Isolation of male transparent mucus from the urethra: physiology and pathology

Studying the mucus secreted by men when they wake up

The emergence of female libido is accompanied by the release of lubrication and swelling of the mammary glands. However, not everyone knows what sexual reps release during arousal. Not only are men able to produce semen during intercourse, but they also produce a special lubricant that helps the penis slide during friction.

If the male is not lubricated when excited, then this is a symptom of some kind of pathology related to the reproductive system. The release of this fluid prevents damage to the male reproductive organs during vaginal penetration.

There are many glands and cells in the body that secrete mucus, but - aside from physiological reasons - mucus secretion in men can be associated with diseases, mainly inflammatory diseases of the urogenital system or male reproductive organs, and some intestinal lesions.

Men secrete mucus when excited

Physiology involves the secretion of mucus when males are excited. A pair of small exocrine glands -- the bulbourethral or Cooper's -- produce a special secretion of mucus when the male sex organs are in an erect state. They are located just below the prostate - deep within the urogenital diaphragm (diaphragma urogenitale) muscle at the base of the penis, into which the urethra can be accessed.

The mucous secretions from these glands -- a colorless, clear, viscous fluid -- are pre-ejaculation, the initial ejaculation (ejaculation or ejaculation) that enters the urethra before sperm is released into the urethra.

This liquid contains glycosaminoglycans (mucus), L-fructose, various enzymes, but most importantly its alkaline reaction (pH>7. 2). The function of Cooper's glands is to neutralize traces of acidic urine in the urethra, as the acidic environment is not conducive to sperm. The vagina is also usually acidic (pH = 4. 0-4. 2), so the mucus secreted by men when they arouse alkalizes the vaginal environment - to improve sperm survival.

The amount of pre-ejaculate varies from man to man (up to 4-5 ml), and some do not produce it at all, so, according to experts, its "standard" has yet to be determined.

Mucus secretion in men can be increased by increasing mucus secretion from the Littre urethral glands, which are located in the intimal 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 due to lubrication? Pre-ejaculate contains some chemicals in semen, such as the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase. But at the same time, it lacks sperm markers like gamma-glutamyltransferase.

The question of the possibility of pregnancy with pre-ejaculation fluids is being studied, but there is no definitive answer. According to the Journal of Human Fertility, the study was conducted from 2011-2016. A group of British doctors found very little semen in 40% of pre-ejaculate samples, but recorded it in 37% of individual motile sperm. Therefore, do not rule out the possibility of pregnancy through initial ejaculation.

male urethra secretes mucus

Pathological secretion of urethral mucus in males can occur with a variety of diseases. The main causes of mucus excretion from the urethra in men are related to 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, and bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella. Infectious urethritis caused by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus usually develops after bladder catheterization or as a result of violation of basic hygiene rules.

Clinical statistics show that more than half of urethral inflammation cases are related to chlamydia; up to 25% - with mycoplasma; 15-20% - with ureaplasma; about 17% - with trichomonas. Fewer than 5% of people develop fungal (candidiasis) urethritis. Gonorrhea and gonococcal urethral lesions were detected in approximately 420 cases per 100, 000 men aged 22-37.

Risk factors for the development of urethritis, with secretions of varying intensity: age of sexual activity, sexual promiscuity and neglect of safety.

The prevalence of cystitis in men is estimated at 0. 8%, which is 10 times lower than in women, but its symptoms are the same in patients: mucus or mucus-bloody discharge in urine with considerable pain (burning pain), But rarely urinating and frequent urination.

With stones forming in the bladder, men experience similar mucus discharge symptoms that many adult men face. Additionally, as urologists point out, narrowing of the urethral tube is often squeezed by an enlarged prostate, leading to stagnant urine and stone formation.

