There is a lot of misinformation on the internet about how fast ejaculation comes out. Much of this information is generated by the porn industry and has no scientific basis.
It’s normal for most men to orgasm sooner than they would like from time to time. But this is not a life-threatening issue and there are many treatments available.
1. Sperm travels at 28 miles per hour
Sperm are traveling about 28 miles per hour when they exit the body through ejaculation. That’s about as fast as Usain Bolt runs. However, they slow down to a more manageable speed when they reach the vagina. In the first few minutes after a man or woman ejaculates, sperm can reach up to six feet per second before they are trapped by the walls of the vagina.
A man’s testicles make millions of sperm each day. These sperm are mixed with whitish, protein-rich fluids that nourish and support them for a limited time after leaving the body. This mixture is called semen, and it’s what is pushed out of the penis during orgasm.
The process of ejaculating depends on a combination of psychological and biological factors. When these factors aren’t working correctly, it can lead to premature ejaculation, also known as PE or pre-climax erection. PE affects about a third of men, and it’s generally treatable with medication.
A healthy, well-balanced diet can also help to increase the volume and force of a man’s ejaculate. It’s important to drink plenty of water, take multivitamins, and eat whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Some studies suggest that eating more omega-3 fatty acids can improve sperm motility. However, more research is needed before this can be confirmed. Males who have low or no libido or ejaculation should talk to a doctor.
2. Sperm travels through the vagina in about five minutes
When sperm are released into the vagina, they swim through thick fluid called cervical mucus. This is a difficult task and requires a lot of coordination. It takes about 22 seconds for sperm to travel the distance of a New York minute, on average. The number of sperm that actually reach the egg and fertilize it is very small, as there are millions of sperm that don’t make it.
A squirt of fluid, known as pre-cum or semen, usually accompanies the release of sperm. It is often white, clear, or grey in color and has a jelly-like consistency. It contains glycoproteins, which provide lubrication during intercourse. It also provides a neutralizing buffer against the acidic residue of urine left behind in the urethra. The presence of this fluid helps sperm survive and remain active.
During sex, muscles at the base of the penis contract every 0.8 seconds. This causes the penis to harden and become erect, which makes it easier for the sperm to insert into the female’s reproductive tract.
A common myth is that semen cannot cause pregnancy, but this is untrue. Semen does contain live sperm that can cause pregnancy, but it is usually not enough to make a woman pregnant without additional sexual stimulation. If a man experiences premature ejaculation, talk to your health care provider about it. Some people are prone to this problem due to psychological or relationship issues, and a variety of treatment options are available.
3. Sperm travels through the urethra in about five minutes
Sperm get pumped out of the penis through a tube called the vas deferens and into the urethra (the same tube that carries urine out of the body). This fluid is known as seminal fluid, and it contains all of the stuff the sperm needs to survive, including amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and hormones. It also has natural mood enhancers like serotonin, cortisol, prolactin and oxytocin and the sleep-aid melatonin. On average, men produce about a teaspoon’s worth of semen during sexual stimulation. Semen volume is influenced by many factors, from the length of time since the last ejaculation to age and testosterone levels. The concentration of sperm in semen can vary widely, too – from less than 15 million to more than 200 million per milliliter.
Before a man ejaculates, he secretes pre-cum, which is the slippery, jellylike fluid that comes out of the penis. This fluid can have stray sperm in it and could cause an unintended pregnancy, so men should use protection if they are trying not to conceive.
It’s possible that some men have trouble controlling when they ejaculate, and that’s what’s medically known as premature ejaculation. Usually, it happens before or shortly after penetration and causes distress to one or both partners. Treatment options are varied, from behavior therapy and counseling to medication. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as dapoxetine, have been shown to increase the time to orgasm and are often prescribed off-label for PE.
4. Sperm travels through the fallopian tubes in about three minutes
While you and your partner are enjoying a post-sex cuddle, millions of sperm are starting their long journey to find the egg. Their first obstacle is the thick, impenetrable cervical mucus, which can seem like a net that catches even the fastest swimmers. When you’re most fertile, however, this mucus loosens up, allowing the sperm to swim through it.
Then the sperm are pushed out of your penis through a tube called the vas deferens into the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body). Before this, the seminal vesicles and prostate gland secrete a fluid called pre-ejaculate, or pre-cum, which helps the semen to break up and travel farther. The fluid also neutralizes any acidic urine hanging around in the urethra, which could damage the sperm.
Once the sperm are in the urethra, they’re in a race against time to reach the fallopian tubes and get to the egg. The first sperm that finds the egg has to beat out the competition, which includes about a dozen others that have made it within a few minutes of the egg’s release. Then they have to fight through the egg’s tough outer membrane, the zona pellucida, and score a direct hit.
If you’re concerned about the length of time it takes for you to ejaculate, talk to your urologist or family doctor. They will ask you about how often this happens, how much it bothers you and whether you have any other medical problems. You may also want to talk to a sex therapist or couples counselor. They can help you try techniques that may make it easier to ejaculate. These can include trying to distract yourself by focusing on nonsexual thoughts, such as counting the number of cars that pass you on your drive to work or naming the players on your favorite sports team.
