The emergence of sexual desire in women is accompanied by swelling of the mammary glands and the release of lubricant. But few people know what happens to men when they get aroused. The stronger sex is able to produce not only seminal fluid, but also a special lubricant that facilitates sliding during friction.
Male arousal mechanisms
The process of sexual arousal is a complex psychological and physiological reaction. In most cases, sexual attraction begins with eye contact with the object of desire. Images of upcoming sexual intercourse appear in a man's subconscious, which causes an erection.
Not only a real image, but also a fantastic image can arouse sexual desire. This reaction may be slower. Erectile function depends on reactions from the central nervous system. A man's sexual ability is controlled by brain impulses transmitted through the spinal cord.
The main exciting mechanism is our own thoughts and images born from fantasy.
Types of erection and its mechanism:
- Reflex. This reaction occurs after stimulation of the genital organ. The reaction is physiological and often appears within a minute of masturbation. The mechanism originates in the spinal cord. Sexual desire can be observed even in a paralyzed person suffering from spinal injuries.
- Psychogenic. It is an arousal mechanism caused by fantasy and mental processes. Sexual images associated with possible sexual intercourse appear in a man's head. This type of erection requires a healthy nervous system, since only a few patients with lower spinal cord injuries can achieve it.
- Night. Refers to an uncontrolled mechanical erection, occurring in all healthy men. The first nocturnal reaction of sexual excitement is observed even in boys during puberty. Lack of mechanical erection is a reason to consult a doctor and a sign of androgen deficiency and other physiological disorders.
The penis becomes hard once it is filled with arterial blood. Men may feel a discharge when they are aroused. At the same time, the ischiocavernosus muscles contract, compressing the base of the penis and blocking the flow of blood. During this period, urination is difficult.
After contractions along the epididymis, ejaculation occurs - seminal fluid is expelled from the urethra. The neck of the bladder also contracts, preventing the reflux of secretions, then the muscles of the penis contract sharply and rhythmically, releasing 2 to 5 ml of ejaculate.
After ejaculation of semen, the man completely loses sexual desire and the hardness of the genital organ disappears. In this case, for some time, an erection becomes impossible and the formation of seminal fluid resumes.
A healthy man can feel a sexual response again within 10 minutes. However, this period varies and depends on the man's sexual habits and desires. Age, health and mental state play an important role.
What is precum
When they are aroused, men secrete clear mucus: this is pre-ejaculate. It appears with or after an erection. The release of this fluid helps prevent injury to the penis during vaginal penetration.
The absence of pre-ejaculate in a man may indicate a pathology of the reproductive system.
The secreted substance is also often called pre-seminal fluid. There is another name - pre-boot. This lubricant is released not only before sexual intercourse, but also during slight sexual arousal, during caresses and masturbation. The appearance of pre-ejaculate indicates a man's desire to enter into an intimate relationship with a woman.
Where is it produced?
The secretion of lubricant in a man cannot be called a simple process. The body has special glands located in the perineum muscles at the base of the penis. They are called Cooper glands or bulbourethral glands.
The male organs received their name in honor of the discoverer Cooper. They were discovered in the 17th century, but the true purpose of the glandular tissue became known later.
There are also Littre glands, in which part of the pre-ejaculate is formed. They are located in the urethra (from the neck of the bladder to the external opening of the urethra). Their main task is to secrete alkaline mucous fluid, thereby increasing the volume of pre-seminal fluid. Normally this ranges from 2-3 drops to 5ml.
The most common reason for seeking medical attention is the release of pre-semen at the slightest sexual arousal. Such a sign may indicate a malfunction in the genitourinary system and cause problems. However, this situation can be treated. The andrologist prescribes treatment after an appropriate examination.
Compound
Pre-seminal fluid is a mucous secretion containing alkalis and various enzymes. The vaginal environment being acidic and rejecting the man's sperm, the lubricant helps to neutralize the "aggressiveness" of the female microflora.
There is a myth that discharge from a man's urethra can cause a woman to become pregnant. Lubricant does not contain sperm, but they may be present during sexual intercourse without contraception a few hours after masturbation or previous sexual intercourse.
To avoid unwanted pregnancy, it is recommended in this case to use a condom or other means of protection.
Functions
Pre-cum is not only a lubricating transparent liquid, but also a protective reaction of the mucous membrane. The release of pre-cum makes it easier for the penis to penetrate the vagina and helps ease friction if the woman is not producing enough lubrication.
Penile secretions have several important functions:
- neutralize increased acidity of the vaginal microflora,
- facilitate penetration of the penis, facilitate the movement of sperm along the cervix,
- increase the chances of conception,
- remove the contents of the urinary canal (urine, semen).
