What is precum? It’s a topic that is often surrounded by myths and misconceptions, leaving a lot of people confused and unsure about its risks and or even its base function in the boy. However, understanding what it is, and how it can be different from person to person, is crucial for anyone who wants to make informed decisions about their sexual health.
In this post, we will dive deep into the world of precum and answer some of the most pressing questions people have about it. So take a deep breath and get ready to learn everything you need to know about this arousal fluid, including whether you can get pregnant or catch an STI from it!
What is Precum?
Precum is also known as pre-ejaculate. It’s a fluid that is released from the penis during sexual arousal before ejaculation.
The main purpose is to control pH levels within the penis. So, when someone is sexually excited, the precum helps to neutralize the acidity of the urethra. Because the urethra is also the exit for urine which is highly acidic, and not a good environment for sperm. But precum also helps makes the vagina less acidic, so the little swimmers have a lower mortality rate and a higher mobility rate.
And we all know that the lubrication factor makes sex easier – instead of it feeling like you’re rubbing things together to start a fire.
It’s not the same as semen!
While seme is produced in the testicles, specifically in the tiny tubes called the seminiferous tubules and then stored in the epididymis, pre-ejaculate comes from then called the Cowper’s gland (which is about the size of a pea). It’s made up of enzymes and mucus, and its purest form does not contain any living sperm cells.
How Much Is Normal?
Anyone with a penis will know that you might or might not feel that precum is happening and that it’s uncontrollable. You’ll only notice it if you see a little damp spot in your underwear or if you see a little drip at the tip. And if you’re wondering, the average amount is about 4 ml – which is less than a teaspoon.
However, there are some people that do have more than average precum. Medically it’s not a problem, just be socially embarrassing. However, if you really don’t like it you can talk to your doctor and there are things that can be done about it. This is especially important for anyone practicing the withdrawal method – we’ll get to in a second.
How to Know if Your Precum is Healthy
Precum should be clear. But if it isn’t, it would be completely normal to be worried. There’s also a blurred line between precum and discharge from an infection.
Maybe your precum could be discolored because of the discharge from an infection. But let’s not worry about that – let’s leave that information up to the professionals. All you need to know is if you see something other than a normal, clear viscous substance, you should seek help.
First, ANY part of the body can be susceptible to infections, even your nether regions.
This could change your discharge to a yellowish-green color. You might also have a burning sensation or an urgent need to pee. There can even be no symptoms at all. This can come from something like chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, or gonorrhea. But before you pass out, it can also be caused by normal bacteria finding their way into the urinary tract.
Precum can also be affected by something called Balanitis. This is a condition that is most notably seen as an inflammation in the head of the penis. And in case you’re going to jump in a circumcised versus uncircumcised war, it can get into both kinds. You might see a blotchy red rash, pain when urinating, penis, or oozing discharge from under the foreskin. This can come from poor hygiene, an allergy, or an STI.
Men can also get UTIs = urinary tract infections. This can cause a clear or puss-like fluid from the penis.
No matter what, the best thing you can do would be to visit a healthcare professional!
The doctor will take a medical and sexual history, ask about your symptoms, examine your penis, and use a cotton swab to take a sample of your discharge to be analyzed by a lab.
If you’re living in a country where healthcare is not as accessible to people without insurance *cough – looking at you States – cough*, there are free clinics – yes with long waiting lines, but better to be safe than very sick.
You should also look if there are clinics that specialize in things like sexual health – which will very often have free services and tests. I believe these are sometimes called Planned Parenthood clinics? Correct me if I’m wrong.
What is Precum? Is There Sperm Inside?
Here’s where we get a bit of mixed information. There are plenty of scientific studies about how much sperm is found in pre-ejaculate. But there are no “hard numbers” across the board to make you feel better. Like if you’re over 35, you’ll have “insert number here.” Basically, these papers have shown that over 40% of men will have sperm in their precum. But there’s also evidence that some men always have it while others never do. It’s a real mixed bag.
The reason for having “extra passengers” could come from one of two reasons.
First, semen has the possibility to leak into pre-ejacul from other reproductive organs. Second, there could be semen left over from other ejaculations. It’s hung around in the urethra and has mixed with the pre-ejaculate during the next sexual arousal.
There are ideas that this could be why some men are more successful at always getting their partners pregnant while others perhaps or not – of course, this is your speculative and not counting any people who have outlying problems with getting pregnant.
Can Precum Get You Pregnant?
It’s safe to assume by now that you know the answer is yes, it’s possible. So, anyone thinking using the pull-out method is a good idea for birth control, now you know it should be backed up with another form of birthcontrol (if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy).
And for those who are thinking that peeing afterward (because your urine is acidic) will kill the sperm, studies have already shown that it won’t get all of them. And all it takes is just one little guy to find his way through. Also, sperm can live up to 5 days within the vaginal tract.
FUN FACT: The withdrawal method is also called coitus interrupts.
Can I Get an STI from Precum?
The World Health Organization explained that STIs like HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and hepatitis B, can be spread through fluids including, yep, precum.
So the, “I can’t get an orgasm with a condom” gets the world’s smallest violin.
There’s enough evidence, educational materials, and even social media for those who have poor attention spans, for people to know that you need a barrier method against STIs – and the only one we have now is a condom. Because precum has its place if you’re tested and trying to get pregnant, etc. But it’s not something to mess around with otherwise.
Well, now that you’re armed with all the necessary information, you can jump into the sexual world knowing you can make the best decisions possible (like ones that involve condoms). You can also relax if you’re making a bit more than normal or to not relax and go to the doctor if things seem off.
Want more articles? You might like these…
- Weird Ways People Try to Get Pregnant
- Oral Sex STDs 101 – Things to Know Before Opening Your Mouth
- Vaginal Infections and Sex – Quick Guide to Why It Itches
Any other advice or experience you want to add about “what is precum?” Share in the comments!