Men may release white mucus - when bacterial chronic prostatitis is mixed with pus, it accounts for less than 10% of all cases (the most common pathogens are Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella). By the way, about 12% of men who went to the doctor did not experience any symptoms of prostatitis, but found a mixture of pus in their sperm composition, and according to blood tests, prostatitis increased white blood cell levels.

In the case of prostatitis, non-purulent milky mucus is released - abnormal secretion of the prostate and its weakness, associated with hyperactive sex or the presence of non-bacterial chronic prostatitis in men.

male anal mucus

With a gastrointestinal infection or its frequent irritation, the goblet secretory cells lining the gut begin to produce excess mucus, which is released through the rectum.

The main diseases of male anal mucus discharge are ulcerative colitis and proctitis.

In ulcerative colitis, ulcers form at foci of inflammation in the colon and rectal mucosa. Patients complain not only of anal mucus discharge, but also fatigue, decreased physical strength, loss of appetite, and periodic rectal bleeding. The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown, but most clinicians believe its pathogenesis lies in an abnormal immune system response to bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms unrelated to the gut suggest a systemic nature of ulcerative colitis: joint pain; ulcers in the oral mucosa, skin, and subcutaneous tissue; blood clots in the veins; inflammation of the gallbladder, liver, etc.

The cause of the development of proctitis - inflammation of the rectal mucosa - is most often associated with infection and its symptoms include: rectal mucus secretion, bleeding, pain (located in the lower abdomen and perineum, radiating to the lower back and coccyx), feeling of pressure on the bowel wall, Frequent false urges to have a bowel movement, diarrhea and/or constipation.

Who to contact?

Urologist, Proctologist.

Diagnosis of mucus secretion in men

When men expel mucus from the urethra, the diagnosis includes medical history data, blood tests (general, ELISA, PCR); general biochemical and bacteriological analysis of urine; swabs from the urethra.

Instrumental diagnosis using ultrasound of the genitourinary organs.

If rectal mucus is drained, a proctologist will examine it manually, doing blood, urine, and stool tests, and taking a swab from the anus for bacterial culture.

Among the instrumental diagnostic methods, the following methods are used: sigmoidoscopy (proctoscopy), colonoscopy, X-ray and abdominal ultrasound.

Differential diagnosis

Considering the multiple causes of these symptoms, a differential diagnosis is warranted, using either computerized or magnetic resonance imaging.

Treatment of mucus discharge in men

Mucus secretion in men with infectious urethritis can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

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, medication or surgery to control inflammation may be required.

Consequences and Complications

Experts say this consequence and complication of a disorder in which men secrete mucus from the urethra:

  • inflammation of the seminal vesicles (vesiculitis);
  • Epididymitis - inflammation of the epididymis (most likely obstruction);
  • Inflammation of the bulbourethral glands (couperitis) and its possible irreversible dysfunction;
  • Impaired spermatogenesis, anorgasmia, dyspareunia, sexual dysfunction, and infertility.

In addition, inflammation of the prostate is full of adenomas or adenocarcinomas of the prostate.

The most dangerous consequences of nonspecific ulcerative colitis are perforation of the colon or rectal wall (fistula formation), intestinal bleeding with massive blood loss, and the development of tumors (colorectal cancer). And with proctitis's profuse mucus discharge, irritation of the perianal area occurs, which can lead to maceration of the skin, the appearance of anal fissures, itching, burning, and pain during bowel movements.

prevention

Prostatitis prevention is considered a timely release from the bladder and bowel; an active lifestyle (including intimate relationships, but only protected sex); following personal hygiene rules; healthy food, and getting rid of all bad habits. However, these recommendations apply to almost any condition, so medicine has yet to offer more specific advice when it comes to preventing prostate problems.

forecast

Doctors do not predict the development of any symptoms (and the pathological excretion of mucus in men - from the urethra or anus - refers to the symptoms) in isolation from the disease that caused it.

If the urinary tract infection can be cured according to the doctor's advice, then the patients with ulcerative colitis can only be controlled for life and try to prevent recurrence.