Althouse: Semen might be a mood enhancer for women.

April 18, 2011

Semen might be a mood enhancer for women.

But a doctor can get into a lot of trouble making light-hearted remarks about that.

67 comments:

windbag said...: Oh, come on.; 4/18/11, 10:11 PM
Jeff with one 'f' said...: Now, if he had said that it made women feel oppressed and moody he would have been a hero guest on Oprah!; 4/18/11, 10:15 PM
bagoh20 said...: I'm a giver. I just wanna give give give. Spreading happiness is my only objective. Some people misinterpret my kindness and enthusiasm.; 4/18/11, 10:16 PM
Lord Whorfin said...: Lets not forget toxemia is a negative reaction to the husband's sperm. Too much of a good thing may not be best for all women.; 4/18/11, 10:23 PM
Chip S. said...: Apparently there are those who believe that it was inappropriate to disseminate these findings via the house organ of the American College of Surgeons.; 4/18/11, 10:23 PM
Anonymous said...: Sounds like a catch 22...just sayin'; 4/18/11, 10:25 PM
PaulV said...: it is a mood enhancer for both men and womyn

WV: nomime
no mime during semen encounters; 4/18/11, 10:26 PM
Anonymous said...: What about restoring science to its rightful place? What about the reality-based community? What's with all this politically correct crap among health professionals?

If man milk is good for the chicks, let 'em have it.; 4/18/11, 10:26 PM
traditionalguy said...: This is another clear benefit of Global Warming. Around here the hot southern nights in the back seats directly infuse into southern women their legendary charm and beauty.; 4/18/11, 10:36 PM
Lucius said...: ????

Does this article evince the slightest curiosity as to whether the asserted findings are true?

Or about whether 'truth' (at least scientific plausibility based on presented evidence) is relevant to how to justly treat the doctor for sharing these findings?

I admit his writing was a bit icky-coy in suggesting that semen is even better than chocolates: maybe as a metonomy for sex and orgasm it is, but do most women really care for the product itself?

I mean, even if the stuff improves their mood and all, I think it's mostly a male fantasy that women relish ejaculate in and of itself; that they just want to rub the stuff into their skin like Sharon Olds in that poem she--

Oh, hell with it. Just never mind . . . .; 4/18/11, 10:38 PM
Jose_K said...: By Vallentine`s day , the instapundit linked to an article about that. Vagina is esaily permeated and semen has about 20 chemichals including oxytocine.
In the end it sais women like sex . What is wrong with that? Unless you are Andre Dworkin; 4/18/11, 10:42 PM
Anonymous said...: Uh-oh... they turn to the muzzle!

There must be no difference between gays and lesbians and heterosexuals. They are, in all respects, just like you and me, except that they choose to sleep with people of the same sex, which otherwise has no effect on them whatsoever.

Suggest differently and they will come at you with everything they've got. Accuse you of harassment. You're "old guard", out-of-touch. They will make sure you are completely and absolutely sidelined from your profession. The authoritarian regime does not tolerate free speech, not even scientific speech, in this area. You may not contradict the only acceptable conclusion.

The linked NYT piece is completely bizarre. It never confronts the question of whether Dr. Greenfield's claim about semen is true, or might be true. Somewhere along the way it just assumes that it is false, and then later on makes the further assumption that this claim is somehow harassing toward women.; 4/18/11, 10:49 PM
traditionalguy said...: What punishment short of burning at the stake could atone for the male Doctor's speaking about good sex as if women need a man's participation. But isn't that a reason women need abortion all of the time. I am confused.; 4/18/11, 10:52 PM
chickelit said...: I'm with Lucious and I'll add:

What an idiotic story for the NYT to run. No substance at all about the scientific controversy. This just reinforces people's already negative opinion of the NYT.

I'm disappointed in Althouse too for playing along with this bullshit bait and switch story.

Good night all.; 4/18/11, 10:53 PM
Titus said...: Disgusting.

Not appropriate for this blog. I'm sorry but clean it up.; 4/18/11, 10:53 PM
bagoh20 said...: The NYT is angling for The Bible's job. They assume having the toolbox is enough.; 4/18/11, 11:04 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: They hate semen? Hate sex? What?

And what an incurious bunch at the NYT. No one care whether or not it's true?; 4/18/11, 11:07 PM
Unknown said...: God forbid, doing something that brings men and women, particularly husbands and wives, together should be encouraged.

