Semen Retention - A Candid Q&A
Semen retention/ seminal conservation/ coitus reservatus refers to when a person intentionally avoids ejaculating. A person can do this by abstaining from any sexual activity, stopping before the point of ejaculation, or teaching themselves to orgasm without ejaculating.
Opposed to popular opinion, Semen Retention is a not modern concept. It is an ancient concept, deeply rooted in the belief that frequent ejaculation, can make one weaker, no matter how archaic or patriarchal the thinking might seem now.
Why do penis-owners practise, Semen Retention?
There are many possible reasons that a person may try to hold in their semen. Some people believe that semen retention can aid in improving Mental Health, by increasing motivation, memory, concentration, and energy and reducing anxiety.
Additionally, they believe that it helps physical health, with increased muscle mass and clearer skin. However, there is a philosophical and spiritual connection as well. It is believed that semen retention can give penis owners a greater sense of purpose and a deeper bond in the relationship.
Most importantly, there is a belief that not ejaculating for some time may allow people to experience more intense orgasms. People may believe that semen retention can improve sperm quality and therefore increase fertility. However, there has been limited research into this.
BUT, READER TAKE NOTE! All these benefits are based on individual experience and do NOT have a scientific foundation and or known scientific benefits.
What happens when you do not ejaculate?
To simply put it, there are not any drastic effects of not ejaculating. Sperm that is not expelled is simply absorbed back into the body. This fact likely has led to the idea that not ejaculating can raise testosterone levels. Additionally, A small 2001 study found elevated testosterone levels in participants who abstained from masturbation for three weeks
Though there aren’t major risks involved, some complications can occur. These are as follows:
1. Epididymal hypertension – Also known as blue balls, epididymal hypertension is what may happen if a person becomes sexually aroused but does not ejaculate or orgasm. They may experience aching or pain in the testicles following a period of arousal that does not lead to orgasm. This occurs due to a buildup of blood in the testicles as a result of arousal. Older research suggests that it is a harmless condition that is common in young male adults. Treatment usually involves ejaculation or reducing arousal.
- Ejaculation issues – If a person regularly prevents themselves from ejaculating or reaching orgasm, they may develop ejaculation issues. For example, a person may find themselves unable to ejaculate or orgasm when they want to, or they may experience premature ejaculation. They may also develop retrograde ejaculation, which causes semen to travel back into the bladder.
What are are BENEFITS of ejaculating?
Some of the benefits of ejaculating may include:
- It causes pleasure – Although some people believe that ejaculating can be unhealthy, studies often demonstrate the opposite to be true. When a person ejaculates, the body releases endorphins, which are hormones that can help block pain and make a person feel good.
- It leads to greater well-being – Typically, frequent sexual activity in a partnered relationship is associated with greater well-being. However, some research suggests that there may be a limit to the correlation between sexual frequency and greater well-being.
- It may help prevent prostate cancer – Some evidence suggests that ejaculation frequency may be inversely related to the risk of prostate cancer. One large-scale study, with a 10-year follow-up period, found that those who ejaculated 21 times per month were 50% less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who ejaculated four to seven times per month.
Conclusion
Currently, there is limited evidence to reach any firm conclusions about the potential benefits of semen retention. However, there has also not been much evidence to suggest that there are potential health risks. A person can choose to abstain from sexual activity for as long as they wish. They can also try to incorporate techniques such as edging or tantric sex into their sex life to see if it is something they enjoy. There is no set rule for how frequently a person should ejaculate. Therefore, people should try what feels right for them.
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