The presence of male cells in women could be attributed to pregnancies with male foetuses, or the transfer of cells from male siblings during gestation. 

“Do women carry the DNA of men they’ve had sexual intercourse with?” asked a First Check reader. This is an old claim that has been periodically surfacing on the internet since the publishing of a 2012 study, which investigated male DNA in women.

Contrary to misleading online narratives, the study did not conclude that male DNA was stored in women as a result of sexual intercourse. Instead, the authors suggested that the presence of male DNA in women could be attributed to factors such as prior pregnancies with male foetuses or the transfer of cells from male siblings during gestation.

There’s a scientific term for this biological occurrence –Microchimerism. It denotes the presence of cells from one individual in another genetically distinct individual. For example, during pregnancy, if the foetus is male, its stem cells can enter the woman’s bloodstream and remain in her body long after birth. These cells are typically minute in quantity and harmless. 

However, the misinformation proliferated on various social media and online platforms has led to baseless claims and speculation. In many cases, the unscientific narratives are used to instil shame and fear in women regarding their sexuality. That said, there’s no evidence to prove that microchimerism, a biological phenomenon, is caused by sexual intercourse with multiple partners.

To fact-check health claims, write to us at hello@firstcheck.in or WhatsApp on +91 9311 223145. You can also connect with us on First Check WhatsApp channel. 

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