Q&As Health Questions

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Thank you for getting in touch with us here at Men's Sexual Health. Firstly there's a wide range of texture, odor, and taste in normal and healthy semen. There is even variation in color, including opaque white, transparent, and yellowish. This can be caused by a variety of factors such as diet, lifestyle and alcohol consumption and even lack of regular ejaculations. This is a common question asked on our Q&A, so please do not feel alone, a lot of men have suffered from this issue.

From our knowledge, sometimes the causes of jelly-like sperm is the massive concentration of protein compound of your sperm in your testicular sperm bank, usually those teens that masturbate actively for years and suddenly refrain from doing it have a greater chance of having this stuff(though its normal). Because during the time your still active in masturbation your testicles produces more sperm so it needs sugar and protein to produce a liquid substances wherein your sperm swam. So your brain may senses that during your frequent masturbation or sex maybe, it send a message to your testicles to produce more of these substances. Consequently, to the certain point of time you did not masturbate for along period, the sperm and protein base liquid in your testicles may over reproduce and the tendency of this if you were unable to let it ejaculate, it will accumulate in your testicles and becomes highly concentrated. Subsequently this causes your sperm to look like a jelly - like substance...its normal as long its color varies from white to yellowish and no blood or black or green.

Some people find drinking more water, drinking less alcohol and masterbating more often sometimes solves the problem.

You say you went for an STI test, did you discuss with the clinic about your sperm issue and what did they suggest? The fact that you are experiencing pain however we would suggest you see you local GP/Doctor to discuss this further to rule out any other underlying condition.

Regarding your white pearly penile papules, the fact you know what they are called shows you have done your research. This are perfectly normal, nearly all men have these, some have more and bigger than others, this are just the glans of the penis and should not be worries about, again the fact you have had a STI test confirms these are unlikely to be anything other than your glans. Please do get back in touch if things don't improve.

Answered by team member Matt
30th January 2013

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Hi Dave,

Thanks for coming to us with your concern. This is obviously a serious problem for you, effecting you not only physically, but mentally and no doubt emotionally as well. There are many factors to take into consideration when trying to understand what the cause of spontaneous ejaculation could be, from physical to psychological to stimulation and medication, among other things. Though you've given a description of your problem, there are still many questions to be asked in order to get an idea which direction one would need to look for an answer.

Sometimes, these kind of problems can be linked to issues with an enlarged prostate, however, this generally happens to older men, and, as this has been going on since what appears to be your teens, it's probably not likely. Some medications (including antidepressants) can have the side effect of spontaneous ejaculation. It could be something as simple as too much stimulation that you're not aware of. Perhaps if you switched to briefs instead of boxers it might help. It is difficult to advise you with any kind of certainty as to the definate cause. The best course of action is for you to visit your GP who will be able to take a medical history and ask all the necessary questions, before advising you in this case. Hope this helps. Please let us know the outcome, as we are very curious ourselves.

Answered by team member Mara
29th September 2010

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Well, we wouldn't call you a medical curiosity, but it would be interesting to know what the underlying cause is, especially in case anyone else came along who suffered the same problem! As for bothering your doctor, don't worry about that, you have a genuine concern. It would be best to have this looked at sooner rather than later. Though the condition may not bother you now, it may become more difficult to cope with as you age. From what you describe, it doesn't seem to show signs of letting up. GP's are used to patients being uncomfortable with discussing certain issues and should handle the situation professionally in a way to put you at ease. Men can be notoriously reluctant to visit medical professionals when it comes to their health... So, it's part of our job to give you a gentle nudge to make that dreaded appointment... We look forward to hearing from you again!

Answered by team member Mara
30th September 2010

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

When a man is sexually excited, it is normal for a small amount of fluid to leak from the penis. This fluid is known as pre-ejaculate, preseminal fluid or more commonly, pre-come/precum, is different from ejaculate, which usually comes with orgasm. As this precome occurs when a man is becoming aroused, it is not normally considered a problem. Sometimes, men with prostate problems can have excessive leakage which may be considered for treatment. In your case, it sounds as though you are young and healthy, so are unlikey to be experiencing prostate issues. Most likely, what you are experiencing would be considered normal, however, the difficulty is that you state you are just talking to your girlfriend, and that it isn't sexual. It could be that on a subconcious level, your talks with her are arousing, thus triggering this kind of response for your body. Loving and affectionate talk could have a reaction similar to arousal. I am sorry I can't recommend anything to stop this from happening, but can assure you it does not seem out of the ordinary. If this is still causing you concern, please book an appointment to go see your GP who will try to help you further with this.

