Pre-ejaculatory Fluid, Precum: What is it?
You hear people talking about pre-ejaculatory fluid, but you don't know exactly what it is? We'll answer your questions.
Pre-ejaculatory fluid, also called pre-seminal fluid or precum, is a viscous, colorless fluid that comes out of the urethra of the penis as soon as there is an erection, to lubricate the glans of the penis.
The urethra is the duct through which urine and sperm exit. And an erection is when the penis becomes engorged with blood, swells and straightens.
What does it look like?
It is a transparent fluid, secreted by glands (the Cowper's glands). Its quantity can vary. So some people with a penis will emit a lot of pre-ejaculatory fluid, others will not even realize that they are secreting it.
As soon as the penis is erect and swells, it presses on the Cowper's glands, and the fluid comes out automatically. So it cannot be controlled.
What is it for?
Pre-ejaculatory fluid serves to lubricate the penis, to facilitate penetration. It also cleans the urethra of acidic traces of urine to create a favorable environment for sperm, and to ensure that they are in good quantity and quality to go and join the egg.
Precum can contain sperm. Pregnancy can therefore occur as soon as there is an erection, not only with ejaculation, if pre-ejaculatory fluid comes into contact with a vulva or vagina.
