Semen 101: Everything a Man Needs to Know about His Ejaculate

That cloudy white, sticky substance that ejaculates forth from a man’s submarine is a bit of a mystery and a miracle. That little bit of opaque goo holds the key to civilization in its weird consistency. So, what is semen? What’s it made of and why? Let’s go deep in a man’s most private area and explore the wonders of semen.

What is semen?

Semen is the opaque white fluid that is released from the urethra and springs out of the penis during ejaculation. It is made up of mobile sperm cells (medical name: spermatozoa) and nutrient-rich seminal fluid. The seminal fluid is what transports the sperm to the egg (or the tube sock).

What’s the difference between semen and sperm?

Sperm is in semen, and arguably, the most important part of the complex semen recipe. Think of it like this, a man is making chocolate chip cookies. Sperm is the chocolate chips and semen is the whole batter. They’re better together.

Where is semen made and what does it contain?

Sperm is made in the testes and gets stored in the epididymis until needed. When a man is ready to ejaculate, the sperm is carried through a passageway called the vas deferens to the urethra to be expelled. While it goes on this voyage, it goes through three different glands, the accessory sex glands, which release mucous secretions. They are known as the Cowper’s gland, the prostate gland, and the seminal vesicles. Cowper’s supplies the pre-ejaculatory fluid, the prostate provides a host of minerals, amino acids, and enzymes, and the seminal vesicles supply the majority of the semen cocktail with fructose for sperm energy and prostaglandins that trigger the vaginal muscles to contract, thus helping escort the sperm to the ova.

How much semen can a man produce?

The average man can turn out between two to six milliliters of semen each time he ejaculates. To go back to the cookie batter analogy, that’s like the amount of vanilla that’d go into the batter, maybe a bit less. But, just to be clear, don’t actually put it in cookie batter; the cookies will not taste good with the special sauce.

What does semen taste like?

As it contains over 65 percent sugar, it is alleged to taste sweet. However, diet greatly impacts the taste of semen and can be like going to a 31 Flavors, just without the Rocky Road.

What color should semen be?

Ejaculate is usually clear, white, grayish or a form of all of those with a cloudy look to it. It can, however, be many different colors. Here’s a quick run-down on some of the tints semen can take and what they may mean.

- Yellow/Green – It could be urine in the semen, which is nothing to be concerned about unless it’s a persistent issue. Diet can also influence sperm color (think curry or green juice). Jaundice can also cause a yellow tinge and suggests a liver issue which requires immediate medical help.

- Red/Pink/Orange/Brown – All are a sign of blood in the urine. The more red or pink, the fresher the blood. If it’s more of the orangish brown variety, it’s old blood. Both can be classified as hematospermia, which is associated with STIs, prostate issues, high blood pressure, too rough or vigorous sex, excessive self-pleasure that causes tears in the skin, and cancer.

- Black – This is again, hematospermia, but the blood is extreme old. It is related to two serious issues which men should seek help for, spinal cord injuries and heavy metal exposure (lead, nickel, etc.).

Keeping the semen vessel healthy and strong

Keeping the penis clean and well cared for is just one of the ways a man can be sure his semen can exit the premises expertly and with a laser-focus. Keeping the penis clean with regular washing and rinsing is a critical part of ensuring a precise aim and avoiding “backups.” In addition to cleaning, many men have added a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) to their grooming ritual. Using a penis health crème delivers the important vitamins and amino acids which prevent bacteria from infiltrating the member while strengthening the skin and protecting against environmental free radicals and nerve damage that can make erections and ejaculation harder. A generous massage with a nutrient crème like this is one of the best ways to promote penis health on a daily basis.

Penis Vitamin Cream: What is it, Why a Man Should Use it, and What it Should Include.

There are so many lotions and potions a man needs to look good and be healthy these days. Face lotion, body cream, facial serums, eye creams, penis vitamin creams…wait, what? Yes, penis vitamin creams are making a lot of noise these days and men everywhere are wondering if they are worth the time and money? The verdict is in and it’s affirmative that penis vitamin creams are working for men and in some really big ways. Let’s break down what these creams are, what they do, and how to pick the best one.

What is Penis Vitamin Cream?

Penis vitamin creams are lotions or oils that are used to moisture the penis and reproductive area. They are formulated with ingredients that have been recognized as safe for delicate penile skin and are one element of having or getting a healthy penis.

What Benefits Does it Offer?