Answered by team member Mara
8th December 2010

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Hello Brad, thanks for getting in touch. The colour of your penis head is fairly normal to change different shades off purple/pink, depending on many things, such as temperature and how sexually excited you are, this is due to the amount of blood flowing to that part of your body, and this is most likely reason behind this. Regarding the small yellow spots, the most likely answer is that these are your glans, again perfectly normal, some men they are more visiable, others not as noticeable. However i'm not sure what is causing your foreskin being red, sometimes it can get a bit inflamed if you have been masterbating/wanking too much, but it could also be a sign of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), you haven't mentioned if you have had sex, and if you have, if it was unsafe (without a condom) if this is the case then there is a small chance that is what you may have picked up, if you have hand unsafe sex its best to book an appointment at the Swindon GUM clinic at the hospital, it is confidential so you parents won't find out, and if you need help we can make an appointment for you, and even come along with you if you need the support. I hope this has eased your concern, many lads feel concerned about there penis, having not seen others to compare it too, but they come in all shapes ans sizes so don't feel yours doesnt look nice. Please do get back in touch if you feel you want further advice.

Answered by team member Matt
11th October 2012

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Hello and thanks for getting in touch. Please try not to worry, cum/semen can come in a wide range of texture, odor, and taste, there can even variation in color, including opaque white, transparent, and yellowish. This can be caused by a variety of factors such as diet, lifestyle and alcohol consumption and even lack of regular ejaculations. In your case, watery cum is generally linked to diet issues, a lack of zinc and lack of fructose. Try eating more fruits and vegetables that contain zinc and fructose and see if that improves the quality of your cum/seman. However, although unlikely based on the information you have provided, you may want to book an appointment with your GP/Doctor just to rule out something like a urinary infection for example, it probably isn't but for peace of mind it is always good to seek medical advice if your body suddenly changes. Your doctor will also be able to suggest good foods to eat and with a follow up meeting with him you can let him know if your sperm consistency has changed and if it hasn't he can look further into it. If you need further advice or support please do get back in touch.

Answered by team member Matt
9th January 2013

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Thank you for getting in touch. There could be a couple of reasons behind this, and the most common is what you have suggested yourself, diet.

Depending on the type of food we put in our bodys, it can affect the colour, size, shape, of our stool (poo), try eating a more varied diet for a couple of weeks, with a variety of protein, fibre and carbs, eating fresh fruit and veg, try to avoid processed foods. And ensure you drink plenty of water throughout the day, at least 6-8 glasses is recommended.

Some men who have anal sex also like to ensure there anal passage is clear by using a male douche, you can find a variety of differnt ones online and this might help prepare you for sex if that is what you are concerned about, but please ensure you use them correctly and do not damage yourself in the process and if embarking on anal sex ensure you use lubricant and condoms, anal sex is very risky and many STI's including HIV can be passed on through having unprotected anal sex.

However if you are finding a change in diet is not improving the situation, you may want to consider going to your GP, you do not need to mention you intention for anal sex to them, just that you are suffering from a dirty anal passage even after showering and cleaning, as you may be suffering from some kind of anal weakening or other anal concern that he will be able to discuss with you. Please get in touch if you have any further questions or concerns.

Answered by team member Matt
23rd January 2012

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Given your husband's age combined with the symptom of spontaneous ejaculation, the most likely cause of his problem is an enlarged prostate, resulting on oversensitivity. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in which the prostate becomes enlarged as part of the aging process. Most commonly, it effects urination, often restricting the flow, or even in later stages, contributing to UTI's. When the Prostate, also referred to as 'the Male G-Spot' is stimulated or massaged, it can result in an orgasm without an erection. If your husband is doing work that requires abdominal loading or pelvic straining, it may be putting pressure on his potentially enlarged prostate, thus resulting in ejaculation. As for the difficulty ejaculating during sex, normally BHP would result in easier to attain ejaculation; however, it could be restricting with an erection.

Being highly sexed is a good thing for your husband. Regular ejaculation allows testosterone to flow freely and is known to reduce the risk of prostate problems and cancer in men. Masturbation is sometimes recommended for men who experience delayed ejaculation issues.

