Like everything that happens in the human body, the process needed for a man to reach orgasm is far more complex than it seems, and therefore far too complex to explain in an article like this. However, there are a few things about this pleasurable act that are simple enough to spark anyone’s curiosity, whether they’re a man or a woman, without delving into the incomprehensible scientific mumbo-jumbo. So if you want to learn a few interesting facts that might come in handy whenever there’s an awkward silence at a dinner party or you’re in desperate need of small-talk, then by all means, carry on reading. Here are five facts about male ejaculation to help you score popularity points with your friends.

1. You can get a woman pregnant without ejaculating
The infamous pre-ejaculate —commonly known as “pre-cum”— is a liquid discharge that lubricates and neutralizes the acidity of the urethra prior to orgasm. It comes out when arousal starts, and it looks and feels very similar to semen. It’s because of this that the gooey substance has been subject of much debate within the medical community as to whether it carries any sperm at all, and therefore if it could impregnate a woman. The verdict isn’t definitive yet, but studies have shown that at least some men leak able-bodied sperm in the pre-ejaculate fluid, making it possible for them to impregnate a woman if they don’t use proper contraceptives. So don’t mess around with “pre-cum”. You might regret it.

2. Semen leaves the penis at incredible speeds
The muscles within the urethra contract once a man reaches orgasm. By doing this, they forcefully expel semen through the opening at the end of the penis. They’re far stronger than what you might imagine, for the average speed at which the seminal liquid travels into the air is 28 miles per hour. This means that if semen was a car, it would be fined for breaking the speed limit in residential areas.

3. Men should ejaculate 21 times a month
Men like this one. A group of Harvard researchers (yeah, it’s legit) found that the chances of getting prostate cancer are diminished by almost a third when men have 21 or more orgasms per month. They sent out questionnaires to over 30,000 men over a period of 18 years and discovered that those with higher rates of masturbation were less likely to get this form of cancer. So keep fapping, boys. It’s for your own good.

4. Men can experience multiple orgasms
It’s popular knowledge that women can have multiple orgasms in a row during a single sexual encounter, while men have a refractory period that can last up to 30 minutes before they can start again. But what is lesser known is that there are certain techniques men can learn to avoid the refractory period while experiencing multiple orgasms. First of all, it’s important to realize that orgasm and ejaculation are two separate things. If you ejaculate, it’s game over, but if you manage to contain it, you can experience several orgasms and things can go on for a long time. To achieve it, you need to contract your penile muscles in the precise moment to stop the semen from discharging while managing to maintain the orgasm. Practice makes perfect.

5. Having an orgasm without ejaculating can be serious
This does not include the previous point. But if you reach orgasm and semen doesn’t come out, without you doing something to stop it, it could be a medical condition known as retrograde ejaculation. This happens when semen goes into the bladder instead of exiting through the urethra. Although it’s not harmful on its own, retrograde ejaculation can cause male infertility and less pleasurable orgasms. So if you’re literally shooting blanks, go see a doctor.
So there you go. Now your knowledge of semen and penises is a little bigger than it used to be, so… You’re welcome?
You might be interested in this sex terminology you should know and things you should know about love and sex before you turn 30.
