Dear Reader,

If a man ejaculates into a woman's vagina, without using a condom, yes, semen as well as vaginal fluids trickle out. Semen is no exception to the rule, "What goes up, must come down." (Check out Semen goes where? in Alice's Sexual Health archive.)

While it may be practical to make a dash for the bathroom, if you have sex in bed, you can let the fluids drip onto the sheets (commonly known as the "wet spot"). You can also have a soft towel nearby, which you can use to sensuously dry each other after sex. Either way, the two of you can stay where you are, allowing yourselves to enjoy one another and relax — you'll just have some extra things to add to the wash.

If your wife is uncomfortable with the dripping feeling after intercourse, she can use a mini-pad (typically used during menstruation) on her underwear to absorb the semen. Or, she can prevent the seeping sensation by using condoms. As an alternative to latex, you can try polyurethane female condoms for a change, or lambskin condoms (although they do not protect against STIs) as they provide a more natural sensation. Condoms can be especially useful for the times when your wife doesn't want to experience this "wetness" after having sex.

If you and your wife plan on becoming pregnant in the future, read the archived question Successful sperm. This answer will discuss how to maximize the ejaculated sperm, minimize the leakage, and increase the chances of conception.

Alice