Semen: How much is enough?
Highs and lows, and volume...again.
Every job has its highlights, and every job has its downsides. Questions about semen volume are probably less exciting aspects of writing for the WebMD Men's Health message board. Don't get me wrong. Helping men to better understand their own health is what I love doing (other than vasectomy reversals). But sometimes, explaining to a 70 year old man why he cannot ejaculate like he did when he was 18 is not the high point of my day. So now I will do my best to go over a few key concepts for those men who are "ejaculatorily challenged," or EC as we say in the business.
First of all, let me start out by saying that 75-year-old men are not 18. Their bodies are different. It is as if whoever designed our bodies knew what he was doing.
If we think back to each phase of our lives, and the purpose of those phases, it makes more sense. When we were young we are most likely to be fathering children. Sperm numbers and semen quality and quantity should be at their peak. As men get older, changes occur in the prostate and surrounding accessory glands. These changes often result in a decrease in semen volume over time. This is completely and totally normal.
The good news is that as couples get older, many women do not look forward to having to deal with her husband's "gift" all day long or while playing tennis. So consider using this change to your advantage.
Other common causes of reduced ejaculatory volume include too frequent ejaculations. It takes time for the glands that make the fluid to produce more secretions. Again, the ability to rebound decreases as men grow older, so it may take a few days to restore the volume.
Other possible explanations include many medications, as can prior pelvic surgery or health problems such as diabetes. Being dehydrated is a known but easily overlooked cause, as semen is a fluid secretion. If you are dry, then you may not produce as much. If you have concerns, go see your urologist.
Related Topics: What to Expect as You Age, Routine Maintenance for Men
Technorati Tags: ED, prostate
Every job has its highlights, and every job has its downsides. Questions about semen volume are probably less exciting aspects of writing for the WebMD Men's Health message board. Don't get me wrong. Helping men to better understand their own health is what I love doing (other than vasectomy reversals). But sometimes, explaining to a 70 year old man why he cannot ejaculate like he did when he was 18 is not the high point of my day. So now I will do my best to go over a few key concepts for those men who are "ejaculatorily challenged," or EC as we say in the business.
First of all, let me start out by saying that 75-year-old men are not 18. Their bodies are different. It is as if whoever designed our bodies knew what he was doing.
If we think back to each phase of our lives, and the purpose of those phases, it makes more sense. When we were young we are most likely to be fathering children. Sperm numbers and semen quality and quantity should be at their peak. As men get older, changes occur in the prostate and surrounding accessory glands. These changes often result in a decrease in semen volume over time. This is completely and totally normal.
The good news is that as couples get older, many women do not look forward to having to deal with her husband's "gift" all day long or while playing tennis. So consider using this change to your advantage.
Other common causes of reduced ejaculatory volume include too frequent ejaculations. It takes time for the glands that make the fluid to produce more secretions. Again, the ability to rebound decreases as men grow older, so it may take a few days to restore the volume.
Other possible explanations include many medications, as can prior pelvic surgery or health problems such as diabetes. Being dehydrated is a known but easily overlooked cause, as semen is a fluid secretion. If you are dry, then you may not produce as much. If you have concerns, go see your urologist.
Related Topics: What to Expect as You Age, Routine Maintenance for Men
Technorati Tags: ED, prostate
77 Comments:
I'm curious about the inability to achieve orgasm, rather than measuring ejaculate. My partner can be aroused and able to perform, but has trouble reaching orgasm if he feels too warm. If he wears sweatpants to bed, he has this problem. He's 50, but this has been a problem for many years. It happens infrequently, but more often in the last year or two.
your hubby should be well advise not to wear sweatpants to bed..If he wishes to achive an orgasim he should be going to bed in the nude and that goes for both of you..the tuching a little teasing also can also be a turn on just the closeness alone will stir desires within. but swetpants is sending the wrong msg to women.like long night dresses do the same to a man man
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
I married on my birthday. I was 59 yesterday with my 38 year old wife - 6 times! The how is my contribution to the Blog and complements the Dr.'s Article.
