate, on either side of the urethra.
Littre's glands look like clumps and are located throughout the urethra, approximately more than 30 pieces. They constantly secrete a secretion that lubricates the urethra. Its formation intensifies during sexual arousal.
Every man has his own amount of lubrication. To make it clearer, we can make an analogy with women: some need extra lubricant for sex, while others need their natural lubricant. The amount of secretion from the bulbourethral glands is determined by the level of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. With prostate adenoma, the level of dihydrotestosterone increases, and as a result, discharge in men increases when excited, although the composition is not normal.
The composition of pre-seminal fluid is somewhat similar to that of sperm. It contains a lot of sialoproteins, enzymes, aminosaccharides. In addition, an alkaline reaction also occurs there.
The purpose of excretion during arousal in men (pre-ejaculate) is to lubricate the head, facilitate insertion of the penis into the vagina, prepare the urethral canal for the passage of sperm and nourish thesperm with useful substances. It also neutralizes bacteria, urinary residues and alkalizes the environment of the penis and vagina, creating good conditions for germ cells.
When pre-seminal fluid is produced, it does not contain any sperm. This is explained by the fact that they are in no way linked to the testicles: the glands do not synthesize them. However, sperm may be present in the pre-ejaculate coming out of the urethra, depending on the stage of sexual intercourse we are talking about. The pre-ejaculation phase begins as orgasm approaches, as soon as the testicles are strongly pulled towards the groin. The ducts through which the sperm pass become pumps that pump the sperm out of the epididymis and push them into the prostate part of the urethra. There they wait for the onset of orgasm - the release of sperm. Sometimes they pass further along the urethra and mix with the secretion of Cooper's glands.
It happens that sperm are retained in the pre-ejaculate from the previous ejaculation. Some men even develop spermatorrhea because of this – sperm incontinence. The reason is too high testosterone levels or taking strong medications. It is possible to detect sperm in pre-ejaculate only by analysis, since during arousal they are secreted unnoticed.
You can even get pregnant from pre-seminal fluid - a 20% chance in 100. This probability increases with repeated sexual intercourse. A fresh portion of discharge in men during arousal can push stuck germ cells out of the urethral canal and carry them into the vagina.
15-20% of men have sperm in their pre-ejaculate, so there is a high risk of getting pregnant even with interrupted sex.
Normal amount of mucus
The amount of pre-ejaculation is determined by how aroused the man is. Accordingly, maximum concentration is possible only with strong sexual desire. The standard is 5 ml.
Some men produce no lubricant at all, which reduces their ability to conceive a child. When excited, healthy male discharge does not have odor, inclusions, lumps, is viscous and is not accompanied by pain or discomfort.
The main function of pre-seed formation is cleaning, so its composition can often change. During repeated sexual intercourse, before ejaculation or due to poor hygiene, the sky can become cloudy. The pre-ejaculate returns to a healthy state after a few days. If he has not recovered, then you need to go to the clinic, as this is a sure sign of the development of the disease.
Pre-cum function
Lubrication during sex is important because its special composition disinfects and removes acid after urination. This is a natural preparation of the body for the elimination of sperm, which will pass through the prepared canal without problems. The microflora of the female vagina is acidic to prevent various diseases. But an acidic environment is also detrimental to sperm, making them weak and ineffective. And pre-ejaculate reduces acidity, and when sperm is released, the female body is ready to accept it, thereby ensuring conception.
Signs of an abnormal condition
When excited, a man secretes a fluid that is far from normal, which has its own color, smell, composition and is supplemented by painful pain. A health problem is indicated by the appearance of urethral discharge, terrible odor, pain when excreting urinary fluid, excessive discharge, arbitrary formation of fluid without intimate desire, the presence of additional inclusions, a change in the structure of the flow - as thin or thick. Each of these signs indicates the development of a pathology in the body that causes diseases.
If lubricant is released in men without arousal, it is worth talking about the following diseases:
- Hematorrhea - pre-ejaculate is released with blood if the mucous membrane of the urethra is injured.
- Spermatorea – sperm flow randomly in the absence of orgasm due to too low muscle tone of the ducts through which the seed is released. The pathology is caused by chronic inflammation.
