14 Things To Know About Swallowing Semen - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribe14 Things to Know About Swallowing Semen

Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — Written by Jen Anderson — Updated on April 22, 2025

Safety
Protein
Other nutrients
Calories
Taste
Smell
Mood boost
Stress relief
Other health benefits
Melatonin
STIs
Allergic reaction
Takeaway

Key takeaways

Semen is generally safe to ingest, as it’s digested in the same way as food. However, in rare circumstances, some individuals may experience an allergic reaction.
Despite being known as a protein source, semen primarily consists of water and contains only a small amount of protein, offering minimal dietary health benefits.
The taste and smell of semen can vary based on diet, health, and hygiene.

Semen is a “viscous, creamy, slightly yellowish or greyish” substance made up of spermatozoa — commonly known as sperm — and a fluid called seminal plasma.

In other words, semen contains two separate components: the sperm and the fluid.

Sperm — about 1% to 5% of the semen — are the tadpole-like reproductive cells that contain half of the genetic information to create human offspring.

The seminal plasma fluid, which is mostly water, makes up the rest.

Is it actually safe to ingest?

For the most part, yes, the components that make up semen are safe to ingest. Swallowed semen is digested in the same way as food.

However, in very rare circumstances, some people might discover that they’re allergic to semen. This is also known as human seminal plasma hypersensitivity (HSP).

Though rare, this sensitivity is something to be aware of in case you experience an allergic reaction.

Is it as protein-rich as everyone says?

Despite its reputation for being a rich source of protein, you would likely have to consume gallons of semen to see any dietary health benefits.

Although the amount of ejaculate varies from person to person, depending on various factors, such as age and health, protein is only a small part of it.

What else is in semen?

Along with the sperm, protein, and water mentioned above, semen also contains a variety of other components, including:

sugar, both fructose and glucose
sodium
citrate
zinc
chloride
calcium
lactic acid
magnesium
potassium
urea

If it has actual nutrients, does that mean it has calories?

Most internet sources say that semen contains between 5 and 25 calories per teaspoon, but there isn’t a lot of research to back this figure up.

What does it taste like?

There’s no single description of what semen tastes like because it can vary from person to person. To some, it can taste bitter and salty, while for others, it can taste sugary sweet.

Although there isn’t a direct link proving that a person’s diet directly affects the taste of their sperm, there’s some anecdotal evidence.

There are a few foods that could make semen taste more palatable or less acidic, such as:

celery
parsley
wheatgrass
cinnamon
nutmeg
pineapple
papaya
oranges

On the other hand, many believe that a more intolerant bitterness could be attributed to other foods, as well as drug-like substances, such as:

garlic
onions
broccoli
cabbage
leafy greens
asparagus
meat and dairy products
alcohol
cigarettes
coffee

What does it smell like?

Similar to taste, the smell of semen can vary quite a lot depending on circumstances like diet, health, and hygiene.

In many situations, semen can smell like bleach or other household cleaners. This is due to its makeup of ingredients, which provide a pH level where the sperm can thrive.

Unlike the vagina, which naturally skews more acidic, semen tends to be neutral or slightly alkaline.

It stays around 7.26 to 8.40 on the pH scale, which ranges from 0 (highly acidic) to 14 (highly alkaline).

On the other hand, if semen smells musky or fishy, this could be due to outside factors.

Like taste, a more putrid smell could be attributed to diet, in the same way that asparagus affects the scent of urine. Sweat and dried pee can also make it smell bitter.

Is it really a mood booster?

Potentially. There’s some research that shows there could be natural antidepressant properties in semen.

These may include:

endorphins
estrone
prolactin
oxytocin
thyrotropin-releasing hormone
serotonin

A 2002 study conducted by the State University of New York at Albany surveyed 293 college-age females to see if exposure to semen, without the use of outside condoms worn on the penis, affected their overall mood.

According to the survey, those who were directly exposed to semen showed significantly better mood and fewer symptoms of depression.

However, this study should be taken with a grain of salt.

What about stress relief?

In the same vein as the studies that show evidence for the natural antidepressant properties of semen, some believe it could also have stress-relieving properties.

This claim is due to the mood-boosting properties of oxytocin and progesterone hormones, both of which are found in semen.

It’s also thought that vitamin C and other antioxidants found in semen may help reduce sperm impairment by fighting oxidative stress within semen.

Are there any other health benefits?

Maybe. Similar to how some studies have shown mood-lifting and anxiety-reducing benefits, semen exposure could help with pregnancy health.

A 2003 case-controlled study found that females who were exposed to sperm for longer periods, both before and during pregnancy, were less likely to develop preeclampsia, a rare pregnancy complication.

However, this is only one study, and more research is needed to support these findings.

Why do some people get tired afterward?

Semen contains melatonin, the natural hormone your body releases to regulate sleep cycles.

This may explain why some people feel tired after swallowing semen or being exposed to it during intercourse.

There hasn’t been any research on this, so there’s no way to know for sure.

Can swallowing put you at risk for an STI?

Just like any other form of sex without a condom, swallowing semen can put you at risk for an STI.

Without a barrier, bacterial infections, like gonorrhea and chlamydia, can affect the throat. Skin-to-skin viral infections, like herpes, can result from contact.

Before you and your partner engage in condomless sex, including oral stimulation, make sure to have a conversation about when you were last tested or if you think you should get tested.

I heard some people are allergic — is this true?

Yes, but it’s extremely rare.

Although there isn’t a lot of hard data, semen allergies may affect up to 40,000 females in the United States.

Symptoms of a semen allergy usually show up 20 to 30 minutes after contact or ingestion and may include:

pain
itching
redness
swelling
hives
difficulty breathing

Seek immediate medical attention if you have trouble breathing or experience other signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Symptoms of allergy will likely vary from one person to the next, as will their duration. Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional if your symptoms persist or worsen.

Is it better to spit or swallow?

Whether you choose to spit or swallow is entirely up to you and your personal preferences.

Before making a decision, make sure that you have an open conversation with your partner about their STI status. This will help you evaluate the overall level of risk.

In the end, you should only do what you’re comfortable with.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Einarsson JI, et al. (2003). Sperm exposure and development of preeclampsia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12748491
Gallup GG, et al. (2002). Does semen have antidepressant properties?https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1015257004839
Owen DH, et al. (2013). A review of the physical and chemical properties of human semen and the formulation of a semen simulant.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2164/jandrol.04104
Pahune PP, et al. (2013). The total antioxidant power of semen and its correlation with the fertility potential of human male subjects.https://www.jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2013&month=June&volume=7&issue=6&page=991-995&id=3040
Sharbatoghli M, et al. (2015). The relationship between seminal melatonin with sperm parameters, DNA fragmentation and nuclear maturity in intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection candidates.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4601876/
Sublett JW, et al. (2011). Seminal plasma hypersensitivity reactions: an updated review.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/msj.20283
Zhou J, et al. (2015). The semen pH affects sperm motility and capacitation.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0132974

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Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — Written by Jen Anderson — Updated on April 22, 2025

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