I believe that are sexlives mirror that of a horse except we are able to choose which type of horse we want to be. For example,you can be a field horse and work all the time and serve no sexual purpose.
I chose to be a race horse. That means I want to be a winner and compete all the time. There is a purpose for this. If I keep winning when I am young then I know I will be put out to stud when I am retired. The next step is becomming dog food. Not a good choice. The better I am at reproduction the longer I live the good life.
Being 18 is like the young horse. When you get married and put sex out of your life you cease being a winner and head to dog food early. If you keep your sex life active then the pasture and all the breeding stock await you.
The most basic instinct of human beings is reproduction. I believe that for a man or woman, you body stays younger and works better as long as it thinks you are still reproducing. I figured this out in high school and there are very few days over the last 40 years that I haven't had an orgasam. Having one with a great sexual partner is a bonusbut if it isn't happening that day I masturbate. That included fox holes on guard duty in Viet Nam.
I don't know if there is a connection but I look 20 years younger than my age. People often think I am younger than my wife.
She was recently graduated from Leadership School in the Air Force. I wore my Marine Dress Blues with the white pants not the blue. I chose to wear only personal decorations. The Other medals sow what and where you or your unit have been. No one could tell which war I had been in. I was asked three times "where are you stationed" like an old fart like me could still be on active duty.
Your semen is made up of fructose so eat a lot of fruits (it makes you semen taste better). Stay hydrated - gatorade is great for that and helps in semen production. Keep your prostate healthy from diet and massage (you or your wife)it. Have at least one orgasam every day.
Orgasams have other benefits than sexual gratification. It has been proven that the benefits of an orgasam equal that of a Wellbutrin.
"Don't be dumb - Cum!"
Larry
May I suggest to the administrators keep a watch on the comments made on the blog, under the link, Technorati Tags (clicking on seamen).There are absolutelty disgusting commentsmade there.I don't care how many mouthfuls sweet "Cindy" has.What kind a news letter is this? I subscribed because my partner has developed some health issues over the past year and felt that WebMD would be the place for information.But looking at what is on the blog I'm sorry I subscribed;I'm very disapointed.yisqw
Dear Anonymous 8:06AM:
Technorati is not affiliated with WebMD in any way. It is a blog search engine, and the links at the bottom of the post relate to search terms under which this blog might be discovered on Technorati.com.
When you click the link you are taken to a screen that lets you know you're leaving WebMD and going to another site.
I've also removed that tag since it doesn't appear to be indexing content which would be related to medical content.
Thank you for commenting,
WebMD Blog Administrator
Thank you for the removal of the tag.The remaining tags did provide some useful information.
Thank you again
Dr. Marks
I need your advice. I’m 50. Married at 18 and for the next 29 yrs until I divorced had premature ejaculation. Also, the force of ejaculation is non existent. Adding to my problem, the volume of liquid is about 3-4 drops. Although premature ejaculation doesn’t appear to be a problem now, the other symptoms remain. My prostate is ‘normal’ and I’m not taking any medications that should cause this problem. However, I do have a partially blocked urethra forcing me to strain when urinating. I don’t know at which point from the bladder this blockage is located. I can understand the blockage contributing to the lack in force of ejaculation, but what about volume?
what is a prastate massage?
My 70 year old lover semen is clear and it leaves a smell in my vagina. Nothing voul just the order isn't pleasant. Could he have a disease or dyfunction going on.
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This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
thankyou so much i'm glad i found your article. Last night for the first time ever my husband had and orgasam and no cum i was like shocked. Thinking there was something seriously wrong. You explained everything in your article so well. My husband works night and after we had sex he was so thirsty. I guess i let him have his fluid fill first thanks again
Dr. Marks has more semen analysis information on his vasectomy reversal message board.
Just like clockwork, a few days after intercourse with my husband, I develop yeast infection symptoms with a strong odor of ammonia. What's the problem?
Men have "semen or "sperm" what do you call a females "semen" or "sperm?"
Dr. Marks,
Are there certain vitamins or foods that will increase the volume of semen?
