The appearance of sexual desire in women is accompanied by the release of lubrication and swelling of the mammary glands. However, not everyone knows what is released during awakening among the representatives of the stronger sex. Men are able to produce not only semen during sex, but also a special lubricant that facilitates the gliding of the penis during friction.
If there is no lubrication in men when they are excited, then this is a symptom of some kind of pathology related to the reproductive system. The release of this fluid prevents damage to the male genital organ during vaginal penetration.
There are many glands and cells in the body that secrete mucus, but - apart from physiologically determined reasons - mucus secretion in men can be associated with diseases, mainly of the genitourinary system or inflammatory diseases of the male genital organs, as well as some intestinal pathologies.
Mucus secretion in men when they are excited
Physiological include the secretion of mucus in men when they are aroused. When the male sexual organ is in a state of erection, a special mucous secretion is produced by a pair of small exocrine glands - bulbourethral or Cooper. They are located below the prostate - in the depth of the muscles of the urogenital diaphragm (urogenital diaphragm), at the base of the penis, with access to the urethra that passes through it.
The mucous secretion of these glands - a transparent colorless liquid with a viscous consistency - is a preliminary ejaculate, that is, a preliminary discharge that enters the urethra before the release of sperm into it (ejaculation or ejaculation).
This fluid contains glycosaminoglycans (mucus), L-fructose, various enzymes, but the most important is its alkaline reaction (pH>7. 2). The secretory function of Cooper's glands is to neutralize traces of acidic urine in the urethra, since the acidic environment is unfavorable for sperm. The vagina is also usually acidic (pH = 4. 0-4. 2), so the secretion of mucus in men when they wake up alkalizes the vaginal environment - for better sperm survival.
The amount of pre-ejaculate in different men varies (up to 4-5 ml), and in some it is not produced at all, so, according to experts, its "rate" has not been established.
Mucus secretion in men can be increased by increasing the production of mucous secretion from the urethral glands of Littre, located in the epithelium of the inner membrane along the entire length of the urethra. However, their main function is to produce mucus, which protects the urethra from acidic urine.
Is it possible to get pregnant from lubrication in men? Pre-ejaculate contains some of the chemicals present in sperm, such as the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase. But at the same time, it lacks such a sperm marker as the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase.
The question of the likelihood of pregnancy from pre-ejaculatory fluid is being studied, but there is still no definitive answer. According to the Human Fertility Journal, studies conducted in 2011-2016. A group of British doctors found very little sperm in 40% of pre-ejaculatory samples, but in 37% individual motile spermatozoa were recorded. So don't rule out the possibility of pregnancy from a pre-ejaculate.
Mucus secretion from the urethra in men
Pathological secretion of mucus in men from the urethra can occur with a number of diseases. The main causes of discharge of mucus from the urethra in men are related to urethritis (inflammation of the urethra); cystitis (inflammation of the bladder; urolithiasis and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland).
The pathogenesis of urethritis is caused by such sexually transmitted infections as Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma genitalium, as well as the bacteria Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp. , K. And infectious urethritis caused by streptococci and staphylococci often develops after bladder catheterization or due to violations of basic hygiene rules.
Clinical statistics show that more than half of the cases of inflammation of the urethra are associated with chlamydia; up to 25% - with mycoplasma; 15-20% - with ureaplasma; about 17% - with Trichomonas. Less than 5% fall into fungal urethritis (candidiasis). Gonorrhea and gonococcal urethral lesions are detected in men aged 22-37 years in approximately 420 cases per 100, 000.
Risk factors for the development of urethritis, accompanied by secretions of different intensity: sexually active age, promiscuity in sexual relations and neglect of their safety.
The prevalence of cystitis in men is estimated at 0. 8%, which is ten times lower than in women, but its symptoms in patients are the same: mucus in the urine or bloody mucous discharge combined with quite painful (burning), but few. frequent urination and minor.
Similar symptoms of mucus discharge in men in the case of the formation of stones in the bladder, which many men of mature age face. In addition, as noted by urologists, often the constriction of the urethral canal, squeezed by the hypertrophied prostate gland, contributes to the stagnation of urine and the formation of stones.
It is possible to release white mucus in men - when there is a mixture of pus in chronic bacterial prostatitis, which accounts for no more than 10% of all cases (the most common pathogens are Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp. ). By the way, about 12% of men who went to the doctor do not experience any symptoms of prostatitis, but in the composition of their sperm there is a mixture of pus and according to the results of a blood test, an increase in the level of leukocytes.
