Semen Retention: Is It Healthy to Abstain From Ejaculation?

Our bodies are a hormonal hot pot, and men are constantly looking for that special edge to take their sex life to the next level. 

For many, that’s where semen retention comes into play. Semen retention is the practice of avoiding ejaculation.

Semen retention is said to increase sexual, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

But how much of it is actually true? 

Are there any substantial studies on semen retention that can support these claims? 

Here is a closer look at the pros and cons of semen retention, if it’s healthy, and how to do it.

What Is Semen Retention?

Semen retention means avoiding ejaculating. To achieve this, you can either avoid sex and masturbation completely or learn to have an orgasm without ejaculating.

Ejaculation releases semen from the penis, whereas orgasm is linked with sexual climax. It is when your feelings of relaxation and pleasure are in high gear. 

In other words, ejaculation is what happens in the pelvis, and orgasm is what occurs in the mind. To experience the effects of semen retention, you would intentionally avoid ejaculating.

The practice of semen retention is not new. On the contrary, it has deep roots in Taoist sexual practices. It exists in other cultures as well but under different names.

The other names for semen retention include sexual continence, maithuna (Hindu Tantra), coitus reservatus (Latin), sahaja (Hindu Yoga), and others.

What are the benefits of semen retention?

Physical Benefits

Recent research conducted in 2018 suggests that adopting shorter periods of abstinence, specifically intervals of less than 24 hours, can significantly enhance sperm motility. This improvement is particularly notable in terms of progressive velocity and overall motility. Moreover, this approach may extend its benefits beyond fertility, potentially contributing to physical rejuvenation, including heightened testosterone levels and increased muscle mass.

The interplay between semen retention and testosterone becomes a pertinent topic in this context. The concept revolves around the idea that when the body refrains from expelling sperm, it absorbs it back into the system.

This leads us to the notion of semen retention and its potential impact on testosterone levels. Research indicates that extended periods of sexual abstinence, lasting up to three weeks, are associated with elevated testosterone levels in men. Beyond influencing the relationship between the nervous and endocrine systems for orgasms, this hormonal boost may have broader implications. It could contribute to increased serum testosterone levels, consequently influencing aspects such as heightened muscle growth, thicker hair, and a deeper voice. Additionally, there may be potential improvements in sperm quality.

Mental Health Benefits

Semen retention might not only bring physical benefits but could extend to boosting motivation, self-confidence, focus, and energy. Improved self-confidence may also contribute to a reduced likelihood of experiencing anxiety.

By redirecting focus away from sex and various sexual practices, men may enhance their concentration and pursue a broader range of achievements and goals.

Spiritual Benefits

Engaging in semen retention may not only yield physical and emotional benefits but also extend to the realm of spirituality. During this period, individuals have the opportunity to cultivate a deeper and more profound emotional connection with their partners, diverting attention from the physical aspects of the relationship. The practice aims to foster a heightened sense of purpose and an overall state of harmony, emphasizing the holistic development of the self and the connection between partners.

Is it the same thing as ‘NoFap’?

“NoFap” is a term used to describe a practice that involves abstaining from solo sexual activities, specifically refraining from both masturbation and pornography. NoFap is an organization with an associated community-based porn recovery website, Nofap.com. NoFap, is dedicated to offering information and community support for individuals seeking recovery from compulsive sexual behavior and aiming to enhance their relationships.

Semen retention, on the other hand, is a distinct concept from NoFap. It refers to the intentional withholding of ejaculation, either for a certain duration or as a lifestyle choice. This practice may be associated with various beliefs, including the idea that abstaining from ejaculation can lead to increased energy levels or other benefits.

It’s crucial to differentiate semen retention from retrograde ejaculation, a medical condition where semen enters the bladder instead of being expelled through the penis during ejaculation.

How Is Semen Retention Done?

There are a few different ways to achieve semen retention:

• You can have sex and stop before you ejaculate. 
• You can abstain from intercourse completely 
• Or you can teach yourself to orgasm without ejaculating. 

