Semen, seminal or pre-seminal fluid, fluid before ejaculation, the terms are often mentioned but rarely understood. From erection to the ejaculatory phase, man secretes fluids whose appearance and functions are quite distinct. Zoom on the different male sexual secretions.

From the first signs of arousal, which are accompanied by an erection, the man’s penis emits an often unrecognized sexual secretion called pre-seminal fluid or liquid before ejaculation.

The pre-seminal fluid is secreted by the Mery-Cowper glands, located on either side of the urethra. Mechanical, this secretion finds its origin in sexual arousal. Preliminaries, masturbation, erotic dream or pornographic image at the origin of an erection are enough to stimulate the Cowper glands and cause the emission of the pre-ejaculatory fluid, without the intercourse necessarily taking place, nor the orgasm. is reached.

Colorless and viscous, the liquid before ejaculation fulfills several functions:

• A natural lubricant: like vaginal secretions, the fluid is used to lubricate the partner’s vagina to promote the penetration necessary for sexual intercourse. It also makes it possible to facilitate the movement of the foreskin and thus ensures the comfort of the man.
• A protective barrier: when there is intercourse following sexual arousal, the pre-seminal fluid is very useful for conception. Its secretion makes it possible to clean the man’s urethra of any residual traces of urine and to form a barrier to the acidity of the woman’s vagina: the spermatozoa can go to fertilize the ovum under the best conditions.

Do all men, during erection, secrete pre-seminal fluid?

No.

Most men emit fluid before ejaculation, but there are some exceptions. On the other hand, and unlike semen, it is impossible to control this secretion.

Can liquid before ejaculation cause pregnancy?

Yes.

A priori, the pre-seminal fluid does not contain sperm. However, it happens that a woman becomes pregnant following an interrupted coitus before ejaculation: this scenario is explained by the remaining presence of sperm in the urethra following ejaculation preceding the sexual intercourse in question.

Can pre-cum transmit sexually transmitted diseases?

Yes.

The fluid emitted by an HIV-positive man before ejaculation can contain the AIDS virus and infect the partner.

Secreted by the seminal vesicles and the prostate, seminal fluid is commonly referred to as semen. In reality, this male sexual fluid is the major component of semen, which additionally contains sperm, in particular. It is secreted at the time of ejaculation, accompanying orgasm.

Seminal fluid acts as a vector for spermatozoa: it accompanies them until they fertilize the egg, protecting them to ensure their survival during passage through the vagina. From a reproductive perspective, seminal fluid therefore plays a decisive role, and its absence or insufficient volume of sperm can represent an obstacle to fertility. Conversely, partners who, without using contraception such as the pill or the IUD, do not want to conceive, must ensure that the seminal fluid does not enter the entrance to the vagina, at the risk of ‘a sperm is carried until fertilizing the egg. In this context, it is widely used to use the withdrawal method: the man withdraws before ejaculating.

Warning: the method of early termination of coitus is not infallible. If the man’s urethra contains sperm, they can be transported to the uterus through the pre-seminal fluid before ejaculation.

In principle, all men secrete these sexual fluids. Otherwise, or when the quality or quantity of fluids is not sufficient, sexual disorders may be observed.

Pre-seminal fluid problem

This hormonal disorder does not have significant consequences related to fertility. Since the liquid before ejaculation mainly acts as a lubricant, its absence is not an obstacle to conception.

Ejaculate problem

When the seminal fluid of the ejaculate does not present the expected qualities, the sperm may not reach the vagina: this can be a factor of infertility. It is useful, in this context, to carry out semen analyzes.