I’m over 50 and would also like to know if there are any vitamins or foods that increase semen volume. Or equally important, how can a man maintain healthy testicles and prostate? Isn’t that where semen is produced? What are these glands made of? A previous poster suggested eating a lot of fruits. Would you agree with that?
i am 25 and recently lost the force behind my ejaculation, it usta shoot now it drips..why?
I am 21 years old, soon to be 22, and have been sexually active since the age of 15. Though I have plenty of experience and have had many kinds of lovers, I have never been able to achieve an orgasm through any means other than masturbation. Is this normal and what could the possible causes be for my dysorgasmia? Is there anything that my lovers or myself may do to remedy this inability to orgasm?
My boyfriend and I have been having sex for a while and i have started to notice a different smell from his semem than my other sexual partners from the past. I also have noticed that I can smell this same odor in my vagina, its not gross but not a pleasent sent. Why is this?
can pre-ejaculatory fluid get my wife pregnant?
Dr Mark,
Is it possible to ejaculate
while urinating?
I have found that eating chinese food, and especially lots of chinese cabbage has increased the amount of ejaculate I secret when I orgasm.
I have also found "horny goat weed" and DHEA to be helpful in stirring up the amount--being dehydrated or orgasming too much before things get back to normal certainly make sense
WHERE CAN I FIND THE ANSWER FOR THIS COMMENT AND QUESTIONS.
For answers to your own particular questions about your own urological conditions, please post to our Urology: Sheldon Marks, MD message board. :-)
I am 33 and consider myself healthy, I go out to clubs frequently but don't drink that much, I don't smoke either, I don't sleep that much either and I dont eat at regular hours but I try to eat healthy and fresh. Two days ago, while I was....embarrasing to type this....masturbating and ejaculated, I felt a pain and the amount of semen was not very much and I realized that there were gel like or tapioca like pellets on my semen, they were hard to squeeze and dissolve and I am a little bit concerned. I had seen them before several years back but never as large and as hard. Can anyone comment on what this might be the cause of?? I am afraid to go to the doctor and find out that it is something really bad or I am afraid to go and find out that it is something normal, I know silly, but many of you might think like me. Thanks for ur response.
is masterbation frequently during the day normal.
does masterbation frequently shrink the pennis
i've noticed that when i masterbate,i don't shoot like i used to and i don't shoot as much as i used to is this normal?my girlfriend and i have sex 5 or 6 times a week .Am i trying to recoop form our sex life or is there a problem?
i've noticed that when i masterbate,i don't shoot like i used to and i don't shoot as much as i used to is this normal?my girlfriend and i have sex 5 or 6 times a week .Am i trying to recoop form our sex life or is there a problem?
Hey I'm 19 years old I have had a problem latly with masturbating is just dosen't seem satisfying anymore, i try ton of differint stuff such as sex toys and lube, but nothing really works, it's there a way I kan get more satisfaction out of masturbating ?
To those of you looking for answers and ideas regarding masturbation and other questions, please post to our Sexuality: Friends Talking message board.
thank you for stating the obvious-now, where can i find a real doctor-we need help
Recently my wife and i have noticed that when I have an orgasm that there is no semen coming out. It feels like a normal orgasm, just no semen. I recently started taking Flowmax for frequent urination problems. Is there a connection? This is not shown as a side effect associated with this med.
Dr. Marks
Urethra Blockage -I have gone to doctors and they keep unblocking every six months. they do not want to do surgery. I want this to be over what surgery options I have and who do I trust.
I' am 15 and so is my girlfriend and we had sex 2day and I forgot 2 put the condom on. It was our first time. I didnt cum in her but i think I had pre-cum the stick clear liquid and I think it went inside of her. can she become preagnant from it? and what is the difference between sperm and semen?
my boyfriend and i had sex two nights ago and he came inside me then we just went to bed. we didn't get up until the next morning and when i went to the bathroom all of the semen came out and left a weird smell down there. usually after we have sex i use the bathroom and most of the semen comes out then, but i didn't and it was inside me all night. what can i do to make the smell go away?
