Ejaculation
Hear this word Ejaculation
Also known as: Cum, jizz, spray
Image description: Diagrams of ejaculation
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What Is It?
Ejaculation is when semen leaves the penis through the urethra. For a person with a vulva, ejaculation can happen when a watery fluid is released from the Skene's glands near the opening of the vagina.
Ejaculation can happen when masturbating, during sexual activity with another person, or while asleep, which is sometimes called a “wet dream.”
Fluid from ejaculation isn't the same as other fluids such as vaginal lubrication or urine. For example, semen has sperm in it. The sperm in semen can possibly create a pregnancy if it meets a human egg cell.
People may enjoy sexual activities with or without ejaculating.
An Example
Sometimes Terry and Sandy ejaculate when they masturbate or when they have sex with each other.
Before sex, Terry puts on a condom to prevent semen from entering his partner's body during ejaculation. If Terry ejaculates while masturbating, Terry washes their hands in the bathroom afterwards with soap and water.
When Sandy ejaculates, fluid comes out of her Skene's glands. Sometimes Sandy puts down a towel before sex to feel more comfortable and for easier clean up.
What to Know
Every glossary word connects to different parts of the Sexuality Wheel. Explore the information below to learn more.
- Semen comes out of the penis when a person ejaculates. Semen has sperm in it. If sperm meets an egg, a pregnancy can happen. Semen also can carry sexually transmitted infections. If people want to avoid passing infections during sex or do not want to create a pregnancy, a person with a penis should make sure they wear a condom on their penis before sexual activity and before they ejaculate.
Think about
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When should a person put on an external condom onto the penis? Before or after ejaculation?
- External condoms should be put onto the penis before ejaculation and while the penis is hard. This is important so that the semen goes into external condom.
- After ejaculation, the condom should be carefully removed from the penis so that no semen pours out of the condom.
What did you learn about ejaculation? What questions do you have?
To learn more, explore websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub or explore other parts of Your Sexual Health Toolkit like the Our Stories, Our Journeys Sexual Health Game!
Write down or record an audio note with any questions you have to ask someone you trust.