Why doesn't my boyfriend produce any pre-cum?

Dear Missing the love drops,   

Sounds like you’re worried about a (literal) dry spell, but this type of weather is more common than you think! People who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) often vary in the amount of pre-cum they produce. Some AMAB produce very little pre-cum during arousal, while some produce more. Read on to learn what pre-cum is, how the sexual response cycle triggers pre-cum, and behaviors that can help or hurt the sexual response cycle. 

What is pre-cum?   

Pre-cum (also called pre-ejaculatory fluid) is a clear, mucus-like liquid that comes out of the tip of the penis during sexual excitement. It travels through the urethra, which is the same tube that carries urine and semen. The main functions of pre-cum are to provide lubrication during sexual intercourse and to create a basic (alkaline) environment for sperm. Urine can leave the urethra more acidic, and pre-cum helps to reduce that acidity. This allows the sperm to survive. Pre-cum is mainly produced by the Cowper’s glands (also called bulbourethral glands), which are a pair of pea-sized glands located below the prostate. 

Can you have no pre-cum?   

Having very little pre-cum isn’t necessarily a sexual function disorder. The amount of pre-cum that AMAB people release during arousal can vary from a few drops to five milliliters. They can't control how much pre-cum they produce. Also, the type or intensity of the sexual stimulation may impact the amount of pre-cum. For example, masturbation may cause someone to make different volumes of pre-cum compared to stimulation from vaginal penetration.  

What causes pre-cum?   

Pre-cum is triggered by the sexual response cycle. This is a series of physical and psychological changes that happen during sexual activity. The cycle involves four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. During the plateau phase, someone who is AMAB may release pre-cum. Physical factors that can trigger the sexual response cycle include hormones, scent, sound, touch, and visual stimuli. Psychological factors that can trigger it include emotions, past experiences, relationship satisfaction, and thoughts.   

There are also many factors that can inhibit the sexual response cycle. Some of these factors include chronic pain and long-term health conditions that affect mobility, physical comfort, and sexual desire. It’s also not just physical pain that can stop someone’s ability to fully experience sexual pleasure. Traumatic experiences, such as sexual abuse, can create emotional barriers to intimacy. This is because past trauma can set off feelings of discomfort, fear, or a loss of desire that influence the sexual response cycle.  

If you’re concerned that your boyfriend has a medical condition or past trauma that’s affecting his sex life, you and your boyfriend can also consider reaching out for additional support. Couples counselors or mental health professionals can help improve intimacy in your relationship. 

To wrap up, your boyfriend may simply not produce as much pre-cum as your previous partners did. However, if he expresses concerns about this, he may consider seeking help from a health care provider or mental health professional who specializes in sexual health.  

Wishing you all the best moving forward,