All in all, it takes an ample amount of self-control. 

The pause and squeeze technique

A masturbation aid device (such as personal lubricants and masturbators) combined with some behavioral techniques can help. Like the pause and squeeze technique. 

To do this technique, have your partner squeeze the end of your penis and keep the squeeze for a couple of seconds. Wait for a bit until the urge dissipates.

Does Sperm Build Up if Not Released?

No. Avoiding ejaculating won’t cause any harm to the body, as the sperm won’t build up if you don’t release it. The body will reabsorb it without causing any adverse events on fertility or sex drive. 

But, there could be some side effects in men who avoid or prolong ejaculating when sexually aroused.

Epididymal hypertension, a condition people know as “blue balls,” can happen. This occurs when sexual arousal in men doesn’t end in ejaculation or orgasm. 

The extra blood that remains in the testicles and penis during an erection, stays there for a long time. This is causing some scrotal pain. 

How Long Can Sperm Retention Last?

It’s up to you. There is a lot of gratification online for semen retention. People praise this process for helping them alleviate their memory problems, depression, anxiety, overall fatigue, and other minor health problems. And many men swear by it.

Some do the sperm retention techniques for days, while others do it for weeks at a time. It is different for everyone. 

The problem is that there is not enough evidence to support these claims. What we do know is that avoiding masturbating can help with sperm motility. 

Although masturbation won’t trigger infertility, it could slightly reduce sperm count. And when trying to conceive, every little thing matters. 

This is why men might have to avoid masturbating for 4 to 5 days before sperm collection for IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) and IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) procedures. 

How Often Should a Man Release Sperm?

There is no exact frequency as to how often you should ejaculate. There isn’t any full-proof evidence either as to whether failing to ejaculate will cause health issues.

But, a plethora of studies found that higher ejaculation frequency reduces the odds of prostate cancer. 

A 2016 report indicates that ejecting semen from the male body over 20 times a month decreased prostate cancer risk by roughly 20%. This is a sizable amount. 

With that in mind, some Taoist teachers suggest men ejaculate 20% to 30% of the time they have intercourse. In other words, 2-3 times out of every 10 sessions. Ideally, you should pay attention to your personal interests, emotions, and needs. 

You can try any movement or pose that feels comfortable to you. If not ejaculating feels refreshing for you, then you can enjoy the intercourse. But if semen retention sounds downright taxing, then you can go ahead and skip it. 

Does Semen Retention Have Any Risks?

No. There don’t seem to be any risks with retaining semen. If you enjoy it, then you can do it. 

However, this might depend on how low you squeeze the penis. 

If you practice the pause and squeeze technique and hold the penis at the glans (the tip or head), most of the semen can be held in the urethra. Some of the semen could back up into the bladder as well. 

If most of it goes to the bladder, this is retrograde ejaculation. The semen then comes out the next time you urinate. 

When to Stop Preventing Ejaculation

Rarely do any men experience a problem with semen retention. Most of the time, this process is simple and seems comfortable. 

But everyone’s body is different. So, you should pay attention to anything that seems out of the ordinary. 

For instance, if you develop any aches, discomfort, or pain when trying to retain semen, stop doing it. You should also refrain from the practice and consult a specialist if you can’t ejaculate when you want to. 

Conclusion

There is a strong belief that semen retention could promote spiritual and physical energy. When you control your ejaculation, you are preserving what seems to be an ample amount of energy. 

By stopping the penis from ejaculating, the energy found in sperm could return to the central nervous system and supply it with energy. 

Plus, a lot of men claim that it is a panacea capable of helping them with a range of issues. Predominantly with anxiety, bad mood, and low testosterone. 

Although there isn’t enough research to support these claims, semen retention shouldn’t negatively affect your overall physical or emotional health. Whether you should try semen retention depends on your endgame. 

Do you like to abstain from ejaculating because it feels more comfortable or enjoyable? If so, you can try it. There are no serious adverse reactions that could come with it.

Explore More

Can Kegel Exercises Improve Your Sex Life?