If you’ve ever wondered whether you can conceive from your pre-ejaculate, you’re not alone. Semen is high in nutritional value and can be swallowed. However, it’s not possible to conceive from your pre-ejaculate. Moreover, sperm quality remains constant throughout a person’s life. All such kinds of discussions about sperm are nothing but just myths.
What are the Myths about sperm you should be aware of?
There are several myths about sperm that you should be aware of. Most popular myths about sperm are described below;
1- Semen has a high nutritional content if swallowed.
Semen is an important part of menstruation, and the nutrients it contains are valuable to human health if swallowed. This fluid contains high levels of protein and amino acids. If swallowed, it contains nutritional value compared to the amount of protein in egg whites. Despite its high nutritional content, men should not attempt to swallow it.
The nutrients present in semen are essential for the sperm that fertilizes the female egg and creates offspring. Because sperm has to travel a long distance, semen provides them with the energy they need to make the trip. This substance is safe for human consumption, but some people may face a stern allergic reaction. Moreover, semen can cause STIs and bacterial infections, so it is essential to use a condom when consuming it.
Also read about: How to Increase Penis Sensitivity?
Semen is mostly water and has a faint scent, which can be hostile to certain people. The smell of semen depends on its pH level and other components, such as fructose and magnesium. It may smell metallic or sweet. Strong odors, however, may indicate an infection. Semen is also extremely small compared to sperm, and few people consume enough to notice any health effects.
2- You can’t get pregnant from pre-ejaculate
While chances of getting pregnant from pre-ejaculate are not high, they do exist. However, these odds vary from person to person and sexual encounter to sexual encounter. Using contraception is the finest mode to protect yourself from an accidental pregnancy. It can also help you avoid pregnancy if you’re not using condoms.
Pre-ejaculate fluid is cross-contaminated with semen from previous encounters. The fluid will be passed through the urethra, but sperm will still swim into the semen on the vagina. This is why condoms are necessary for contraception.
Must read: At What Age Does a Man Stop Ejaculating?
Pre-ejaculate fluid is a substance released from the penis shortly before orgasm. The fluid comes from the Cowper’s glands, which are pea-sized glands located just under the prostate gland. However, unlike semen, pre-cum does not contain viable sperm.
Interestingly, pre-ejaculate has been associated with a lower risk of pregnancy and STIs. The acidity in the vagina can interfere with sperm’s pH levels. Consequently, pre-ejaculate can help to create more friendly surroundings for the sperm to travel.
3- Sperm quality remains the same
The quality of a person’s sperm is a major indicator of a man’s fertility. Men’s sperm quality generally declines later than that of a woman’s sperm. Typically, men do not experience problems with their sperm quality until they reach their fifties or sixties. As men age, their fertility begins to decline, and a person’s chances of having a child drop dramatically. A man’s testes tend to shrink and his sperm lose their shape and motility.
The amount of semen produced by a man has a direct relationship to his age. Sperm quantity in men tended to be highest in their thirties and forties, and it dropped to its lowest point after the age of 55. Sperm motility, which measures how well sperm can swim, also changes as a person ages. As a result, the quality of a man’s sperm may be affected by lifestyle factors and other medical issues.
Sperm quality is also affected by diet. Studies have shown that Tran’s fats, processed meats, soy products, and high-fat dairy products are linked to poor sperm quality. Moreover, the timing of sexual intercourse is a critical factor. A man should plan his intercourse before or after his ovulation. If sex occurs within 12 to 24 hours of ovulation, the probabilities of conception are higher.
4- Sperm can live for days
Sperm will not survive long outside the body, and they will only live on clothing for a few hours. In order for sperm to enrich an egg, they need a medium to survive. Clothing is not a good choice because fabric absorbs moisture and rarely maintains the right temperature for sperm to survive. Moreover, sperm cannot swim through clothes, and so cannot survive long on clothing.
Most sperm cells will die in fifteen minutes or less on clothing and surfaces. After a woman has ejaculated, sperm will not survive on clothing or sheets for more than five days. However, sperm may live for several days on a warm and moist surface. If you take a warm bath, the sperm may survive longer than those who are exposed to a dry, cold bed sheet.
A woman’s body temperature is very important for sperm to survive. A woman’s body’s temperature is higher near the genital area, so the sperm will be more likely to survive there. However, if the temperature is too high, sperm will die.
5- Tight underwear doesn’t have an effect on sperm
Some men think that wearing tight underwear will affect their sperm count. While it’s true that wearing tight underwear can make sperm more sensitive to heat and may even reduce sperm count, it’s not a cause of infertility. In fact, most vital measurements of sperm health are within the normal range.
Although a recent study found no link between tight underwear and decreased sperm production, some research has suggested that it may have a small effect. In one study, nine healthy men who wore boxer shorts produced better sperm than those wearing tight underwear. Other studies have linked hot clothing with lower sperm counts. Tight underwear could actually interfere with sperm production, but more studies are needed to determine this.
In the study, researchers analyzed the semen samples of 656 men. They selected these men from couples seeking infertility treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital. Then, the men were inquired to complete a questionnaire about their underwear habits. Chavarria’s research team looked at a group of men who wore boxers and those who wore tight underwear. The researchers adjusted for age and body weight to compare the two groups. The results showed that men wearing boxers had a higher sperm concentration and more swimming sperm.
6- The foods you eat don’t affect your semen.
If you want to increase the chances of conception, you must make sure your sperm is in good health. Eating a well-balanced diet is a good way to do it. A high-quality diet contains many nutrients that support healthy sperm and improves motility. For example, pomegranate juice contains high levels of antioxidants that improve sperm health.
Researchers studied 3,000 men to see how their diets affected their sperm count. They found that men who ate junk food regularly had a significantly lower sperm count than those who ate healthier foods. Eating healthy foods can boost your sperm count by 25 percent.
It is also important to avoid consuming too much red and processed meat. Research has revealed that eating large amounts of red and processed meat lowers sperm count and morphology. You can easily replace these unhealthy foods with a healthy protein source. But if you are worried, try switching to almond or low-fat dairy.
Soy foods may negatively affect sperm count. However, soy milk and soy sauce may have bad effects on sperm count. These foods can contain pesticides.
7- All sperm behaves the same way
The reason all sperm behave the same way is not completely clear. The motility of sperm cells is related to a protein called RAC1. This protein helps sperm travel by transmitting chemical signals to the inside of the cell. It also activates other proteins. In fact, rac1 has been shown to direct white blood cells and even cancer cells to certain chemical signals. This protein also helps sperm find the egg. However, when the activity of RAC1 is reduced, the sperm cannot effectively move forward.
In this experiment, scientists placed sperm in a tighter and observed the way they behaved. They found that human and bull sperm swim in a figure-of-eight pattern. This was a result of the fact that they had to swim upstream against a flowing fluid. Although some sperm were able to make it through the tighter, most were caught in the oncoming current.
Herrmann’s research has revealed that sperm are aggressive competitors. They use dirty tricks to pass on their genes. These dirty tricks can give each sperm a benefit over its competitors, and promote the transmission of specific gene variants.
Related blog: Pros and Cons of Masturbation – You Should Know