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 awakening among the representatives of the stronger sex. Men can 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 when men are excited, this is a sign of some kind of pathology related to the reproductive system. The release of this fluid prevents damage to the male genital organ during vaginal penetration.
There are many glands and cells that secrete mucus in the body, but - in addition to physiologically determined causes - mucus secretion in men can be associated primarily with inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system or male genital organs, as well as with some diseases. intestinal pathologies.
Excretion of mucus when excited in men
Physiological involves the secretion of mucus in men when they are excited. When the male genital organ is erect, a special mucous secretion is produced by a pair of small exocrine glands - bulbourethral or Cooper. 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 through it.
The mucous secretion of these glands - a colorless transparent liquid with a viscous consistency - is pre-ejaculation, that is, the initial ejaculation that enters the urethra from the release of sperm into it (ejaculation or ejaculation).
This fluid contains glycosaminoglycans (mucus), L-fructose, various enzymes, but most importantly its alkaline reaction (pH>7, 2). The secretory function of Cooper's glands is to neutralize acidic urine traces in the urethra, because an acidic environment is unfavorable for sperm. The vagina is also usually acidic (pH = 4. 0-4. 2), so in men, when mucus secretion is aroused, it alkalizes the vaginal environment - for better sperm survival.
In different men, the amount of pre-ejaculate varies (up to 4-5 ml), and in some it is not produced at all, therefore, according to experts, its "norm" has not been determined.
In men, mucus secretion can be increased by increasing secretion production by Littre's urethral glands located in the lining epithelium 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 for men to get pregnant without lubrication? Pre-ejaculate contains some chemicals present in sperm, such as the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase. But at the same time, there is no sperm marker such as gamma-glutamyl transferase enzyme.
The question of the possibility of pregnancy from pre-ejaculatory fluid is studied, but there is still no definitive answer. According to the Journal Human Fertility, studies conducted between 2011 and 2016. 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 the possibility of getting pregnant without the initial ejaculation.
Mucous discharge from the urethra in men
Pathological discharge of mucus from the urethra in men can occur with a number of diseases. The main causes of mucus discharge from the urethra in men 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 Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp. , Kleb. And infectious urethritis caused by streptococci 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 into mycotic (candidiasis) urethritis. In men aged 22-37 years, gonorrhea and urinary tract lesions with gonococci are found in about 420 cases per 100, 000.
Risk factors for the development of urethritis accompanied by secretions of different intensity: sexually active age, sexual intercourse disorder 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 are the same in patients: mucous or mucous-bloody discharge in the urine is combined with quite painful (burning), but less. urine and frequent urination.
Similar symptoms of mucus discharge in men with the formation of stones in the bladder, which many men in adulthood experience. Moreover, as noted by urologists, the narrowing of the urethral canal, which is often compressed by the hypertrophied prostate gland, contributes to the stagnation of urine and the formation of stones.
In men, it is possible to separate white mucus - when there is a mixture of pus in bacterial chronic prostatitis, it 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 consult a doctor do not have any symptoms of prostatitis, but their sperm contains a mixture of pus, and according to the results of a blood test, an increase in prostatitis is observed. leukocyte level.
Non-purulent milky mucus prostorrhea - abnormal secretion of the prostate gland with atony, or excessively active sex life, or non-bacterial chronic prostatitis in men can be separated.
Mucus discharge 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 large amounts of mucus, which is released through the rectum.
In men, the main diseases in which mucus flows from the anus are ulcerative colitis and proctitis.
With ulcerative colitis, ulcers form at the site of inflammation in the mucous membrane 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 is caused by an abnormal response of the immune system to bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The systemic nature of ulcerative colitis is indicated by manifestations not related to the intestines: pain in the joints; ulcers on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, skin and subcutaneous tissue; formation of blood clots in the veins; inflammation of the gallbladder, liver, etc.
The causes of the development of proctitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the rectum - are most often associated with infection, and its symptoms include the following: rectal mucus discharge, bleeding, pain (localized under the abdomen and perineum, spreading to the lower back). and coccyx), a 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, diagnosis is based on anamnesis data, blood tests (general, ELISA, PCR); general, biochemical and bacteriological analyzes of urine; tampon 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 tests, and also take a swab from the anus for bacterial culture.
The following instrumental diagnostic methods are used: sigmoidoscopy (rectoscopy), colonoscopy, X-ray of the abdominal cavity and ultrasound.
Differential Diagnosis
Given that there are several reasons for the appearance of these symptoms, a differential diagnosis performed using calculated or magnetic resonance imaging is necessary.
Treatment of mucous discharge in men
Effective treatment of mucus secretion in men with infectious urethritis is provided by the use of antibacterial drugs.
NSAIDs are used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis: rectal suppositories are inserted into the rectum three times a day (1-2 suppositories).
Treatment of proctitis depends on the cause of the inflammation. Bacterial proctitis is usually treated with antibiotics. If proctitis is caused by inflammatory bowel disease, medication or surgery may be needed to control the inflammation.
Consequences and complications
Experts name the following consequences and complications of diseases in which men secrete mucus from the urethra:
- inflammation of seminal vesicles (vesiculitis);
- epididymitis - inflammation of the epididymis (high probability of its 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 nonspecific ulcerative colitis are perforation of the walls of the colon or rectum (with the formation of fistulas), intestinal bleeding with large blood loss, and the development of oncology (colorectal cancer). With significant mucous secretion accompanying proctitis, irritation of the perianal region occurs, which can cause skin maceration, the appearance of an anal fissure, itching, burning, and pain during defecation.
Prevention
Prevention of prostatitis is considered timely release of bladder and bowels; active lifestyle (in an intimate sense, but only with protected sex); observe 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, so medicine has not yet offered anything more specific in terms of preventing prostate problems.
Forecast
Doctors do not predict the development of any symptoms (and the pathological secretion of mucus in men - from the urethra or anus - refers to symptoms) is isolated from the disease that caused it.
And if urethral infections can be treated by following the doctor's orders, ulcerative colitis patients can only monitor for life, trying to prevent recurrences.