Weak ejaculation: causes, treatments, and more

Healthy ejaculation in a few words? A relatively forceful (but not like explosion forceful) release of off-white, thick fluid from the penis. Weak ejaculation, on the other hand, is when a little semen dribbles out of the penis. It doesn't have the oomph that it should have or once had. 

Weak ejaculation isn’t the same as erectile dysfunction (ED), but it can be a sexual health problem that’s associated with an underlying health condition. Here’s what to know about weak ejaculation, including its symptoms, causes, treatment options, and more.

Ejaculation—i.e. the release of semen from the penis during orgasm—isn’t exactly like turning on a fire hose, but it shouldn’t be akin to a slow-dripping faucet either. Weak ejaculation can be described as a reduction in strength or force of one’s ejaculation or in the amount or volume of semen expelled from the penis. Weak ejaculation isn’t an official medical diagnosis but rather a symptom or phenomenon that can be part of a broader condition known as ejaculatory dysfunction, which encompasses several ejaculation-related issues (e.g. premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation).

When it comes to down-there difficulties, the phrase “weak ejaculation” may not be the most commonly used (especially compared to the more talked-about, say, erectile dysfunction). But that doesn’t mean it’s uncommon: One multi-national study on more than 12,000 men (i.e. those assigned male at birth) ages 50 or over found that 46% of participants reported a reduced amount of ejaculation or no ejaculation at all.

Although not an official diagnosis, weak ejaculation can refer to the following symptoms:

• A weak, “slobbery” flow of semen

• Incomplete emptying of semen

• Sensation of semen that’s stuck inside the penis

• Decreased semen volume

While men typically don’t see their provider due to the sole complaint of weak ejaculation, they may mention it during an appointment that was scheduled due to orgasm or other sexual health problems. 

If you’re noticing that you’re not ejaculating with the force or volume that was there before, the following factors below could be contributing to your weak ejaculation:

Age

Experiencing less ejaculate volume or decreased force of ejaculation is present more often in men over the age of 40—and the risk of these symptoms increases with age. The odds of men aged 60–70 to say they have less ejaculate fluid were three times higher compared to the odds of the same outcome for men under age 40. So what’s going on? Age may cause a deterioration in nerve fibers in the penis that affect ejaculation. This can weaken the muscle contractions that control semen expulsion, leading to a less forceful ejaculation or less ejaculate altogether. 

Chronic conditions

Chronic conditions such as  diabetes and heart disease can damage the nerves and blood vessels involved in the ejaculation process. This can, in turn, impair the muscle function needed to expel semen forcefully, leading to weaker ejaculation or reduced volume of semen. 

Prostate problems

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition where the prostate gland grows abnormally large, which can cause lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as an increased urge to urinate, more frequent urination, and urination at night. These symptoms have been linked to problems with erection and ejaculation. The worse the LUTS, the weaker the ejaculation tends to be. Researchers still aren't exactly sure why, but it seems to be related to problems with muscle function and the nervous system. 

Surgery for BPH or another condition, such as prostate cancer, can also cause weak ejaculation. Take, for example, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), which involves removing part of the prostate to address BPH. A common side effect of this treatment? Decreased semen volume during ejaculation. Surgery in parts of the body near the penis may also cause local nerve damage that can affect ejaculatory function.

Retrograde ejaculation

Sometimes dubbed a “dry” orgasm, retrograde ejaculation refers to when semen travels into the bladder instead of out of the urethra. It can lead to little or no fluid during ejaculation—aka weak ejaculation. Common causes of retrograde ejaculation (and, thus, weak ejaculation) include:

• Nervous system damage, such as that caused by a medical condition (e.g. diabetes) or trauma (e.g. spinal cord injury)

• Medications (e.g. antidepressants, alpha-blockers)

• Surgery (e.g. TURP, as we covered earlier)

• Radiation therapy to the pelvic area for cancer treatment 

Erectile dysfunction

As if difficulties getting or maintaining an erection weren’t enough to deal with, ED can also be accompanied by ejaculatory problems. More than one in three men with ED also reported ejaculating a reduced amount of fluid. Erectile and ejaculation problems often have similar underlying factors, like prostate problems, chronic conditions, relationship problems, and more. 

Sexual desire

Desire can ebb and flow depending on so many factors (outside stress, your relationship with your partner). One study found that low libido in both partners to be associated with a higher risk of reduced ejaculation. The researchers suspect that sexual interest may be linked to better quality orgasms, which affects ejaculatory function, making ejaculation more “robust.” 

Medications

Certain medications can also contribute to weak ejaculation. In fact, research has linked prostate hormone therapy drugs, alpha blockers (which are used to treat high blood pressure or enlarged prostate), antidepressants, and ACE-inhibitors (used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, migraines, and more) to a reduction in ejaculate fluid.

If you’re dealing with weak ejaculation, your best bet is to consult a healthcare provider, as they can determine what might be causing your symptoms as well as how to best treat them. And while a provider will also go through potential treatment options, weak ejaculation can often be addressed by making lifestyle changes. Ahead, a bit about some potential treatments for weak ejaculation so you can come to your appointment prepared. 

Eat a healthy diet 

A nutritious diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can be especially effective at supporting sexual health and ejaculatory strength. Being that zinc supplementation has been found to increase semen volume, consider incorporating zinc-rich food—e.g. seafood (e.g. oysters, crab, shrimp), meat and poultry, and nuts and seeds (e.g. pumpkin seeds, lentils, soybeans, peanuts)—into your diet. It’s also a good idea to prioritize fruits and vegetables, as they’re high in antioxidants, which can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation—two factors that can contribute to sexual dysfunction, including weak ejaculation. 

Exercise regularly 

Simply put, physical activity can increase blood circulation, improve cardiovascular health, boost testosterone levels and  reduce stress. All of these effects can lead to stronger ejaculation as well as better sexual health and function overall. 

What’s more, working out consistently—and following a healthy (often low-calorie) diet—can also promote weight loss, which can help address weak ejaculation. Research suggests that as BMI and waist circumference increase, ejaculate volume may decrease. So, it makes sense that weight loss among those who have obesity has been associated with an increase in semen volume, among other sexual function-related perks.  

Practice Kegel exercises

Kegels are exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor and, in doing so, can improve bladder control and promote sexual function. As mentioned above, decreased semen volume during and/or force of ejaculation can be caused by impaired muscle function. Kegel exercises can help restore muscle function and strength and, as a result, enhance ejaculatory control, improve the force of ejaculation, and increase semen volume by strengthening the muscles involved in the ejaculatory process. 

Address erectile dysfunction

Given the symptoms of weak ejaculation often occur alongside ED, treating ED may also give your ejaculation some much-needed power. Safe and effective treatment for ED often includes prescription oral medications, such as Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), vardenafil, and Stendra (avanafil). All of these drugs are phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, meaning they work in part by increasing blood flow to the penis, which promotes stronger, longer-lasting erections. Some PDE5 inhibitors can also be found in other formulations. For example, Ro Sparks combines sildenafil and tadalafil (the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis respectively) in a sublingual treatment that dissolves under your tongue. And Ro’s Daily Rise Gummies feature 7 mg of tadalafil in each fruit-flavored gummy. 

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Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

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Current version

September 30, 2024

Written by

Jessica Migala

Fact checked by

Raagini Yedidi, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Raagini Yedidi, MD, is an internal medicine resident and medical reviewer for Ro.