Penis vitamin creams have become so popular, largely in part to the anecdotal benefits they provide men of all ages. Men have reported a wide array of benefits from the regular use of penis vitamin creams including:

- Soft penile skin

- Healing of rough, aggravated, or dry skin

- Smoothing and disappearance of peeling skin

- A reduction or complete avoidance of bacterial and fungal infections

- Increased sensitivity

- Reversal of erectile dysfunction

- Improvement in blood flow, stimulating a harder, stronger erection

- Penile skin rejuvenation

- Appearance of a younger penis

- Reduction or removal of penis discoloration and redness

- Penile skin soothing properties for rash, redness, and irritation

Of course, as with any product, results are individual. The results above, however, are echoed by a great majority of men who use these creams.

What Should the Best Cream Offer?

This is the tough part. There are a lot of creams out there, so it’s hard to know which one is the best and most potent. With that in mind, here are the ingredients a high-quality cream should include:

1) An all-natural, irritant-free base. The base for a good penis health cream needs to start by being all natural. Penis skin is extremely gentle and lotions that contain hard ingredients or hard-to-pronounce names need not apply! A particularly great moisturizer that checks all of these boxes is Shea butter. Its velvety feel comes from the nuts of the shea tree. It also contains essential fatty acids that contribute to a soft, supple penis.

2) Vitamin E. A great penis vitamin cream will also include vitamin E. Vitamin E locks in moisture and creates a barrier to keep that moisture in and protect the skin from the elements. It’s also been known to reduce the appearance of scars.

3) Vitamin A. Vitamin A is an anti-bacterial, so penis vitamin creams with this amazing vitamin will be shielded from nasty infections and smegma overgrowth.

4) Vitamin C. Wonder why so many creams of all sorts have vitamin C? Vitamin C is a critical element in collagen production which gives skin its bounce and elasticity.

5) L-Carnitine. This amazing amino acid helps protect the penis from major problem causes like friction, compression, and peripheral nerve damage. These things can all lead to reduced sensitivity and make achieving and maintaining an erection more difficult over time.

6) Arginine. Want a more powerful erection? Look no further than mega-vasodilator, Arginine! Vasodilators help dilate the blood vessels, which encourages blood flow resulting in a harder, stronger erection.

When it comes to a specially formulated penis vitamin cream, using the tips above, it’ll be easy to determine which is the best. Then, use a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) daily for best results. A healthy penis that’s clean, fresh, and protected will give a man pleasure for decades to come.

Penis Bumps from Seborrheic Keratosis Are Benign

“Uh-oh! What’s that?” This is a sentence no guy wants to utter while conducting a routine penis health inspection—or even when just happening to glance at his equipment in the mirror—but it’s one that does come up from time to time. Often, the aberration that causes this exclamation is due to the discovery of new penis bumps that had not previously blessed his penis. There can be numerous reasons for the arrival of new penis bumps, and fortunately many of them are benign – that is, harmless (even if in some cases unattractive). For instance, occasionally, bumps may be seborrheic keratosis, which don’t win prizes for their physical beauty, but which do not indicate a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or other penis health problem.

About seborrheic keratosis

Okay, so they’re not dangerous – that’s good. But they mar an otherwise handsome penis, so what should a guy know about them?

Well, “seborrheic” means that it is related to the sebaceous glands. These are glands found all over the body and secrete an oily or waxy matter. Some men are already familiar with sebaceous glands because they are the source of Fordyce spots – tiny little white or clear bumps that can appear on the skin of the penis and the balls. (They are completely harmless.) “Keratoses” refers to growths of keratin, which Wikipedia tells us is the “key structural material making up hair, nails, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of human skin.” So, seborrheic keratoses are basically growths made up of oily or waxy keratin.

Appearance

Although this article is concerned with seborrheic keratosis appearing as penis bumps, they can appear anywhere on the body; in fact, they appear less commonly on the penis than on the torso or face. They vary in color from light tan to brown to black. When they first appear, they tend to be small little bumps, but they gradually thicken and become elevated. Often as they grow, they take on a warty look, causing some men to fear they have genital warts – but they are not warts. They range in size from tiny to more than one inch, with most tending to be around a quarter- or half-inch. They are sometimes mistaken for signs of skin cancer, but again, they are actually benign.

Seborrheic keratoses are more common in fairer-skinned people, and also more likely to occur when a person reaches middle age or older (although they can occur at younger ages).