Is there a drug to increase the quanity of seamen? If no drug, what is the best food to do it?
Does pre cum contain sperm in it? If one has had intercourse without a condom, but the male did not ejaculate, but had pre cum, is it still possible to become pregnant?
Dr. Marks,
I am a 40 year old male. Lately when I have a forced bowel movement I sometimes see a semen drip from my penis. Is this something I should be concerned about, or is this just an infection of some sort that the doctor can presribe something for?
To those asking questions about their own specific situation:
Please visit Dr. Marks Urology Message Board and post your questions there.
Thanks so much!
I am sexually active with a 50 year old man that states he has an enlarge prostate and due to medication he cant ejaculate when having sex. Is that ture. what should I do.
pre-cum has a lower sperm count than ejaculate. The portion of the seamen which is not sperm provides a mobility media for the sperm to reach the ovum. This means that the low sperm count in pre-cum is very active and in a media which is conducive to mobility from the penis to the egg. Yhe pre-cum disolves easily with the moist environment of the vagina. This provides a climate for sperm mobility. therefore your girlfriend can get pregnant from pre-cum. Good news is that your boyfriend will not get pregnant from pre-cum
I find it very interesting and a cause for concern that so many men know so little about their sexual functioning. There are so few fora where questions can be put and proper answers given.
I have been a sex educator for thirty years and performance anxiety is very high on the list of men's worries.
May I suggest that concerned men should read books by Dr. Paul Pearsall and Michael Castleman. they adopt a 'no nonsense' approach to male sexuality and debunk many of the myths propounded by the porn industry.
Men find it difficult to discuss their worries about sex and the Men's Health Office is a fantastic forum. Keep up the good work!
My husband is 63 & I am 60. He has been on medication for 10 years for a blood clot. He has never had blood pressure problems & always been fit.question is can his semen effect myself in anyway, as I am always feeling off colour & have thought of this since seeing a medical show about a young girl nearly dieing because her partner was taking penicillin & she was allergic to it
I have a question/concern.. not about how much, but rather none.
Kind of like the dry heaves...
I know i achieved orgasim, yet nothing is present or feels "blocked"... give it a little time and it makes its way out.
During intercourse, it even feels like it is not only blocked, but pushed backwards.
i have looked for information that may discribe what is happening, but i have not found anything.
Should i be worried about prostate cancer or something???
WHOEVER WROTE THIS:
I am 33 and consider myself healthy, I go out to clubs frequently but don't drink that much, I don't smoke either, I don't sleep that much either and I dont eat at regular hours but I try to eat healthy and fresh. Two days ago, while I was....embarrasing to type this....masturbating and ejaculated, I felt a pain and the amount of semen was not very much and I realized that there were gel like or tapioca like pellets on my semen, they were hard to squeeze and dissolve and I am a little bit concerned. I had seen them before several years back but never as large and as hard. Can anyone comment on what this might be the cause of?? I am afraid to go to the doctor and find out that it is something really bad or I am afraid to go and find out that it is something normal, I know silly, but many of you might think like me. Thanks for ur response.
**** I have the same problem! I just went to the doctor today and he stuck 3 cotton sticks down my erethra (ok... your hole) and it stung but had to find out if it was an STD of some sort. Test results will be back in 5 days... AHH!*******
My wife thinks because there is little or no force or semen with my orgasm that I am faking it. I am 39 and want to cum the way I used to...
hi im 29 and i have low seaman can you help me thank you for your time sr. god bless you and thank you.
Doc,
I'm glad I found this site.
I have asked 2 other doctors both were mine, and they had no answer.
