Production of semen

Semen is produced in the following way:

• The testicles produce millions of sperm cells.
• The sperm cells ripen and are stored in the epididymides.
• When a man has an ejaculation, the sperm cells are pushed through the sperm ducts.
• The sperm cells are transported to the prostate and seminal vesicles. Fluid is added to the sperm cells. Together the fluid and the sperm cells make up the semen.
• The semen is pushed out of the penis through the urethra.

When is a man fertile?

A man produces semen for the first time during puberty. In general, a boy becomes fertile between the ages of 12 and 15. He can then have children. Even if he is having sexual intercourse for the first time.

A man produces sperm cells his entire life. He can often have children his entire life.

How can a man make a woman pregnant?

A woman can only get pregnant if sperm cells enter the woman’s uterus via her vagina during her fertile days.

Before he ejaculates, a man may already lose a bit of fluid that might contain sperm cells. Withdrawing the penis before ejaculation is not a safe method of contraception. A man can put a condom on his penis to collect the sperm. This will prevent the semen from going into the uterus of the woman.

A man who has undergone sterilisation produces semen without sperm cells. The semen will look the same. It will not influence his erection or his ability to have sexual intercourse.