What Is Pre Cum? Here's Everything You Need to Know

Pre-cum, or pre-ejaculate if we're being fancy, is one of those things you know exists if you have sex with people with penises. But, chances are you probably don't know what it actually is. No shade meant - I write about sex stuff every day and up until approx two minutes ago didn't have a damn clue.

Is it the same as full-on ejaculate? Is it risky in terms of unwanted pregnancies and STIs? Dr Clare Morrison from MedExpress explains what everyone should know about it.

What the hell is pre-cum though?

Pre-ejaculate, or ‘pre-cum’ as it is known, is the fluid which comes out of the penis, when the owner of said penis becomes aroused. It appears when the penis-haver is super turned on - for example during foreplay/pre-sex build up, or masturbation, and generally just before they ejaculate.

Where does it come from?

The fluid comes from the ‘Cowpers glands’ situated at the base of the penis. As it passes through the ‘urethra’ (the tube through the penis that people pee from), it mixes with mucus produced by the urethral glands. Finally, it oozes out of the end of the penis and voila! Pre-cum!

What’s the point in it?

It acts as a lubricant, to reduce friction during sex. It is slightly alkaline, which helps to neutralise the otherwise acidic environment in the urethra, caused by urine. This helps the sperm to survive.

Can it get you pregnant?

The short answer is yes, possibly. Although it doesn’t generally contain many sperm, it’s possible that a few may be left over from the last time the person ejaculated. These may come out with the pre-ejaculate, especially if they haven't passed any urine since then.

Always bear in mind that it only takes one sperm to get pregnant!

Can it pass on STIs?

Yes, it most certainly can. Bacteria and viruses can be passed on in this fluid, including HIV.

Can women and people with vaginas produce pre-cum?

Women and people with vaginas do produce extra fluid during intercourse. This comes from ‘Bartholins glands’ situated in the vagina. Additional fluid comes from the vaginal wall itself, and from the cervix. So it’s possible for women and people with vaginas to get quite wet during intercourse, giving the impression of a pre-ejaculate.

How do we protect ourselves from pre-cum?

It's important to wear a condom even it the person doesn’t ejaculate inside the vagina. Why? Because you can’t stop the pre-ejaculate from coming out, no matter what you do.

Not only can this spread sexually transmitted infections, but it can occasionally lead to pregnancy, too.