Some times when I ejaculate the seman is a gel like substance. When seeing this it looks like something from a worm hole. It is like the seman congeled in the tube. What is causing this?
i had prostate cancer do i still make seamen. they removed my prostate
Seriously answer that 15 year old kids question about pre cumming he seems actually concerned i thought u guys would like to help and to be honest im kinda curious to i heard things but lets see a doctor answer this one thanks --- chris finley
Click here for answers about pre-ejaculate. For questions specific to your situation, please visit Dr. Marks' message board.
to the 15 yr old boy,
hi, I am a 17 year old girl, my nameis hillary lawrick, yes she can get pregnant, but there iss a such thing as a emergency contraceptive for more info look me up on myspace email:ducttapejedi@yahoo.com
and then do a friend request. if you dont have a myspace, email me at haileylawrick@yahoo.com
(yes it is a real adress, hailey is my horses name)
be happy to help!
im an 18 year old male...when i ejaculate i shoot out alot but latley
i havent been shoot out as much sperm more like a dribble...even when i masterbate its not the same climax as it was before....i did once have sex with this girl without protection yes, i know very stupid...but maybe a month after i been notcing a problem when i clmiax...could it be from her?
something im not doing properly?
becuase when i masterbate...when i feel that iam about to climax i hold it then let it go and usually i shoot out like a bullet but no lately i havent..what wrong? can any one help?
what is the surgery called, for men not to be fertilize. thanks
I am a 17 year old teen. I have this situation. I forgot to put on a condom. I don't know if I pre cummed before I put it in my girlfriend. Let's say if I did, would there be a chance of her getting pregnant?
Anonymous:
Yes, there is a chance of pregnancy in the situation you described.
how high is that percent in the situation described before?
okay i have two qestions to clear up my friend who is very nieveabout this stuff. so i would like to ask if 1: dose each testical carry a differant genderd sperm? and 2: if not have sex or masturbating in a long time can hurt you in some way? like your sperm getting backed up or such?
sorry i know they seem like stupid qestions but i just wanted to know.
Is it possible to get a girl pregnant through pre cum?
In addition to the previous, do you feel it when the pre cum happens? I was having sex with my girlfriend and it did not feel like I was cumming. When I got the feeling like it was about to happen I pulled out and went to the bathroom. It was on my pants because i put it back in on the way to the bathroom but I'm unsure as to whether I pre came or not
Hello..Im 50 and just went thru prostate cancer radiation about 1 1/2 mnths ago.
I can not make sperm with my partner or by hand. I have never had this problem before now and find it very disturbing. Can you please tell me what i can do to decifer this problem. Thank you
someone told me that drinking pineapple juice would make your semen taste better, so your partner could enjoy it more
is it possible to get pregnant through precum?
I have a problem to cum. i have sex with my wife and she will cum but i can't get that far any more. what can i do to get back to that spot.
I have a problem to cum. i have sex with my wife and she will cum but i can't get that far any more. what can i do to get back to that spot.
I am 59 yrs old and I'm curious about the amount of semen that I now produce. Is there something that I can take that will increase the volumn....I have no problem with erections and maintaining one, and I also have a quick recovery and can move on to another session with 30 to 45 minutes. What advice can you give me.
My semen has been very chunky, jello like but a little thicker. it has a yellow clear tint to it, i am not to worried being i have three very healthy young kids with two different wives and i am worried about something may be wrong with my system or something eles, can someone please help?
Dr.Mark
I see all these comments about as you get older,but what if you are only 29. My husband cannot last for more than a few minutes at a time and it is really starting to affect his self-confidence and our relationship. He has came to the conclusion that there is no point in having sex atall,which is not good news for me. I told him I would rather have some attention than none atall.He also has a problem with frequent urination and not being able to hold his urine either. I was just wondering if these are symptoms of something that can be treated or some kind of insight on what could be causing this.
is it possible to get hiv from pre-cum
to increase the semen quantity,a 10 minute therapy will help.Take a pan full of cold water and immerse your testicles in it.Do a massaging on the testicles while in water.Massage all sides softly.This will definitly increase the semen quantity produced.The testicles need an optimum tempreature to produce lot of semen and this therapy helps.Iam doing it for some time and can feel the difference.Now I flood my wife's vagina with semen after I climax,and she also told me recently that it takes quite some time to clean my sperm oozing out of her vagina after the intercourse.Try it.Flood your partner with semen.
well i have this prolblem when the sperm comes out it is yellow ish with little chunks like pellets and im in my mid teens. is something the matter with me?
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