Jump to content

Pre-ejaculate: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
mNo edit summary
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Cleaning up, removed tautology.
Line 4: Line 4:


==Origin and composition==
==Origin and composition==
The fluid is discharged from the urethra of the penis during [[sexual arousal|arousal]], [[masturbation]], [[foreplay]] or at an early stage during [[sexual intercourse]], some time before the individual fully reaches [[orgasm]] and semen is ejaculated. It is primarily produced by the [[bulbourethral gland]]s (Cowper's glands), with the [[glands of Littré]] (the mucus-secreting [[urethral gland]]s) also contributing.<ref name=Chudnovskycite>{{Cite journal| author = Chudnovsky, A. | author2 = Niederberger, C.S. | year = 2007 | title = Copious Pre-Ejaculation: Small Glands—Major Headaches | journal = Journal of Andrology | pmid = 17251594 | volume = 28 | issue = 3 | pages = 374–5 | doi = 10.2164/jandrol.107.002576}}</ref><ref name="chughtai">{{Cite journal|vauthors=Chughtai B, Sawas A, O'Malley RL, Naik RR, Ali Khan S, Pentyala S |title=A neglected gland: a review of Cowper's gland |journal=Int. J. Androl. |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=74–7 |date=April 2005 |pmid=15811067 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2605.2005.00499.x |s2cid=32553227 }}</ref> The amount of fluid that is issued varies widely among individuals. Some individuals do not produce any pre-ejaculate fluid,<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Vazquez E |title=Is it safe to suck? |journal=Posit Aware |volume=8 |issue=4 |page=15 |year=1997 |pmid=11364482 }}</ref> while others emit as much as {{convert|5|ml|lk=in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Chudnovskycite /><ref name="zukerman">{{Cite journal|author1=Zukerman Z. |author2=Weiss D.B. |author3=Orvieto R. | title=Short Communication: Does Preejaculatory Penile Secretion Originating from Cowper's Gland Contain Sperm? | journal=Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics |date=April 2003 | volume=20 | issue=4 | pmid=12762415 | pages=157–159 | doi=10.1023/A:1022933320700 | pmc=3455634}}</ref> The outflow of pre-ejaculate is independent of mechanical or electrical stimulation of the penis or an erection, and can be triggered by erotic thoughts alone.<ref name="Chudnovskycite" />
The fluid is discharged from the urethra of the penis during [[sexual arousal|arousal]], [[masturbation]], [[foreplay]] or at an early stage during [[sexual intercourse]], some time before the individual fully reaches [[orgasm]] and semen is ejaculated. It is primarily produced by the [[bulbourethral gland]]s (Cowper's glands), with the [[glands of Littré]] (the mucus-secreting [[urethral gland]]s) also contributing.<ref name=Chudnovskycite>{{Cite journal| author = Chudnovsky, A. | author2 = Niederberger, C.S. | year = 2007 | title = Copious Pre-Ejaculation: Small Glands—Major Headaches | journal = Journal of Andrology | pmid = 17251594 | volume = 28 | issue = 3 | pages = 374–5 | doi = 10.2164/jandrol.107.002576}}</ref><ref name="chughtai">{{Cite journal|vauthors=Chughtai B, Sawas A, O'Malley RL, Naik RR, Ali Khan S, Pentyala S |title=A neglected gland: a review of Cowper's gland |journal=Int. J. Androl. |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=74–7 |date=April 2005 |pmid=15811067 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2605.2005.00499.x |s2cid=32553227 }}</ref> The amount of fluid that is issued varies widely among individuals. Some individuals do not produce any pre-ejaculate fluid,<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Vazquez E |title=Is it safe to suck? |journal=Posit Aware |volume=8 |issue=4 |page=15 |year=1997 |pmid=11364482 }}</ref> while others emit as much as {{convert|5|ml|lk=in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Chudnovskycite /><ref name="zukerman">{{Cite journal|author1=Zukerman Z. |author2=Weiss D.B. |author3=Orvieto R. | title=Short Communication: Does Preejaculatory Penile Secretion Originating from Cowper's Gland Contain Sperm? | journal=Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics |date=April 2003 | volume=20 | issue=4 | pmid=12762415 | pages=157–159 | doi=10.1023/A:1022933320700 | pmc=3455634}}</ref> The outflow of pre-ejaculate is independent of mechanical or electrical stimulation of the penis or an erection. <ref name="Chudnovskycite" />


Pre-ejaculate fluid contains chemicals associated with semen, such as [[acid phosphatase]], but other semen markers, such as [[gamma-glutamyltransferase]], are absent.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=Gohara WF |title=Rate of decrease of glutamyltransferase and acid phosphatase activities in the human vagina after coitus |journal=Clinical Chemistry |volume=26 |issue=2 |pages=254–7 |date=1 February 1980 |doi=10.1093/clinchem/26.2.254 |pmid=6101549 }}</ref>
Pre-ejaculate fluid contains chemicals associated with semen, such as [[acid phosphatase]], but other semen markers, such as [[gamma-glutamyltransferase]], are absent.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=Gohara WF |title=Rate of decrease of glutamyltransferase and acid phosphatase activities in the human vagina after coitus |journal=Clinical Chemistry |volume=26 |issue=2 |pages=254–7 |date=1 February 1980 |doi=10.1093/clinchem/26.2.254 |pmid=6101549 }}</ref>

Revision as of 15:37, 8 April 2023

Not to be confused with premature ejaculation.
Pre-ejaculate on the glans of the penis

Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid, pre-seminal fluid or Cowper's fluid, and colloquially as pre-cum) is a clear, colorless, viscous fluid that is emitted from the urethra of the penis during sexual arousal. It is similar in composition to semen but has distinct chemical differences. The presence of sperm in the fluid is variable from low to absent. Pre-ejaculate functions as a lubricant and an acid neutralizer.

