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 in representatives of the stronger sex. Men are able to produce not only seminal fluid during intercourse, but also a special lubricant that helps the penis slip when rubbing.
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 liquid prevents injury to the male genital organ during vaginal penetration.
There are many glands and cells in the body that secrete mucus, but - in addition to physiological reasons - the secretion of mucus in humans can be associated with diseases, mainly of the genitourinary system or with inflammatory diseases of themale genitalia, as well as certain intestinal pathologies.
Mucus secretion in men when aroused
Physiological include the secretion of mucus in men when excited. When the male sexual organ is erect, a special mucous secretion is produced by a pair of small exocrine - bulbourethral or Cooper's glands. They are located under the prostate - in the depths of the muscles of the urogenital diaphragm (urogenital diaphragm), at the base of the penis, with access to the urethra passing inside.
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 semen into it (ejaculation or ejaculation).
This liquid contains glycosaminoglycans (mucus), L-fructose, various enzymes, but above all, its alkaline reaction (pH >7, 2). The function of Cooper's gland secretion is to neutralize traces of acidic urine in the urethra, as the acidic environment is unfavorable to sperm. The vagina is also generally acidic (pH=4. 0-4. 2), so mucus secretion in men when aroused 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, therefore, according to experts, its "norm" has not been established.
Mucus secretion in men can be increased by increasing the production of mucous secretion by the urethral glands of Littre, 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 through lubrication in men? Pre-ejaculate contains some of the chemicals found in semen, such as acid phosphatase, a lysosomal enzyme. 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-cum is being investigated, but there is no definitive answer yet. According to the Journal Human Fertility, studies conducted in 2011-2016. A group of British doctors found very little sperm in 40% of pre-ejaculate samples, but in 37% individual motile sperm were recorded. So do not rule out the possibility of getting pregnant from a preliminary ejaculate.
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 in men through the urethra are associated with urethritis (inflammation of the urethra); cystitis (inflammation of the bladder; 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, as well as the bacteria Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp. , Klebsiella spp. And infectious urethritis caused by strepto- 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% falls on mycotic urethritis (candidiasis). 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 ten times less than in women, but its symptoms in patients are the same: mucus in the urine or bloody mucous discharge is associated withquite aching pain (burning), but scanty urination and frequent urination.
Similar symptoms of mucus discharge in men with the formation of stones in the bladder, which many middle-aged men face. Also, as urologists note, often the narrowing of the urethral canal, squeezed by the enlarged prostate, contributes to stagnation of urine and the formation of stones.
It is possible to release white mucus in men - when there is an admixture 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 have no symptoms of prostatitis, but an admixture of pus is found in the composition of their semen and, according to the results of a blood test, an increase inthe leukocyte level.
Milky non-purulent mucus can be released in case of prostorrhoea - abnormal secretion of the prostate gland with its atony, associated either with an overactive sex life, or with the presence of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis in men.
Secretion of mucus from the anus in men
With infections of the gastrointestinal tract or its frequent irritation, the secretory goblet cells of the inner lining of the intestinal tract begin to produce an excessive amount of mucus, which is released from 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, ulcerations form at the site of inflammatory foci in the mucous membrane of the colon and rectum. Patients complain not only of mucous secretions 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 its pathogenesis to be an abnormal immune system response to bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The systemic nature of ulcerative colitis is indicated by manifestations not associated with the intestines: 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 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, radiatinglower back and coccyx), 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 analyzes 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 conduct a manual examination of it, prescribe blood, urine and fecal matter tests, and also take a swab from the anus for bacterial culture.
Among the methods of instrumental diagnostics, the following are used: sigmoidoscopy (rectoscopy), colonoscopy, radiography and ultrasound 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 using magnetic or calculated 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 introduced 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, 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 secretion from the urethra:
- inflammation of the seminal vesicles (vesiculitis);
- epididymitis - inflammation of the epididymis (with a high probability of 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 fraught 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 severe 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 skin maceration, the appearance of an anal fissure, itching, burning and pain during defecation.
Prevention
Prevention of prostatitis is considered the timely release of the bladder and intestines; active lifestyle (including in intimate terms, but only with safe 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, when it comes to preventing the onset of prostate problems, medicine has not yet offered anything more specific.
Provide
Doctors do not give predictions for the development of any symptoms (and pathological excretion of mucus in men - from the urethra or anus - refers to symptoms) regardless of the disease that causes it.
And if infections of the urethra, according to the doctor's prescriptions, can be cured, then patients with ulcerative colitis can control only for life, trying to prevent relapses.