Removal

Aside from an occasional itchiness, seborrheic keratoses don’t cause much bother; however, they may get irritated when the penis rubs against clothing or surfaces. In addition, because they do resemble genital warts or cancerous growths, many men may wish to have them removed. There are several typical methods of removal, including:

- Cryosurgery, in which they are frozen off, much like common warts

- Curettage, in which special tools are used to scrape the very surface of the skin

- Ablation, in which a laser is used to vaporize the problem

- Electrocautery, in which an electrical current burns the growth away

Often a doctor may use a combination of these methods to remove the keratoses.

Spotting new penis bumps, whether caused by seborrheic keratoses or other causes, demonstrates that a man is practicing good penis care, and so he is hopefully already using a top-drawer penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) on a regular basis. Care should be taken in selecting a cream, one that contains both a high-end emollient (such as shea butter) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E). These ingredients combine to create a “moisture lock” that helps keep delicate penis skin well hydrated and protected. Further protection is provided if the cream also contains alpha-lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce the dangers of oxidative stress to penis skin.

Pollution Might Influence Erectile Dysfunction

Maintaining good penis health is a no-brainer as a goal, and many men take great pains to keep their penis in great shape. Exercising, eating right, cutting out smoking, watching alcohol intake, using a penis health crème—all of these are things men do to keep their favorite organ healthier and happier—which in turn can keep it in better shape to function properly. But sometimes outside forces can come into play that can bring about erectile dysfunction issues, even for men who take very good care of their equipment. One such factor likely is pollution, at least as evidenced by a recent animal study.

About this study

A study entitled, “Elucidating Mechanisms of Long-Term Gasoline Vehicle Exhaust Exposure-Induced Erectile Dysfunction in a Rat Model,” was conducted at Guangzhou University and published online in the journal Sexual Medicine.

In this study, a bunch of rats were put into four different groups, with 10 rats in each group. (This kind of segmentation is typical of many medical studies.) The first group of rats (the lucky ones, you might say) were not exposed to any motor vehicle exhaust. The other three groups were exposed to different levels over a three-month period. One group was exposed to this pollution for two hours a day, five days a week. Another group got the gas exhaust four hours a day, five days a week, and the fourth group was subjected to it for six hours a day, five days a week. (Again, this kind of selective exposure is common for such tests.)

Now, it’s known that breathing in exhaust fumes is not good for health in general, but the researchers were specifically looking at how lung function and erectile dysfunction were impacted. They tested lung and erectile function in all the rats in each of the four groups. Sure enough, there was pronounced erectile dysfunction among the groups exposed for four and six hours, as compared to those who weren’t exposed at all (the control group). The reasons for this appeared to be inflammation, pulmonary dysfunction, and a decrease in nitric oxide, which is important for helping penile blood vessels expand so that blood can enter the penis during the arousal phase and enable it to become fully erect.

Humans

This study was conducted in rats, so it’s not possible to take the results and definitively state that exposure to pollution over time raises the risk for erectile dysfunction in humans. But to do that, a similar study would need to be conducted with humans—and what man wants to voluntarily breathe in exhaust fumes for six hours a day—especially if it might affect how well his penis works?

But it does seem likely that air pollution has the potential to increase the risk of erectile dysfunction in men and that men who live in heavily polluted environments may want to take steps to lessen their exposure. That can be easier said than done, but some suggestions include:

- Wearing a nose-and-mouth mask when in high-pollution areas

- Avoiding walking or biking in high-pollution areas

- Finding alternate routes to avoid high-traffic areas

- Using an air purifier in the car

Pollution and erectile dysfunction are threats to the penis, so it also pays to maintain a serious penis health regimen. That means including daily application of a superior penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) as part of one’s penis care routine. Most men should select a cream that contains both L-arginine and alpha-lipoic acid. The former is an amino acid that helps to boost production of nitric oxide; as mentioned previously, this can help keep penile blood vessels more receptive to increased blood flow. The latter is a potent antioxidant that fights excess free radicals; left on their own, free radicals can cause oxidative stress that can damage the penis.

Causes and Cures for an Unwanted Erection

Sometimes the wind blows a certain way, a sexy text comes in, or a head-turning woman walks by. It’s natural to feel a little stirring in one’s trousers when these things happen. But what happens when an erection pops up for no reason and often in the worst places? A random unwanted erection happens when a boner pops without sexual stimulation. While unwanted, they are completely normal. Think about it, morning wood is a common phenomenon for most men. However, if unwanted erections keep popping up, a man may want to get to the bottom of it and also find strategies for extinguishing the fire below.

