Secrets and mysteries of male ejaculation

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Extract from the article: Male ejaculation is the result of intense sexual pleasure and is often summarised as the release of semen. This release of semen through the meatus of the urethra, the opening at the tip of the penis, is a reflex process that occurs when sexual arous

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Male ejaculation is the result of intense sexual pleasure and is often summarised as the release of semen. This release of semen through the meatus of the urethra, the opening at the tip of the penis, is a reflex process that occurs when sexual arousal exceeds a certain threshold. But just as female ejaculation holds a few mysteries, the mechanics of male ejaculation also hide its share of complexity.  How does ejaculation occur? What are the factors that can influence ejaculation? Nutritionists, sexologists, psychologists and sports coaches provide clarification.

Ejaculation can occur during intercourse or masturbation. But it is also a mechanical and biological reflex.  The sexual act is divided schematically into four phases for men: « First, the excitement is characterised by the erection of the penis. This erection is possible thanks to the vascular congestion of the cavernous bodies present in the male sex where blood flows and is blocked during this time. The erect penis hardens and lengthens. The erection can occur in a few seconds, it is a reflex for the man », explains Dr Cathérine Solano, French sexologist. In men, the desire is more brutal and more easily satisfied. In women, it is diffuse, often latent and slower to awaken. It is always fragile, and its absence or loss is often the source of sexual problems.

« Then the phase of pleasure in a plateau. The penis introduced into the vagina makes back and forth movements that are more or less rapid. The man controls his pleasure according to his rhythm », Dr Solano emphasises.  His pleasure increases more and more until he reaches « a point of no return with ejaculation: orgasm is imminent and he can no longer control its occurrence. Depending on the circumstances, it may occur after only a few minutes of excitement. Similarly, the male orgasm is very brief: between 13 and 15 seconds on average. For some, the sensation is felt only in the genitals, while for others it spreads throughout the body. In most cases, ejaculation occurs at the same time as orgasm, even though the two are not physiologically linked », says the sexologist. Ejaculation is associated with contractions, each leading to the emission of seminal fluid or semen outside the penis.  Finally, concludes the specialist, « the refractory phase (which does not exist in women). Rapidly after the orgasm, the erection falls, and the physical, muscular and emotional tension also falls. The man is seized by a desire to sleep, coupled with a feeling of well-being, linked to the endorphins, hormones released just after the orgasm. After this phase, for a certain period of time, the man cannot have another erection ». This latency period lasts from a few minutes in young men to several hours in older men. The man does not have multi-orgasmic capacity like the woman.

Is ejaculation synonymous with orgasm?

It is often said that ejaculation is the culmination of male pleasure and orgasm. « However, ejaculation is a mechanical response of the body, a physiological reflex. In fact, it is not necessarily linked to orgasm. Although a man may ejaculate without coming, the vast majority of ejaculations are accompanied by an orgasm. However, while ejaculation is a physical phenomenon, the strength of the orgasm can depend on the man's psychological and emotional environment », explains Dr Catherine Solano. Ejaculation and orgasm are two different phenomena that happen at the same time. Orgasm is cerebral and complex, not mechanical like ejaculation. In fact, stimulation of the penis or prostate, in practice on the path of the pudendal nerves (formerly known as the pudendal nerves), can automatically lead to ejaculation.

Managing or controlling your ejaculation

For example, one can choose to delay one's ejaculation with the mind. It is possible to control your erection so that it lasts longer by concentrating on it. This requires knowing your body and your desire, and knowing how to grasp your pleasure while keeping it at a certain level. « Each man has his own technique for controlling his ejaculation: some think about something else while the excitement subsides, others slow down or change the rhythm of intercourse, and relax the muscles in the perineal area during coitus », says Dr Sylvain Mimoun, a french sexologist.

Different ejaculation disorders

Nocturnal ejaculation: During sleep, it can occur; this is sometimes called nocturnal emission or nocturnal pollution. These incidents occur mainly in adolescence but also in adulthood, on a more or less regular basis. They are considered normal. Nocturnal ejaculation does not always correspond to an erotic dream. Finally, there is no correlation between sexual abstinence and their frequency.

Premature ejaculation: « I have been suffering from this for several months. After just a few strokes, I ejaculate. It frustrates me. I don't even make it for a minute with my partner and I can't hold back or control this ejaculation », laments Elie, 27, a computer programmer. It is a persistent or repeated ejaculation disorder during minimal sexual stimulation before, during or just after penetration, and before the subject wishes to ejaculate.

Absence of ejaculation: Anéjaculation is characterised by an absence of orgasm. Rémi, testifies: « Often when my wife and I had sexual intercourse, I did not ejaculate. At first I thought that maybe it was the excessive consumption of alcohol that made me last and especially that the ejaculation did not come in time. So I have always felt strange, evasive when me and my partner are together. And this makes me not reach orgasm like many people ».

