9 Things You Must Know About Sperm

We've all heard the rumors about sperm—pineapple, hot tubs, ladies who are allergic. But what's the truth?
We consulted the experts for the facts:  

 1. It's Fast and Furious, Right from the Start. The first moment of ejaculation contains the highest concentration of sperm.

 2. It Sticks Around Longer Than You Think Sperm typically stays in your body for 48 hours after sex, however, "it can hang around for as long as five days to a week," depending on how "friendly" your cervical mucus is. Interestingly, cervical mucus protects sperm and helps it stay longer in the body around ovulation, when you're most fertile.

 3. Lots of Sex or Masturbation Won't Lower a Guy's Sperm
Count Don’t worry, he doesn’t have a limited supply
of swimmers that he's going to use up. Frequent ejaculation may lower the volume, but if he generally has a normal sperm count this shouldn't make much of an impact.

 4. Temperature CAN Lower His Sperm Count Apparently, his semen fluctuates with the seasons. "Sperm count tends to be lowest in summer months and highest in winter months because exposure to heat lessens sperm count.

 5. Pineapple Isn't Proven to Make Him Taste Better Unfortunately, scientists haven't tested this one out yet (can
somebody get on that, though?). Semen does contain fructose (naturally occurring sugar), giving it a slightly sweet taste, but there's never been a real
study on the connection between foods a guy eats and the taste of his swimmers. However, this rumor has a ton of anecdotal evidence, so if it seems to work for your partner, we say go ahead and grab the pineapple.

 6. Male and Female Sperm are Created Equal Sperm either have the X or Y chromosome, but their chances
of making it don’t differ. The idea that one type is more resilient or swims faster than the other is just a myth.

 7. It's Super Rare to Be Allergic to Sperm We've all heard that women can be allergic to
sperm, causing inflammation or redness, but it's very,
very rare to be allergic. There has also been one study on a sexually transmitted allergy to Brazil nuts (where a woman had an allergic reaction to her partner's sperm after he ate the nuts). But again, cases like this
are extremely rare. In the unusual case you are diagnosed as allergic, wearing a condom can prevent irritation.

 8. Sperm Has a Pretty Intense Journey Before the Grand Finale It takes about two and a half months to prep all the sperm expelled in the average ejaculation. It initially forms in the testicles then moves up to the epididymis. Then fully formed sperm travels through the vas deferens and swings by the seminal vesicles where it mixes with a fluid to form semen. Finally, the prostate adds the last little bit of
fluid before ejaculation.

 9. Your Guy's Health Affects His Sperm "Sperm may be healthier for men under 40. "And they'll definitely be healthier in men who avoid things like smoking, a high-fat diet, and environmental toxins." So if you're
considering starting or expanding your family, keep that in mind.