Spermatorrhea

Spermatorrhea, or spermatorrhoea, is a condition of excessive, involuntary seminal discharge. In several cultures, spermatorrhea referred to ejaculation outside of certain approved sexual practices and was thus a subjective term. A more modern medical definition is the excessive release of semen with no accompanying erection or orgasm.^[1]

In Western medicine during the 19th century, spermatorrhea was regarded as a medical disorder with corrupting and devastating effects on the mind and body.^[2] The cure for spermatorrhea was regarded as enforced chastity and avoidance of masturbation, with circumcision sometimes being used as a treatment.^[3][4][5]

Traditional Chinese medicine counts the production of semen as one of the biggest strains on jing (kidney essence). It is a recognized disorder in traditional Chinese medicine, in which certain patterns of involuntary ejaculation reflect problems with kidney qi.^[6][7]

In ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha and bala are used to treat this vata ailment. The Indian Traditional Knowledge Digital Library also has medicinal prescription using the herb.^[8]

In the 18th and 19th centuries, if a patient had ejaculations outside marital intercourse, or released more semen than is typical, then he was diagnosed with a disease called spermatorrhea or "seminal weakness". A variety of drugs and other treatments, including circumcision and castration, were advised as treatment.^[4][9][10] Some alternative practitioners, especially herb healers, continue to diagnose and advise treatments for cases of spermatorrhea.^{[citation needed]}

Spermatorrhea also occurs in seasonally breeding species of marsupials and monotremes.^[11][12]