I can understand Titus' feelings on the matter, but why some women would be opposed...

Never mind.

Ann, of course, maintains a discreet silence.

WV "brapac" Nice, warm pillows.; 4/18/11, 11:07 PM
Anonymous said...: The feminist left suffers from scientific semen closure.; 4/18/11, 11:10 PM
Phil 314 said...: Hey, he was a surgeon what did you expect!

Disgusting.

Not appropriate for this blog. I'm sorry but clean it up.

Titus goes for irony; 4/18/11, 11:13 PM
Known Unknown said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/18/11, 11:27 PM
Known Unknown said...: Don't like The New York Times?

Try The Heath Ledger; 4/18/11, 11:29 PM
Synova said...: Oh for the love of...

Talk about morons. Just goes to show people can be smart and really really dumb.

How, PLEASE, is something suggesting semen has mood lifting benefits above sex without semen an attack on women?

It could be in error, but how could anyone read about it and get offended instead of finding it interesting?

The last thing I want is someone who thinks science should conform to their social preferences as my surgeon!; 4/18/11, 11:48 PM
Lucius said...: from Fay Weldon's "The Spa":

". . . to investigate the effect of the condom on gender relationships: perhaps nature had endowed women with a need for regular injections of male hormones via semen: perhaps there was a positive correlation between higher levels of PMT and condom use? Perhaps the current growing estrangement--as President Putin put it-- between the genders in Russia was down to the increased use of condoms, now that abortion was no longer the nation's main contraceptive method? Sparkle would reject the idea as biologism but there was no denying this overwhelming feeling, . . ." (p 103)

I tell people: you want to know what's really going on in the world, read Fay Weldon.

[NB: book published in Britain and internationally as "The Spa Decameron"; apparently the American audience was found too dense for 'Decameron.']; 4/18/11, 11:56 PM
bagoh20 said...: "Semen might be a mood enhancer for women."

Correlation does not prove causation. It could be the reverse order. This is why the dinner and movie come first.; 4/19/11, 12:06 AM
William said...: There is considerable evidence that the ferrous oxide in the semen of red haired men if ingested on a regular basis can cause the elimination of cellulitis. It is also associated with a weight loss ten to fifteen pounds on average. This research has been supressed by anti-ginger fanatics who feel it would undermine relations among the non gingers. Perhaps, it would. Don't let word of this go any further; 4/19/11, 12:38 AM
Palladian said...: Semen is a mood enhancer for everyone! For women, for straight men, for gay men... hell, I know I'm happier with a face-full of it!; 4/19/11, 12:47 AM
Anonymous said...: All I know is it's good for women's hair and face. Massage deep into the scalp and facial tissue daily.

Do not ingest.; 4/19/11, 1:21 AM
vbspurs said...: That's nothing! Wait 'til you hear what poop does to women.

Cheers,
Victoria; 4/19/11, 1:58 AM
vbspurs said...: Palladian wrote:

hell, I know I'm happier with a face-full of it!

My reaction on reading this.; 4/19/11, 1:59 AM
vbspurs said...: All right, I've read the article.

Dr Lazarus Greenfield, the author of this editorial about the effects of semen on women, is the inventor of the Greenfield filter, a device which prevents blood clots from entering the lungs, which has doubtlessly saved thousands of lives. Yet, it's sad to think that if he doesn't go on to better things, his obit will probably first mention the semen study first.

And why? Because feminists have zero sense of humour.

wv: combo (intelligence and no sense of humour -- a lethal combo); 4/19/11, 2:09 AM
vbspurs said...: Hey...has Ann decided to hell with her policy of no linking to NYT articles or has she discovered the javascript code that you can use in your Greasemonkey add-on on Firefox, to circumvent the pay wall?; 4/19/11, 2:11 AM
machahir123 said...: see now more here
http://machahir123.blogspot.com/; 4/19/11, 3:33 AM
Toad Trend said...: @Titus

? Attending the seminary ?; 4/19/11, 5:35 AM
rhhardin said...: That was an argument, its truth being explicitly unsettled, against condoms in marriage 40 years ago.; 4/19/11, 5:52 AM
PaulV said...: More from the anti-science Puritans of the New York Times. Anti-revolutionary cads.; 4/19/11, 6:15 AM
damikesc said...: If you look at in terms of biology, it makes perfect sense for semen to improve the mood of women. Anything to propagate the species.