The best course of action is for your husband to speak to his GP. He will need to go further into detail about what kind of activities bring on ejaculation and if he is taking any kind of medication. Please encourage him to visit his GP as soon as he can. We’d love to hear back from you to find out what the final diagnosis is. Please don’t hesitate to contact us again if we can be of any help.

Answered by team member Mara
21st June 2010

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Hi, thank you for posting your question. The role's of Top (active) and Bottom (passive) in a relationship are differnt for each couple and for each person, there is no correct role to play, other than the role you are comfortable with yourself, you should never feel pressured to fit into a role you do not feel 100% comfortable with. Some men are 100% top and will never want to bottom and this can be for many reasons, each man with have his own answer, the same goes for some men who are 100% bottom. However some men are also versitile and will do either, you may also find men who will put it into a percentage when asked about their role saying "I'm 70% top, and 30% bottom" so guy who generally prefers to top than bottom, but is willing to bottom when he wants to. Also however, some, not all, will change roles as they get older, this could be because they acquire a new partner who is a differnt role, or because they want to experiment. For those that do try a different role, some will enjoy it and become versitile, and some will not enjoy and stick to the role than had before. Ultimately everyone is an individual and will chose their own role, and this could change over the course of the years, but not always. From what you have said, it sounds like you are finding it difficult to top, this could be for many reasons, but it sounds mainly psychological, you for whatever reason do not feel comfortable taking on that role. You should find a time, not during sex, to sit down with your partner and discus this issue, he should understand your concerns and uncertainty and acknowledge the role you are most comfortable with, you should never feel pressure to peform a role you are not happy to do, explain this to him and hopefully he will understand. Over time, you may feel for willing and wanting to try and top, but you may not as this is not a negative thing. If you partner is wanting to bottom and you are not keen to top then maybe suggest introducing some sex toys into the relationship, purchasing a dildo could fufil that desire your partner has. I hope he understands, and you can go on to have a healthy safe sex life. Feel free to get back in touch if you have any further comments or questions.

Answered by team member Matt
15th March 2012

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

As you've not mentioned it, can you please tell us if you have been receiving treatment at the same time. Also, though treatment is often a single dose of antibiotic, he must abstain from sexual activity for one week after taking it. Has this been the case? Is it possible you are passing it back and forth between yourselves? That would seem the simple answer, so please confirm you are taking neccessary precautions.

Answered by team member Mara
25th October 2009

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

You have stated that the Chlamydia is only showing up in blood tests, so it is just possible that what you partner is not actually infected with the Chlamydia Trachomatis bacterium, but the residue DNA from the original infection in his blood stream; this is quite rare, but not unheard of. If this is the case, then treatment is quite difficult, as he would need regular blood tests and only when the DNA count is low, would the doctor prescribe specific medication, and this would need be done two or three times before the blood is cleared of the residue DNA. The other aspect is that you have said your partner is in another country, though treatment for Chlamydia is quite universal today, there is evidence that show that in some countries not all antibiotics are as strong as they should be, or that the need to complete the full course is advised.

Answered by team member Tim
3rd December 2009

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Thank you for getting in touch with Men's Sexual Health. What it sounds like you are describing is Pre-Cum, this is a substance that the penis produces when you are feeling sexually aroused and is perfectly normal. Not all men will get pre-cum and the amount can vary for those that do get it. So it is possible the partners you encounter have met men who don't get pre-cum when aroused. Re-assure them it is normal, it is just the penis producing its natural lubricant for sexual activity. However please let me make you aware of some facts about pre-cum. You are able to get a woman pregnant with pre-cum if you pull out before you ejaculate, as sperm can be found in pre-cum, also sexually transmitted infections, and HIV can be passed on in pre-cum, the only way to prevent this is to wear a condom. If you are having a good sex life with numerous partners, it is always best to wear a condom with each one, the more people you sleep with, the more risk you put yourself and them of passing or catching a Sexually transmitted infection. Even with blow jobs you risk passing or catching something, so try flavoured condoms for oral sex, condoms will also prevent any partner being concerned about the pre-cum issue.

Although you don't mention any other signs or symptoms, there is a small chance that you may already have an Sexually Transmitted infection because a discharge from the penis can be a sign of an infection, if that discharge isn't pre-cum. As you are asking advice without a medical exam we can't rule this out hence why we are also mentioning this issue. The fact you have also had a lot of sex with different partners is also another reason we would deferentially recommend you booking in at a sexual health clinic to be tested for all Sexually transmitted infections and HIV, it is better to be safe and responsible and get the medicine than to be ignorant and keep passing something on. If you live in the Swindon area please remember you can order free condoms from our website, or if you need help booking in for a sexual health test do please let us know.

