How Much Arousal Is Required For Bulbourethral Glands To Liquidate?

Posted on Thu, 23 Jan 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 Answered on

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I have a question regarding the Cowper Glands or bulbourethral glands. I was wondering how much arousal is necessary to cause it to liquidate. Now I am asking this question due to a religious dilemma i have in that I am not allowed to emit such fluid. I was wondering how much sexual arousal will cause this. Like do I at least have to have a partial erection etc. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Manuel C See IV (14 hours later)

Brief Answer: little is known about Cowper's gland triggers. Detailed Answer: Good Day and thank you for being with XXXXXXX ! Bulbourethral or Cowper's gland produces pre-ejaulate to lubricate & pre-clean urethra ahead of sperm containing ejaculate. This fluid alkalinizes urethra plus neutralizes and eliminates any residual urine. So the pre ejaculate makes and prepares the urethra for the coming sperm. That being said, little is still known what triggers and how the Cowper's gland be stimulated to excrete its secretions. Not all men have significant amount of pre ejaculate secretions and it ranges from 0-5mL. There are also some reports that there was secretions of pre ejaculate fluid even without erection but only in the presence of visual stimulation. Although majority of men still needs erection and stimulation before having pre ejaculate fluid. Nothing is still clear at the moment but one theory is that pre ejaculate only needs visual and mental stimulation while true ejaculation needs physical stimulation. If you feel you have excessive amounts of secretions , for my patients I usually prescribe OTC decongestants which may also help decrease the secretions in the Cowper's glands. I hope I have succeeded in providing the information you were looking for. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications at: WWW.WWWW.WW I would gladly help you. Best wishes. Regards, Manuel C. See IV, M.D. DPBU FPUA

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manuel C See IV (3 hours later)

Hi thanks for your reply, I just wanted to clarify something before I leave. You wrote "There are also some reports that there was secretions of pre ejaculate fluid even without erection but only in the presence of visual stimulation." Question 1) In this scenario is it rare, to produce pre ejaculate without a full erection? 2) When you mention without any erection. In these cases does erection mean full erection or they had no engorgement whatsoever? 3) Also with me personally, I dont secrete this fluid out of the urethra even with a full erection and strong sexual arousal (I have noticed this on more than one occasion, do you think I would produce this fluid while in everyday activities without so much sexual arousal, but maybe minor very benign instances. As in I work sometimes with woman, I dont feel considerably engorged but just how any man feels toward a woman.? 4) Lastly if the gland secretes the fluid will it for sure exit from the urethra. Like is it a downward slope that if it is secreted it would for sure exit the urethra. Sorry for the weird questions. Thanks and I would appreciate it if you could answer it numbered as I know which answer pertains to which question. Thanks so much again I appreciate it!

Answered by Dr. Manuel C See IV (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Please see the answers below. Detailed Answer: Thank you for your followup questions: 1.) Yes i believe these occurrences are rare and the usual scenario is having a pre-ejaculate just prior to the true ejaculation after a significant arousal and eraction. 2.) Without any erection meaning there was no engorgement whatsover and the pre-ejaculate just came out but these are rare occurrences. 3.) If you dont produce a significant pre-ejaculate during a full erection or during arousal then I dont think you would be producing a significant pre-ejaculate on a more benign conditions. 4.) Yes, if the gland would secrete the pre ejaculate, it contains prostaglandins and other substances that would also trigger the penile urethra to expel the fluid out the opening. The urethra is a muscular organ and contracts to expel urine and semen out. I hope I have succeeded in providing the information you were looking for. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications at: WWW.WWWW.WW I would gladly help you. Best wishes. Regards, Manuel C. See IV, M.D. DPBU FPUA

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manuel C See IV (4 minutes later)

BSD sorry but just to clarify; for 2) This rare occurence did it happen with sexual stimulation or was it just something that happened, Like was the patient put into a certain sexual situation or did this just happen on its own in a non sexual setting? 3) For this one do you think I would produce any because I dont want to put myself in such a scenario where I produce any. 4) Also even if a little bit gets excreted will it for sure be pushed out? thanks and I am sorry for stretching this out. I appreciate it. Also to clarify for number 3. I just want to make known that I only noticed there wasnt significant amounts of cowper fluids with a full erection on a couple occasions but there was secretions on other occasions. But using this as a reference for whether my body would emit such fluid from the glands. Sorry but I just wanted to clarify that and know if your answer still stands as is. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Manuel C See IV (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Pls see answers below. Detailed Answer: 2.) In the rare occurrence, It was just visual stimulation wherein the person saw something arousable and a pre-ejaculate came out of his penis. But it cannot happen on a non-sexual setting. We need as sexual visual or auditory trigger to stimulate the cowpers gland. 3) If you are in a n0n sexual setting then i think you may not produce a pre-ejaculate. 4) If only a small amount it may get excreted but it wouldnt be too evident and the underwear will surely absorb a few drops of liquid. Regards, Manuel C. See IV, M.D. DPBU FPUA

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Manuel C See IV (2 hours later)

Im sorry for drawing this out more than it needs to be and if the site always me to tip I will surely give you one, you have been so helpful, I am just researching this so I become more knowledgeable. 2) Now when you say rare does that mean that this wouldnt happen to everyone but only select few people etc.? 3) (note: this is referring to me as a person rather than the rare occurrences spoken previously) Can you elaborate on non sexual setting. Basically if I were in a scenario where I didnt have a partial erection or noticeable arousal, do you think that I would more than most likely not have my glands produce anything. No matter what the setting? Because there are certain situations where I am looking at something that is about love or couples, seeing a couple give a slight kiss, etc. Situations that by today standards are considered benign and not totally sexual. Also there is no considerable engorgement (maybe slight reflexive movements sort of the same ones that if it were inflated and deflating from heat or cold, but very slight movements I should add.) Would you say that I more than most likely would NOT produce such liquid in the Cowper glands, given my history? 4) Regarding this question I was referring to secretions of the glands themselves. I was speaking more that if the glands liquidate a small amount of liquid will I know this by checking out the tip of the urethra; as in the urethra would push out anything even a small minor amount of liquid? Sorry and thanks for help.

Answered by Dr. Manuel C See IV (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: I'm sorry for not being as clear as I wanted to. Detailed Answer: 1) Yes when i say rarely it means that it occurs in a very select few and not to the majority so in essence there is very very low probability that it will happen to you. 2) There are some rare instances that the Cowper's gland may secrete its fluid when a man would just be stimulated by looking at a sexy woman although he didn't get an erection but again to be clear this is an unusual situation and rarely occurs. Normally the Cowper's gland would not secrete fluid just by mere visual stimulation and the secretion would usually precede ejaculation after adequate sexual and physical contact with a complete erection. Let's say 99% of men would have this normal process of stimulation- erection - pre ejaculation - ejaculation - detumescence. 3) yes I would say that given your normal sexual histories that you are probably in the normal group following the process I have elaborated in answer 2. 4) yes a few drops of fluid will still be expelled by the urethra. You may check by pinching the tip of the penis to further expel the fluid inside the urethra. Regards, Manuel C. See IV, M.D. DPBU FPUA

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar