Increasing Semen Volume

Semen is released during ejaculation, and the normal semen volume ranges from 2 to 5ml per ejaculation. Some companies sell products that are supposed to increase semen volume, but this is a myth. On abstaining for a long time, the sperm counts within the semen may increase, but the semen volume does not vary much from before.

sperm cells

Image Credit: vchal  / Shutterstock.com

What is normal semen volume?

According to a 2010 World Health Organization study, which looked at semen volume worldwide, the range of semen volume is between 0.8 milliliters to 7.6 milliliters, and the average is between 3 and 5 milliliters.

This amount changes as the male ages, and peak semen volume is produced between ages 30-35, and volume is lowest once men reach 55 years and older.

Why do men want to increase semen volume?

Most men associate semen volume with fertility, and it has been purported that men who wanted to have more progeny, especially male ones, may have a better chance if they had more semen.

Men feel more masculine if they ejaculate more semen and believe it would increase their and their partner’s sexual pleasure. Unfortunately, due to these facts, dozens of companies make the wrong claim that their pills can increase semen volumes.

Semen volume and masculinity

Masculinity is in the brain rather than in the semen. Although porn stars seem to ejaculate more, more semen does not indicate more sexual prowess. In addition, most of what is seen in porn films may be cameral or angle trickery and may not be accurate.

Semen volume and sexual pleasure

The volume of ejaculation is not linked to sexual pleasure for the male or the female partner. Ejaculation and orgasm are not prolonged if the penis takes longer to release the increased volume of semen. This claim, thus, is also false.

Confusion over sperm count and semen volume

Most men mistakenly believe that increased semen volume would mean increased fertility. Sperm makes up only 1 to 10% of semen. The proportion of sperm rise with a more extended period of abstinence from sexual intercourse or masturbation.

Is it possible to increase semen volume?

There is probably no way to increase semen volume by popping pills. In addition, most men cannot measure their actual semen volume. Some physicians suggest that adequate water and fluid intake may maximize the semen volume, but this “increase” will also be within normal limits.

References

Further Reading

Last Updated: Feb 7, 2024

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Written by

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Dr. Ananya Mandal is a doctor by profession, lecturer by vocation and a medical writer by passion. She specialized in Clinical Pharmacology after her bachelor's (MBBS). For her, health communication is not just writing complicated reviews for professionals but making medical knowledge understandable and available to the general public as well.

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Comments

  1. Ben Ross Ben Ross United States says:

    So this post is basically saying that all the semen enhancing products out on the market today are a scam. I refuse to believe this, I once talked to a pornstar at a convention and he told me that aside from eating healthy, he also took pills. I believe this post is a bunch of BS, where is the proof to this claim, oh that's right, there is none.A bunch of Here say from a doctor that nobodies ever heard of. It's to discourage people from taking products that can improve their personal sex life, most likely also to prevent people from buying certain pills from bad companies that can be harmful to the body, but that doesn't include the ones that actually know their stuff. You're not fooling anyone with this post and you aren't stopping anything.

    • Azusa Cha Azusa Cha Canada says:

      I think you should take your own advice, and look for the proof of claim that supplement pills can increase semen volume. Oh that's right, there is none. That is why there is a fine print, stating that the FDA has not approved the product for any such claims on increasing semen volume.

      The only "Proof" you'll find to support these pills are marketing endorsements from porn stars.

      ExtenZe pills are another example of the garbage health pills out there to prey on insecure men with small penises. It is ridiculous to think that there is a pill that specifically targets the penis to grow longer. If this were true, why don't we have pills to enhance the size of our hands? Or our feet? Or pills that make us taller? Why can't short people pop this magical pill to make fulfill their dreams of becoming a basketball star. Because they don't exist.

      Luckily, there are likely no risks to a person's health from eating these bogus pills. The only real damage done is to your wallet. If it gives naïve people peace of mind to think their small dick is growing, or that they are actually increasing their semen volume, then let them throw their money away.

      • Albert Adriano Albert Adriano Philippines says:

        I think that it can increase a semen volume, but not permanently!

      • IM Baller IM Baller United States says:

        I am not a doctor.  I am in no way a porn star.  I have no dog in this fight whatsoever.  The volume pills do work, and they work well..at least the two brands that I have tried..both made a huge difference.  Sorry...I see a Canadian flag by your post, so perhaps the medical profession there is a bit behind on this topic.  I can only suggest that you educate yourself more before dispensing information as if it is fact.  `I will only ask one thing, try it yourself if you are a male, and then report back here.  I will be watching for your posts.

        • Guillermo Rodriguez Guillermo Rodriguez Netherlands says:

          So what two brands did you try?

          • James Smith James Smith United States says:

            I can tell you personally that taking arginine, lecithin, zinc and pygeum have DRAMATICALLY increased my semen production. Huge amounts of preseminal fluid and then gushing loads. I am not selling these products, they are generic. I have also found that sudafed (pseudoephedrine) seems to draw fluid into my ejaculate and makes it fuller but watery. These physicians who make claims with such certainty scare me.

            • Craig Pillsfer Craig Pillsfer United States says:

              I concur with James.  Lecithin, zinc, and pygeum have dramatically incresed my load size.  And the doc who wrote the article is completely wrong about pleasure not linked to volume - I know from firsthand experience, and from others who turned me on to volumizers, that the orgasms are WAY WAY more intense and incredible.

              The reason there is no evidence of sexual pleasure is not because there is no "link" but because there's no economic incentive for commissioning these studies.

              I've been professionally involved in cancer studies for 15 years, and I've heard from patients that intravenous vitamin C was more effective for them than the conventional therapies, yet there will never be any efficacy data because there's no financial upside for anyone willing to pay for the studies.

    • David Irimia David Irimia United Kingdom says:

      I agree Ben, she's just following the boring grey dull basically lying established medical information based on flawed studies and biased data. Nothing new there then when it comes to the MSM spewed info on everything from cholesterol to vaccines - it's all total lies if you really look into it.

  2. Matt O'Neil Matt O'Neil United States says:

    "There is probably no way to increase semen volume by popping pills. In addition, most men cannot measure their actual semen volume as well." Umm...popping pills possibly not but I know the longer you wait and if you do "stop and go" you're definitely gunna ejaculate more. No way of measuring? What are beakers for? You could even use measuring spoons. Anyone can measure a liquid. Are you stupid or something?

    • Mark Naysnerski Mark Naysnerski United States says:

      While you may be right on this isn't there a way to increase semen by diet? Asparagus or something?

      • Deer Hunter Deer Hunter United States says:

        While there are many theories out there about diet and such, ingesting asparagus actually makes semen taste bad. I suppose you've eaten it and noticed the aroma when you urinate?? Imagine that same chemical/protein in your semen.... If you want to make your semen sweeter for your partner - try eating pineapple, not right before - it has to metabolize!

    • BS
      James Smith James Smith United States says:

      How do you make such sweeping claims with no evidence or experience? I believe 90 percent of supplements are wasted money and BS that stupid people fall for. However arginine, lecithin, zinc and pygeum extract did not make a small difference in my semen volume, it made a huge one, clearly evident even in pre-ejaculate oozing from me before I climax. You need to stop talking with such certainty about that about which you know very little.

    • Devin Clark Devin Clark United States says:

      Whole lot of probably and maybe going on in your essay. Here a tip. Unless you have a Doctorate in male physiology perhaps don't make a page based don the maybes you might know something about...

  3. Dan Meyers Dan Meyers United States says:

    I approached this question two years ago and started my research and experimentation. After a lot of trial and error, I found "Horny Goat Weed" and "Maca" together increased my semen volume about 50%. I dont work for any company and I dont care what brand you buy. Amazon and drugstore dot com have some good reviews of these products. I take one pill of each with food every day.

  4. John Dye John Dye United States says:

    Of course there is scientific evidence (placebo-controlled clinical trials) to support increasing semen volume using nutritional and herbal supplements:  for example:
    * L-carnitine significantly increased the semen volume (P = .001) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20845296
    * Chinese herbal increased sperm volume by 18%
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18817353
    *NAC had significant improving effects on the volume...
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19428083
    * combination of l-arginine aspartate and Pycnogenol (Prelox) Treatment with Prelox increased significantly the semen volume
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19142978

    • Dexter Morgan Dexter Morgan Canada says:

      I agree. I have been experimenting in this for several years and there is significant increase in volume by diet along. Funny how a female "MD" can make this claim. Well, I use mine every week and there is plenty that will increase volumes and it DOES increase the intensity of an orgasm. Very few "MD" can help with sexual health anyways. Best to collaborate with others online with the same issues and find what works for you.

    • Azusa Cha Azusa Cha Canada says:

      The journal articles you cited DO NOT support what you're saying in your comment.

      You got things mixed up. The studies you cited have nothing to do with semen VOLUME. They are studies on sperm mobility, and sperm count.

      SPERM COUNT and SPERM VOLUME are not the same thing. These studies are saying that certain supplements may make sperm healthier (i.e. live longer in the vag, and swim better). These studies are also saying sperm count increases...that means if you take 1ml of semen, the sperm count goes from 1 million sperm to 5 million sperm. But it says absolutely nothing about the amount of sperm you ejaculate.

      Thanks for trying though.

      • Taylor Hicks Taylor Hicks United States says:

        Actually the first two links state specifically 'semen volume' not 'sperm volume'. The second two links speak of 'seminal parameters' which include semen volume. Your last sentence is very confusing because you state that it says nothing about the amount of sperm you ejaculate but if you ejaculate 3 ml of semen with a sperm count of 1 million you have ejaculated 3 million sperm but if you ejaculate the same 3 ml of semen with a sperm count of 5 million then you have ejaculated 15 million sperm. Hence the higher your sperm count the more sperm you ejaculate given your semen volume does not drop. Finally can your clarify on your term "sperm volume" because none of the studies or any one else here was speaking of sperm volume. If I had to guess it would have to refer to the volume, that's size for the layman, of the individual sperm cell.

        • IM Baller IM Baller United States says:

          I think he is saying that volume pills do not increase the number of swimmers in your ejaculation...the pills found on Amazon and health food stores certainly do increase the amount of ejaculation that is shot from your penis during orgasm, there is no legitimate argument against that fact.

      • David Irimia David Irimia United Kingdom says:

        Not sure I'd thank her. It's because these so called medical professionals go around parading their supposed knowledge that a lot of people are mislead, misdiagnosed and end up worse off than if they'd done nothing.

  5. Edifice MJ Edifice MJ United States says:

    I have learned, practiced, and witnessed that the consumption of fresh nuts and cassava increases the volume of semen. I used to do this during harvest when I was in Africa, and I noticed a large amount of white-n-brown liquid. So, I think the volume can be increased.

  6. Steve Pelovsky Steve Pelovsky United States says:

    Nothing I have ever read discusses the size of the two seminal vesicles that hold the semen in the male body. The amount of semen stored cannot exceed the size of these vesicles. Is there anyway of increasing their size to increase the amount of semen they hold? What about using arthroscopic surgery to either increase their size or implanting larger artificial vesicle(s)?

  7. Nas Ahd Nas Ahd Saudi Arabia says:

    It is an obvious experience to any males, more semen ejaculated gives more satisfied orgasm. Difficult to digest how a female Dr. can describe a male orgasm levels. Obviously there are of occasions it gives morethan 5 ml as limited above, i have sement test report to prove this. Now i am confused is it problem with the lab I tested or with the above articles. Dr. please clarify.

  8. Michael McGowan Michael McGowan United States says:

    Women also enjoy when a man ejaculates during orgasm, his, hers or both simultaneously. It makes them feel like they caused you satisfaction and that they have what it takes to get you off. A man feels the same way when he causes her to orgasm. When it gets more difficult for a guy to orgasm, some women will blame themselves, not knowing that his "load" may be decreasing as he gets older. Many of us will deny this until we get medical proof. Men still enjoy sex even when we don't blow our load. Our primary worry is losing an erection during sex. Viagra and its counterparts, Cialis, etc, do nothing for semen or ejaculate volume. They just keep your "dick" from going limp too soon. Personally, Viagra causes me headaches after I have used it and go to sleep. I wake up with a headache all of the time. I know it has to do with the fact that it increases blood pressure. I'm thinking about not using it anymore, but I am at that time of life where I lose my erection at the most inopportune time. Viagra has helped for that purpose, but I'm wondering if the trade off is worth it!

