The National Blood Service, Ghana (NBS), has issued a formal correction regarding what it describes as “scientifically inaccurate” claims linking ejaculation and sexual activity to significant blood loss. In a statement dated August 20, 2026, and signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. (Med) Shirley Owusu‑Ofori, the Service emphasised that such assertions are medically unfounded and risk misleading the public on critical health matters.
The NBS explained that its attention was drawn to a Prime Morning discussion on Joy Prime, aired on November 8, 2022, and a subsequent JoyOnline Health article titled “Have sex twice every week – Health expert urges men.” During the programme, Dr. Charity Twumasi, CEO of Chartma Herbal Health Centre, claimed that a single ejaculation released “400 million cells” and equated the volume of seminal fluid to “one pint of blood.”
She further suggested that frequent sexual intercourse could lead to life‑threatening blood loss. The NBS categorically rejected these claims, describing them as scientifically inaccurate and potentially harmful to public understanding of blood donation, sexual health, and prostate‑related conditions.
‘Semen and blood are entirely separate fluids’
The National Blood Service (NBS) clarified that semen and blood are produced by entirely different anatomical systems and cannot be equated. Semen is composed of spermatozoa, seminal plasma, proteins, and enzymes generated by the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and testes, whereas blood remains confined to the circulatory system.
The Service further rejected comparisons between the volume of an ejaculation and a pint of blood. It explained that while a typical ejaculation contains millions of microscopic sperm cells, the total volume of seminal fluid is usually only 2 to 5 millilitres. By contrast, a pint of blood measures about 473 millilitres. The NBS concluded that equating the two volumes is “mathematically and biologically impossible.”
‘Zero blood loss’
The NBS rejected the idea that ejaculation depletes the body’s blood supply. They stated, “No Circulatory Depletion: Blood is contained strictly within the circulatory system. Ejaculation does not deplete, draw from, or affect systemic blood volume. Standard sexual activity causes absolutely no blood loss.” The NBS cautioned that the spread of such claims could create unnecessary fear and reinforce misconceptions about sexual and prostate health.
They added that this misinformation could have broader public health implications by confusing individuals about how blood volume is lost or replenished, which could ultimately undermine voluntary blood donation campaigns.
