An ancient practice of avoiding ejaculation is growing in popularity, specifically among young men. Advocates of semen retention claim this revolutionary act will help you level up in most every aspect of your life — from increased productivity and memory, to improved skin and muscle mass, to deepened sense of purpose and relational bonds.
But, does scientific evidence support the purported benefits of semen retention? Let’s explore some facts and myths surrounding semen retention to help you make an informed decision regarding the practice.
What is Semen Retention and Where Did it Come From?
Semen retention refers to the intentional practice of avoiding the ejaculation of semen. This can be done in a few ways including abstaining from sexual activity and the urge to ejaculate via masturbation altogether, interrupting your bodies physical response when you feel close to ejaculation, or teaching yourself to orgasm without ejaculation (also known as dry orgasming).
The practice is associated with various spiritual and religious beliefs that can be traced back to antiquity. Below is a look at some of the cultural contexts in which it first emerged:
Taoism
Taoists believed that semen was a man’s essential life force (jing), and depleting this essence would lead to weakness and shortened lifespans. They encouraged “coitus reservatus” accompanied by meditation, breathing exercises, and energy circulation to cultivate spiritual enlightenment and vitality.
Tantra
Tantra also utilized sexual practices as a path toward spiritual growth. Avoiding ejaculation would redirect sexual energy (kundalini) through the body, transmuting it into higher states of consciousness. Like Taoism, breathing techniques, meditation, and physical postures were incorporated to support this process.
Hinduism/Buddhism
Brahmacharya referred to the celibate, disciplined lifestyles of yogis and ascetics pursuing spiritual development within Indian religious traditions. For practitioners, abstaining from ejaculation symbolized self-control and detachment from earthly desires.
Early Christianity
Chastity and celibacy were viewed as ways to achieve spiritual purity within Christian ascetic traditions as well. Though texts rarely focused on semen retention as a standalone practice, emphasis on controlling sexual impulses overlap with ideas of avoiding ejaculation.
Grecian Philosophy
Pythagoreanism advocated sexual restraint within a broader set of purity practices which would help men better communicate with, and therefore be led by, the Divine.
Semen retention today has largely diverged from religious ritual and re-framed itself as a self optimization and productivity hack. Decontextualized from its role in meaningful, spiritual practice however, critics argue the practice may be baseless.
Separating Fact from Fiction: What Does Science Say?
Within current online discourse, the promotion of semen retention exists as a way to reclaim masculine energy and dominance in a world perceived to be increasingly emasculating. Supporters have attributed multiple mental and physical health benefits; and while compelling, it’s important to distinguish scientific evidence from anecdotal claims.
Myth #1: Semen Retention Significantly Increases Testosterone
One belief is that avoiding ejaculation will increase a man’s testosterone levels, leading to higher energy, improved mood, and increased muscle mass. While one small study found that testosterone levels peaked after 7 days of abstinence, this effect was not sustained as levels normalized soon after.
The peak was not substantial enough to produce physical or mental changes, nor did evidence suggest that long-term abstinence would lead to sustained increases or treat testosterone deficiency.
Myth #2: Semen Retention Heightens Female Attraction Toward You
As stated, on a hormonal level, semen retention won’t lead to demonstrable changes perceptible to women on a biological level, nor influence their behavior towards you. Some ‘NoFap’ communities have attributed the phenomena to changes in pheromones, however there has been no established link between pheromones and ejaculation frequency.
Other contributors to these online threads point out placebo effect as a possible cause leading to increased confidence and magnetism.
Myth #3: Semen Retention Makes You Richer
Some individuals believe that retaining semen helps conserve a form of energy which can be redirected to other areas of life, such as your professional success. Little scientific evidence has been able to support these claims or track correlating increases in qualities such as focus or creativity as a result of not ejaculating.
Myth #4: Semen Retention Improves Sperm Quality
Research does suggest that frequent ejaculation may temporarily lower sperm concentration, but not necessarily quality. Shorter abstinence periods of 1-5 days may be beneficial for this reason. Long-term semen retention, however, has an opposite effect.
Due to oxidative stress, prolonged abstinence leads to decreased sperm motility and increased DNA fragmentation; whereas regular ejaculation (2-4 times a week), supports healthier sperm production within research studies.
Myth #5: Semen Retention Cures Mental Illness
While there actually is scientific evidence regarding the health benefits of ejaculation, the same is not true for semen retention. Individuals who have experienced relief from depression and anxiety due to semen retention may be experiencing the larger psychological effects of increased senses of discipline and self-control.
Through these means, the practice becomes part of a larger mindfulness or self-improvement journey, contributing to positive mental health outcomes.
Fact #1: Semen Retention Can Cause Epididymal Hypertension
Individuals may experience aching or pain in the groin area (what we colloquially refer to as “blue balls”) from the practice of semen retention. Scientifically speaking, blue balls happen when prolonged sexual arousal — without a sexual release — causes blood to build up in the testicles. While relatively harmless to your overall health, this is one natural consequence of the practice.
Fact #2: Semen Retention Can Lead to Other Sexual Health Problems
If a person regularly prevents themselves from ejaculating or reaching orgasm, they may develop ejaculation issues. For example, they may find themselves unable to ejaculate or orgasm when they want to, or begin to experience premature ejaculation.
They may also develop retrograde ejaculation where semen is redirected into the bladder rather than exiting the body. Repeated retrograde ejaculation may impact fertility over time according to its’ research.
Fact #3: Semen Retention Can Help Build Sexual Awareness
Some individuals report that the practice has helped them achieve greater control over their orgasms, thus improving sexual satisfaction and intimacy with partners. Techniques that involve avoiding ejaculation, such as edging and mindful masturbation, can certainly cultivate a greater awareness of one’s body and may be utilized within sex therapy as skills training for individuals experiencing sexual difficulty.
Sex therapists may also de-emphasize one’s explicit goal of ejaculation during intercourse. A less performance-based goal of sex may be to reach a relaxed state of union, or “flow state,” where you feel connected and satisfied regardless of orgasm. This decreases performance pressure and allows for more creativity and expansiveness within sexual experiences.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, semen retention is a personal choice. However, sexual activity— including regular ejaculation— is a natural, healthy part of life and there is no scientific evidence suggesting otherwise.
If you are considering practicing semen retention for spiritual or personal growth reasons, it can surely be a worthwhile exploration in self-discipline and sexual awareness. But relying on this practice alone to address deeper issues may lead to frustration. As with any practice, it’s important to approach with realistic expectations and an understanding of its limitations.
A healthy sexual life is not defined by whether or not you ejaculate, but rather by your ability to experience pleasure, intimacy, and connection in ways that align with your values and goals. If you are experiencing challenges in these areas, a qualified medical or mental health professional can provide evidence-based strategies to help.
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