I actually knew about this several years ago.; 4/19/11, 6:27 AM
Anonymous said...: Wow. Thin skin much?

The author of the article makes it fairly clear that this guy has been a mentor and advocate for women over his long, successful career.

From what is available to read, he didn't make any demeaning comments about women or lesbians. Maybe the comments were a bit of locker-room humor at the worst. In any event, it doesn't subscribe to the philosophy of putting women and gays on a pedestal of superiority and for that he is being driven out of his position.

As for the part about women not going into surgery because of the sexism? I'm sure it is true for some or at least a factor. But or the most part, I call bullshit. I know several female surgeons. In general, the life of a surgeon involves more pressure, longer hours and more physically demanding days (but with more money...and we know that women are so much more virtuous than men and are not drawn to money so much). Try balancing that type of career with pregnancy, child-rearing. The women that I know do it really well, but generally it is much more difficult for women then men.

The pouters that are wanting him to resign should be thankful that every once in a while they read something that might contradict their religion.; 4/19/11, 6:28 AM
Anonymous said...: "Semen might be a mood enhancer for women."

I've also heard it's good for sore throats.; 4/19/11, 6:49 AM
The Dude said...: Trust Titus to shit all over a thread.

WV: fragge - make your own joke.; 4/19/11, 6:52 AM
Toad Trend said...: I knew I had read about this some time ago:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2457; 4/19/11, 6:53 AM
KCFleming said...: So which feminist truth am I to believe?

1) Women are powerful. As powerful as men. More powerful, really.

2) Women are fragile creatures that cannot abide hearing or reading bawdy banter, who flutter and wilt when barbarian men are present.

3) Both are true, depending on whose ox is being gored.; 4/19/11, 6:57 AM
damikesc said...: But what is up with female "academics"? Archie Bunker couldn't have invented such hysterical overreaction as the shrews generate over everything.

Nothing says "academic rigor" like keeping lots of topics off-limits.

Apparently, we need to STOP pushing women into higher ed or we will lose any ability to research anything.; 4/19/11, 7:01 AM
KCFleming said...: At least the emeritus professor of surgery at the University of Michigan School of Medicine didn't suggest any reason to explain the preponderance of men among surgeons.

Jeebus, he ain't that stupid.; 4/19/11, 7:04 AM
Anna said...: ..... *thud* ..... methinks we have jumped a shark or two.; 4/19/11, 7:04 AM
AllenS said...: One would think that when the semen showed up, the mood would have already been there.; 4/19/11, 7:11 AM
Clyde said...: Sounds like those whiners really need to get laid -- without protection.; 4/19/11, 7:37 AM
Craig said...: This item clearly belongs in the Journal of Irreproducible Results, not because it is or isn't sexist, but because there's more humor in it than is tolerable in a "reputable" medical journal. JIR values humor, sanguine or choleric, bilious or phlegmatic. Scientific validity is optional, and not required to meet editorial standards.; 4/19/11, 8:03 AM
pdug said...: So this Colleen Brophy checked the research and decided she could tell it was wrong

“I’ve gone back and reviewed the science, and it’s erroneous,” she said.

Has she published this critical work? Has anyone?

Obviously, she needs to have the original work be wrong or her shock and dismay can't be justified. But where is the evidence that the original work is 'erroneous'? What did she check? What was wrong with it?; 4/19/11, 8:09 AM
Craig said...: This is a job for qualitative analysis.; 4/19/11, 8:13 AM
KCFleming said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/19/11, 8:38 AM
RuyDiaz said...: What about restoring science to its rightful place? What about the reality-based community?[...]

It was all a load of excrement. It always is.; 4/19/11, 10:03 AM
RuyDiaz said...: Freeman Hunt:

They hate semen? Hate sex? What?

And what an incurious bunch at the NYT. No one care whether or not it's true?

They hate human reproduction and overly close heterosexual relationships.

And no, they don't care whether it's true or not.; 4/19/11, 10:08 AM
Brennan said...: Is there a comparitive effectiveness analysis that can help me avoid reading the NY Times at all times?

At least for serious discussions, because this story is one that I will use forever just for the "I read in the NY Times" punchline.; 4/19/11, 10:44 AM
David said...: Mood enhancer?

