Dear Itzzy,

Good question! Let's clear up the differences between sperm, ejaculate, and pre-ejaculate.

Sperm are the reproductive cells in men that are produced and stored in the testes.

Ejaculate (also known as semen or "cum") is a milky white fluid that shoots out of the penis, usually during orgasm. It contains hundreds of millions of sperm, as well as seminal fluid from the seminal vesicles, fluid from the prostate, and fluid from the Cowper's glands.

Pre-ejaculate (also known as "pre-cum") is seminal fluid that seeps from the tip of the penis during sexual excitement, before ejaculation happens. Pre-ejaculate may contain sperm from a previous ejaculation. Both pre-ejaculate and ejaculate can carry sexually transmitted infections.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.