- Leukocyte urethrorrhea is the very stage of the inflammatory process when fluid is released into tissues and body cavities. The exudative phase is due to the fact that the protective urethral mucosal film has suffered thermal and mechanical damage or has been exposed for a long time to viruses and chemicals.
- Mucopurulent - contains fluid secreted by serous membranes, leukocytes and glandular secretions. This mucus usually forms at night. The man notices a discharge with pus and yellowish spots on his underwear when he wakes up. They appear if the urethra is affected by bacteria - chlamydia, ureamicoplasma or trichomonas.
- Purulent - contains a lot of urethral epithelium, leukocytes, fluid of serous membranes and mucus. This type of discharge is very thick and smells bad. Outwardly, they look like yellowish or greenish drops and are a sure sign of gonococcal urethritis, which appears due to gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Mucus can be released in large or small quantities. Small volume lubrication is virtually invisible. To recognize it, you will have to press on the urethral orifice, then the liquid will appear. Usually it dries instantly, leaving a film on the membrane of the head of the penis. Due to their too viscous structure, the sponges of the urinary canal stick to each other.
Causes of painful discharge
The release of fluid during arousal in men is higher or lower than normal due to sexually transmitted diseases, but the reason may not be the only one.
- Venereal diseases. They occur due to unfavorable microflora that settles on the mucous membrane of the urethral canal, glands, cavities and external areas of the genitals. All sexually transmitted diseases are divided into 4 groups depending on the causative agent: bacteria (inguinal granuloma; chancroid; syphilis; lymphogranuloma; chlamydia; gonorrhea; mycoplasmosis; ureaplasmosis), viruses (HIV; herpes; condyloma; papillomavirus; molluscum contagiosum), fungus (candidiasis) and parasites (scabies; phthiriasis).
- Other reasons. The prostate plays a decisive role in the formation of sperm. Without its secretion, seminal fluid has no functionality. If the prostate is inflamed, its production becomes more intense.
Men with chronic prostatitis notice heavy discharge from the urethral opening when they are aroused. This fluid is called prostatic secretion and is very similar to pre-ejaculate.
Intense discharges during arousal in men can occur due to allergies, hypothermia, inflammatory processes, chemical or physical injuries.
Clear mucus may indicate recent catheterization. This is the body's protective reaction to microtrauma to the mucosa. If a large amount of such discharge is observed, then it is considered a sure sign of infertility.
To identify a particular pathology, it is not enough to visually assess the fluid. Here it is important to check its biological composition, and this can only be done during a medical examination.
Can lubricant fertilize?
It has been experimentally proven that male lubricant contains few sperm. So there is a small risk of getting pregnant if it is released during unprotected sex.
The chances of conception are especially high in the middle of the cycle, when ovulation has already passed and the cervix is still open. At other times, what is released in a man during arousal is not enough for fertilization. Without the nutrient medium of sperm, germ cells will quickly die in the vagina.
The likelihood of conception is higher after repeated sexual intercourse, because the lubricant will contain a large amount of sperm. If there is no desire to have a child, it is better to go to the toilet a little before the next visit.
Can a virgin get pregnant?
It's entirely possible, and we're not talking about a virgin birth. This situation is due to two conditions:
- individual characteristics of the structure of the hymen;
- sperm viability and velocity;
- Is the girl ovulating at this time?
Even naked caresses can unexpectedly lead to pregnancy. This happens if male lubricant gets on the girl's genitals. Sperm can enter the vagina and conception will take place. The risk is higher if the hymen is particularly elastic or damaged (trauma, equestrian sport).
Sometimes this is enough to connect the egg and sperm. Medical statistics prove that it is not uncommon for a woman in labor to have an intact hymen.
Pre-cum color
Healthy lubrication in men is clear and colorless. The color and composition of the fluid changes due to inflammatory processes - cooperitis. If the discharge becomes cloudy with a yellowish or greenish tint, this indicates suspicious pathogenic activity. If the shade is brown, this indicates inflammatory damage to blood vessels and bleeding.
