What does cum look like - and more! A complete guide to cum
Sperm, semen, spunk, jizz, cum, whichever way you want to call it, by now you surely know that it cums (see what we did there) with having an orgasm. While climaxing by yourself or with a partner, you might wonder; what does cum look like and is my cum normal? You’ve probably also thought about what cum is made of, where cum is stored, and pondered about what the exact mechanics are of an ejaculation.
Well, ponder no more, we’re here to share all our ejaculative knowledge with you to make sure that you can cum in peace. Eager to learn more? Keep on reading.
Good to know: in this specific article, we use terms such as ‘male ejaculation’ or ‘female ejaculation’, and other gendered terminology. However, gender is a spectrum, and we’ve written this article for everyone! Whether you’re a person with a penis or someone with a vulva, this article is for anyone that experiences any form of ejaculation or wants to learn more about it.
What is cum?
If you own a penis, chances are you know this feeling: you’re having a hot dream, you feel your body tingling, and then BOOM, you wake up with sticky sheets or wet boxers. Especially the first few times you cum, it can be a little surprising and raise a ton of questions. Like, what is cum? What is cum made of? And what are the differences between sperm and pre-ejaculate liquid? Let’s explore.
What does cum mean?
Cum is the “slang” for semen, the whitish fluid released from the penis during an orgasm. While most people with a penis experience ejaculation, it's also possible for women and people with vulvas to ejaculate. That’s also called cum! We’ll delve deeper into that a little later on.
What is cum made of?
As we dive into all things cum, it’s important to start at the beginning, which is: what is cum made of? Cum - a combination of mature sperm and fluids - consists of multiple elements and contains sugars, vitamins, proteins, and even minerals. So, it’s actually not the worst thing to swallow. However, that’s not all there is to cum! Time to dive into the differences.
Differences between sperm, semen, and pre-ejaculate
Most people use sperm or semen interchangeably, even though they mean different things. Bet you didn’t know that! As we mentioned before, semen or cum is the combination of mature sperm and fluids, while sperm are only a part of semen. Sperm are male reproductive cells, the little swimmers, that are carried along by semen. So, even though they might seem like the same thing, sperm actually need semen to get from A to B. Think of semen as a train that sperm has to hop onto.
Pre-ejaculate is another bodily fluid. This clear, sticky liquid comes out of the penis when someone is aroused. While the prostate and testicles create semen, the accessory sex glands are responsible for cooking up the pre-ejaculate. While pre-ejaculate itself doesn't usually contain sperm, pre-ejaculate can sometimes contain leftover sperm, picked up by the urethra from the last ejaculation. Be sure to ‘suit up’ and wear a condom even when pulling out.
What does cum look like?
Now that we know the mechanics, let’s get practical. What does cum look like, and what is ‘normal’ cum?
- Appearance: Healthy cum usually looks clear, white or might have a slightly grey hue. Its texture is usually jelly-like. However, the appearance of cum can change due to lifestyle choices. This includes things like diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, and cannabis use.
- Scent: Semen normally smells a bit like ammonia or chlorine. However, just like the appearance of cum the smell can change due to personal hygiene, diet, and other lifestyle factors.
- Flavour: Cum has a variety of different flavours! Ranging from salty, to sweet or bitter; you’ve got options! The taste of cum varies per person, and, again, lifestyle factors play a huge part in it. Can you change the taste of your cum? Some people swear that eating or drinking the juice of pineapples, oranges, or other sweet fruits, can help improve their flavour. A very kind act towards those who swallow semen. However, research has shown this is only partially true. Pineapple has been shown to balance the pH levels of sperm, which could improve the taste of it.
What does female cum look like?
Now that we've discussed the penis, let's turn our attention to the vulva. There's a lot of debate and misinformation about female ejaculation. However, research in 2001 suggested that people with vulvas have prostates that can release fluid during orgasm. And no, it's not urine! Female ejaculation usually happens during masturbation or sex with a partner. But what does the fluid look like? Well, that's not as straightforward as you’d think. Some people describe it as clear or slightly milky, while others say it's more watery. But why is there a difference?
The differences in female cum
As mentioned before, not everyone with a vulva will experience ejaculation when having an orgasm. But for those that do, there are two different types of female cum with different characteristics:
- Some people with a vulva ejaculate a small amount of a milky white liquid from the urethra. This is secreted by the female prostate (Skene's glands) during an orgasm.
- Others experience a 'squirting' sensation with a much larger amount of clear liquid. This is usually also accompanied by an orgasm. It is generally also considered female ejaculation, however the medical world does see them as two different phenomena!
And remember, when having sex with someone, whether it’s anal, oral or vaginal, we always recommend using condoms. You’ll experience just as much pleasure while reducing the risk of catching or transmitting an STI. A win-win situation!
Where is cum stored and formed?
Good question! Cum is stored and formed in multiple different spots in the male genitalia. It’s quite the team effort. Sperm and testosterone are made in the testicles, small organs inside the scrotum. Near each testicle is the epididymis, a long tube that moves sperm to the vas deferens. The vas deferens is where sperm is stored and allows it to be carried out of the scrotum. It connects to the epididymis and urethra, which also transports urine. The seminal fluid that is part of semen, (remember the train analogy?) is created in sac-like glands called the seminal vesicles. These are located behind the bladder. Last but not least: the prostate.
This gland produces a fluid that is part of semen and helps propel semen from the penis. The prostate is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Simple as that!
What happens when you cum?
Cum is a term that is used by society to explain two different things: the fluid that comes out of the genitalia, and experiencing an actual orgasm. So what happens when someone with a penis cums, you might wonder? Firstly, the vas defrens contract and squeeze the cum towards the base of the penis. Then the muscles at the bas contract and shoot semen out of the penis in several rounds. No small feat, as the semen is launched at over 28 miles per hour!;
For people with vuvlas, orgasm is a little different. The body responds with rhythmic contractions in the muscles around the vagina and anus, heart rate increases, and they can also experience a quickened breath. For some, the experience has the added sensation of female prostate ejaculation, with research showing that at least 10% of people with vulvas can ejaculate.
FAQs
Does pre-ejaculate contain sperm?
Even though the sex glands that produce pre-ejaculate, do not produce sperm, pre-ejaculate can still pick up sperm and carry it along during sex. So be sure to practice safe sex, even if you plan on pulling out!
How much semen is typically ejaculated?
On average, it's about 1.5 to 5.0 millilitres of semen per ejaculation. It can vary! However, if you experience considerable changes in your ejaculation, be sure to contact a medical professional.
What does cum taste like?
Cum has a range of flavours. It can be salty, bitter, and/or sweet. There’s no ‘standard’ taste, everyone’s cum tastes different. The taste is often influenced by lifestyle choices such as diet, alcohol consumption and cigarette use.
How to cum?
There are many ways to experience orgasm, including masturbation, sex with a partner, or using sex toys. It's all about finding what works best for you. Ejaculation during an orgasm is completely normal, no matter your gender identity. However, it's incredibly important to buy and use condoms consistently to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancy, regardless of whether you ejaculate. Stay safe, have fun.
Please note that this article is informative and not intended to support a diagnosis. Contact a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns.
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