Answered by team member Matt
22nd January 2013

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Oxytetracycline is part of a group of medications that are collectively are called Tetracyclines which are broad spectrum antibiotics. Oxytetracycline is still the antibiotic of choice for many Doctors in the treatment of many forms of infections, as there are very rarely any side effects.



A broad spectrum antibiotic is one that can be used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, and is often used as they have a well proven track record in the treatment of both individual infections and more wide ranging infections.



Within the Tetracycline group is a range of antibiotics that can be used, some are more specifically targeted than others, but all treat Chlamydia effectively as well as respitory infections, so the fact that Oxytetracycline was prescribed may well just be because the Doctor prescribing them, prefers them.



So yes it is possible that the person being treated may have a respiratory co-infection, but it is more likely that the Oxytetracycline was give just to target the repsiritory infection.

Answered by team member Tim
14th December 2009

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Unfortunately it is not possible to say with any degree of accuracy. Your partners Doctor will have carried out an examination and then prescribed according to what was diagnosed at the time. All we can say with any accuracy is that Oxytetracycline is a broad spectrum anti-biotic, and can be prescribed for many infections, this does include both for respiratory infections and Chlamydia infections. However, it is unlikely that the Doctor would have prescribed a single anti-biotic to treat both a chest infection and Chlamydia, they will have prescribed to treat one or the other. I appreciate that you Googled Oxytetracycline and found the Chlamydia link, but you may be inadvertently reading much more into the prescription than actually exists (especially as a chest infection caused by Chlamydia is not that common)

Answered by team member Tim
15th December 2009

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

This sounds like a function of your sexual organs: the prostate produces liquids, as do the testicles it is most probably from them. You have done the right things by going to your sexual health clinic and being checked for STIs and to your GP. If the problem persists and it continues to worry you it might be worth trying to catch one of these lumps in a clean jam jar and taking it to your GP. Yes, this is much easier said than done!

Answered by team member Douglas
11th January 2016

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Smegma is a natural secretion,produced by both men and women. This cheesy, sebaceous matter collects between the glans of the penis and the forskin, and is entirely normal. By washing your genitals at least once a day, making sure to retract the foreskin and get rid of any smegma, you will help keep your penis healthy and odour free. With daily washing, smegma will wash away. It will not remain in a hard lump stuck to your penis. It is likely what you see is an entirely normal condition called 'pearly penile papules,' which are small bumps that often form around the rim of the glans. These should be painless and benign, but if you have any worries about it, book an appointment to see your GP who should be able to put you mind at ease. If you have had unprotected sex, you should go to your local sexual health clinic to rule out the possibility of any STI's. If you would like more help with this, please give us a call: 01380 801951.

Answered by team member Mara
8th February 2011

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Hi and thank for getting in touch with MSH. Many men suffer from Premature ejaculation, a recent UK survey said 10% of male population had suffered with PE at some point in their life. Another European study classed PE as lasting around 1.8 mins, and with 7.3 mins being classed as normal. Obviously yours in fairly serve case of PE as you cum before stating sex. There are initially 4 treatments for PE - 1) Distraction method - when you are nearing climax, think about something comepletely different than whats going on. 2) Applying a delay gel to your penis, this will decrease sensitivity and hopefully improve your duration. 3) Delay condoms, these are coated with the delay gel and with the added thickness of the condom this too will help improve your duration. 4) start stop method - when alone try masterbating till u reach the point where you are going to climax but stop yourself, repeat this 3 or 4 times to build up your own self control, and then allow yourself to climax, after a few times a week doing this, you should find yourself lasting longer. Solution number 4 is prob going to help the most, the longer you can last on your own, the more chance you can use this technique in a relationship. Regarding when you go to the toilet, if you are no longer masturbating, when having a bowl movement, it could be pressing on your prostate, which is causing some seminal fluid to come out your penis as you are not expelling this from masturbation so your getting a build up of this. However if you have had unprotected sex, then this could possibly be a discharge from a sexually transmitted infection. Either way, we would suggest you seek advice from your GP/Doctor to diagnose and treat this issue further. We hope this has helped with your issue.

