It’s important to get your daily protein. The macronutrient helps keep you full, build muscle, and even repair cells, after all. Luckily, it’s relatively easy to get protein. You can boost your intake by eating ground beef, chicken, salmon, high-protein veggies , or protein shakes. But a surprising amount of people want to know if something else they’re eating contains the nutrient. Yes, every few months the question goes viral again: do vaginas have protein?
For those of you who aren’t familiar, this rumor has circulated on social media for a while now (similar to the medical wives’ tale that semen is packed with protein). As much as we’d like to believe it, we can’t help but feel like this particular fact might just be a little too fun. But a part of us also wonders if vaginas really do have more protein than we realize.
So, do vaginas have protein? And if so, is it enough to have any effect on nutrition? To set the record straight once and for all, we asked ob-gyns about the nutritional value of vaginas, including whether or not you can get protein from cunnilingus. Read on to get the facts (and don’t go ditching your favorite protein powder just yet).
Experts Featured in This Article:
Felice Gersh, MD, is an ob-gyn and founder of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine.
Cindy Duke, MD, is an ob-gyn and medical director of Nevada Fertility Institute.
Do Vaginas Have Protein?
When asked if cunnilingus would contribute to one’s daily protein intake, ob-gyn Felice Gersh, MD, keeps it short and sweet: “Not in the least,” she says. Breaking it down further, Dr. Gersh explains that the material in vaginal secretions includes:
- Large numbers of bacteria.
- Cervical mucous.
- Cells shed from the vaginal and cervical walls.
- Liquids passed through the vaginal walls containing electrolytes, and a small quantity of protein – mostly a type of antibody called secretory immunoglobulin.
While the word “protein” is technically included in Dr. Gersh’s description, don’t be fooled: “The minimal amount of protein someone would actually consume during oral sex would add nothing to their nutritional status,” Dr. Gersh confirms. If anything, “vaginal fluid is actually mostly made up of carbohydrates and other compounds,” says ob-gyn Cindy Duke, MD. Still, “there isn’t any nutritional value in this bodily fluid that would be beneficial or significant to another’s person’s dietary intake,” Dr. Duke reiterates.
While this rumor might be great for encouraging partners to go down on one another, using protein as motivation is neither sexy nor scientifically accurate. If you’re genuinely interested in eating more protein, you can start by incorporating more protein-rich foods in your diet (think: eggs, chickpeas, cottage cheese, or even some high-protein desserts). But most importantly, if you have a question about what does or doesn’t qualify as a sufficient source of protein, don’t take advice from rumors on social media. Instead, talk to a doctor or nutritionist. And while we’re always looking for more reasons to encourage people to go down on their partner, let pleasure be the only motivation you need.
– Additional reporting by Chandler Plante
Taylor Andrews (she/her) is the balance editor at PS, specializing in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, travel, and more. With seven years of editorial experience, Taylor has a strong background in content creation and storytelling. Prior to joining PS in 2021, she worked at Cosmopolitan.
Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.
