What is ejaculation?
During ejaculation, the erect penis expels semen from the urethra during orgasm. The prerequisite for male ejaculation is sexual arousal: Touching the skin of the genitals (especially the glans) and various erogenous zones triggers an erection of the penis via the erection center in the lower spinal cord.
With increasing mechanical stimulation of the glans, the stimuli travel from the lower spinal cord further up into the lumbar cord to the ejaculation center.
These impulses cause the smooth muscle cells in the walls of the epididymis, vas deferens, prostate and seminal vesicles (vesicula seminalis) to contract. This muscle tension causes secretions from these organs to be transported into the posterior urethra, which stretches the wall of the urethra. This leads to a reflex-like excitation of the pelvic floor muscles (ejaculation reflex).
This arousal triggers three to ten rhythmic contractions of these muscles, which then propel the ejaculate out of the urethra with great speed and force. At the same time as this ejaculation, the initial part of the urethra contracts to prevent the ejaculate from flowing back into the bladder.
Ejaculation and orgasm
What does an ejaculation look like?
The color of the ejaculate is milky-white to yellowish-grey and cloudy. The thin ejaculate has a chestnut blossom-like odor. The sperm swim in it – 200 to 400 million per ejaculate, which can survive for around two days in the vaginal environment.
The amount of ejaculate that is expelled during an ejaculation is two to six milliliters. It is made up of secretions from the prostate, seminal vesicles, Cowper’s glands and sperm.
Ejaculation in old age
With increasing age (from around the age of 40), the testosterone level in men drops and the so-called climacteric virile sets in – the male menopause. As a result, the amount of ejaculate decreases, ejaculation takes longer, occurs later and ejaculation disorders increase.
A reduction in the amount of ejaculate can also occur as a result of a disruption in the hormone control circuits between the brain and testicles. Medication can also reduce the amount of ejaculate (especially preparations for hair loss).
What is the function of ejaculation?
During ejaculation, the seminal fluid is transported from the penis into the woman’s vaginal vault. The sperm it contains can travel through the uterus into the fallopian tubes and fertilize an egg released from the ovary.
Where is ejaculation located?
What problems can ejaculation cause?
In the case of bacterial inflammation, such as inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis) or the prostate (prostatitis), the pH value of the ejaculate increases from normally 6.4 to 6.8 to 7.0 to 7.8. The smell of the ejaculate is then sweet and foul, and there may also be blood in the ejaculate.
In very rare cases, a cancer such as a carcinoma of the prostate, seminal vesicles or urethra is the cause of blood in the ejaculate.
Stone formation in the prostate or seminal vesicles can also lead to blood in the ejaculate, as can constrictions (strictures) in the vas deferens or urethra.
In retrograde ejaculation, the seminal fluid is transported backwards into the bladder. This can happen if there is insufficient closure of the bladder neck during ejaculation. Possible causes include diabetes, injuries, abdominal surgery (such as surgical removal of the prostate via the urethra) and certain medications.
The term ejaculatio retarda refers to delayed ejaculation, while ejaculatio defiziens refers to a complete lack of ejaculation. These two sexual disorders also usually have a psychological cause.
