Many people enjoy swallowing semen during oral sex. Swallowing another person's cum can be hot, visceral, and incredibly intimate. And ditto for person releasing into their lover's mouth! But have you ever wondered what's actually in that loving spoonful of sperm?
Semen is actually a mix of three separate fluids and contains sperm cells plus small amount of proteins as well as other nutrients and substances. Knowing this, you're not alone if your next thought is, "So, does sperm have calories?"
What is sperm made of?
Sperm are the reproductive cells. They carry chromosomes. Semen is the liquid vehicle that contains the sperm cells. So let's talk about what semen is made of.
You could think of semen as a spontaneous cocktail mixed and served at the last minute. There's a basic recipe, sperm cells plus seminal fluid equals semen, but that recipe allows for some variation. The ingredients come from different sources (mostly the testicles and the prostate gland). And the measurements will fluctuate. This mixture comes out as about a teaspoonful of viscous liquid, more or less.
As one study put it, "Human semen is a mixture of components produced by several different glands. These components are incompletely mixed during ejaculation and, hence, the initial ejaculate is not an entirely homogeneous mixture. The first portion of the ejaculate, about 5% of it, is made up of secretions from the Cowper (bulbourethral) and Littre glands. The second portion derives from the prostate and contributes from 15% to 30% to the ejaculate. There follow small contributions of the ampulla and epididymis and, finally, of the seminal vesicles, which contribute the remainder, and majority, of the ejaculate."
This same study mentions that sperm is only "1% to 5% of the total volume" of semen and that the average volume of total ejaculate is around 3.4 mL.
Other ingredients include sugars such as fructose and glucose; proteins like albumin; cholesterol; minerals like sodium, calcium, zinc, and magnesium; enzymes; hormones; and vitamins C and B12. Semen also contains epithelial cells from the genitourinary tract, as well as leukocytes and immature germ (sperm) cells. As if that weren't enough, semen also contains a substance called spermidine, recently investigated for possible aging-regulation properties.
The "mixology" of semen provides nutrients to sperm cells to keep them healthy (seminal fluid), secretions to lubricate the penis (bulbourethral fluid), and prostatic fluid that neutralizes the natural acidity of a vagina.
As for the protein content of semen, approximately one third is albumin. A teaspoon of semen will add only about 252 milligrams to your own protein requirements, which may range between 50 to 100 grams a day. Your protein should come from a variety of dietary sources, even if your cum kink fantasies say otherwise.
Read More: Spit or Swallow: Does Sperm Actually Have Health Benefits?
Does sperm have calories?
Of course, the calorie content of semen, as well as sperm speed and quality, can vary depending on individual factors like diet and overall health.
Caloric estimates vary but on average, there are between five to twenty-five calories in a typical amount of ejaculate. That's like eating three to twelve raisins, barely enough to disrupt an intentional fast!
Is swallowing sperm bad for you?
The natural ingredients of semen (including sperm) are generally safe, so if partners are healthy and have recently tested negative for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), swallowing sperm should be just fine. Nothing substitutes for the surety of STI testing, however healthy, appetizing sperm should be a pale white or grey and have very little scent.
STI transmission is the biggest potential risk of unprotected oral sex, including swallowing semen. Herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and human papillomavirus (HPV) can all be transmitted via semen (though HPV cannot be detected in it). If you have concerns, skip the oral sex or use a condom.
In rare cases a person may have an allergic reaction to seminal fluid (their own or a partner's), whether or not ingested orally. If you find yourself having what seems to be an allergic reaction to semen, it might actually be a reaction to food and drug allergens contained in semen and saliva, and not the semen itself. Most people don't think of having a conversation about the prescription drugs they're taking, as a precursor to oral sex, but it might be a good idea in case the swallowing partner has a drug allergy.
However, contrary to earlier reports, a rare condition called post orgasmic illness syndrome probably does not involve allergies to one's own semen.
Consult with a medical professional for any and all concerns regarding semen odor, STIs, and allergic reactions.
Potential Benefits and Risks of Swallowing Sperm
While you can't depend on ingested semen to provide more than a microdose of protein, vitamins and minerals, researchers are exploring some intriguing benefits.
For example, semen contains hormones, including estrone and estradiol (forms of estrogen) and mood-enhancing oxytocin and serotonin. A 2002 study explored the link between depression and condom use in female college students. It concluded that women who were not using condoms were less depressed than condom users. Depression scores also increased for non-condom users as time lengthened between condom-less encounters, almost suggesting a kind of semen withdrawal. However it is unclear what seminal hormones might be responsible for the antidepressant effects.
Another set of studies show that a cumulative vaginal exposure to paternal semen prior to pregnancy may protect the birthing parent from preeclampsia. And while this study rules out oral exposure as preventative, this study says, "pregnant women who have oral sex with their partner have lower rates of preeclampsia, those that ingest their partner’s semen derive an even greater protective effect."
The Bottom Line
Whether you're an enthusiastic cum bunny wild for another taste, or simply like the intimacy of swallowing (or serving) semen, you can relax and enjoy. Swallowing sperm is generally safe for healthy individuals. Plus, the caloric content is minimal.
Remember to talk through any concerns you might have about swallowing semen and keep your lines of communication open. You'll want to informed decisions regarding this and other sexual practices.
