The appearance of sexual desire in women is accompanied by the release of lubrication 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, 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 genitalia during vaginal penetration.
There are many glands and cells in the body that secrete mucus, but - in addition to physiologically determined causes - mucus secretion in men can be associated with diseases, primarily in the genitourinary system or inflammatory diseases of the male genital organs, as well as some intestinal pathologies.
Secretion of mucus in men when excited
Physiological includes the secretion of mucus in men when they are aroused. When the male genital organ is in an erection state, a special mucous secretion is produced by a pair of small exocrine glands - bulbourethral or Cooper's. They are located under the prostate - in the depth of the muscles of the urogenital diaphragm (diaphragma urogenitale), at the base of the penis, with access to the urethra that passes inside it.
The mucous membrane of these glands - a colorless transparent liquid with a viscous consistency - is a pre-ejaculate, that is, a preliminary ejaculate that enters the urethra before the release of sperm into it (ejaculation or ejaculation).
This fluid contains glycosaminoglycans (mucilage), L-fructose, various enzymes, but most importantly its alkaline reaction (pH>7, 2). The function of the secretion of the Cooper glands is to neutralize traces of acidic urine in the urethra, since the acidic environment is unfavorable for sperm cells. The vagina is also normally acidic (pH = 4. 0-4. 2), so the secretion of mucus in men when they are 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, so according to experts, its "norm" has not been determined.
Mucus secretion in men can be increased by increasing the production of mucus secretion from the urethral glands of Littre, located in the epithelium of the inner membrane along the entire length of the urethra. But 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. But at the same time, it lacks such a sperm marker as the enzyme gamma-glutamyltransferase.
The question of the probability of pregnancy from pre-ejaculate fluid 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-ejaculated samples, but in 37% individual motile sperm were recorded. So do not rule out the possibility of getting pregnant 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 in men from 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 such sexually transmitted infections as Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma genitalium, as well as the bacteria Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae spp. 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 on mycotic (candidiasis) urethritis. Gonorrhea and lesions in the urethra with gonococci are detected in men aged 22-37 in approximately 420 cases per year. 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 incidence of cystitis in men is estimated at 0. 8%, which is ten times lower than in women, but the symptoms in patients are the same: mucus in the urine or mucus-bloody discharge is combined with quite painful (burning), but scanty urination andfrequent urination.
Similar symptoms of mucus discharge in men in the case of stone formation in the bladder, which many men of mature age face. In addition, as urologists note, the narrowing of the urethral canal, squeezed by the hypertrophied prostate gland, often contributes to the 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 bacterial chronic prostatitis, which makes up 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 a mixture of pus is found in the composition of their sperm cells, 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 prostorrhea - abnormal secretion of the prostate gland with its atony, associated either with an excessively active sexual life or with the presence of non-bacterial chronic prostatitis in a man.
Secretion of mucus from the anus in men
In case of infections in the gastrointestinal tract or its frequent irritation, the calyx secretory cells in the inner lining of the intestinal tract begin to produce an excess amount of mucus, which is released through the rectum.
The most important diseases in which there is discharge of mucus from the anus in men are ulcerative colitis and proctitis.
In ulcerative colitis, ulcerations form at the site of inflammatory foci in the mucosa 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 clinicians believe that its pathogenesis lies in the immune system's abnormal 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 reasons for 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 lower back and coccyx), a feeling ofpressure 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 (generally, 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 the case of mucous discharge from the rectum, proctologists conduct a manual examination of it, prescribe blood, urine and stool samples, and also take a swab from the anus for bacterial culture.
Of the methods for instrumental diagnostics, the following are used: sigmoidoscopy (rectoscopy), colonoscopy, X-ray and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
Differential diagnosis
Considering that there are several reasons for the appearance of these symptoms, differential diagnosis is necessary, which is carried out with the help of 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 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 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 bulbourethral glands (couperitis) and their possible irreversible dysfunction;
- decreased 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 membranes 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 protected sex); compliance with the rules of personal hygiene; healthy food, as well as getting rid of all bad habits. However, these recommendations are suitable for almost any disease, therefore medicine has not yet offered anything more specific in terms of preventing the occurrence of problems with the prostate.
Forecast
Doctors do not give forecasts for the development of any symptom (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 infections in the urethra that comply with the doctor's prescriptions can be cured, then ulcerative colitis patients can only control for life and try to prevent recurrence.