Semen Retention: The Benefits Of Not Ejaculating

Semen retention is the intentional practice of avoiding ejaculation to conserve physical energy, with the goal of channeling that energy into improved mental focus, emotional balance, and overall personal drive. Many practitioners of seminal conservation report subjective improvements in physical vitality and cognitive alertness.

Although scientific evidence is limited, some studies show that short-term semen retention (1–5 days) can increase sperm count and volume, which may benefit fertility. Contrarily, prolonged abstinence (beyond 7–10 days) can actually decrease sperm quality by increasing DNA fragmentation and reducing motility.

A study in the Journal of Zhejiang University Science found that men who practiced semen retention increased testosterone levels by up to 146% of normal levels on exactly the seventh day of the break.

What Is Semen Retention?

Semen retention is the deliberate practice of abstaining from ejaculation to preserve sexual energy, often with the goal of redirecting that energy toward enhanced physical vitality, mental focus, and spiritual growth.

You can practice semen retention through total sexual abstinence or by intentionally preventing climax when having sex. There are no concrete statistics on the number of semen retention practitioners, but the subreddit r/SemenRetention has 170,000 members, and the r/NoFap community has over 1.2 million members.

What Are The Benefits Of Not Ejaculating?

The benefits of not ejaculating depend on the individual but generally come down to an improvement of physical and mental health, enhanced sexual performance, and a possible boost in fertility. Fertility is the biological ability to conceive a child by producing high-quality sperm or eggs.

Below are the detailed benefits of not ejaculating:

• Improved physical and mental health: Can keep your brain more alert. Research in the Archives of Sexual Behavior suggests that constant ejaculation leads to a foggy mental state, while taking a break keeps your dopamine system more sensitive and responsive.

• Boost in fertility: Can give your body time to build up a higher amount of sperm. Research in the journal Fertility and Sterility shows that taking a break increases the total amount and concentration of sperm.

• Enhanced sexual performance: Can help you last longer during sex. Clinical studies show that exercises for not ejaculating are one of the most effective ways to delay climax.

The benefits of not ejaculating for 7 days can include reaching peak testosterone levels, a surge in physical energy, and optimal sperm count.

The benefits of not ejaculating for 90 days can include dopamine resensitization, a significant boost in self-discipline and confidence, and improved exercise performance.

How Does Semen Retention Impact Sperm Parameters?

Semen retention affects sperm parameters by increasing sperm concentration and total count, but reduces motility. This means you have more sperm, but they are less effective. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an ideal semen retention period of 2 to 7 days.

Semen retention of less than two days will result in lower sperm volume and total count, while periods exceeding 10 days result in lower sperm motility and a higher chance of DNA damage.

What Are The Spiritual Benefits Of Not Ejaculating?

The spiritual benefit of not ejaculating is the creation of a "glow" or a deep sense of peace. Those who choose not to ejaculate often feel that by holding onto this energy, they can think more clearly, feel more connected to the world, and experience a much deeper sense of purpose.

You can find the list of key spiritual benefits below:

• Being more "in the zone": Life feels more colorful and vivid, and you find it easier to focus on the present. This is also referred to as flow state.

• Turning lust into creativity: Instead of feeling restless, energy is used to fuel your art, work, or big ideas. 

• Emotional balance: You feel steadier and calmer, and less easily bothered by stress.

• Natural magnetism: You come across as more confident and grounded, which naturally draws others toward you.

Not ejaculating is also sometimes referred to as coitus reservatus, a term emerging from the 1890s. Practitioners of coitus reservatus held various beliefs, including that it could help them stay younger and live longer, feel closer to God, or feel oneness with the universe.

While semen retention is often practiced for spiritual or physical enhancement, proponents believe that halting ejaculation helps regain impulse control and reduces the overstimulation caused by heavy porn use.

Are There Any Risks Of Semen Retention?

Yes, semen retention does carry risks. The risks of semen retention include testicular aching, increased stress, and obsessive behaviors. These risks generally manifest when semen retention is excessively practiced or if body signals are ignored by a practitioner. 

Semen retention for periods over 10 days can reduce the motility of sperm while increasing the risk of DNA damage. Excessive practice of semen retention can also result in acclimatization, where practitioners find difficulty ejaculating when they have sex with a partner.

Can Semen Retention Cause Pain?

Yes, semen retention can cause pain. The pain can come in the form of a dull ache in the testicles, tightness of the pelvic muscles, and pressure in the prostate. Dull aches in the testicles are caused by blood trapped in the tissues during arousal. Pelvic muscle tightness results from clenching the muscles during ejaculation prevention. Pressure in the prostate results from a buildup of fluids during arousal.

Is Pain During Semen Retention Safe?

Yes, pain during semen retention is generally normal and safe. Most of the pain comes from temporary reactions to fluid buildup. They are a bodily indicator that you are straining your system. You can manage the pains from semen retention by taking cold showers, exercising, or avoiding arousal.

What Is No Nut November?

No Nut November (NNN) is a viral internet challenge where people agree not to ejaculate for the entire month of November. The challenge started as an online joke but has become a massive annual event where millions of people test their willpower and self-control.

The rules of No Nut November state that from November 1st to the 30th, you cannot have an orgasm or ejaculate at all. That means no masturbating and no sex for 30 days. If you "nut" (slang for ejaculate) even once, you lose the challenge.

What is The "NoFap" Movement?

The NoFap movement is a support group by an online community for those who want to quit watching porn and stop compulsive masturbation. The goal of NoFap is to help people break porn addiction by abstaining from porn, to increase their energy levels, and improve real-life relationships. 

The NoFap community believes in the 90-day reboot, which is an abstinence period that allows the brain to rewire itself. This reboot helps you start finding joy in everyday things again, like hanging out with friends or finishing a project, rather than resorting to porn.

What Is Porn Addiction?

Porn addiction is a behavioral condition where an individual has a compulsive and uncontrollable need to view sexually explicit material. This condition can lead to negative impacts on their personal relationships, career, and physical or mental health.

Recovery from porn addiction is possible through various professional and community resources like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), support groups, holistic approaches.