Sperm die quickly in an acidic environment. And it is thanks to the alkaline pre-ejaculate that they can penetrate intact into the woman's genital tract and fertilize the egg. This is why male lubricant can protect sperm viability.
Discharge from the urethra also increases the risk of getting pregnant, because seminal fluid quickly enters the uterus when sliding. In addition, a natural lubricant will help avoid the use of artificial substitutes and will facilitate the penetration of the penis into the vagina if a woman does not have enough of her own secretions.
What does normal look like?
In medical terminology, urethral discharge is often called libidinal urethrorrhea. In appearance, it is ordinary transparent mucus. During sexual intercourse, it is released in a volume of 1 to 5 ml. This quantity is enough for comfortable sexual contact.
Pre-cum also contains smegma, a fatty substance that accumulates in the fold of the foreskin. If a man is faithful to a sexual partner or uses a condom during sex, there is no additional inclusion or color change. A slight whitish tint is possible.
Reason to see a doctor
The appearance of any suspicious symptoms is a reason to consult a doctor. Such changes in the body should alert you. If a man consults a doctor in time, the disease can be detected at an early stage, which contributes to a speedy recovery.
The symptom will be a clue and a reason to check the body for the presence of infection or inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system. The doctor will prescribe a diagnostic examination and laboratory tests to identify the cause of the development of the pathological process.
Additional symptoms that will help make a diagnosis:
- increased body temperature, fever, fever,
- feeling of pain or discomfort in the pelvic organs,
- redness on the skin, rashes and swelling of tissues,
- purulent and bloody impurities in the discharge,
- itching and burning in the urethra,
- hyperemia in the penis area,
- other suspicious symptoms (urinary retention, erectile dysfunction).
Similar pathological processes in a man's body during excitement and during periods of rest are observed when infected with sexually transmitted diseases. If you notice one or more associated symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. Urgent antibiotic therapy may be necessary.
No pre-cum is released
Some men, after reading the article, may suspect a problem because they are not producing pre-ejaculate. This can either be a sign of normality or a sign of a pathological process.
The volume indicated (1 to 5 ml) is approximate. The amount of discharge from the urethra during arousal may vary and depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Sometimes a man does not notice the release of lubricant, because it is released after penetration into the vagina.
In 5% of cases, the absence of pre-ejaculate is a symptom of the presence of inflammatory diseases. It is recommended to consult your doctor regarding a possible problem. Disabled people and the elderly may not have urethral discharge.
Changes in color and consistency
Any splash of color should alert a man. Normally, the color of pre-semen is transparent, slightly white. You also need to pay attention to density. Pre-seminal fluid is fluid and flows freely from the urinary canal during sexual arousal.
Reasons to see a doctor:
- change in odor, appearance of an unpleasant "fishy" smell mixed with mold,
- increase in discharge volume,
- the presence of blood and pus,
- change in the structure of pre-ejaculate, thickening, appearance of a cheesy sediment,
- Color change.
Shades of gray, red, green, orange and others are a sign of an inflammatory or infectious process. The body thus reacts to a viral invasion. Sometimes colored discharge is a sign of a normal rehabilitation process after prostate surgery, antibiotic therapy or other surgical interventions.
Clear, sticky discharge sometimes indicates infection with infectious diseases: staphylococcus, streptococcus, E. coli. The release of bacteria is observed not only in the pre-semen, but also in the resting state of the penis.
What can the appearance of different shades of pre-cum mean:
- Grey-green color. Indicates the presence of an infection in the body. This is not always a sign of sexually transmitted diseases: flu or ARVI can manifest this way. As a rule, this is accompanied by an increase in body temperature.
- Thick white discharge. They talk about the development of fungal diseases, most often it is candidiasis. It is transmitted by an infected sexual partner. If a pathogen is detected, both the man and the woman must be treated.
- Red color. Indicates the presence of blood in the discharge. This symptom is typical for urological diseases (urethritis, cystitis), chronic prostatitis and a number of other diseases not related to the urinary system: hypertension, atherosclerosis.
- YELLOW. This is a sign of infection with sexually transmitted diseases. Men rarely experience STD symptoms; the disease most often presents in a latent form. When yellow discharge appears, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis and other sexually transmitted diseases can be suspected.
- Purulent discharge. They talk about the presence of certain types of infections, such as gonorrhea, syphilis and gonococcal infection. Often accompanied by urination problems and erectile dysfunction.
Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. A routine examination is not enough to identify the problem, you will have to undergo laboratory diagnosis, in some cases by ultrasound.
The key to recovery is timely consultation with a doctor.
Do not self-medicate or let the illness take its course. Sexually transmitted diseases cause the appearance of numerous pathologies and can lead to urination problems, erectile dysfunction and a reduction in the body's immune defenses.