What is the Difference Between Precum and Discharge

Precum and discharge are two related terms. It’s typical to experience a clear penile discharge during sexual activity, which may be pre-ejaculate (precum) or ejaculate. However, the presence of any redness, irritation, odors, or colored discharge without sexual activity suggests an allergy, urinary tract infection, or sexually transmitted infection.

The key difference between precum and discharge is their nature; precum is a normal clear liquid that occurs from the penis during sexual arousal, while discharge is any substance other than urine that occurs from the urethra and flows out the tip of the penis.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Precum  
3. What is Discharge
4. Similarities – Precum and Discharge
5. Precum vs Discharge in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Precum vs Discharge
7. FAQ – Precum and Discharge

What is Precum?

Precum or pre-ejaculate is a clear mucoid fluid made by the Cowper’s glands. Cowper’s glands are accessory glands in the male reproductive system. These glands sit alongside the urethra. Precum is secreted from the tip of the penis during sexual arousal.

Normally, men secrete anywhere from a few drops to up to a teaspoon of the precum. Some men are capable of expelling much more amount of precum. Furthermore, the function of precum is to lubricate the penis in preparation for sex and clear acids from urine out of the penis for more sperm survival.

What is Discharge?

Discharge is any substance other than urine that comes from the urethra and flows out the tip of the penis. It can be normal or abnormal. Normal penile discharges are pre-ejaculate (precum) and ejaculate, which occur with sexual arousal and sexual activity. Various conditions produce male discharges that aren’t considered normal, including urethritis, balanitis, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted infections. 

The symptoms associated with producing abnormal discharges include cloudy, abnormally light or dark, or strangely colored discharges, as well as blood from the urethra when not sexually aroused. These conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood tests, and urine tests. Furthermore, most of these conditions, which result in abnormal discharge production, are caused by bacteria, and therefore, they are typically treated with antibiotics.

Similarities Between Precum and Discharge

• Precum and discharge are two related terms.
• Precum is a type of discharge that occurs in the penis.
• Both are made from the different glands in the male reproductive system.
• They are liquids.
• Both flow out of the penis.

Difference Between Precum and Discharge

Definition

1. Precum, or pre-ejaculate, is a clear mucoid fluid produced by the Cowper’s glands during sexual arousal.
2. Discharge refers to any substance other than urine that emanates from the urethra, a narrow tube in the penis, and exits from the tip of the penis.

Texture

1. Precum is characterized by a clear mucoid texture
2. Discharge can vary, ranging from clear fluid to cloudy, abnormally light or dark, or oddly colored, including blood from the urethra.

Function

1. The function of precum is twofold: to lubricate the penis in preparation for sexual activity and to clear acids from urine out of the penis to enhance sperm survival.
2. Discharge may serve a functional purpose, such as lubricating the penis, or may be indicative of a bacterial infection.

Diagnosis

1. Precum typically does not require diagnosis or treatment.
2. Discharge may necessitate evaluation through physical examination, blood tests, and urine tests.

Treatment

1. Precum usually does not require treatment.
2. However, if discharge is caused by an infection, antibacterial therapy may be necessary.

The infographic below presents the differences between precum and discharge in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Precum vs Discharge

Precum and discharge are two related terms. This is because precum is a type of discharge that occurs in the penis. However, precum or pre-ejaculate is a clear mucoid fluid that is made by the Cowper’s glands during sexual arousal, while discharge is any substance other than urine that comes from a narrow tube in the penis called the urethra and flows out the tip of the penis. Furthermore, precum is normal, whereas discharge can be normal or abnormal. If discharge is due to an infection, it needs treatment, such as antibiotics therapy. Thus, this summarizes the difference between precum and discharge.

FAQ: Precum and Discharge

1. Is precum a discharge?

• Precum and ejaculate are part of the normal discharge. Both of these are released from the tip of the penis during sexual arousal and intercourse. Precum performs a very important function in male reproduction.

2. What’s the difference between precum and ejaculation fluid?

• Precum is released from the penis during sexual activity and before ejaculation. On the other hand, ejaculation fluid is released during ejaculation. Both fluids can contain semen and result in pregnancy.

3. How do I know if he has precum?

• Precum is a clear, mucus-like liquid that appears at the tip of the penis during sexual excitement. It is produced by the accessory sex glands called Cowper’s gland, the glands of Littre, and the glands of Morgagni. The amount can range from a few drops to 5 milliliters.

4. What is abnormal discharge in men?

• Abnormal penile discharge can be green or yellow, cloudy, pus-like, or cheesy and foul-smelling. It most commonly occurs when individuals are not sexually aroused and is a telltale sign of an infection in the male reproductive system.

5. What is the treatment for abnormal discharge in men?

• Treating penile discharge might include antibiotics, refraining from sex during treatment, using condoms when having sex, encouraging sexual partners to seek treatment, or improving penile hygiene.

Reference:

1. Kashyap, Neha. “Penile Discharge.” Verywell Health.
2. “What Is Pre-Ejaculate?” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Ejaculation anatomy en” By Wumingbai – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia