FAQs

What does normal cum look like and what's in it? Mine is thick and clumpy, is this OK?

Answer

Cum or semen is made up of sperm (male sex cells) surrounded by seminal fluid. The seminal fluid contains secretions from male sex glands and has all the ingredients necessary for the sperm's survival in a woman's body. These glands also make the substances which give the semen its "ammonia-like" smell. The volume of semen produced varies from man to man and is maximal after three days of no sex. The average amount at each ejaculation is about a teaspoonful.

The make up of semen is designed to increase the chances of pregnancy .When it is first ejaculated semen is a thick, milky to yellowy fluid and it looks slightly opalescent or pearly. If you look closely there are coloured streaks within the semen. These yellowy pigments (flavins) are made by glands called the seminal vesicles which sit just behind the bladder.

Just after ejaculation, the semen is usually quite thick and often has visible clumps. It contains sticky proteins which almost immediately cause the semen to form into a thick jelly like clot. This is all designed to keep the semen high up inside the vagina near the cervix or entrance to the uterus/womb instead of running back out through the vaginal opening.

By 5-20 minutes after ejaculation, other enzymes will start to break down proteins in the seminal clot and the semen becomes liquid again, allowing the individual sperm cells to continue on their journey looking for an egg (ovum) to fertilise.