Pre-ejaculate

Pre-ejaculate, often called pre-cum, is made mainly by the Cowper's glands, also known as the bulbourethral glands. These are two pea-sized glands just below the prostate that release a thick, clear mucus into the spongy part of the urethra before ejaculation¹. Compared with the prostate or seminal vesicles, these glands have received little research attention¹.

Its best-established job is to neutralise traces of acidic urine left in the urethra¹. Its slippery texture also adds a little lubrication. It is a separate secretion from ejaculate, which is mostly seminal plasma from the seminal vesicles and prostate.

How much men produce varies a lot. Some barely notice it; others produce enough to seek medical advice about it³. Both are within the normal range of bodies.

Does pre-ejaculate contain sperm?

Sometimes. Small studies disagree, but at least two have found moving sperm in pre-ejaculate from a minority of men.

In a UK study of 27 men, 11 (41%) produced pre-ejaculate containing sperm, and in 10 of them a reasonable proportion of the sperm were moving. Men tended to be consistent: their samples contained sperm either every time or never².

A study of 42 healthy Thai men found actively moving sperm in 16.7% of pre-ejaculate samples⁴, while an earlier study of 12 men found no sperm in any sample³. All three studies were small, so the true proportion is uncertain. What they suggest is that some men may be much more likely than others to have sperm in their pre-ejaculate, and there is no home test that tells you which group you are in².

Can you get pregnant from pre-cum?

It is possible, which is one reason withdrawal is an unreliable form of contraception. Condoms need to go on before any genital contact, not just before ejaculation.

Researchers have proposed two reasons withdrawal fails: pulling out too late, and sperm in the pre-ejaculate⁴. The UK researchers concluded that condoms should be used from the first moment of genital contact, noting that men who leak sperm in pre-ejaculate may be less able to rely on withdrawal than others². You cannot tell by looking whether your own pre-ejaculate contains sperm. Putting a condom on from the start also protects against sexually transmitted infections.

If you are worried after unprotected sex, emergency contraception is available from pharmacies and sexual health clinics, and works best the sooner it is taken.

Is it normal to produce a lot of pre-cum, or none?

Yes, both. The amount varies widely between men and from one encounter to the next.

Some men find they produce a lot, occasionally enough to see a doctor about it³, while others notice very little. Neither on its own is a sign of a problem. Producing a lot does not mean you are more fertile, and producing little says nothing about your semen.

See a GP or sexual health clinic if you have discharge from the penis when you are not aroused, especially if it is cloudy, coloured or smelly, or if you have pain or burning when you pee. Those symptoms can indicate an infection.

Common questions

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Sources

1. Chughtai B, Sawas A, O'Malley RL, et al. A neglected gland: a review of Cowper's gland. Int J Androl. 2005;28(2):74-77. PubMed
2. Killick SR, Leary C, Trussell J, Guthrie KA. Sperm content of pre-ejaculatory fluid. Hum Fertil (Camb). 2011;14(1):48-52. PubMed
3. Zukerman Z, Weiss DB, Orvieto R. Does preejaculatory penile secretion originating from Cowper's gland contain sperm? J Assist Reprod Genet. 2003;20(4):157-159. PubMed
4. Kovavisarach E, Lorthanawanich S, Muangsamran P. Presence of sperm in pre-ejaculatory fluid of healthy males. J Med Assoc Thai. 2016;99 Suppl 2:S38-41. PubMed

Not medical advice. Written by Eric Stephens from the research cited above; not reviewed by a doctor. If something worries you, see a GP.