Blending clinical experience with a genuine love for writing, Dr. Sharon is passionate about creating clear, compassionate, and informative health content. With a focus on topics like general wellness, sexual health, and patient awareness, Dr. Sharon strives to make medical information easy to understand and meaningful for every reader.
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Updated on 10th June 2025
"The following blog article provides general information and insights on various topics. However, it is important to note that the information presented is not intended as professional advice in any specific field or area. The content of this blog is for general educational and informational purposes only.
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The very first thing that comes to mind when we hear ‘sperm’ is that it is needed to make a baby. But apart from making a woman pregnant, what else does the sperm have to offer a woman?
It might sound crazy, but did you know that they may also have surprising effects on a woman’s body beyond fertilization (fusion of male cell and female cell to form a baby) when they are present inside a woman’s body? By presence in the woman’s body means both internally (orally or vaginally) and externally.
In this article, we’ll break down the real science behind these claims, bust some myths, and explain how something so simple might be a natural health booster for women! Let’s look at what researchers have found about how semen interacts with the female body in ways that go far beyond reproduction and whether it can have a benefit or is just a myth!
But before directly jumping into the benefits and all the speculative myths, let’s first understand what sperm is made up of:-
| Sperm |
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| Seminal Fluid |
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| Semen |
|
After this science lesson [1], one can easily conclude that sperm shares just a small proportion of the semen, which is as low as 2-5%, and seminal fluid makes up 95-98%. It is the semen, which is the fluid containing all the secretions from the male glands, along with sperm. semen=sperm
Semen contains a complex mixture of biological substances [2], including specialized chemicals such as prostaglandins, serotonin, oxytocin, cortisol, melatonin, and testosterone.
All of which can influence mood, stress levels, and emotional bonding. Some of these substances can be absorbed through the vagina entering the bloodstream and interacting with the brain and controlling the mood.
These substances may influence the female body via vaginal absorption or interaction with vaginal and cervical receptors, though the exact pathways remain speculative and understudied.
Interestingly, a study from the State University of New York [3] found that women who had unprotected sex (without condoms) and were exposed to semen reported feeling less depressed. The more often and more recently they were exposed to semen, the better their mood seemed to be, even after accounting for things like relationship status or birth control use. In simple terms, semen may have mood-lifting and bonding effects thanks to the natural chemicals it contains.
It’s essential to emphasize that this is a correlation, not causation, and more research is needed to establish a direct link between this study.
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According to a 2011 study published [4] in the Journal of Pineal Research, researchers found the relationship between melatonin levels and sperm in men. The researchers found that higher levels of melatonin in the body were associated with improved sperm quality.
This study found that semen contains melatonin, which is a chemical that induces sleep and relaxation.
No study or research has found that ingesting semen can make you sleep better, so this remains a little unclear.
A 2003 study [5] found that women who had shorter relationships (less than 4 months) and used condoms before pregnancy were about 17 times more likely to develop preeclampsia, which is a serious condition involving high blood pressure, than those in longer relationships with regular sex without condoms.
The researchers suggest that frequent exposure to a partner’s sperm may help the woman’s immune system adapt to the father’s genetic material, promoting better tolerance during pregnancy. This highlights how relationship duration and contraceptive use may influence pregnancy health.
A review of seven studies [6] involving 7,125 pregnant women examined the effect of paternal sperm exposure before pregnancy on the risk of preeclampsia. Overall, there was no significant difference in preeclampsia rates between women with higher sperm exposure and those with minimal exposure.
But this study involved a small sample size, which may limit the reliability of its conclusions. It’s essential to interpret these findings with caution and not consider them definitive without additional evidence. Though the findings are promising, they are not conclusive, and further research is necessary.
The semen contains zinc-rich proteins like semenogelins, which exhibit antimicrobial properties that may help protect the female reproductive tract from infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), it was found in a study [7].
” Semen contains proteins like semenogelins and enzymes that exhibit antimicrobial properties. These components may help protect the female reproductive tract from certain infections, although it does not mean one should have unprotected sex.”
This protective effect is because of the high zinc concentration in semen, which is much greater than in other body fluids, and plays a crucial role in stabilizing sperm DNA and providing antibacterial activity.
It was reported on the internet that consuming semen can give you thousands of health benefits. Well, semen does contain small amounts of nutrients like protein, zinc, vitamin C, calcium, and fructose. But are they even enough for this huge human body?
The quantities are so minimal that they don’t offer any significant nutritional benefits.
For example, an average ejaculation (the release of semen during orgasm) contains about 0.17 grams of protein. Considering the daily recommended protein intake is around 50–60 grams, a man would need to ejaculate nearly 295 times to meet that requirement from semen alone!
Relying on semen as a source of nutrients isn’t practical or beneficial.
Moreover, performing oral sex or swallowing semen can lead to a lot of serious conditions, like Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs). So, precautions are a must, and the use of an appropriate contraceptive method is essential.
Yes, you heard this right. The notion that semen offers skin benefits, such as treating acne or reducing wrinkles, is largely a myth lacking scientific backing. While semen contains components like spermine and spermidine, which have antioxidant properties, their concentrations are minimal and unlikely to produce noticeable effects when applied topically [8].
Moreover, applying semen to the skin poses potential risks, including allergic reactions, skin irritation, and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some online trends suggest using semen as a facial or hair mask due to its content of proteins, zinc, vitamins, and antioxidants work as a good skincare component and even haircare.
This became so viral that some YouTube videos showed before and after photos and promoted semen to use as a skincare and haircare product; there are no dermatologists recommending semen on the skin. So the next time someone hits you with that kind of line, you know to stop immediately.
This information is based on current research and is meant to help you understand the topic better. It’s not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or healthcare professional before making any decisions about your sexual health.
Some studies suggest that semen might have certain health benefits, but it’s important to be careful. Having sex without any protection can come with risks, such as:
Always practice safe sex and speak with a doctor if you have questions or concerns about your health.
