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Not enough semen

Sperm are made in the testicles. To reach the penis, they travel along the narrow tube of the epididymis (which lies just outside the testicles) and then along larger tubes (one from each testicle). These tubes join together and go through the prostate gland to the penis. The journey distance is about 6 metres (because the epididymis tube is very tiny and tightly coiled), and can take up to 3 weeks. Nourishing fluids from the seminal vesicle and prostate gland increase the volume, so sperm make up only about 5% of semen (also known as seminal fluid or ejaculate).

During sex, the semen gathers inside the base of the penis. At orgasm (climax), the muscles behind the base of the penis contract, shooting the semen out.
 
The sensation of orgasm is a relief of tension beginning just before the semen starts to spurt out, and ending with the final spurt – so if there is not much semen the orgasm will be short. Most men ejaculate more fluid at some times than at others – the amount can vary from a few drops to two teaspoonfuls.
 
Ageing is one of the most common reasons for a decrease in the amount of fluid produced when you ejaculate.
  • Men aged 20–30 years typically ejaculate 4.0 mL.
  • Men aged 30–50 years typically ejaculate 3.5 mL.
  • Men aged 60–70 years typically ejaculate 2 mL.
  • Men older than 70 years typically ejaculate just over 1 mL.

These figures come a survey published in Human Reproduction (2003;18:447–54) and they are averages, so some men in each age group will produce a lot more and some a lot less.

Smoking. If you want to increase the volume of semen you produce, stop smoking. The survey found that, on average, non-smokers ejaculated 3.2 mL of semen, but smokers ejaculated only 1.9 mL.
 
Frequency of sex. The survey also found that abstaining from sex increased the volume of semen produced. Men who had not had sex within the previous 5 days ejaculated a larger volume of semen.
 
Dry orgasm (no semen) means that although you have an orgasm, no fluid is produced. One possibility is that your semen is going backwards into the bladder. This can occur after surgery to the prostate, or with diabetes or some drugs. If you suddenly develop dry orgasm for no apparent reason, you should see your doctor. You will need tests to see if there is a blockage in the tubes.

Diagram showing how semen is made

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Friday, February 26th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by Anonymous on 10/01/2010 at 08:52:00 am

I am 14 and have never ejaculated. What's wrong with me?

Posted by Jorge on 28/12/2009 at 08:30:00 pm

Recently I experienced a dry orgasm and also felt pressure in the rectal area. I will see a doctor soon but belive it is caused by decongestant meds. Several years back, I was using Comtrex for cold and flu stuff and it really affect my performance, ie, part way through sex, the erection went down. Trashed Comtrex and never had that problem again.

Posted by gaurav on 26/12/2009 at 07:23:00 am

I CANNOT EJACULATE POST MASTURBATION OR AFTER HAVING SEX THUS I HAVE NIGHT FALL REGULARLY

Posted by more on 15/12/2009 at 07:49:00 pm

i have not been able to produce alot of semen for some reason and was wondering if anyone knew of anyway that i can produce more. I am taking mulivitamins for men but do not know if it will help. I do have a child but i was also told i have a low sperm count so any help, advice would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by Andrew McCulloch on 10/12/2009 at 03:50:00 pm

I have started a new relationship after my wife died last year,I just cant reach organism at all,never had the problem like this before. This has been going on for 6 months. I have 4 children,so it has worked before.

Posted by Karthik on 26/09/2009 at 11:34:00 am

I am daily ejaculatioan wahat health probelam?

Posted by justin on 05/09/2009 at 06:20:00 pm

im 21 and i had a penile injury i experienced prosate pain small erections no semen and i tried to let it heal for 2 months. its 2 years later and i have the same symptoms but now i have trouble urinating and bowel problems stomach problems gland pain eye pain headaches sleep problems and weight loss. i just want everything to go back to normal. Help!

Posted by inquire101 on 09/08/2009 at 08:14:00 pm

I had a pSA test and testortone test tat came back normal . However I still have little to know ejaculate...Doppler shows good blood flow. any suggestions

Posted by Anonymous on 06/07/2009 at 05:03:00 pm

I would like to know if there is anything wrong with my boyfirend's ejaculations from a fertility perspective, as we would like to try for a baby. I am worried that he will not be able to get me pregnant naturally as his ejaculation is more of a dribble than a shot of ejaculat and I feel that the sperm will not get to the right place! Please any information or advice would be greatfully recieved.

Posted by Mary on 06/07/2009 at 11:09:00 am

On masterbating my new man friend using safe sex and a condom I found he filled the condom to 5cm depth after one orgasm of about 10 spurts, when held up. I am worried if when we have sexual intercourse semen will leak on to me from the condom as it will obviously completely fill the inside when on the penis. The teat is useless it is normally overfilled by precum. Asking men not to orgasm at the point of no return is a waste of time they still do. please help as your ejaculate figures above look quite low (and seem to be volumes of the 3rd and 4th ejaculations when neary empty) and this is not covered in condoms - even condom manufacturers ignore my request and leaving 2" empty loose condom at the end of the penis does not help it just goes back on - i have an image of the condom as I held it up if it would help. please help thank you Mary - I want to keep him and healthy from STDs and not pregnant.

Posted by mike on 20/06/2009 at 04:00:00 pm

When i have sex and reach a climax I ejaculate little or no seamen. This problem seems to have been recent but as I still feel that Ive had an orgasm I cannot be certain. Although I have an orgasm it does not feel intense when I do come through.

Posted by Paul on 18/06/2009 at 02:40:00 pm

I understand the reduction in volume of ejaculate associated with age but does the ejaculate become thicker as well?

Posted by Lawliet on 23/05/2009 at 10:50:00 am

"Men who had not had sex within the previous 5 days ejaculated a larger volume of semen." is that true? i read a study of a scietists that daily daily ejaculation improves men sperm. "Research showed that men who had some form of sexual activity daily had better quality sperm than a control group who had been told to abstain for three days at a time."

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