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 arousal among the representatives of the stronger sex. In addition to producing seminal fluid during sex, men can also produce a special lubricant that facilitates the sliding of the penis in the event of friction.
If there is no lubrication in men when aroused, this is a symptom of some kind of pathology related to the reproductive system. The release of this fluid prevents injury to the male genitalia during vaginal penetration.
There are many glands and cells in the body that secrete mucus, but - besides physiological 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 aroused
Physiologically, the secretion of mucus in men when aroused. When the male sexual organ is in an erect state, a special mucus secretion is produced by a pair of small exocrine glands - bulbourethral or Cooper's. They are located below the prostate - in the depths of the muscles of the urogenital diaphragm (diaphragm urogenitale) at the base of the penis, with access to the urethra passing inside it.
The mucous secretion of these glands - a colorless transparent liquid of a viscous consistency - is a pre-ejaculate, that is, a preliminary ejaculate that enters the urethra before the release of sperm (ejaculation or ejaculation).
This liquid contains glycosaminoglycans (mucus), L-fructose, various enzymes, but above all their alkaline reaction (pH >7, 2). The function of the secretions 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 mostly acidic (pH = 4. 0-4. 2), so that when men are aroused, the secretion of mucus alkalizes the vaginal environment – for better sperm survival.
The amount of pre-ejaculate varies in different men (up to 4-5 ml), and in some it is not produced at all, so according to experts, its "norm" has not been established.
Mucus secretion in males can be increased by increasing the production of mucus secretion by the Littre urethral glands, which are located in the inner membrane epithelium 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 found in semen, such as the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase. At the same time, however, it lacks a sperm marker such as the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase.
The question of the likelihood of pregnancy from pre-ejaculate fluid is being studied, but there is no definitive answer yet. According to the journal Human Fertility, studies were conducted in 2011-2016. A group of British doctors found very little sperm in 40% of the pre-ejaculated samples, but single motile sperm were detected in 37%. So do not rule out the possibility of pregnancy from a preliminary ejaculation.
Secretion of mucus 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 mucus discharge from the urethra in men are associated with urethritis (inflammation of the urethra); cystitis (cystitis); urolithiasis and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate).
The pathogenesis of urethritis is caused by sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma genitalium and the bacteria Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp. , Klebsiella spp. And infectious urethritis caused by streptococci and staphylococci often develops after bladder catheterization or due to violations of basic hygiene rules.
Clinical statistics indicate that more than half of cases of urethral inflammation are associated with chlamydia; up to 25% - with mycoplasma; 15-20% - with ureaplasma; about 17% - with Trichomonas. Less than 5% develop fungal (candidiasis) urethritis. Gonorrhea and lesions of the urethra with gonococci are detected in men aged 22-37 years in about 420 cases per 100, 000.
Risk factors for the development of urethritis, accompanied by secretions of varying intensity: sexually active age, promiscuity in sexual intercourse and neglect of their safety.
The prevalence of cystitis in men is estimated at 0. 8%, which is 10 times lower than in women, but the symptoms in patients are the same: mucus in the urine or mucous-bloody discharge is combined with rather painful (burning), but scantyurination and frequent urination.
Similar symptoms of mucus discharge in men with the formation of stones in the bladder, which many men of mature age face. In addition, as urologists note, often the stricture of the urethral canal, squeezed by the hypertrophied prostate, contributes to urinary stagnation and the formation of stones.
In men, white mucus can be released - when admixing pus with bacterial chronic 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 have no symptoms of prostatitis, but an admixture of pus in the composition of their semen and, according to the results of a blood test, an increase in the level of leukocytes.
With prostorrhea, non-purulent milky mucus can be released - an abnormal secretion of the prostate with its atony associated either with an excessively active sex life, or with the presence of non-bacterial chronic prostatitis in a man.
Secretion of mucus from the anus in men
With gastrointestinal infections or their frequent irritations, the cup secreting cells of the inner lining of the intestinal tract begin to produce an excessive amount of mucus, which is excreted through the rectum.
The main diseases that cause mucus to leak from the anus in men are ulcerative colitis and proctitis.
In ulcerative colitis, ulcerations form at the site of inflammatory foci in the mucous membrane of the colon and rectum. Patients complain not only of mucus 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 clinicians believe that its pathogenesis lies in an abnormal immune system response to bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The systemic nature of ulcerative colitis is indicated by manifestations not related to the intestine: pain in the joints; Ulcers on the mucous membrane of the mouth, on the skin and in the subcutaneous tissue; the formation of blood clots in the veins; Inflammation of the gallbladder, liver, etc.
The causes of the development of proctitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the rectum - are most often associated with infection, and its symptoms include: rectal mucus secretion, bleeding, pain (localized in the lower abdomen and perineum, radiating to the lower back and coccyx), feeling of pressureon the intestinal walls, frequent false urges to defecate, diarrhea and/or constipation.
Who to contact?
Urologist, proctologist.
Diagnosis of mucus secretion in men
If in men there is a discharge of mucus from the urethra, the diagnosis includes anamnesis data, blood tests (general, ELISA, PCR); general, biochemical and bacteriological urine analysis; Swab from the urethra.
Instrumental diagnostics is carried out using ultrasound of the urogenital organs.
With mucous discharge from the rectum, proctologists conduct a manual examination, prescribe blood, urine and fecal tests, and also take a swab from the anus for bacterial culture.
Of the methods of instrumental diagnostics, the following are used: sigmoidoscopy (rectoscopy), colonoscopy, X-ray and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
differential diagnosis
Given that there are several reasons for the appearance of these symptoms, differential diagnosis is required, which is carried out using computer or magnetic resonance imaging.
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 the proctitis is caused by inflammatory bowel disease, medication 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 discharge from the urethra:
- inflammation of the seminal vesicles (vesiculitis);
- Epididymitis - inflammation of the epididymis (with a high probability of their obstruction);
- Inflammation of the bulbourethral glands (couperitis) and their possible irreversible dysfunction;
- impaired spermatogenesis, anorgasmia, dyspareunia, sexual dysfunction and infertility.
In addition, inflammation of the prostate is associated with adenoma or adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
The most dangerous consequences of nonspecific ulcerative colitis are perforation of the walls of the colon or rectum (with the formation of fistulas), intestinal bleeding with large blood loss and the development of oncology (colon cancer). And with significant mucus secretion, which accompanies proctitis, there is irritation of the perianal region, which can lead to skin maceration, the appearance of an anal fissure, itching, burning and pain during defecation.
prevention
The prevention of prostatitis is considered the timely release of the bladder and intestines; active lifestyle (also intimate, but only with protected sex); compliance with the rules of personal hygiene; healthy eating, as well as getting rid of all bad habits. However, these recommendations are suitable for almost any disease, therefore, in terms of preventing the occurrence of problems with the prostate, medicine has not yet offered anything more specific.
forecast
Doctors do not predict the development of any symptom (and the pathological discharge of mucus in men - from the urethra or anus - refers to symptoms) in isolation from the disease that causes it.
And if urethral infections can be cured under doctor's orders, there is only lifelong control for ulcerative colitis patients and try to prevent recurrence.