Inflammation of Cooper's glands can be detected using a multi-glass urine sample. You must first urinate into the first container, after massaging the gland, urinate into another container - at this point a secretion appears in the urine, which must be checked. After the second study, the prostate is massaged and urine is collected in a third container. For example, if the second container had an increased content of leukocytes, and in the first and third they were normal, this indicates isolated inflammation.
Blockage of the glands can also occur due to stagnant secretions - after all, the urethral canals reach 2-8 cm. Inflammation occurs due to the resulting blockages. In this case, massage and antibacterial therapy are prescribed as treatment.
Diagnostic
Urologists, after listening to the patient's complaints and collecting anamnesis, examine the genitals. In this case, specialists simultaneously take juice from the prostate using rectal massage. Additional laboratory tests are required:
- Blood test ;
- Prostatic secretion;
- Urine analysis;
- Sperm.
It is important to assess the flow rate itself. To do this, they are subjected to microscopic examination. It is this method that allows you to identify the main source of the problem - bacteria, viruses, fungi.
Then doctors move on to instrumental diagnostics:
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, penis, scrotum;
- Dopplerography;
- Radiography;
- MRI;
- CT scan;
- Cystoscopy;
- Urethroscopy;
- Scintigraphy.
If neoplasms are detected during the examination, diagnosticians give an injection.
How to reduce excitement discharge
Sexual desire is difficult to hide if secretions show through your clothes. If men release fluid in large quantities when aroused, then you should follow several recommendations:
- have sex regularly - at least 2-3 times a week, this normalizes the secretion of the glands;
- consult a urologist - sometimes abundant pre-ejaculate indicates hormonal imbalances, inflammation and prostate adenoma;
- abandon tight-fitting underwear, in loose underwear the losses will not be so visible;
- Avoid becoming aroused in inappropriate situations – avoid visual and physical stimulation.
Preventative measures
In general, preventive measures come down to the correct attitude towards sexual intimacy and largely depend on the upbringing of the girl.
General recommendations for fulfilling the following conditions:
- Good sexual sense, somewhat educated.
- Use only proven and sufficiently effective methods of contraception.
- The contraceptive should be selected by a qualified gynecologist, and not by the caveman method - the prick method.
- In the unfortunate circumstances of an unwanted pregnancy, it is necessary to ensure the safety and legality of abortion procedures, which entirely depends on the professional qualifications and skills of the doctor.
- Benefit from professional, quality advice, recommendations and medical care after an abortion.
How to increase your discharge before sex
Men sometimes secrete a small amount of lubricant during arousal. Increasing the volume of pre-ejaculate is especially important for men who prefer to have sex without a condom. Natural lubrication will improve glide, eliminate damage and improve fertility
How to do:
- Increase the length of foreplay. Sexual intercourse without sufficient stimulation leads to damage to the mucous membranes of the genitals. High-quality, long-lasting foreplay triggers intense fluid production in both women and men.
- Use dietary supplements or aphrodisiacs. Supplements containing ginseng, hot mucuna and horny weed are particularly suitable. They increase arousal and increase the amount of pre-ejaculate released.
- Minimize alcohol and cigarettes, as the toxins prevent the glands from functioning normally.
- To drink a lot of water.
- Regularly perform exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles (squats, bridges and Kegel exercises).
Testosterone helps increase secretion in men when they are aroused. During andropause in men, this is why the amount of pre-ejaculate decreases. The synthesis can be normalized using synthetic and herbal testosterone boosters, but only under the strict supervision of a doctor.
In most cases, biologically active substances (dietary supplements) help to safely increase the amount of pre-seminal fluid and improve the quality of sperm.
The comparison table will help you choose the most reliable method of protection:
Protection method | Reliability level, % |
Condom | up to 96 |
Male sterilization | 99. 9 |
Intrauterine hormonal methods | up to 97 |
Oral contraceptives | up to 98 |
Hormonal injections | up to 97 |
Diaphragm | up to 95 |
Intrauterine device | up to 95 |
Basal temperature measurement | up to 70 |
Calendar method | up to 70 |
Interruption of sexual intercourse | up to 60 |
Showering after sex | up to 15 |
The couple individually selects a suitable method. It is important to take into account the health and habits of your partners.