Cause #1: Testosterone

Hormones play a huge part in the daily function of the body. They tell us to eat, to sleep, to be happy or be sad. Researchers are finding that testosterone, often referred to as the sex hormone, is somehow related to unwanted erections. A man with High T, for instance, may have unwanted erections frequently. Since hormone levels fluctuate over time, the issue could sort itself out. See a doctor to test testosterone levels and go from there.

Cause #2: Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT)

Often referred to as “morning wood,” Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), is a type of random erection. The main symptom of NPT is waking up with an erect penis. Often times, the penis not only is awake and ready upon a man’s rising, it will also stay hard until coerced to come down. NPT is more common for younger men, especially those in the teen years. Men also experience up to five erections while they are sleep, with each erection lasting up to 30 minutes. Even though the body is asleep, the senses are not. Erections could be caused by simply the touch of a blanket against the skin. Hormonal shift could be to blame as the body releases hormones that quell erections while awake and they release less of them during slumber.

Cause #3: Priapism

Most men know what a priapism is simply because it is the fodder of many a movie or TV show. These are the most serious type of unwanted erection because the penis is full of blood due to a clot in the penis and can last hours and be extremely painful. Men with sickle cell anaemia are more likely to have priapisms. Either injecting medication or draining blood from the penis are the only two ways to bring the member down.

Managing Unwanted Erections

While erections are a desirable thing much of the time, they can be quite troublesome when they pop up for no reason and with no warning. Here are a few ways to mitigate those unwanted erection moments:

1) Think about something very unarrousing. Maybe Quaker Oatmeal man in the shower or read a car manual, anything that would qualify under “not at all sexy.”

2) Shift position. Maybe it’s underwear that are wound up that’s causing it. Shifting can also help a man hide his unwanted erection. Men can also put their hands in their pockets to discretely reposition the penis and pull it closer to the body.

3) Pull a 1997 move and put your book, jacket, suitcase, laptop, or anything handy in front of it.

4) Stop and meditate. Sit down, close the eyes and breathe slowly focusing on the sound of the breath. This relaxes the body and blood flow which could then reduce or diminish the erection.

Random erections are a totally normal thing in most cases. Men should also keep their penis health in mind to ensure that wanted erections also show up. In addition to thorough cleansing and giving the penis time to “breathe,” men should apply a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) to care for the penis and it’s delicate skin. Using a crème with vital penis health elements such as vitamins A, B, C, D and E and essential amino acids like L-Carnitine and L-Arginine keep the penis strong and healthy. Apply daily for best results.

The Debate: Does Penis Size Really Matter or Is There Something Else More Important?

At one time or another, every man has wondered if penis size really matters to his intimate partners. Can it be too small or too big, too girthy or two thin? It sounds like a Dr. Seuss book. This fixation on the size of a man’s penis is a tale as old as time. Believe it or not, big dicks were not all the rage during certain points in history. A smaller member was seen as more refined in some cultures, while a gigantic sword was literally worshipped in others. What’s most surprising today is society really puts the pressure on penis size. Everyone in the modern world knows Pete Davidson has a serious case of BDE (Big Dick Energy). However, when it comes to the individual, studies show that size really doesn’t matter unless it is an extreme. Here’s the lowdown on penis size and the real measure of a good lover.

The Penis Size Study

Researchers at UCLA and Cal State LA tackled the subject when they published a report about women’s satisfaction rate with their partner’s penis. The researchers did a two-part study to collect the maximum amount of data ultimately answering the does penis size really matter debate. In addition to in-person interviews, the researchers posted their survey questions to a wider audience on MSNBC.com and as a result, added 26 thousand new responses to their data. The demographic was diverse and included women ages 18 to 65. Men also answered questions as well.

The good news? Over 84 percent of the participants reported being “very satisfied” with their man’s penis. A mere fourteen percent would like a little more BDE in their lives whilst two percent of respondents would actually like something a bit smaller.

Now let’s look at what the dudes said. Two-thirds of the male respondents believed their penises to be “average” which concurred with what women reported about their partners. But wait, here’s the interesting part. Women were only half as likely as men to describe a partner’s penis as small, and more women were likely to call it larger than the men. For instance, men who perceived their penis as small measured in at 12 percent while the women chimed in with only six percent, proving that penis size is all in the eye of the beholder.

5 Ways a Man Be A #1 Lover without a Big Stick

Not every guy is blessed with a big schlong. Honestly, sometimes it’s a curse. It can be too big and hurt a partner or the man owning the mammoth unit could just be a bad lover. Size isn’t everything. In fact, women report that there are five other factors more important than penis size. So, for the men who are feeling a little unhappy with penis size, fear not! Here’s some things to keep in mind when getting down and dirty.

