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 representatives of the stronger sex. Men are able to produce not only a basic fluid during sex, but also special channels that facilitate the gliding of the penis during friction.
If there is no lubrication in men when they are excited, then this is a sign of some kind of pathology related to the reproductive system. 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 causes - secretion of mucus in men can be associated with diseases, mainly of the genitourinary system or inflammatory diseases of the male reproductive organs, as well as some. intestinal pathologies.
Mucus secretion in men when they are excited
Physiological include the secretion of mucus in men when they are excited. When the male sexual organ is in an erect state, a special mucous secretion is produced by a pair of small exocrine glands - bulbourethral or Cooper's. They are located below 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 going inside it.
The mucous secretion of these glands is pre-ejaculate - a transparent colorless liquid of a viscous consistency - that is, pre-ejaculate that enters the urethra before sperm are released into it (ejaculation or ejaculation).
This liquid contains glycosaminoglycans (mucus), L-fructose, various enzymes, but most importantly, its alkaline reaction (pH>7. 2). The function of the secretion of Cooper's glands is to neutralize traces of acidic urine in the urethra, since the acidic environment is unfavorable for sperm. The vagina is also usually acidic (pH = 4. 0-4. 2), so the mucus secretion in men when aroused alkalizes the vaginal environment - for better sperm survival.
The amount of pre-ejaculate varies in different men (up to 4-5 ml), and in some cases it is not produced at all, so according to experts, its "norm" is not established.
Mucus secretion in men can be increased by increasing the production of mucous 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 some of the chemicals present in semen, such as the lysosomal acid phosphatase enzyme. But at the same time, there is no such sperm marker as the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase.
The question of the probability of pregnancy from pre-ejaculate fluid is being studied, but there is still no definitive answer. According to the Journal Human Fertility, studies conducted in 2011-2016. A group of British doctors found very little semen in 40% of the pre-ejaculate samples, but in 37% single motile spermatozoa were recorded. Therefore, do not exclude the possibility of being pregnant from pre-ejaculate.
Mucus secretion from the urethra in men
Pathological secretion of mucus in men from the urethra can occur with some diseases. The main causes of mucus discharge in men from the urethra are 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 often develops due to strepto- and staphylococci 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 to 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 different intensity: sexually active age, promiscuity 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: there is mucus in the urine or mucus-blood discharge accompanied by a lot of pain (burning), but scanty. Frequent urination and micturition.
Similar symptoms of mucus discharge in men in the case of the formation of stones in the bladder, which many men of mature age face. Moreover, as noted by urologists, the tightness of the urethral canal, pressure by the hypertrophied prostate gland, often contributes to the stagnation of urine and the formation of calculi.
White mucus can be released in men - when there is an admixture of pus in chronic bacterial prostatitis, which is not more than 10% of all cases (the most common pathogens are Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp. ). By the way, about 12% of the men who went to the doctor have no signs of prostatitis, but an admixture of pus is found in the composition of their sperm, 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 with an overly active sex life, or with the presence of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis in men.
Mucus secretion from the anus in men
With infections of the gastrointestinal tract or frequent irritation, goblet secretory cells lining the intestinal tract begin to produce an additional amount of mucus, which is released 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, ulcerations form at the site of inflammatory foci 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 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 related to the intestines: pain in the joints; ulcers on the mucous membrane in the mouth, on the skin and on the subcutaneous tissue; 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 often related to infection, and among its symptoms are: secretion of rectal mucus, bleeding, pain (located in the lower abdomen and perineum, radiating to the axislower. and coccyx), feeling of pressure on the intestinal walls, frequent false urge to defecate, diarrhea and / or constipation.
Who should be contacted?
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.
An instrumental diagnosis is made using ultrasound of the genitourinary organs.
In the case of mucous discharge from the rectum, proctologists perform a manual examination, perform blood, urine and feces tests, and also take a swab 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
Considering that there are several reasons for the appearance of these symptoms, a differential diagnosis is required, 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 the use of antibacterial drugs.
To treat 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 give such consequences and difficulties associated with diseases in which there is secretion of mucus from the urethra in men:
- inflammation of the underlying 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 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 secretions that accompany proctitis, irritation occurs in the perianal region, which can lead to softening of the skin, the appearance of anal fissures, itching, burning and pain during defecation.
Prevention
Prevention of prostatitis is observed timely discharge of the bladder and intestines; active lifestyle (including in personal terms, but only with protected sex); compliance with personal hygiene rules; healthy food, as well as getting rid of all bad habits. However, these recommendations are suitable for almost any disease, therefore, when it comes to preventing problems with the prostate, medicine has not yet offered anything more specific.
Forecast
Doctors do not give forecasts regarding the development of any symptom (and the pathological excretion of mucus in men - from the urethra or the anus - refers to symptoms) separately from the disease that causes it.
And if the infections of the urethra, following the doctor's prescription, can be cured, then ulcerative colitis patients can only control for the rest of their lives, trying to prevent relapses.