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 passion 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 excited, then this is a symptom of some kind of pathology related to the reproductive system. The release of this fluid prevents injury to the male genital organs during vaginal penetration.
There are many glands and cells in the body that secrete mucus, but - in addition to physiologically determined reasons - mucus secretion in men can be associated with diseases, especially the genitourinary system or inflammatory diseases of the male genital organs, as well as some intestinal pathologies.
Mucus secretion in men when excited
Physiology includes mucus secretion in men when excited. 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. They are located under the prostate - in the depth of the urogenital diaphragm muscle (diaphragma urogenitale), at the base of the penis, with access to the urethra passing through it.
The mucous secretion of this gland - a colorless transparent liquid with a viscous consistency - is pre-ejaculate, that is, the initial ejaculation that enters the urethra before the release of sperm into it (ejaculation or ejaculation).
This liquid contains glycosaminoglycans (mucus), L-fructose, various enzymes, but most importantly, its alkaline reaction (pH>7. 2). The secretory function of Cooper's gland is to neutralize the effect of acidic urine in the urethra, because an acidic environment is not suitable for sperm. The vagina is also usually 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, 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 Littre's urethral glands, which are 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 several chemicals found in semen, such as the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase. But at the same time, it does not have sperm markers such as the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase.
The question of the possibility of pregnancy from pre-ejaculate fluid is being studied, but there is no definite answer yet. According to the Human Fertility Journal, the study was conducted in 2011-2016. A group of British doctors found very little semen in 40% of pre-ejaculate samples, but in 37% individual motile spermatozoa were recorded. Therefore, do not exclude the possibility of pregnancy from early ejaculation.
Mucous discharge from the urethra in men
Pathological mucus secretion in men from the urethra can occur with several diseases. The main cause of discharge of mucus in men from the urethra is associated with 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 sexual infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma genitalium, as well as bacteria Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp. , Klebsiella spp. And infectious urethritis caused by strepto- and staphylococci often develops after bladder catheterization or due to violation of basic hygiene rules.
Clinical statistics show that more than half of the cases of urethral inflammation are associated with chlamydia; up to 25% - with mycoplasma; 15-20% - with ureaplasma; about 17% - with Trichomonas. Less than 5% fall on mycotic urethritis (candidiasis). Gonorrhea and urethral lesions 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, association 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 the symptoms in patients are the same: mucus in the urine or bloody mucus combined with some pain (burning), but little. urinate and urinate frequently.
Similar symptoms of mucus discharge in men in the case of stone formation in the bladder, which many men of mature age face. Moreover, as noted by urologists, often the narrowing of the urethra, squeezed by the hypertrophied prostate gland, contributes to urine stagnation and stone formation.
It is possible to discharge 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 go to the doctor do not experience any symptoms of prostatitis, but a mixture of pus is found in the composition of their sperm, and according to the results of blood tests, an increase in the level of leukocytes.
Non-purulent milky mucus can be removed in case of prostorrhea - abnormal secretion of the prostate gland with its atony, which is associated either with an overly active sexual life, or with the presence of non-bacterial chronic prostatitis in a man.
Mucous discharge from the anus in men
With frequent infections of the gastrointestinal tract or its irritation, the goblet secretory cells in the inner lining of the intestinal tract begin to produce excess mucus, which is discharged through the rectum.
The main diseases in which there is mucus discharge from the anus in men are ulcerative colitis and proctitis.
With ulcerative colitis, ulcers form at the focal site of inflammation in the mucous membrane of the colon and rectum. Patients complain of not only discharge of mucus from the anus, but also 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 shown by manifestations that are not associated with the intestine: pain in the joints; ulcers on the mucous membranes in the mouth, on the skin and in the subcutaneous tissue; formation of blood clots in 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 the symptoms are: secretion of rectal mucus, bleeding, pain (localized in the lower abdomen and in the perineum, radiating to the lower back. and tailbone), feelingpressure on the bowel wall, frequent false urges to defecate, diarrhea and/or constipation.
Who to contact?
Urologist, proctologist.
Diagnosis of mucus secretion in men
When mucus is removed 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.
If mucus comes out of the rectum, the proctologist conducts a manual examination, prescribes blood, urine and stool tests, and also takes a smear from the anus for bacterial culture.
Of the instrumental diagnostic methods, the following are used: sigmoidoscopy (rectoscopy), colonoscopy, X-ray and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
Differential diagnosis
Since there are several reasons for the appearance of these symptoms, differential diagnosis is necessary, which is carried out using computed or magnetic resonance imaging.
Treatment of mucus discharge in men
Effective treatment of mucus secretion in men with infectious urethritis is provided by using 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, medication to control the inflammation or surgery may be necessary.
Consequences and complications
Experts call the consequences and complications of diseases in which men have mucous secretions from the urethra:
- inflammation of the seminal vesicles (vesiculitis);
- epididymitis - inflammation of the epididymis (with a high probability of obstruction);
- bulbourethral gland inflammation (couperitis) and possible irreversible dysfunction;
- impaired spermatogenesis, anorgasmia, dyspareunia, sexual dysfunction and infertility.
In addition, inflammation of the prostate is full of adenoma or adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
The most dangerous consequences of non-specific ulcerative colitis are the penetration of the wall of the colon or rectum (with fistula formation), intestinal bleeding with large blood loss, and the development of oncology (colorectal cancer). And with the significant secretion of mucus that accompanies proctitis, irritation of the perianal area occurs, which can cause squeezing of the skin, the appearance of anal fissures, itching, burning and pain during defecation.
Prevention
Prevention of prostatitis is considered timely bladder and bowel evacuation; active lifestyle (including in intimate terms, but only with protected sex); compliance with personal hygiene rules; healthy food, as well as getting rid of all bad habits. However, this recommendation is suitable for almost all diseases, therefore, in terms of preventing the occurrence of problems with the prostate, medicine does not yet offer something more specific.
Prediction
Doctors do not give predictions for the development of any symptoms (and the pathological discharge of mucus in men - from the urethra or anus - refers to the symptoms) separately from the disease that caused it.
And if the urethral infection, obeying the doctor's prescription, can be cured, then ulcerative colitis patients can only control it for life, trying to prevent relapse.