1) Confidence – Men and women both say confidence is the sexiest thing there is. Men should confident in not only what a they have physically, but also what they offer additionally. Swagger, charisma, and a perfected flirting skill prime a partner for sexy time.

2) Partner Focus – Time and time again, women say having a generous lover who really connects and cares about their partner’s pleasure is the hottest thing there is.

3) Foreplay – Taking time to kiss, touch, and excite are all ways to please a partner that have nothing to do with the penis. Enjoy and extend the making out, it’s often the first thing to go in a relationship but it’s what stokes the fire.

4) Oral – Going down on a lady and doing it well will guarantee repeat invitations. Only 15 percent of women can orgasm through penetrative sex, the rest need other direct stimulation, and, in this case, the tongue is mightier than the sword.

5) A Welcoming Member – There is nothing worse than a funky, questionable penis. A well-groomed penis is a must for hot sex. Be sure to meticulously clean and rinse the penis daily and apply a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) to keep the penis fresh, pumped up and ready for action. Look for a crème that contains penis health promoters like vitamins A, B, and C and have other amino acids and antioxidants to keep sensitivity at its peak.

Morning Wood 101: Sleep Erections and the Morning After

Who can forget Steve Carrell in The Forty-Year-Old Virgin waking up and trying to manage a very rigid and ready morning penis? While it gets a lot of laughs and guys nod at the reality of the situation, it’s actually a really important bodily function. In fact, if a man isn’t regularly waking up with a woody, he may need to book some quality time with his doctor or urologist. Waking up with post-sleep erection is a very clear sign of a healthy penis.

Erections in a Nutshell

To understand sleep erections, it’s important to first know how the “intentional” erection works. It all begins when a man experiences some sort of excitement or stimulation. It could be a touch, a thought, a beautiful potential partner walking by, or even just brushing against something. This stimulation causes his parasympathetic nervous system to release neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are little messengers and they tell the arteries in the penis to dilate so more blood can flow to the penis. All that blood flow causes the penis to get hard, and BOOM – erection. Simple enough, right?

What Causes Erections During Sleep?

So, the big question about sleep erections is really, what sets them off? Is it only sensual dreams or rubbing against a blanket that can cause them? That could happen, of course, but it’s usually more biological than sensual.

When people sleep, activity in the parasympathetic systems goes up a bit. This slows the heart rate, relaxes the muscles, and ushers the brain into REM, the deepest sleep state. This creates sleep erections. It’s quite common for men to have many erections during sleep, some say three to five is the average range. However, usually, men are aware only of the last one, when they wake up.

There are also some other reasons for morning wood. Testosterone is at its highest during the morning and can cause a boner. Knowing that, it’s no wonder many men wake up wanting morning activities because they are at their most vigorous and virile. Some people also believe that sleep erections are caused by a full bladder. The fullness stimulates the nerves in the spine, which can create an erection.

So, what to do with a sleep erection? Go pee, self-love it, or if a partner is present, maybe start a little gentle foreplay to see if a little morning intimacy is possible (just because a boner is present, it doesn’t mean everyone wants to enjoy it). For a little silly fun, some men like to see how much they can hang on it. Washcloth, hand towel, flannel shirt, etc. One thing a man should do with a sleep erection is appreciate it because it means his penis is in good health.

Penis Health Tips to Keep Having Strong Sleep Erections

Having a healthy lifestyle is the number one way to keep having hard-ons naturally throughout life. Here are a few tips to keep your boner up and ready:

1) Get daily cardiovascular exercise – work that heart muscle because it fuels the man muscle below.

2) Eat a healthy diet with a wide range of vegetables, fruit, protein, and heart-healthy fats.

3) Lose weight if needed – it helps blood flow.

4) Quit smoking. Smoking shrinks and damages the arteries and nerves that make hard-ons possible. It’s also just not good for anyone’s overall health.

5) Manage stress to increase the ability of blood to flow where it needs to go.

6) Engage in a thorough hygiene ritual daily. Cleanse the penis daily with warm water and a mild cleanser devoid of additives and harsh chemicals – a natural baby wash is a great option. Rinse well and pat dry with a soft towel. To seal the deal, massage the penis with a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin). Crèmes that contain vitamins like A, B, C, and D to promote penis health and a natural moisturizer to keep this delicate skin soft and supple are good choices.