Ejaculation occurs as a part of the male sexual response cycle, and is the release of semen from the penis. During sex or masturbation, semen collects in the ejaculatory ducts, situated at the ends of the vas deferentia where they join the seminal vesicles in the prostate gland. When the man reaches close to orgasm, a spinal reflex causes rhythmic contractions in the urethra, penis and prostate gland to begin, propelling semen through the urethra and out of the tip of the penis. Once a man reaches a point of sexual arousal, he can’t prevent ejaculation. This feeling that passes the point of control is known as ejaculatory inevitability. The contractions of the prostate, perineal muscles and shaft of the penis begin at 0.8 second intervals, the same as in women, and account for the spurting action that happens during ejaculation. The intervals between contractions become longer and the intensity begins to decrease and taper off after the first three or four contractions. The semen doesn’t actually appear until a few seconds after the ejaculatory inevitability begins, because of the distance the fluid needs to travel through the urethra. As the man is ejaculating, the internal sphincter in the urinary bladder is tightly sealed so that urine and the seminal fluid don’t mix as the semen moves out of the body.
Orgasm and male ejaculation aren’t the same process, though in most men the processes occur at the same time. Orgasm specifically refers to the sudden and rhythmic muscle contractions in the pelvic region, as the release of sexual tension begins and a pleasurable sensation occurs. Ejaculation can sometimes occur during sleep for men and is an involuntary process. This is known as nocturnal emissions or ‘wet dreams’, and commonly occurs in adolescents. There are several types of ejaculation, with some resulting in this fine-tuned process being disrupted. The first is retrograde ejaculation where the bladder’s sphincter doesn’t close properly and semen spurts back into the bladder. This is often found in men who have diabetes, multiple sclerosis and after some forms of prostate surgery. It also sometimes occurs in men who don’t have serious problems though. This isn’t physically painful but it does leave the man infertile and the sensation during ejaculation may be different. It’s often referred to as a ‘dry come’ because there is an orgasm but no seminal fluid is released.
Premature ejaculation is a condition where the man comes too quickly, and has no control over the timing of the build-up of ejaculation. Retarded ejaculation is also known as delayed ejaculation, and is a conditioned where the sexual response is a problem. It’s sometimes known as ejaculatory incompetence, in which a man is unable to ejaculate even when he is highly aroused. Lastly, there is female ejaculation which has sparked much debate among researchers. Some people believe it is possible for a woman to expel fluid from the urethra at the time of orgasm through G Spot stimulation. It’s thought that the fluid released comes from the female prostate, which are rudimentary glands that surround the urethra. The composition of the fluid has also been debated, with some researchers claiming it’s not urine and others stating that it is. Not all women experience an ejaculatory response to G Spot stimulation, with research suggesting that between 10 and 40 per cent of women have ever experienced ejaculation. However, for those who do find it occurs, it is perfectly normal and not harmful in any way.
