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| ==Health risks== | ==Health risks== | ||
| There is no risk in ingesting the semen of a healthy man.<ref>http://www.factbites.com/topics/Semen-swallowing</ref> Seminophagia carries no additional risk other than those inherent in ]. Fellatio does carry some risk for ]s such as ] or ],<ref>Rosenthal, Sara. ''The Gynecological Sourcebook'', McGraw-Hill Professional, 2003, ISBN 0071402799 p151</ref> however, HIV is inhibited by saliva<ref>http://jada.ada.org/cgi/content/citation/116/6/635</ref> and destroyed by stomach acid<ref>http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Archive/Other/Q188582.html</ref> |
There is no risk in ingesting the semen of a healthy man.<ref>http://www.factbites.com/topics/Semen-swallowing</ref> Seminophagia carries no additional risk other than those inherent in ]. Fellatio does carry some risk for ]s such as ] or ],<ref>Rosenthal, Sara. ''The Gynecological Sourcebook'', McGraw-Hill Professional, 2003, ISBN 0071402799 p151</ref> however, HIV is inhibited by saliva<ref>http://jada.ada.org/cgi/content/citation/116/6/635</ref> and destroyed by stomach acid<ref>http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Archive/Other/Q188582.html</ref>; despite this if there is a wound somewhere between the mouth and the stomach, there is a possibility of infection. Research has suggested that performing unprotected oral sex on a person infected with ] (HPV) might increase the risk of ] or ]. Other ] may also be contracted which increase the risk of cancers in certain individuals. The study found that 36 percent of the cancer patients had HPV compared to only 1 percent of the healthy control group. It is believed that this is due to the transmission of HPV because this virus has been implicated in the majority of cervical cancers.<ref>http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Oral-Sex-Linked-To-Mouth-Cancer-Risk-5772-1/</ref> | ||
| Even if semen is cold before the individual ingests it, viruses can stay active for a long period of time once outside the body. Contracting diseases from ] is more likely if there are sores in the mouth. | Even if semen is cold before the individual ingests it, viruses can stay active for a long period of time once outside the body. Contracting diseases from ] is more likely if there are sores in the mouth. | ||
Revision as of 12:48, 24 September 2009
Spermophagia is the ingestion of semen for erotic gratification and/or physical or spiritual benefits. Sources of semen are either human males or male animals. The most common way that swallowing of semen occurs is when fellatio or irrumatio are performed to climax. Seminophagia is engaged in by people of both sexes. Men may consume their own semen after masturbation, sex, or autofellatio.
Health benefits
- Antidepressant: Semen has been proven to act as a strong antidepressant in women. Women physically exposed to semen are less likely to suffer from depression. It is thought that the psychological effects of semen are a result of its complex chemical make-up, including several mood-altering hormones (testosterone, oestrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin and several different prostaglandins, epinephrine, dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin). The effect of semen on a male sexual partner (a receiver of semen) is not known. These studies involved vaginal sex without condoms, however, the gastrointestinal tract is much more conducive to facilitate nutrient absorption than either the vagina or the rectum.
- Cancer prevention: Studies suggest that seminal plasma both prevents and fights cancer, particularly breast cancer, reducing risk by "not less than 50 percent." This effect is attributed to its glycoprotein and selenium content, with apoptosis being induced by TGF-Beta. A related urban legend parodied these findings and claimed that performing fellatio at least three times a week reduced the risk of breast cancer.
- Preeclampsia prevention: It has been hypothesized that substances in semen condition a mother's immune system to accept the "foreign" proteins found in sperm as well as the resulting fetus and placenta, keeping blood pressure low and thereby reducing the risk of preeclampsia. Regular exposure to the baby's father's semen, especially orally, may help make a woman's pregnancy safer and more successful, because she is absorbing her partner's antigens.
Health risks
There is no risk in ingesting the semen of a healthy man. Seminophagia carries no additional risk other than those inherent in fellatio. Fellatio does carry some risk for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV or herpes, however, HIV is inhibited by saliva and destroyed by stomach acid; despite this if there is a wound somewhere between the mouth and the stomach, there is a possibility of infection. Research has suggested that performing unprotected oral sex on a person infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) might increase the risk of oral cancer or throat cancer. Other Herpes viruses may also be contracted which increase the risk of cancers in certain individuals. The study found that 36 percent of the cancer patients had HPV compared to only 1 percent of the healthy control group. It is believed that this is due to the transmission of HPV because this virus has been implicated in the majority of cervical cancers. Even if semen is cold before the individual ingests it, viruses can stay active for a long period of time once outside the body. Contracting diseases from oral sex is more likely if there are sores in the mouth.