Asthenic ejaculation: In contrast to retrograde ejaculation, it is the semen expulsion phase that is affected. At the moment of orgasm, the ejaculate flows weakly from the penis (« slobbering » ejaculation) and not in the characteristic form of repeated sharp jets. Temporary causes (ejaculations too close together, taking certain treatments) or congenital causes (urethral malformation, low testosterone level, weakness of the pelvic floor muscle) may lead to the inability to ejaculate more or less strongly.

Delayed ejaculation related to masturbation : Some men have difficulty ejaculating during activities other than personal masturbation. This is sometimes interpreted as conditioning of the penis to regular masturbation habits.

Link between physical activity and ejaculation

Sport has positive impacts on health, sexual health and ejaculation. Being sporty or practising regular physical activity guarantees a good result during sexual intercourse and thus not experiencing premature ejaculation. Mr Francis Ajavon, Sports Coach explains: « when you do sport and quite regularly, you tend to sweat a lot, to breathe, your heart rate is at the right level and it is this last element that allows you to hold on when the time comes. Some people are known to rush and they lack rhythm, but with a good sport activity where it is a question of discipline, of listening to one's body, of going at a pace and with measure, all this is very quickly fought. Some people also have problems with blocked nerves or atrophied muscles. Sport helps to regenerate all this ».

It is appropriate at this stage to recommend to all those suffering from this disease, which is not deeply sanitary, « to resort to sport. It already gives a good body discipline, which is also the case in other areas, and obviously in sex », Francis Ajavon continues. « But it is necessary to have a healthy lifestyle, especially one where you eat well, vegetables and fruit, which are necessary accompaniments to sporting activity. However, one can have a good physical activity and still suffer from premature ejaculation. In this case, it is physiological and you should go to a health centre for analysis », advises the sports coach.

Ejaculation and diet

Infertility affects nearly 15% of the world's population, in 40 to 50% of cases the man is responsible. Men with a diet that includes red meat and ultra-processed foods have between 8.86 and 42.3 millions fewer sperm than those with a healthy diet. To have a good ejaculation and sperm quality favour foods such as: « eat seasonal fruits and vegetables (avocado, bananas, pomegranate, broccoli, parsley, baobab leaves, tamarind, tomato, carrot leaves, beetroot, watermelon, spinach) grown locally, varying the colours and with a particular emphasis on green leafy vegetables. Opt for oilseeds (almonds, cashews, walnuts). Eat fish or seafood 2-3 times a week, giving preference to sardines, anchovies, mackerel, prawns, crabs, oysters, spices (garlic, ginger, turmeric). Eat dark chocolate and eggs. Always opt for water », recommends Mathieu Tobossi Kponou, Consultant in narcotherapy.

A healthy, varied and balanced diet is essential for improving sperm quality. Especially if you want to have a child. This increases the chances of fertilisation. These foods, which are high in zinc, selenium and folic acid (or vitamin B9), are natural viagras. They promote the production of testosterone and improve the quality and quantity of sperm.

According to Mathieu Tobossi, « avoid or considerably limit alcohol, a diet that is too fatty or too sweet, excess sugar, salt, red meat and coffee, white bread, pasta and certain cakes, ready-made meals, hydrogenated oils, saturated fatty acids (cold meats, pastries, pastries, doughnuts, croissants, Chips and fried foods, biscuits), sweeteners, food colourings, artificial fructose and additives ». These libido-killing foods.

Illness and ejaculation

Obesity reduces sperm motility and sperm count. If you are obese, losing weight is the first step. « Most patients with abnormal spermograms have other health problems. There is a link between poor sperm quality and diseases of the circulatory system (hypertension, cardiovascular diseases). In other words, a good quality sperm is a guarantee, if not of good long-term health, at least of less morbidity, with fewer hospital admissions, particularly for cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Sperm quality seems to be a powerful biomarker of general health », says a general practitioner (GP). In the case of low sperm concentration, it may be useful to act more vigorously on the classic risk factors of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Psychological disorders and ejaculation

Anxiety about sexual performance or associated relationship issues, such as intimacy or rejection by a partner, « can lead to sexual dysfunction and avoidance of sex. Men mainly report erectile dysfunction or delayed ejaculation, but also decreased desire. Women report mainly desire and orgasm disorders, but also dyspareunia. Stress at work and financial or family concerns have an impact on erection or even sexual desire. This is due to reduced activity levels in the areas of the brain involved in arousal during periods of intense stress », says a psychologist.

Men with social phobia suffer from moderate difficulties in arousal, orgasm and sexual satisfaction and have concerns about performance. The most common sexual disorder is premature ejaculation, present in almost all patients.

Abel OZIH