HELP! HIS SPERM KEEPS LEAKING OUT AFTER INTERCOURSE!!!

Leakage of Sperm after Intercourse

Doctors are being asked everyday about this phenomenon that is causing concern to a lot of women, especially those that are seeking to get pregnant. For those who are not, the mere messiness and discomfort  is disturbing enough. Should women really be concerned about this? This is a question I will attempt to answer with the assistance of a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist from a prestigious hospital in Nigeria.
First of all, I will like to point out that the title should more appropriately be “leakage of semen after intercourse.” This is because sperm is only a component of semen, which is the general term for the male ejaculate after a sexual intercourse, and is composed of  different  components released by the different organs and glands in the male reproductive repertoire. So, in the semen you have sperm or spermatozoa, seminal fluid and other components like fructose, proteins, minerals, etc.

Where is semen deposited?

After intercourse, semen is deposited in the posterior fornix of the cervix. From here, the sperm cells have to find their way into the cervix, through the uterus to the Fallopian tubes where fertilization takes place, an arduous journey that reduces the chances of deformed and unhealthy sperms from

fertilizing the egg and screens off a large percentage of the millions of sperm in the ejaculate. Remember that only one spermatozoa is needed for fertilization to occur.

You can read about best treatments for premature ejaculation here

Is It a problem when there is leakage after intercourse?

Dr. Adebayo Adewole, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with the Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, puts the question to rest. He says,
“It is not a problem. Semen undergoes liquefaction after ejaculation, which is normal. The spermatozoa that will fertilize the ovum would have to swim to meet the ovum or "egg". So it doesn't really mean anything if something comes out after copulation.”
He explains further,
“Anatomically, the vagina is apposed together, don't mind the diagram in textbooks where the vagina is drawn as open with space, they're meant to explain some things.

With copulation the male organ occupies the potential space in the vagina. After ejaculation, depending on the volume of the sperm, when the male organ is withdrawn, the semen can leak as the vagina goes back to the normal apposed position, although this may take time in some women making them not to experience it. The volume of the Semen is also important.”

Does it affect fertilty?

When asked if it affects fertility, Dr Adebayo answers,
“No, although many people have attributed infertility to "leakage of sperm". The Yorubas call it "Eda". The majority of those complaining about it have one problem or the other responsible for the infertility. Whether male or female factor or combined. I've had to ask some of my patients after treatment and getting pregnant, whether the sperm is no longer leaking. They used to laugh and say doctor you were right, it’s still leaking. Even if couples who are normal and are having children engage in sex, the sperm at a point in time, in the majority of cases, will leak.”

My Take

The internet is rife with series of advice about the causes of leakage of semen and how to stop it, but in my interactions with senior colleagues and specialists in the field, there is no scientific backing for their postulations. Some have blamed infections (read more on "toilet infections" here), pH of the female tract, size and shape of the male organ, orientation of the uterus, etc. The plausible cause among all is the volume of ejaculate, which follows with Dr. Adebayo’s explanation of liquefaction. The more the volume, the more fluid that will come out after liquefaction.

This does not mean that if nothing is coming out, your husband is not producing enough ejaculate, no, no.  As earlier explained, semen is composed of the sperm cells bathed in seminal fluid along with other components. So it is the number of healthy sperm cells that matter, not the volume of ejaculate.
People have also been advised to place pillows under the hips, increase foreplay, employ the missionary position, remain inside for about 20 mins after ejaculation, time the thrust etc., especially when looking for a child. The fluid that comes out has nothing to do with the inability to conceive.
Dr. Adebayo advices,
“Couples who have that complaint should go for infertility evaluation. They should see a gynaecologist if their problems cannot be taken care of at the GP level.”

Conclusion

So there you have it. Apart from the mess it makes where the action took place or in your undies, you really have nothing to worry about, and  if you are really concerned, see a gynaecologist. People have advocated a lot of drugs and supplements to stop the leakage. Some of them are great for priming the uterus and improving your chances of getting pregnant, but if you know of any that completely stops the leakage you are having with the same partner, kindly drop a comment. If not, keep a roll of tissue handy so as not to have a lot of cleanups to do.

(A big shout out to my ever responsive consultant for making this task easy).