The whole concept is hard to swallow.; 4/19/11, 11:03 AM
Stephen A. Meigs said...: Wow, this is unprecedented. I actually believe this is probable evidence I have had a significant effect on something. For ever since Gordon Gallup came up with the theory that the groove ventral to the glans of the penis exists so competitor sperm can be removed by getting caught in the groove and did tests to see how circumcision affects the matter, it has seemed most probable to me that he has been influenced by my writings. For one of the theories I throw out in my free internet book, Exact Morality for Today, is that lesbianism (or females getting off on other females, at any rate), has to do with females wanting sperm that is effective at enduring going back-and-forth between different females as a result of getting trapped on the penis (which trapping I mention probably is encouraged by the foreskin). Females would be expected to like the idea of intraejaculate sperm selection selecting for sperm that have evolved to prosper under such back-and-forth conditions, because such sperm would presumably tend to have ancestral DNA wanted by scads of females, which of course is what females would be expected to want.

My anti-sodomy page, wherein I argue that semen likely contains chemicals that can have addictive effects when introduced into the digestive system predates his study about semen being an anti-depressant during sex, and given that he also came up with a notion that sperm getting trapped on the penis is significant, probably, I figure, I was important inspiration for both those hypotheses. So am I mad at him for not having received recognition? Nope. No way on God's green earth I would try to publish my anti-sodomy views in a journal. Were I to fight about socially important matters in a setting like a journal that disallows common sense (or more precisely, what Locke calls reflection), I'd be like one of those dumb generals who decides to fight the taunting enemy before he can bring his most powerful weapons, his great overpowering cannons, to bear. It would be the sort of battle mistake George Washington didn't make at Boston. And as for his views about semen getting trapped on the penis being important, well, his ideas are rather different from mine (supposedly, his experiments with artificial penises makes him think the foreskin actually discourages semen getting trapped, and I hadn't even thought of the groove ventral to the glans being of significant sperm-trapping signficance, which of course seems obvious in retrospect), and probably journals wouldn't have allowed him to reference my internet book, anyhow, it not having been sprinkled with pyxie dust from peer reviewers or whatever.

I have done some calculations about the extent a female would be expected to want intraejaculate sperm selection qua its effects merely on sperm fitness, which I wrote up mostly with idea of publishing it. (My book on this point is erroneous; the truth is long-term first-order benefits to the female on average exactly cancel the short-term harm.) But I could never find a journal it felt right to publish at given what I wanted my article to be, or maybe I just got lazy or something crazy or not-crazy made me change my mind or want to postpone publishing. Journals that are open access tend to charge authors to publish in them--the rot associated with that consideration makes me instinctively cringe.; 4/19/11, 11:07 AM
Craig said...: One ejaculation is worth a thousand pictures.; 4/19/11, 11:07 AM
Stephen A. Meigs said...: Woops. Should have said "dorsal" rather than "ventral".; 4/19/11, 11:52 AM
dbp said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/19/11, 1:43 PM
dbp said...: The original publication was from 2002. The NYT seems to be willing to take Dr. Brophy's word for it that this work has been debunked.; 4/19/11, 1:49 PM
hombre said...: Once again, speech that is inconsistent with leftist goals and/or orthodoxy must be punished.

Also, this study, if accurate, might provide another argument against gay marriage. Certainly, enhancing the moods, ergo the dispositions, of women must be in the public interest. LOL; 4/19/11, 2:02 PM
hombre said...: “I’ve gone back and reviewed the science, and it’s erroneous,” Colleen Brophy said.

Translation: I used to get laid all the time and I was still meaner than cat piss! Still am!; 4/19/11, 2:08 PM
Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...: Come for the semen, stay for the fun!; 4/19/11, 5:18 PM
Anga2010 said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/19/11, 10:45 PM
Anga2010 said...: Can't we just say, "It was his seminal work" and leave it at that?; 4/19/11, 10:48 PM
jr565 said...: This explains why so many feminists come across as bitter man hating shrews. No semen. It's like a vitamin deficiency. No Vitamin C gives you rickets. No semen, and you become a feminist.; 4/20/11, 7:50 AM
jr565 said...: acftually low vitamin D might give you rickets. And vitamin C might give you scurvy. But that's quibbling.; 4/20/11, 11:11 AM