Origin and composition

The fluid is discharged from the urethra of the penis during arousal, masturbation, foreplay or at an early stage during sexual intercourse, some time before the individual fully reaches orgasm and semen is ejaculated. It is primarily produced by the bulbourethral glands (Cowper's glands), with the glands of Littré (the mucus-secreting urethral glands) also contributing.[1][2] The amount of fluid that is issued varies widely among individuals. Some individuals do not produce any pre-ejaculate fluid,[3] while others emit as much as 5 ml (0.18 imp fl oz; 0.17 US fl oz).[1][4] The outflow of pre-ejaculate is independent of mechanical or electrical stimulation of the penis or an erection. [1]

Pre-ejaculate fluid contains chemicals associated with semen, such as acid phosphatase, but other semen markers, such as gamma-glutamyltransferase, are absent.[5]

Function and risks

Pre-ejaculate neutralizes residual acidity in the urethra caused by urine, creating a more favorable environment for the passage of sperm.[2] The vagina is normally acidic, so the deposit of pre-ejaculate before the emission of semen may change the vaginal environment to promote sperm survival.[1] Pre-ejaculate also acts as a lubricant during sexual activity,[1] and plays a role in semen coagulation.[1]

Low levels or no sperm exists in pre-ejaculate, although studies examined small samples of men.[4][6] Two contrary studies found mixed evidence, including individual cases of a high sperm concentration.[7][8] Popular belief – dating to a 1966 Masters and Johnson study[9] – stated that pre-ejaculate may contain sperm that can cause pregnancy, which is a common basis of argument against the use of coitus interruptus (withdrawal) as a contraceptive method.[4][6]

Studies have demonstrated the presence of HIV in most pre-ejaculate samples from infected men.[6][10][11]

Overproduction

In rare cases, an individual may produce an excessive amount of pre-ejaculate fluid that can be a cause of embarrassment or irritation. A few case reports have indicated satisfactory results when such individuals are treated with a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, such as finasteride.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Chudnovsky, A.; Niederberger, C.S. (2007). "Copious Pre-Ejaculation: Small Glands—Major Headaches". Journal of Andrology. 28 (3): 374–5. doi:10.2164/jandrol.107.002576. PMID 17251594.
  2. ^ a b Chughtai B, Sawas A, O'Malley RL, Naik RR, Ali Khan S, Pentyala S (April 2005). "A neglected gland: a review of Cowper's gland". Int. J. Androl. 28 (2): 74–7. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2605.2005.00499.x. PMID 15811067. S2CID 32553227.
  3. ^ Vazquez E (1997). "Is it safe to suck?". Posit Aware. 8 (4): 15. PMID 11364482.
  4. ^ a b c Zukerman Z.; Weiss D.B.; Orvieto R. (April 2003). "Short Communication: Does Preejaculatory Penile Secretion Originating from Cowper's Gland Contain Sperm?". Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 20 (4): 157–159. doi:10.1023/A:1022933320700. PMC 3455634. PMID 12762415.
  5. ^ Gohara WF (1 February 1980). "Rate of decrease of glutamyltransferase and acid phosphatase activities in the human vagina after coitus". Clinical Chemistry. 26 (2): 254–7. doi:10.1093/clinchem/26.2.254. PMID 6101549.
  6. ^ a b c "Researchers find no sperm in pre-ejaculate fluid". Contraceptive Technology Update. 14 (10): 154–156. October 1993. PMID 12286905.
  7. ^ Killick SR, Leary C, Trussell J, Guthrie KA (2011). "Sperm content of pre-ejaculatory fluid". Human Fertility. 14 (1): 48–52. doi:10.3109/14647273.2010.520798. PMC 3564677. PMID 21155689.
  8. ^ Kovavisarach, E.; Lorthanawanich, S.; Muangsamran, P. (2016). "Presence of Sperm in Pre-Ejaculatory Fluid of Healthy Males". J Med Assoc Thai. 99 Suppl 2: S38–41. ISSN 0125-2208. PMID 27266214.
  9. ^ Masters, W.H. (1966). Johnson, V.E. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company. p. 211.
  10. ^ "Pre-ejaculatory fluid as potential vector for sexual transmission of HIV-1". Lancet. 340 (8833): 1470. 1992. doi:10.1016/0140-6736(92)92659-4. PMID 1360584. S2CID 7106584. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
  11. ^ "Detection of HIV-1 DNA sequences in pre-ejaculatory fluid". Lancet. 340 (8833): 1469. 1992. doi:10.1016/0140-6736(92)92658-3. PMID 1360583. S2CID 43112865. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Pre-ejaculate&oldid=1148828680"