Semen
Category:Andrology\n
Semen (
spunk,
jizz ,
juice ,
cum in vulgar
slang, also
ejaculate) is the
fluid discharged through the
male penis, which, during vaginal intercourse, carries
sperm into the
female, sometimes resulting in
pregnancy. Semen is a whitish, milky fluid, slightly viscous, containing
water and small amounts of
salt,
protein, and
fructose sugar, and is in itself harmless on the
skin or if swallowed. However, semen can be the vehicle for many
sexually transmitted diseases, including
HIV, the virus that causes
AIDS. Any kind of sexual or other skin contact with the semen of a person infected with HIV should be avoided, even by persons already infected with the virus, as this may cause harmful re-infection.
Spermatozoa (or sperm, for short) are produced in the
testicles, and most of the remaining fluid is produced by the
prostate. At the time of male
orgasm, semen is ejected through the urethra of the
penis in a process called "
ejaculation".
Pregnancy
All sexual behaviors that result in the contact of semen with the vagina or vulva may result in pregnancy at any time unless adequate contraceptive (birth control) measures are in force. No form of birth control (except for total abstinence or a successful sterilization) protects a woman entirely from pregnancy; for example condoms used perfectly are approximately 97% effective against pregnancy over one year (i.e. 3 out of 100 women will become pregnant in this time). "Unprotected" sexual intercourse (that is, sex without the use of contraceptives) between a biological male and female is generally the most effective cause of pregnancy. When a male is sexually excited, a small amount of a clear fluid (pre-ejaculate) may leak out of the penis before orgasm and ejaculation. One reason that coitus interruptus ("withdrawal" of the penis from the vagina just before the ejaculation of the penis) is not a very effective contraceptive method during heterosexual intercourse is that this pre-ejaculate fluid may also contain sperm.
Nutrition
Men loose up 5 mg of zinc when they ejaculate. Men that ejaculate frequently as a result of sexual addiction might become deficient in zinc. Zinc deficiency can also cause reproductive problems and problems with spermatogenesis.
Cultural Views
In some cultures, semen is attributed with special properties of masculinity. For instance, some cultures in the South Seas have termed it jerungdu and believed that ingestion by boys was necessary for their proper sexual maturation. Other cultures believe semen to have beneficial qualities when applied to the skin, mainly for cosmetic purposes.
External links
\n*"What is semen made of?" by Fred Guerra at JackinWorld.com\n*"Semen Production and ejaculation" by M.J. Ecker at JackinWorld.com]\n*"factors that affect spermatogenesis"
