The appearance of sexual desire in women is accompanied by the release of lubricant and swelling of the mammary glands. But not everyone knows what is released during arousal among the representatives of the stronger sex. Men are able to produce not only seminal fluid 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, this is a symptom of some pathology related to the reproductive system. The release of this fluid prevents injury to the male genital organ during vaginal penetration.
There are many glands and cells in the body that secrete mucus, but - apart from physiological reasons - the secretion of mucus 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 during arousal
Physiological include the secretion of mucus in men when they are excited. When the male genital organ is in a state of erection, a special mucous secretion is released from a pair of small exocrine glands - bulbourethral or Cooper's. They are located under the prostate - in the depths of the muscles of the urogenital diaphragm (diaphragma 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 with a viscous consistency - is preejaculate, i. e. preliminary ejaculate, which enters the urethra before the release of spermatozoa into it (ejaculation or ejaculation).
This liquid contains glycosaminoglycans (mucus), L-fructose, various enzymes, but the most important is its alkaline reaction (pH>7, 2). The function of the secretion of Cooper's glands is to neutralize traces of acidic urine in the urethra, since an acidic environment is unfavorable for sperm. The vagina is also usually acidic (pH = 4. 0-4. 2), so the secretion of mucus in men during arousal alkalizes the vaginal environment - for better sperm survival.
The amount of preejaculate in different men varies (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 men can be increased by increasing the production of mucus secretion by 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 that 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 semen, 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 probability of pregnancy from pre-ejaculate fluid is being studied, but there is still no definitive answer. According to the Journal Human Fertility, studies conducted between 2011 and 2016 by a group of British doctors found very little sperm in 40% of pre-ejaculate samples, but individual motile sperm were recorded in 37%. So don't rule out getting pregnant from pre-ejaculate.
Mucus secretion from the urethra in men
Pathological secretion of mucus in men from the urethra can occur in 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. , Klebsiella spp. Infectious urethritis caused by streptococci and staphylococci often develops after bladder catheterization or due to non-compliance with 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% are mycotic (candidal) urethritis. Gonorrhea and gonococcal urethral lesions are found in men aged 22-37 years in approximately 420 cases per 100, 000.
Risk factors for the development of urethritis accompanied by secretions of varying intensity: sexually active age, promiscuity during intercourse and neglect of their safety.
The prevalence of cystitis in men is estimated at 0. 8%, which is ten times less than in women, but its symptoms in patients are the same: mucus in the urine or mucus-bloody discharge is combined with quite painful (burning), but scanty urination and frequent urination.
Similar symptoms of mucus discharge in men in the case of bladder stones, which many men face in adulthood. In addition, as noted by urologists, often the narrowing of the urethral canal, pressed by the hypertrophied prostate gland, contributes to the stagnation of urine and the formation of stones.
The discharge of white mucus is possible in men - when there is an admixture of pus in 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 the men who went to the doctor did not experience any symptoms of prostatitis, but in the composition of their semen, an admixture of pus was detected, and according to the results of a blood test, an increase in the level of leukocytes was observed.
Non-purulent milky mucus can be released with prostorrhea - an abnormal secretion of the prostate gland with its atony, associated either with an overly active sex life, or with the presence of non-bacterial chronic prostatitis in men.
Mucus secretion from the anus in men
With infections of the gastrointestinal tract or its frequent irritation, the goblet secretory cells of the inner lining of the intestinal tract begin to produce an excess 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.
In 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 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 response of the immune system to bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The systemic nature of ulcerative colitis is shown by manifestations that are not related to the intestines: pain in the joints; ulcers on the mucous membrane in the mouth, on the skin and 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 rectal mucosa - are most often associated with infection, and among its symptoms are: rectal mucus secretion, bleeding, pain (localized in the lower abdomen and in the perineum, radiating to the waist and coccyx), feeling of pressure on the intestinal walls, frequent false urges to defecate, diarrhea and/or constipation.
Who should I contact?
Urologist, proctologist.
Diagnosis of mucus secretion in men
When mucus is released from the urethra in men, the diagnosis includes history, blood tests (general, ELISA, PCR); general, biochemical and bacteriological analysis of urine; urethral swab.
Instrumental diagnostics is performed with ultrasound of the genitourinary organs.
In the case of mucous discharge from the rectum, proctologists perform a manual examination, prescribe blood, urine and stool tests, and also take a swab from the anus for bacterial culture.
From the methods of instrumental diagnosis, the following are used: sigmoidoscopy (rectoscopy), colonoscopy, X-ray and ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity.
Differential diagnosis
Considering that there are several reasons for the appearance of these symptoms, a differential diagnosis is necessary, which is carried out with the help of a computer or magnetic resonance image.
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 introduced into the rectum (1-2 suppositories) three times a day.
Treatment of 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, 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 discharge of mucus from the urethra:
- inflammation of the seminal vesicles (vesiculitis);
- epididymitis - inflammation of the epididymis (with a high probability of blockage);
- inflammation of the bulbourethral 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 great blood loss and the development of oncology (colorectal cancer). And with significant mucous secretions accompanying proctitis, irritation of the perianal area occurs, which can lead to skin maceration, 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; an active lifestyle (including in intimate relationships, but only with protected sex); compliance with personal hygiene rules; healthy food, as well as giving up all bad habits. However, these recommendations are suitable for almost any disease, therefore, in terms of preventing prostate problems, medicine has not yet proposed anything more specific.
Forecast
Doctors do not give predictions about the development of any symptom (and the pathological discharge of mucus in men - from the urethra or anus - refers to the symptoms) isolated 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 control a lifetime, trying to prevent recurrences.