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Understanding Involuntary Ejaculation in Massage Therapy

For most people, being touched by a bodywork practitioner is an incredibly relaxing experience. However, a significant number of men have an embarrassing, visible response to massage therapy. Although most practitioners understand the likelihood that some men may develop an erection during a session, that understanding could turn to anger if they encounter a client who has ejaculated. But for a number of men, ejaculation during massage could have been an involuntary, asexual physiological reaction to the massage. By learning more about this possibility, massage therapists with a client who accidentally ejaculates can maintain compassion while upholding their professional ethics and infection control standards.

Intentional or Accidental?

Identifying Client Intentions

If a client ejaculates during your session, the first thing a practitioner must do is figure out if their client has any sexually related motives. In the article, A Common Male Physiological Response to Massage, eight important steps are outlined to help massage therapists address inappropriate behavior and determine a client’s intent. Upon identifying a client seeking a sexual outlet, the therapist’s ethics and safety are their first priorities. When addressed professionally while maintaining firm ethical boundaries, affected men without sexual intentions are likely to be surprised and embarrassed by their body’s actions.

Why Some Men Feel Shame or Embarrassment

Many men are trying to understand why their body betrayed them while receiving bodywork. Unfortunately, there is little information available about why some ejaculate without purposeful genital stimulation or sexualized thoughts. Despite medicine’s dismissal of this situation as a rare anomaly, more men are emerging from their shame to try and find an explanation.

The Physiology of Ejaculation

Why Ejaculation During Massage Happens

Ejaculation is a normal physiological process that can sometimes occur involuntarily during massage due to nervous system stimulation combined with deep relaxation. Understanding these mechanisms helps therapists respond professionally and compassionately.

The Two Phases of Ejaculation

Technically, ejaculation is the process of sperm transport from the epididymis to the urethral meatus, resulting in expulsion of semen. Ejaculation occurs in two phases:

  1. Seminal emission, which is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system.
  2. Propulsatile ejaculation, which is controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system.

Nervous System Pathways Involved

Men who have experienced unexpected, unwanted ejaculation during a massage typically claim that it occurs when they are in the prone position with the therapist working on their low back, buttocks or upper thighs. Considering the location of the afferent and efferent nerves responsible for ejaculation, these locations are not surprising:

  • Via the sympathetic nervous system, autonomic impulses responsible for seminal emission exit the spinal cord between the tenth thoracic vertebrae and the second lumbar vertebrae.
  • Propulsatile ejaculation is caused by somatic input of the parasympathetic nervous system between the second and fourth sacral foramen.

The Brain’s Role in Ejaculation

In addition to its sympathetic and parasympathetic involvement, the pathways for ejaculation are also cerebrally mediated. As evidenced by nocturnal emissions, the ejaculatory reflex may be solely initiated by central nervous system input. While sexualized thoughts often occupy the mind prior to ejaculation, some sexual health experts believe that the brain’s role in ejaculation is more associated with a mental “letting go.”

Massage, Relaxation, and Involuntary Release

At first glance, ejaculation appears to be out of line with bodywork. However, the level of relaxation that can be induced by massage therapy is a quintessential example of someone mentally letting go of his tension. From a physiological perspective, ejaculation during massage could be initiated by combining deep relaxation with massage therapy’s activation of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Practical Suggestions for Therapists and Clients

Draping and Boundary Techniques

Strict draping practices and rolled-up towels to create an additional boundary near the genitals will ease any anticipatory excitement.

Adjusting Massage Techniques

Change massage location and/or technique when muscles tighten, breathing becomes more rapid or the client suddenly fidgets when working on the lower back, gluteus maximus, and upper hamstrings. When client is prone, limit torso rocking techniques to prevent unintentional genital stimulation.

Infection Control and Cleanup Protocols

Use additional barriers to quarantine or absorb accidental ejaculate. Remember to treat anything that has been ejaculated on as infectious, including removal of sheets and towels with gloves, table and linen sterilization and thorough hand washing after cleanup.

Practical Tips for Preventing Future Incidents

If a client ejaculates, the situation can be awkward and possibly upsetting for the massage therapist. However, it could be completely humiliating for the massage recipient and prevent him from ever seeking massage therapy again.

Addressing this issue promptly can put both the therapist and client at ease. Explaining the physiological nature of the response helps maintain ethical boundaries, exhibits compassion, prevents recurrence, and reinforces professionalism.

Handling Unsolicited Ejaculation During Massage

After determining that an unsolicited release was not sexual, addressing this issue promptly can put the therapist and their clients at ease. Since a man’s physiology could cause involuntary ejaculation during bodywork, a practitioner who explains this to their client thus maintains ethical boundaries, exhibits compassion, takes steps to prevent its reoccurrence and follows infection control practices – and enforces their own professionalism. Additionally, tackling this topic facilitates the client’s recognition that there is nothing wrong with him and helps him let go of any shame surrounding his body’s unsolicited release.

Reader Insights and Updated Considerations (2025)

Since the original publication of this article, we’ve received a number of responses from readers—many of whom bravely shared personal experiences with involuntary ejaculation during massage therapy. These responses have highlighted how common, confusing, and emotionally charged this experience can be for clients.

Normal Yet Embarrassing Reactions

For several men, ejaculation occurred without arousal or sexual thoughts, sometimes triggered by pressure on areas like the gluteal region, inner thighs, or even collarbone/neck. In some cases, it was reported to happen even during treatment by male therapists, underscoring the physiological—not sexual—nature of the response.

Others expressed how traumatic it was to experience this unexpectedly, and how they avoided massage therapy afterward out of shame or fear of being misunderstood. Still others sought to understand why it happens and what they could do about it.

The courage of these readers in sharing their stories affirms that this issue is more common than previously assumed, and not a reflection of sexual misconduct or intent.

What Clients Can Do

  • Know that you’re not alone. Your body may simply be reacting to a combination of nervous system stimulation and deep relaxation.
  • If something occurs, discreetly notify the therapist, or ask for a towel. There’s no need to over-explain or feel ashamed.
  • Afterward, consider letting the therapist know the linens may be soiled so they can be properly sanitized.

If this happens to you repeatedly, especially in nonsexual contexts, you may want to consult with a urologist or somatic therapist, as some individuals may have heightened sensitivity to nerve stimulation or trauma stored in certain body areas.

What Therapists Can Do

From the feedback received, it’s clear that clients appreciate when therapists:

  • Stay calm and professional.
  • Avoid making a big deal out of it.
  • Reassure them that this is a physiological event, not an ethical violation—as long as there’s no inappropriate behavior.

Therapists are reminded to document any such incident appropriately and handle soiled linens according to infection control protocols. Compassion and discretion go a long way in ensuring that clients feel safe returning for future care.

A Note on Diverse Perspectives

Some readers shared a reluctance to seek massage therapy at all due to fear of these physiological responses, choosing instead to avoid the risk of embarrassment or misunderstanding. Others questioned why involuntary ejaculation should be viewed negatively—especially if the client isn’t acting inappropriately. These perspectives highlight an important truth: not all clients understand the professional and ethical framework therapists operate within.

While a bodily reaction may be unintentional or perceived as harmless, therapists are required to maintain strict boundaries and ensure their own safety and comfort at all times.

Finally, some commenters expressed disappointment with how their therapist reacted—feeling judged or excluded without discussion. These experiences reinforce the need for clear, compassionate communication and trauma-informed policies that support both therapist and client when challenging situations arise.

Additional Resources

If you’d like to learn more about this subject, these resources may be helpful:

Originally posted May 2009. Updated August 18, 2025.