  9. Charles Davis Charles Davis United States says:

    SO, after all the argument, WHAT IS THE ANSWER? How does one increase the volume of ejaculate?

  10. Sad
    cay cutler cay cutler United States says:

    The author is uneducated or just not willing to say. (Guessing the latter). As an avid bodybuilder everyone knows that CLOMID (illegal if not prescribed---so illegal) jacks your volume to RIDICULOUS levels. This is taken in pill form at the end of a "cycle” that being said I have never taken steroids BUT CONSIDERED taking just CLOMID for the effects, but you’re really messing with your body chem at that point. The guys on the juice need it at the end of a cycle, in the bodybuilding world, Clomid functions as an anti-estrogen. It curtails the effects of estrogen in the body, and also is used to slow catabolism after a steroid cycle. (it helps maintain your gains and helps your body manage the loss of all the xtra testosterone you artificially produced) and I see the amazement every time when someone in the gym ends a cycle for the first time and takes CLOMID, Peter North status (and I’m 100% convinced he was always on a light cycle and discovered CLOMID very early on). So to say that you cannot increase semen volume by popping a pill is 100% false. Should you take Clomid? Aaah NO!!!. And if I had I wouldn’t be here. I agree with much above being a fitness minded person lots of water and since I take in more protein than average (bitter for the ladies) I am careful to add pineapple and cinnamon powder daily to my meals. Yes that works, but so does a lot of candy, sugar etc if you want. Basically a diet rich in protein, lots of greens, etc is going to make you money shot taste like battery acid to the ladies, that’s not too hard to deduce. I also agree and can say as I’m sure most of  you know, the ability to control you Kegel muscles… like REALLY control them, can hold you off for an impressive finish after time, AND a few pops in between.
    All this aside has ANYONE taken ANYTHING long enough (6/8  weeks) to say yes?

  11. jay holland jay holland United States says:

    Try it.  4 bucks at gnc.  Works like a charm.  It's a shame that even medical doctors can get away with disseminating(pun intended) false information to the public, and face no repercussions.

    Seriously, this article was 'conceived' out of the simple thought process that she is a doctor and doesnt even have to research.  The very thing we pay Doctors outrageous fees, under the premise they have done so extensively.

    Way to totally jack your own credibility, Doctor.

    Those branded pills may or may not contain the aforementioned ingredient, as there are many many others. In fact, I stumbled upon this article to try to figure out what is causing me to have almost double volume these past few days.  One of the things I took was mentioned here. I had to stop taking soy back in the day, but it should be safe enough for most.

  12. John True John True United States says:

    Zinc and magnesium. Take those 2 daily and your volume will greatly increase. Low zinc= low fluid levels so to speak.

  13. Matthias Hoang Matthias Hoang Philippines says:

    P.S. Look at the quoted references. Some stellar works there to refer to .... NOT!

  14. Tom Jones Tom Jones United States says:

    And she provides no scientific proof or evidence or even any treatments that current doctors are trying to increase Semen Volume.

  15. Jamie Irwin Jamie Irwin United Kingdom says:

    Hmm, it's a big ambiguous. What's the key takeaway that we can action? At the end of the day, we all need to understand that everybody's biology is different. What works for 1, unfortunately - doe not work for another. Pay attention to the basics - eating healthy, cardiovascular fitness (30 mins per day), meditation (optional). I've tried all of the so called supplements in this industry and have been fooled by placebos in the past.

    If on a similar journey to me, DYOR (do your own research), there are brands out there that could potentially work for you. Again, everyone's different, check out market leading brands (optional), eat healthy and exercise is the key message here.

    I agree with Ben, you're not really stopping anything.

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
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