# How does ejaculation work? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [January 6, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103 "2009-01-06T16:49:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/1 "2009-01-06T16:49:44Z")
> **[How does ejaculation work?](https://www.straightdope.com/21343923/how-does-ejaculation-work)** > > A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD Quite well, thank you. Seriously, **Gfactor** , good job! I learned a lot, and the last paragraph made me laugh out loud. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/2 "2009-01-06T23:54:46Z")
> [@](#): > > : The people at Kleenex must be thinking: one way or another, they’ll still need us. Thank you for confirming that Kleenex is the best post-ejaculation paper product, and not paper towels. Whenever someone mentions using a paper towel, I think of cheap, scratchy, poorly absorbent paper towels, and it makes me shudder. ---
**Author:** ![Badmojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Badmojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badmojo)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/3 "2009-01-07T00:19:21Z")
I don’t know what the science behind it may be, but ejaculation always clears my nose if I am stuffed up. Crazy thing is I have no idea where it goes. Not out my nose or down my throat (the sinus congestion that is). ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/4 "2009-01-07T00:24:22Z")
Different strokes, for different folks! ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/5 "2009-01-07T00:44:21Z")
> [@Badmojo](#): > > I don’t know what the science behind it may be, but ejaculation always clears my nose if I am stuffed up. > > Crazy thing is I have no idea where it goes. Not out my nose or down my throat (the sinus congestion that is). Where \*what \*goes? 😉 Oh, the snot. Well, there’s less snot in a plugged up nose than you’d expect. It’s mostly swelling: > [@](#): > > Nasal congestion is defined by the blockage of the nasal passages usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood > vessels. This occurs when the nasal blood vessels expand in response to exercise, cold air, spicy food, even stress. Common causes of nasal congestion are common cold, influenza, Hay fever and chronic sinusitis. It impairs the natural human drive for nasal breathing and leads to lower self-esteem and to impaired quality of life. There is a host of conservative treatments, including decongestant pharmacotherapy, antiallergy measures, nasal dilation devices and several surgical procedures, but it is still a symptom that is difficult to treat. Sina Zarrintan, “Ejaculation as a potential treatment of nasal congestion in mature males,” _Medical Hypotheses_, Volume 71, Issue 2, page 308 (August 2008) Zarrintan’s hypothesis is that ejaculation will relieve congestion because: > [@](#): > > The emission phase of the ejaculatory reflex is under control of the sympathetic nervous system, while the ejaculatory phase is under control of a spinal reflex . . . . A refractory period succeeds the ejaculation, in which the sympathetic nervous system counteracts the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system [therefore, ejaculation will relieve congestion] because its emission phase provides a sympathetic stimulation and subsequent vasoconstriction and nasal decongestion. Also, the refractory period serves as a sympathetic reservoir and maintains the decongestive state for a considerable while. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/6 "2009-01-07T00:57:12Z")
[QUOTE=Gfactor’s article] …there is electroejaculation, which is accomplished via anal stimulation with an electric probe. [/QUOTE] **Gfactor** , I’d like to hear more about your research for this article. Did you … um … come across anything that was … um … personally shocking to you? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/7 "2009-01-07T01:12:59Z")
Would the ‘clear the sinuses’ thing work for women, too, or have we been left out? I don’t have a cold or I’d offer to do the experiment. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/8 "2009-01-07T01:59:29Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Would the ‘clear the sinuses’ thing work for women, too, or have we been left out? I don’t have a cold or I’d offer to do the experiment. Soon as I find Stockton on my map, I’ll be on the way, because it clears my sinuses too. You have extra Kleenex? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/9 "2009-01-07T03:41:40Z")
Am I the only one to notice that the person who submitted the question signed the unlikely name of “Peter”? 😃 This article is fill of gems, such as “major sticking point” and “scratching our heads.” But seriously, a good article. I, too, have found that ejaculation clears my sinuses. Really. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/10 "2009-01-07T12:57:37Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > **Gfactor** , I’d like to hear more about your research for this article. Did you … um … come across anything that was … um … personally shocking to you? > > 😃 Nah, he saw it coming a mile away. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/11 "2009-01-07T14:14:19Z")
Boy, there was really a spurt of postings in this thread last night… ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/12 "2009-01-07T16:29:42Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Am I the only one to notice that the person who submitted the question signed the unlikely name of “Peter”? 😃 I didn’t pick this particular version of the question by accident. 😃 I’m a little disappointed that they cut my quip that propulsitile ejaculation was discovered by Monica Lewinsky. > [@](#): > > But seriously, a good article. I, too, have found that ejaculation clears my sinuses. Really. Thanks. We’re talking about your own ejaculation here, in case that wasn’t clear. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SeanArenas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeanArenas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeanArenas)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/13 "2009-01-07T16:39:48Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > We’re talking about your own ejaculation here, in case that wasn’t clear. 😉 lol 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Neutral\_Density](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Neutral\_Density](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neutral_Density)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/14 "2009-01-07T16:58:45Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > Thanks. We’re talking about your own ejaculation here, in case that wasn’t clear. 😉 Your ejaculate is clear? Maybe I should see a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/15 "2009-01-07T20:00:45Z")
“Ejaculation is a spinal reflex; it can be completed without the brain being involved.” Which any man who has regretted the coyote-ugly one night stand can tell you. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/16 "2009-01-07T21:55:58Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Would the ‘clear the sinuses’ thing work for women, too, or have we been left out? I don’t have a cold or I’d offer to do the experiment. It does work for women too. I’m pretty sure it’s even mentioned in Our Bodies, Our Selves. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/17 "2009-01-08T02:05:43Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > “Ejaculation is a spinal reflex; it can be completed without the brain being involved.” > > Which any man who has regretted the coyote-ugly one night stand can tell you. 😃 Or gotten seriously involved with a Thai bargirl. 😉 Now, a serious question: What about distance? In those cases that don’t involve ejaculating “inside.” What determines the distance of a shot? I believe duration of foreplay plays a part. ---
**Author:** ![maxxy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6bbea6/32.png) [@maxxy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maxxy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/18 "2009-01-08T05:26:44Z")
I was surprised to see that this subject wasn’t listed as a “sticky.” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/19 "2009-01-08T15:22:42Z")
> [@maxxy](#): > > I was surprised to see that this subject wasn’t listed as a “sticky.” “What a funny joke!” Tom Swift ejaculated. ---
**Author:** ![auRa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c4cdca/32.png) [@auRa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auRa)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103/20 "2009-01-08T19:40:47Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Would the ‘clear the sinuses’ thing work for women, too, or have we been left out? I don’t have a cold or I’d offer to do the experiment. …you know, I just realized, it does. No _wonder_ it was so much easier to breathe last night. (Sorry.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-ejaculation-work/480103.md?page=2)