Taste and quantity
One source has noted that "few women praise the taste" of semen. However, as with breast milk, the taste of semen can be altered by diet. Higher red meat and dairy intake may increase its generally salty taste. Asparagus has been noted to cause bitterness, while parsley, celery, cinnamon, and many kinds of fruit (especially tropical) are noted to sweeten it. The semen of heavy smokers and drinkers tends to carry a more acrid taste.
The volume of semen ejaculate varies, but a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful is normal (5 to 15 mL), making 10 mL a rough average. However, the amounts can be double or more in cases of prolonged interval between ejaculations, or depending on the man himself. Younger males tend to produce larger quantities.
Cultural practices
Several tribes of Papua New Guinea (including the Sambia and the Etoro) believe that semen provides sexual maturation among the younger men of their tribe. To them, sperm possesses the manly nature of the tribal elders, and in order to pass down their authority and powers, younger men of their next generation must eat/drink their elders' semen. This fellatio and seminophagia custom commences among prepubescent males and postpubescents.
Spiritual views
In the modern St. Priapus Church, consumption of semen in the presence of others is a form of worship. It is esteemed as sacred because of its divine life-giving power. Some chapters of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica practice the consumption of semen during the Gnostic Mass, composed by Aleister Crowley.
External links
See also
References
- http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/annotate/node/350
- Tiffany Kary, "Crying Over Spilled Semen", Psychology Today
{{citation}}: Text "published on September 01, 2002 - last reviewed on May 29, 2007" ignored (help) http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200210/crying-over-spilled-semen - Raj Persaud. "Semen acts as an anti-depressant". New Scientist.
{{cite journal}}: Text "26 June 2002" ignored (help) http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2457 - Gordon Gallup (2002), "Does Semen Have Antidepressant Properties?", ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR, 31: 289–293, ISSN 0004-0002
{{citation}}: Text "number 3" ignored (help) - http://books.google.com/books?id=Jwx-10FmsBUC&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=vaginal+absorption+of+nutrients&source=bl&ots=dPj5dFD5Kq&sig=22xrqUAaJe-y9mEYmybJSIwKPvo&hl=en&ei=Zwk5Su7oDsvBtwfSy_jeDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1
- Muller, Melissa (2006). "Seminal Plasma Promotes the Expression of Tumorigenic and Angiogenic Genes in Cervical Adenocarcinoma Cells via the E-Series Prostanoid 4 Receptor". Endocrinology. 147 (7). The Endocrine Society. doi:10.1210/en.2005-1429. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Lê, Monique G. (1989). "Characteristics of reproductive life and risk of breast cancer in a case-control study of young nulliparous women". Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 42 (12): 1227–33. doi:10.1016/0895-4356(89)90121-2. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Gjorgov, Arne J. (1978). "Barrier contraceptive practice and male infertility as related factors to breast cancer in married women". Medical Hypotheses. 4 (2): 79–88. doi:10.1016/0306-9877(78)90051-8. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
{{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - "Fellatio Breast Cancer Reduction". Also at about.com Study: Fellatio May Significantly Decrease the Risk of Breast Cancer in Women }}
- http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=1340021
- http://www.factbites.com/topics/Semen-swallowing
- Rosenthal, Sara. The Gynecological Sourcebook, McGraw-Hill Professional, 2003, ISBN 0071402799 p151
- http://jada.ada.org/cgi/content/citation/116/6/635
- http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Archive/Other/Q188582.html
- http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Oral-Sex-Linked-To-Mouth-Cancer-Risk-5772-1/
- Staines, L. What women want Rodale, 2000, ISBN 1579540937, p.236
- http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/electronic-publications/stay-free/10/semen.htm | "The Taste Below the Waist"
- http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/17/9/2468
- http://www.gettingit.com/article/56
- J. Gordon Melton (1996, 5th ed.). Encyclopedia of American Religions (Detroit, Mich.: Gale) ISBN 0810377144 p. 952.
- Gallagher, Eugene. Ashcraft, Michael. Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America, Greenwood, 2006, ISBN 0275987124, p.101
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