Answered by team member Matt
28th August 2013

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Hi Jamie,

Sometimes, straining the bowels can result in a discharge of fluids from from the penis, orginating from the prostate. These fluids are usually clear, but can sometimes be cloudy. However, the symptoms you describe need to be seen by a doctor for further investigation. You describe the discharge as thick, and also list redness and being sore. This points to the likelihood of an STI, so you need to have yourself tested again, despite having had negative results in the past. Sometimes, it can take time for an STI to show on a test. Normally, you will test positive within two weeks of contracting an STI, but this can take longer. You should also have your prostate checked for any irregularities. There are other issues for concern, in addition to your physical ones. You may want to talk about your past sexual experiences with someone. We can offer a number of services, including counselling and advice. Please give us a call to discuss further options: 01380801951 (Wiltshire) or 01793250951 (Swindon).

Answered by team member Mara
12th May 2011

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Hello and thanks for contacting Men's Sexual Health. Let me start by explaining what PC pumping is to those who may read this Q&A and wonder what is being asked. PC pumping is when a man (woman can do this to, its her pelvic floor muscle) contracts, holds and releases his PC muscle, also known as Kegel Exercises. The PC muscle can be found in a man when he goes to toilet to wee, and if he stops mid flow and the starts again, the muscle that he contracts to stop the flow of urine is the PC muscle. Many men exercise this muscle as it is said it can: lead to stronger erections, stronger orgasms and bigger ejaculations, its also be stated by some it keeps the prostate healthy.

When you say pressed, do you mean holding and contracting the muscle, or are you actually inserting a finger into your anus to press on the muscle? Also the fact that you are having dry orgasms, the semen, which would normally be ejaculated via the urethra (the urinary pipe), is possibly being redirected to the urinary bladder.

If this does happen, you'll probably notice the next time that you visit the toilet because your urine will be cloudy. This is not something we would recommend doing, ejaculation is a normal and healthy part of orgasm, either from sex or masturbation. What is concerning us is that you are suffering with blood from your anus, we can't say the two are connected, the fact your do PC pumping, but any man who finds he is bleeding from his anus should seek medical advice immediately. There could be many reasons for this blood but it is always best to get it checked out as it could be a sign of an underlying problem. Please do get in touch if we can be of any further help

Answered by team member Matt
5th February 2013

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Thank you for getting back in touch and clearing that question up. We are unsure what effect pressing on this will have, as the knowledge we have is about exercising the PC muscle by holding, tightening and releasing it, so we would suggest you discuss this further with the doctor who is helping you with your treatment. We hope the results of your test come back ok.

Answered by team member Matt
6th February 2013

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

It sounds like a big part of the problem between you and your husband is communicating with each other. The longer your situation continues when you are trying to be intimate, the more difficult it will be to address. It may seem hard for you to sit down and speak with your husband about these sensitive issues, but that is the best chance to work through your problem. It is not uncommon for couples to experience sexual problems, and for both people to get frustrated. If the two of you can start talking about what is happening, you can try to come up with solutions, together. If you find it too difficult to speak with him alone, there are professionals who can help you. Please feel free to contact us for more help with this matter: 01380-801951

Answered by team member Mara
22nd March 2011

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

No! A circumcision should be the last option for your condition. Your question appears to describe Acquired Phimosis (also known as Pathological Phimosis). Phimosis is a vague term used to describe any condition where the foreskin does not retract over the glans of the penis. All males are born with the foreskin attached. It can take years, even well into puberty, for the foreskin to be able to retract over the glans. This can be completely normal. In adult males, however, Phimosis can lead to problems including difficulty with urination and painful intercourse, among others which can become more serious. It is important you visit your GP to discuss this condition. Your GP will explain your options, which should include applying a topical steroid cream, gentle manual stretching or possibly a combination of both. There is also another surgical procedure called Preputialplasty, which releases the band of constricted skin but preserves much of the foreskin. Please do not be afraid to visit your GP for fear that a circumcision will be immediately recommended, as this should be a LAST RESORT. Your GP may also be able to give you an idea why this condition has occurred and advise you how to avoid it in the future. Please let us know how it goes and don't hesitate to contact if we can be of any help.

Answered by team member Mara
21st October 2009

Response from Men's Sexual Health:

Our penises  are made up from three "inflatable tubes", at the front (when soft) there are two, and one at the back. They are often different sizes. We are all different shapes and this isn't usually a problem. Your doctor can easily check you if you are worried. And we all have times when the penis is very hard and other times when it doesn't get so hard, because we are less excited tired or stressed. This is normal and you shouldn't worry.

Answered by team member Dr Peter
8th December 2015