It's a frustrating fact of nature: as guys age, we're more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. While the symptoms of ED can hit at any age, the research tells us that age is one of the key factors in ED prevalence: as many as 50% of guys over the age of 40 will experience ED.
The good news is that great pharmaceutical treatments for ED are widely available: sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®) and vardenafil (Levitra®) to name a few.
While erectile dysfunction – and its treatment – are commonplace anymore, other sexual issues like weak ejaculation aren't as well known.
What Is Weak Ejaculation?
Also known as inhibited or delayed ejaculation, weak ejaculation is when a man experiences an overall reduction in the amount of semen that they ejaculate or an overall reduction in the force of their ejaculation. While it's perfectly normal for this to happen occasionally, if it happens frequently it could be a sign of an underlying issue.
There are two stages to ejaculation:
- Emission. This is the first stage of ejaculation and occurs when the semen (fluid that contains sperm) is collected in the urethral bulb, which is located at the base of the penis.
- Expulsion. The second stage of ejaculation occurs when the muscles that are located around the urethra rapidly squeeze and force the semen out of the penis.
Problems with the first stage can reduce the overall amount of semen that's ejaculated, and any issues with the second stage can reduce the overall force with which the semen is expelled. These changes to ejaculation can be hard to notice, especially when they occur over a long period of time, making a diagnosis difficult. The intensity of an orgasm and ejaculation can also vary significantly from man to man, so it’s a subjective condition.
As men gets older the strength and volume of their ejaculations can begin to weaken, which can also lead to less intense orgasms.
It may be difficult to tell if your weak ejaculation is a result of natural aging or a sign of something more serious, but if you experience any of these symptoms you should consider talking to a physician.
- Frequently experience erectile dysfunction
- Ejaculation frequently contains less fluid than normal
- Feel pain during or after sex
- Blood mixed with your semen
- Urine is significantly cloudy after an orgasm
- Significantly reduced force of ejaculation
What Causes Weak Ejaculation and How To Treat It
It can be pretty difficult to tell whether or not you're experiencing weak ejaculation, but even if you are there are plenty of causes. Knowing what the root cause is can help to determine the right course of action. Some of the most common causes of weak ejaculation include:
Alcohol
Since alcohol is a depressant, it can dampen the mood, energy, sexual desire, and cause problems with erections and orgasms. Alcohol affects the central nervous system and blood flow, both of which play important roles in proper sexual function. Alcohol impairment can lead to weak ejaculation.
Possible Treatment
If you're experiencing sexual dysfunctions like weak ejaculation when you drink, alcohol is a possible cause. Try engaging in sexual activity – alone or with a partner – without the depressants and see what happens.
Furthermore, chronic alcohol consumption can result in liver damage that increases the amount of estrogen in the blood, which can reduce testosterone levels. Alcohol can also damage the endocrine system, which is responsible for maintaining proper hormone levels.
The bottom line is: cut back or cut it out.
Low Hormone Levels
Androgens are the group of sex hormones that are responsible for giving men their typically “male” characteristics. The chief androgen is testosterone and is produced in the testes. As we age, the amount of naturally produced androgens decreases. Guys typically reach peak testosterone levels during their late 20s, after which the levels generally decline by about 1% or so annually. This can lead to a variety of changes, including weaker orgasms and weaker ejaculation.
Possible Treatment
There are plenty of ways to increase testosterone. Some of them include:
- Lifting weights. While exercise in general is associated with higher levels of testosterone (T), lifting weights is the single most effective boost in both the short term and long term.
- Healthy balanced diet. Getting enough protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats are important to testosterone production. Too much dieting or overeating can disrupt testosterone levels.
- Reduce stress. Stress releases the hormone cortisol. Cortisol and testosterone can mirror each other - the more cortisol, the less testosterone. Fight stress for better T.
- Get enough sleep. While the right amount of sleep varies from person to person, most people need to aim for between seven and nine hours a night.
Medication
Certain medications are known to incur various sexual dysfunctions as a side effect, including weak or delayed ejaculation. Some of the most common include:
- Antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- Antipsychotics, such as thioridazine
- High blood pressure medications such as beta blockers or propranolol
- Diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide
- Muscle relaxants and tranquilizers
Possible Treatment
If your doctor has prescribed your medication for a reason, stay on it until you can talk to your doctor about quitting or moving to an alternative.
Psychological State
Some of the leading factors for sexual dysfunctions are related to emotional and psychological well-being. While many of these factors may lead to weakened ejaculation, the most common are depression, past trauma, or problems with the relationship and/or partner.
Possible Treatment
Therapy or counseling are a good place to begin for whatever issues may be causing trouble. If the issues are related to the relationship, couples counseling can be an effective tool in working towards a solution together.
Retrograde Ejaculation
During the second stage of ejaculation (the expulsion stage) semen travels through the urethra and out of the penis. In order to prevent semen from traveling into the bladder, a small muscle called the bladder sphincter closes. This prevents semen from traveling inwards.
In some cases, complications with the bladder sphincter can lead to semen traveling into the bladder. This is referred to as retrograde ejaculation and can lead to weaker orgasms or even completely dry ejaculation. If you consistently ejaculate less than two milliliters of semen, retrograde ejaculation could be an issue.
There are several reasons why this happens to guys:
- Side effect of surgery to treat enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, or testicular cancer
- Side effect of medications used to treat enlarged prostate, high blood pressure, or depression
- Nerve damage as a result of diabetes or multiple sclerosis
- An injury to the spinal cord or pelvic region
Possible Treatment
The most effective treatment for retrograde ejaculation will depend on the root cause, but there are plenty of medications that can help. These mostly work to ensure that the bladder sphincter is closed during ejaculation. They include:
- Veltane (brompheniramine)
- Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine)
- Akovaz (ephedrine)
- Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)
- Tofranil (imipramine)
- Orvaten (midodrine)
Weak Pelvic Muscles
As we age, muscles begin to weaken, including those in the pelvis region. When these muscles start to lose strength, it may become more difficult to achieve erections and ejaculation force may decline.
Possible Treatment
Pelvic floor exercises like Kegel exercises can help to improve the strength and function of key pelvic muscles. The actual exercises aren’t difficult and can be performed laying down, sitting, standing, or even walking. They're the same muscles you use when you pinch off your urine stream mid-flow. Identify that feeling, then take a breath and tighten the pelvic floor muscles; hold them for a count of five seconds. Exhale and release them for a count of five seconds. Repeat for 10 repetitions to form a set and try to perform three sets daily.
The Takeaway: Weak ejaculation often begins during mid-life as a variety of physiological and physical changes occur: namely weakening pelvic muscles and hormone changes. Depending on the cause, however, it is often preventable and treatable.
Generally speaking, as men age we experience sexual dysfunctions at higher frequencies. A few lifestyle changes can reduce the chances of experiencing these issues, but for most guys, effective medications are available. ED medications like Viagra and Cialis are effective for the majority of guys who try them, and with Rex MD, ordering online is easier than ever. Get started today for generic Viagra delivered direct, if prescribed.
