Sex has many health benefits. An active, stimulating sex life can improve heart health, mental health, and reduce overall stress.
But sex may have more health benefits than you might think.
Sex can be messy with lots of bodily fluid entering all sorts of places. In particular, it is very common for people to get sperm in their mouths, especially during oral sex. Therefore, it makes sense for many people to ask themselves whether swallowing semen, intentionally or accidentally, is good or bad for their health.
In this blog we describe what semen is, the advantages and disadvantages of swallowing it and whether it is good for your health or not.
Are you worried about sexually transmitted infections after giving or receiving oral sex? Get the Oral Screen Home Test Kit from Daily Sparkz.
Sperm vs. semen
Let’s start with the basics.
The words semen And seeds are often used interchangeably, but actually refer to two different things.
A sperm cell or spermatozoa is the microscopic male reproductive cell. Sperm is made up of water and plasma and consists of three main parts, each with a different function. The head carries the male’s genetic information, the midsection acts like a power plant by producing energy, and the tail helps the sperm swim once they are fully mature and released. The purpose of a sperm is to fertilize a female egg after ejaculation.
Sperm, on the other hand, is the seminal fluid that is supposed to transport the sperm to the egg. Semen contains many nutrients that keep sperm alive, including sugars, proteins, and even some vitamins and minerals.
Contrary to what many people believe, sperm and semen are produced by different parts of the male reproductive system.
Sperm are produced in the testicles in cycles that last about 70 days. Semen is produced by several organs, including the prostate, Cowper’s gland (also called the bulbourethral gland), and the seminal vesicles.
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Just as there is a difference between semen and semen, there is also a difference between semen and precum.
Precum or pre-ejaculate is a clear fluid secreted from the penis during arousal but before orgasm. This liquid is a lubricant and is intended to make vaginal sex easier.
Precum usually does not contain sperm. However, if you orgasm and have sex soon after, the precum may contain some remnants of sperm from the previous ejaculation.
This is one of the reasons why it is important to use barrier methods of contraception in most cases.
What is sperm made of?
Sperm is not just a substance. It is a combination of many different ingredients. It also contains a lot of different nutrients. These liquids contain:
- Proteins
- Ascorbic acid
- Amino acids
- phosphorus
- potassium
- chloride
- lactic acid
- Fructose
- citrate
- calcium
- zinc
- magnesium
- urea
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Are there nutritional health benefits to swallowing a partner’s sperm?
In most cases, ingesting semen is safe and can even have health benefits.
Semen contains some calories – about five to seven calories per teaspoon.
A study from 2002 suggests that semen has several physical and chemical properties that can improve your mood as it has natural antidepressant properties, including:
- Endorphins
- Estrone
- Prolactin
- Oxytocin
- Serotonin
However, these results should be treated with caution as very few follow-up studies have been carried out.
Another study A study conducted in 2003 found that women who were exposed to sperm for long periods of time, both before and after pregnancy, had a lower risk of developing preeclampsia. However, further research on this topic is needed.
The risks of swallowing sperm during oral sex
While swallowing semen is generally safe, there may be some risks.
Sperm allergy
Some people may develop an allergy to semen. You may have semen allergy (hypersensitivity to human seminal plasma) if you experience the following symptoms of an allergic reaction after exposure:
- inflammation
- Burning sensations
- swelling
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing
- itching
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Swallowing semen also carries the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
The risk of swallowing sperm arises from the fact that in most cases oral sex took place first. Repeated and direct contact between an infected penis and the throat is the main reason why various sexually transmitted diseases can infect the throat.
- Gonorrhea: People who perform oral sex on someone with a genital gonorrhea If there is an infection, an infection in the throat is more likely to develop. An oral gonorrhea infection can cause swollen and tender glands in the throat, difficulty swallowing, visible irritation, and redness in the back of the throat
- Chlamydia: Like gonorrhea, Chlamydia Bacteria can infect your throat. It can cause a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. Most oral chlamydial infections do not cause any symptoms.
- Syphilis: syphilis can be transmitted through oral sex when the bacteria enter the body through a small cut or opening in the mouth or lips. This can lead to an oral syphilis infection. Symptoms often include sores or lesions that appear at the entry site.
- Herpes: If you perform oral sex on someone with a genital Herpes If you have an infection (be it HSV 1 or HSV 2), the virus can infect your mouth.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): HPV can also be transmitted during oral sex. It can occur even if the infected person does not have genital warts. It’s important to be vigilant about HPV because some strains are linked to cervical cancer in women.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): Although it is very rare, it is possible to get it HIV from oral sex. This can occur if the uninfected person’s mouth has cuts or sores and the infected person ejaculates into the mouth.
If you want to have oral sex, you should get tested beforehand to ensure that no infections can be transmitted.
Final thoughts
While swallowing semen is generally safe and may provide only minor health benefits, there are also some risks associated with it. You should only swallow semen after you and your partner have discussed your sexual health and after you have both been tested for sexually transmitted diseases. If you have casual sex, you should use oral contraceptives such as condoms or dental dams to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
You can book an STI screen with Daily Sparkz to test yourself and your partner for different STIs.
This article originally appeared February 24, 2023. Last updated July 25, 2025.
This article has been medically reviewed by Steve ChapmanNovember 6, 2024.