Non-purulent milky mucus can be released in cases of prostatitis - abnormal secretion of the prostate gland with its atony, associated either with an overly active sex life, or with the presence of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis in a man.
Secretion of mucus from the anus in men
With infections of the gastrointestinal tract or its frequent irritation, the secretory cells of the goblet of the inner layer of the intestinal tract begin to produce an excessive amount of mucus, which is released through the rectum.
The main diseases in which there is a discharge of mucus from the anus in men are ulcerative colitis and proctitis.
With ulcerative colitis, ulcers form at the site of inflammatory foci in the mucous membrane of the colon and rectum. Patients complain not only of mucous discharge from the anus, but also of fatigue, loss of strength, loss of appetite and periodic rectal bleeding. The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, but most doctors believe that its pathogenesis lies in an abnormal response of the immune system to bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The systemic nature of ulcerative colitis is indicated by manifestations not related to the intestines: pain in the joints; ulcers on the mucous membrane in the mouth, on the skin and in the subcutaneous tissue; the formation of blood clots in the veins; inflammation of the gall bladder, liver, etc.
The causes of the development of proctitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the large intestine - are most often associated with infection and among its symptoms are: secretion of rectal mucus, bleeding, pain (localized in the lower abdomen and perineum, radiatingin the lower back. and coccyx), a feeling of pressure on the intestinal walls, frequent false urge to defecate, diarrhea and / or constipation.
Who to contact?
Urologist, proctologist.
Diagnosis of mucus secretion in men
When mucus is released from the urethra in men, the diagnosis includes anamnesis data, blood tests (general, ELISA, PCR); general, biochemical and bacteriological analysis of urine; swab from the urethra.
Instrumental diagnosis is carried out using ultrasound of the genitourinary organs.
In case of mucous discharge from the rectum, proctologists perform a manual examination of it, prescribe blood, urine and feces tests, as well as take a swab from the anus for bacterial culture.
Instrumental diagnostic methods are used: sigmoidoscopy (rectoscopy), colonoscopy, radiography and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
Differential diagnosis
Given that there are several reasons for the appearance of these symptoms, differential diagnosis is necessary, which is carried out using computer images or magnetic resonance.
Treatment of mucus discharge in men
Effective treatment of mucus secretion in men with infectious urethritis is provided by the use of antibacterial drugs.
For the treatment of ulcerative colitis, NSAIDs are used: rectal suppositories are inserted into the rectum (1-2 suppositories) three times a day.
Treatment for proctitis depends on the cause of the inflammation. Proctitis caused by bacteria is usually treated with antibiotics. If proctitis is caused by inflammatory bowel disease, medications to control the inflammation or surgery may be needed.
Consequences and complications
Experts call such consequences and complications of diseases in which men have mucus secretion from the urethra:
- inflammation of the seminal vesicles (vesiculitis);
- epididymitis - inflammation of the epididymis (with a high probability of its obstruction);
- inflammation of the bulburethral glands (cuperitis) and their possible irreversible dysfunction;
- impaired spermatogenesis, anorgasmia, dyspareunia, sexual dysfunction and infertility.
In addition, inflammation of the prostate is fraught with adenoma or adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
The most dangerous consequences of non-specific ulcerative colitis are perforation of the walls of the colon or rectum (with the formation of fistulas), intestinal bleeding with heavy blood loss and the development of oncology (colorectal cancer). And with significant mucous secretions accompanying proctitis, irritation of the perianal region occurs, which can lead to maceration of the skin, the appearance of an anal fissure, itching, burning and pain during defecation.
prevention
Prevention of prostatitis is considered timely release of the bladder and intestines; active lifestyle (including in intimate terms, but only with protected sex); compliance with personal hygiene rules; healthy food, as well as removing all bad habits. However, these recommendations are suitable for almost any disease, therefore, in the matter of preventing the occurrence of problems with the prostate, medicine has not yet offered anything more specific.
prediction
Doctors do not give predictions for the development of any symptoms (and the pathological secretion of mucus in men - from the urethra or anus - refers to symptoms) in isolation from the disease that causes it.
And if urethral infections, adhering to the doctor's prescriptions, can be cured, then patients with ulcerative colitis can only check for life, trying to prevent relapses.