Pre-ejaculate

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Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid or Cowper's fluid, and colloquially as precum) is the clear lubricating fluid that is issued from a man's penis when he is aroused. Slang terms for pre-ejaculate include pre-come, pre-cum, dog water, speed drop, widower's tears, and clear stuff. (A photograph of an erect penis with pre-ejaculate can be seen here)

The fluid is usually secreted by Cowper's glands during masturbation, foreplay or at an early stage during sex, some time before the man reaches orgasm and semen is ejaculated. Pre-ejaculatory fluid prepares the urethra for the passage of semen and neutralizes acidity due to any residual urine. It also lubricates the movement of the penis in the vagina and the foreskin over the glans. The amount of fluid that the human male can issue varies widely between individuals, from imperceptible amounts to a copious flow.

Pre ejaculatory fluid will not cause pregnancy. A problem for couples who seek to avoid pregnancy, however, is that the pre-ejaculate may push sperm from a prior ejaculation out[1]. This is one additional reason why withdrawal (coitus interruptus) is not considered to be a reliable method of birth control. There have been no large-scale studies of sperm in pre-ejaculate, but some smaller-scale studies suggest that any sperm present may be ineffectual at causing pregnancy.[2] It is commonly held, but as yet unverified, that pre-ejaculate may pick up existing sperm in the urethra if the man has not urinated since his last ejaculation.

An article in the April 2003 edition of the Journal of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics set out to determine "if spermatozoa are present in the preejaculatory penile secretion, originating from Cowper's gland." After seeing that none of the pre-ejaculate contained sperm, they concluded that "Preejaculatory fluid secreted at the tip of the urethra from Cowper's gland during sexual stimulation did not contain sperm and therefore cannot be responsible for pregnancies during coitus interruptus" [3] Despite such studies, however, Planned Parenthood still contends that "Of every 100 women whose partners use withdrawal, 27 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Of every 100 women whose partners use withdrawal, four will become pregnant during the first year of perfect use. Pre-ejaculate can contain enough sperm to cause pregnancy. Pregnancy is also possible if semen or pre-ejaculate is spilled on the vulva."[4]

A more serious problem is those same studies have shown the presence of HIV, the virus responsible for the disease AIDS, in pre-ejaculate. Pre-ejaculate can also transmit other STDs.de:Lusttropfen lt:Prejakuliatas nl:Voorvocht