Sperm as an Antidepressant

20.06.2011 | By: T. P.

Women who have intercourse without condoms and let their partner ejaculate into their vagina are less likely to be depressed than other women. Why is that?

Yes, sperm can be used as a kind of antidepressant. (PhotoXpress)

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Scientists believed that this is caused by the absorption of certain hormones through the mucous membrane of the vagina. In the first study, 293 female students were involved, while in the next one there participated 700 women. They tried to test the effects of other factors like taking birth control pills, frequency of sexual intercourse, stability of a partnership and reasons for the decision to use a condom. But the results of research show that none of these factors can explain the change in a woman's well-being in such a way. It seems that men's semen really acts as a kind of an antidepressant.

Sperm contains several hormones which can affect one's feelings: testosterone, estrogen, lutropin, prolactin and various prostaglandines. Some of these substances were discovered in women's blood a few hours after the ejaculation. Can a similar effect take place during oral intercourse? Because the steroids in birth control pills survive the journey through the digestive system, we may also assume that the hormones in sperm do the same and some are already absorbed through the mouth's mucous membrane and the throat. However, without an extensive study, it makes no point guessing.

Why does sperm function as an antidepressant remains an evolutionary question. Gordon Gallup, one of the researchers, says that men whose sperm contains more of these substances have a better chance of getting laid again. The researchers hope that the amount of unprotected sex and the troubles caused by it won't rise as a result of their study, which was published in the New Scientist.

Let's add that ejaculating "inside" the partner has beneficial effects on men as well. The feeling of joy and satisfaction is greater, but we don't need research to inform us of that.