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. Men are able to produce not only seminal fluid during sex, but also a special lubricant that facilitates the sliding of the penis during friction.
If there is no lubrication in men when they are aroused, then this is a symptom of some kind of reproductive system related pathology. 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 - in addition to physiologically determined 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 excited
Physiologicals include mucus secretion in men when they are excited. When the male sexual organ is in a state of erection, a special mucous secretion is produced by a pair of small exocrine glands: bulbourethral or Cooper. They are located under the prostate - deep in the muscles of the urogenital diaphragm (urogenital diaphragm), at the base of the penis, with access to the urethra passing through it.
The mucous secretion of these glands - a clear colorless liquid with a viscous consistency - is a pre-ejaculate, that is, a preliminary ejaculate that enters the urethra before the release of the sperm inside 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 for sperm. The vagina is also usually acidic (pH = 4. 0-4. 2), so mucus secretion in men when excited 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 Littre's urethral glands, 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 by lubrication in men? The pre-ejaculate contains some of the chemicals found in semen, such as the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase. But at the same time, such a sperm marker as the gamma-glutamyl transferase enzyme is missing.
The question of the likelihood of pre-ejaculated fluid pregnancy is under study, 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 the pre-ejaculated samples, but single motile sperm were recorded in 37%. So don't rule out the possibility of getting pregnant from a preliminary ejaculate.
Mucus secretion 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 secretion 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 gland).
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 streptococci and staphylococci often develops after bladder catheterization or due to violations of basic hygiene rules.
Clinical statistics indicate that more than half of urethral inflammation cases 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 urethral lesions with gonococci are detected in men aged 22 to 37 in about 420 cases out of 100, 000.
Risk factors for the development of urethritis, accompanied by secretions of varying intensity: sexually active age, promiscuity in sexual intercourse and abandonment of their confidence.
The prevalence of cystitis in men is estimated at 0. 8%, which is ten times lower than in women, but its symptoms in patients are the same: mucus in the urine or blood secretion of mucus is combined with quite painful (burning), but poor urination and frequent urination.
Similar symptoms of mucus secretion in men in the case of the formation of stones in the bladder, which many men of mature age face. In addition, as urologists note, often the stenosis of the urethral canal, squeezed by the hypertrophic prostate gland, contributes to the stagnation of urine and the formation of stones.
It is possible to release white mucus in men - when there is a mixture 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 men who went to the doctor do not experience any symptoms of prostatitis, but in the composition of their sperm there is a mixture of pus and, according to the results of a blood test, an increase in the level of leukocytes .
Non-purulent milky mucus can be released in case of prostorrhea - abnormal secretion of the prostate gland with its atony, associated with an excessively active sex life or the presence of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis in a man.
Mucus secretion from the anus in men
With infections of the gastrointestinal tract or its frequent irritation, the secretory cells of the goblet of the inner lining of the intestinal tract begin to produce an excessive amount of mucus, which is released through the rectum.
The main diseases in which there is a mucus discharge from the anus in men are ulcerative colitis and proctitis.
With ulcerative colitis, ulcerations are formed 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 doctors believe 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 associated with the intestine: pain in the joints; ulcers on the mucous membrane of the mouth, 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 perineum, radiating to the part lower back and coccyx), feeling of pressure on the intestinal walls, frequent false desire 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 medical history data, blood tests (general, ELISA, PCR); general, biochemical and bacteriological analyzes of urine; swab from the urethra.
Instrumental diagnosis is performed using ultrasound of the genitourinary organs.
In case of mucous discharge from the rectum, proctologists perform a manual examination of it, prescribe blood, urine and stool tests, and also take a swab from the anus for bacterial culture.
Among the methods of instrumental diagnostics 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, differential diagnosis is required, which is performed using magnetic or computerized resonance imaging.
Treatment of mucus secretion 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, medications may be needed to control the inflammation or surgery.
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.
Also, 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 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 region occurs, which can lead to skin maceration, the appearance of anal fissures, itching, burning and pain during defecation.
Prevention
Prevention of prostatitis is considered to be the timely release of the bladder and intestines; active lifestyle (even 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, in the matter of preventing the occurrence of prostate problems, medicine has not yet offered anything more specific.
Forecast
Doctors do not provide predictions for the development of any symptoms (and pathological excretion of mucus in men - from the urethra or anus - refers to the symptoms) in isolation from the disease that causes it.
And if infections of the urethra, adhering to the doctor's prescriptions, can be cured, patients with ulcerative colitis can only control for life, trying to prevent relapse.