Ejaculation is the climactic point of male sexual arousal.
During ejaculation, semen is ejected from the penis.
How ejaculation occurs, what makes upsemen, and how semen is produced are common questions.
Aleksandr Zubkov / Getty Images
This article looks at ejaculate, its composition and production, and its role in male fertility.
It typically takes place duringorgasm.Before it occurs, a small amount of pre-ejaculate is usually released.
This is sometimes called pre-cum.
It drips from the head of your penis when you are aroused.
Pre-ejaculate is made up of one or two drops of alkaline fluid.
This fluid comes from the Cowper’s glands, two small glands beneath theprostate.
Orgasm is the final stage of male sexual arousal.
During orgasm, semen flows from the urethra.
It first comes out in a gush and then diminishes in volume.
Around 50% to 65% of the semen in an ejaculation comes from theseminal vesicles.
These are two small glands located above the prostate.
Another 20% to 30% comes from the prostate and gives semen its characteristic smell.
The rest of your ejaculate is made up of other body fluids.
Spermgives semen its milky appearance.
The more sperm is in the semen, the more opaque it becomes.
Recap
Semen is produced in the seminal vesicles and prostate.
Sperm is what gives semen its milky appearance.
The word “ejaculate” can also be used as a noun meaning “semen.”
Most males ejaculate an average of 2 ml to 3 ml of semen.
This is roughly equal to a teaspoon.
How Common Are Multiple Orgasms?
Multiple orgasms are rarer for males than for females.
The ability to ejaculate repeatedly varies greatly from person to person.
It also begins to decline almost immediately after puberty.
Most males can have only one ejaculation within a period of one to two hours.This is called therefractory period.
This is whywithdrawing before orgasmmay still lead to pregnancy.
The female partner should also have a work-up with an OB/GYN to ensure her reproductive system is functioning normally.
If you’restruggling with fertility, ask your doctor about a semen analysis.
This will help you understand if your semen is contributing to the problem.
Summary
Semen is primarily produced in the seminal vesicles and prostate.
When you ejaculate, it is released from your body through your urethra.
It only takes a small amount of semen to get someone pregnant.
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