Sexuality and reproduction
Sexuality and reproduction are the sexual life-expression of the human being and the passing-on of life. At the Kyborg Institute we regard sexuality as a natural, creative life force – expressly from a personal, spiritual point of view. This view is worldview-based and no medical statement; where we report research, we say so.
A creative life force
In many spiritual traditions, sexuality counts as the expression of an original, creative force. We ascribe it to the 2nd chakra – the centre of creativity and joy of life. An affirmed, pleasurable sexuality can give wings to the whole of life: it gives closeness, joy and motivation. This is our personal view – no statement about health or illness.
Without shame – with responsibility
At the Kyborg Institute we see sexuality not as something dirty or guilt-laden. For centuries it was laid with shame – this burden we hold to be unnecessary. A free, unconstrained dealing includes, however, responsibility:
- Protection against sexually transmitted infections (e.g. condoms) – see sexually transmitted diseases.
- Consent: sexuality lives from a mutual yes and respect.
- Conscious choice instead of pressure – everyone at their own pace.
What does research know about sexuality and health?
Many claims circulate about sexuality and health – reliable findings are rarer. Here we only report what has been examined in studies, and how robust it is:
- Prostate cancer: In a large US long-term study of around 32,000 men, a higher ejaculation frequency was associated with somewhat fewer prostate cancer diagnoses. This is an observed association, not proof of cause and effect, and the evidence is not consistent. Details and context: Prostate complaints – what does research say?
- Period pain: The often-heard assumption that an orgasm eases period pain has so far not been tested in clinical studies; there are only surveys (as of 2026).
- Semen and skin: The assumption that semen rejuvenates the skin when a woman ingests it goes back to research on the substance spermidine. It was first detected in semen in 1678 but occurs in all body cells and in foods such as wheat germ, aged cheese and mushrooms. Cited in favour: a study from Graz (Eisenberg et al., Nature Cell Biology 2009) showed that added spermidine stimulates the cells’ self-cleaning (autophagy); yeast, flies and worms lived longer, human immune cells survived longer in the laboratory, and ageing mice showed less oxidative cell damage. In a long-term observational study in South Tyrol, a spermidine-rich diet was associated with lower mortality (Kiechl et al. 2018). Cited against: none of these studies examined semen itself or the skin. In a one-year controlled trial, spermidine did not change memory in older people (Schwarz et al. 2022), and taken orally it did not raise its blood level (Senekowitsch et al. 2023). An ejaculate contains only a small fraction of the amount taken in daily with food. Cochrane Austria sees no evidence of an effect in humans so far (2024). Contact with semen calls for the usual protection against sexually transmitted infections.
Knowledge is not a recommendation: sexuality needs no health justification, and none of these observations replaces medical advice or screening.
What does that mean in practice?
- Understand sexuality as something natural and beautiful – without shame.
- Attend to protection and consent.
- In the case of health questions (contraception, the wish for children, complaints), seek medical advice.
Note: This article renders a personal, worldview-based view and is not medical advice. It replaces no medical diagnosis or treatment. For health questions please turn to a doctor or pharmacy; do not discontinue prescribed medication on your own initiative.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Kyborg Institute see sexuality?
As a natural, creative life force (2nd chakra) and as something beautiful that may be lived free of shame and guilt. This is a spiritual-worldview view, no medical statement.
What about protection and responsibility?
A free dealing with sexuality includes responsibility: protection against sexually transmitted infections (e.g. condoms) and mutual consent belong to it. More under Sexually transmitted diseases.
What does research know about sexuality and health?
Less than is often claimed. A large US long-term study found that a higher ejaculation frequency was associated with somewhat fewer prostate cancer diagnoses – an association, not proof of cause and effect. Whether an orgasm eases period pain has not yet been tested in clinical studies. Neither is a recommendation or a substitute for medical advice.
Does semen rejuvenate the skin?
This has not been studied. The assumption rests on laboratory research on spermidine, a substance first discovered in semen: in yeast, flies, worms and mice it stimulated the cells’ self-cleaning and in part extended lifespan. Human studies on spermidine have not shown such an effect so far, and there are none on the skin; an ejaculate also contains little spermidine compared with daily food.
Change history · last updated on
- — Research section extended by the question of whether semen rejuvenates the skin (evidence on spermidine).
- — Section on what research knows about sexuality and health added, with a link to the research on prostate cancer; links corrected.
- — Frequently asked questions revised.
- — Address of this entry localised: it now carries the English term instead of the German one. The old address redirects.
- — First English version.
Sources
- D. Harald Alke: Gesundheitslexikon (Health Encyclopedia). A detailed account of health-relevant topics and therapeutic methods; bundled, overlapping experiences from around 30 years of life counselling with clients. Kyborg Institute.
- Eisenberg, T.; Madeo, F. et al. (2009): Induction of autophagy by spermidine promotes longevity. Nature Cell Biology 11(11), 1305–1314.
- Kiechl, S. et al. (2018): Higher spermidine intake is linked to lower mortality: a prospective population-based study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 108(2), 371–380. DOI 10.1093/ajcn/nqy102
- Schwarz, C. et al. (2022): Effects of Spermidine Supplementation on Cognition and Biomarkers in Older Adults With Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open.
- Senekowitsch, S. et al. (2023): High-Dose Spermidine Supplementation Does Not Increase Spermidine Levels in Blood Plasma and Saliva of Healthy Adults. Nutrients 15(8), 1852. DOI 10.3390/nu15081852
- Medizin transparent (Cochrane Österreich, 2024): Spermidin: Anti-Aging-Effekt unklar.
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