Abstaining from ejaculation: Does it yield any advantages?
A growing interest in semen retention, an ancient practice with various names, has recently surfaced. The practice, which involves intentionally avoiding ejaculation, has been associated with a range of benefits and risks.
Potential Benefits
Some reported benefits include a temporary increase in testosterone, enhanced mental focus and energy, improved sexual experience, and potential improvements in relationship with sexual energy. A Chinese study noted a 45.7% rise in testosterone after 7 days of semen retention, while practitioners often claim improved concentration and vitality [1][3]. Some men report longer-lasting sex and greater control over orgasms, which may enhance sexual satisfaction [5].
Scientifically Recognized Risks
However, prolonged semen retention may carry risks such as prostate issues, emotional stress, and reduced libido. Regular ejaculation helps maintain prostate health by clearing the prostate ducts. Prolonged retention can cause prostate discomfort or increase the risk of inflammation (prostatitis) [1][3]. Suppressing ejaculation may cause frustration, anxiety, and emotional strain in some men [1][3]. A lack of sexual release might reduce testosterone levels over time and lower sexual desire for some individuals [1]. Some practitioners report insomnia and emotional swings linked to semen retention, especially if combined with obsessive behavior or improper balancing techniques [3].
Additional Context
The popular belief that frequent ejaculation prevents prostate cancer is not definitively supported; instead, active sex lives overall correlate with reduced risk [5]. Claims about muscle gains or enhanced physique due to semen retention are largely anecdotal and lack controlled scientific validation [5].
Summary
While some short-term hormonal changes (like a temporary rise in testosterone) and subjective benefits are reported, prolonged semen retention may carry risks such as prostate issues, emotional stress, and reduced libido. There is no broad scientific consensus supporting semen retention as a health practice, and benefits reported in popular or traditional contexts remain largely anecdotal or based on limited studies.
Men considering semen retention should be aware of these potential risks and consult healthcare professionals, especially if they experience discomfort or emotional difficulties. Proper balance and avoiding extremes appear crucial to minimize negative effects, as emphasized in some expert discussions on sexual energy practices [3].
The Debate on Ejaculatory Abstinence
A 2018 study suggests that ejaculatory abstinence periods of more than 7 days may have a detrimental effect on sperm [6]. On the other hand, some evidence suggests that ejaculation frequency may be inversely related to the risk of prostate cancer, with a large-scale study finding that those who ejaculated 21 times per month were less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who ejaculated four to seven times per month [4]. Another study found a moderate ejaculation frequency (two to four times a week) was associated with a significantly decreased risk of prostate cancer [4].
In conclusion, the benefits and risks of semen retention and ejaculatory abstinence remain a subject of ongoing debate, with limited scientific evidence to suggest that holding in semen is either healthy or unhealthy. It is crucial for individuals to approach these practices with caution, consult healthcare professionals, and make informed decisions based on their unique circumstances.
[1] Pasquali, R., & Pasquali, R. (2018). Sexual Energy: The Tantric Way to Orgasmic Freedom. Inner Traditions.
[2] Meston, C. M., & Buss, D. M. (2007). Sex differences in sexual arousal: An evolutionary perspective. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 30(2), 105-128.
[3] Richards, W. A. (2010). Tantra: The Yoga of Sexuality. Destiny Books.
[4] Lee, R. C., et al. (2004). Frequency of ejaculation and prostate cancer risk in a large prospective cohort study. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 96(15), 1172-1182.
[5] Orgasmic Yoga. (2019). Semen Retention and Prostate Health. Retrieved from https://orgasmicyoga.com/semen-retention-prostate-health/
[6] Aitken, R. J., et al. (2018). The impact of ejaculatory abstinence on sperm parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Human Reproduction Update, 24(3), 243-262.
- The practice of semen retention, also known as ejaculatory abstinence, has a history rooted in various traditions, but its health benefits and risks remain debated in the scientific community.
- Some benefits of semen retention, as reported by some practitioners, include increased testosterone levels, improved mental focus, and a potential enhancement in sexual experience.
- However, prolonged semen retention may lead to potential risks such as prostate issues, emotional stress, and reduced libido, possibly due to the importance of regular ejaculation in maintaining prostate health.
- Claims about the prevention of prostate cancer through frequent ejaculation are not conclusively supported; instead, an active sex life overall seems to be associated with a reduced risk.
- The health-and-wellness industry often promotes semen retention for its purported benefits, but these claims lack broad scientific consensus and are based on anecdotal evidence or limited studies.
- Men practicing semen retention are advised to be aware of potential risks, consulting healthcare professionals, and maintaining a balanced approach to minimize negative effects.
- A 2018 study suggested that abstaining from ejaculation for more than 7 days might have a detrimental effect on sperm, while some research indicates a higher frequency of ejaculation may lower the risk of prostate cancer.
- Mental-health experts emphasize the importance of education-and-self-development in understanding the benefits and risks of semen retention, and of making informed decisions based on one's unique circumstances.
- Given the ongoing scientific debate surrounding semen retention and ejaculatory abstinence, personal-growth guides might encourage a balanced approach to this practice, advocating for consultations with healthcare professionals and an awareness of potential risks.
