Semen retention is the practice of avoiding ejaculation, either through conscious effort or by avoiding sexual activity altogether. Some people practice semen retention for spiritual or personal reasons, while others believe it has health benefits. Some people also practice semen retention as part of tantric sex practices.
Semen retention is the practice of avoiding and/or postponing ejaculation. Semen retention is practiced for physical, mental, spiritual, and personal reasons, while some believe it has health benefits. Some people also practice semen retention as part of tantric sex practices, edging, and other ejaculation focused sexual practices.
Some people claim that semen retention can increase testosterone levels, improve athletic performance, improve mental clarity, improve confidence, and enhance feelings of vitality and well-being. Unfortunately semen retention has not been studied much, so there isn't a lot of scientific data available. We'll cover the relevant studies in the next section.
Aside from potential mental and spiritual benefits, many men practice semen retention to increase the volume of their ejaculations.
Avoiding ejaculation for extended periods of time can lead to physical discomfort. Another result of semen retention can be increased nocturnal emissions, or "wet dreams."
There have not been many scientific studies on the relationship between semen retention and testosterone levels. One study does shed a little light on the situation:
In a small 2003 study, researchers documented a link between ejaculation and changes in serum testosterone levels. Among the 28 volunteers, testosterone levels peaked on the seventh day of abstinence (3).
Many men report feelings of increased confidence and sexual desire after going 1 week without ejaculating. Claims of increased testosterone levels still need more research to be proven.
Some men may experience symptoms such as discomfort in the testicles, a feeling of fullness or pressure in the prostate gland, or the production of a clear, white fluid that is not semen. These symptoms are usually temporary and resolve on their own once ejaculation occurs.
Not ejaculating for an entire year would cause a man to have a massively increased amount of wet dreams.
Wet dreams, also known as nocturnal emissions or sleep orgasms, are involuntary ejaculations that occur during sleep. They are a normal part of human sexual development and can happen to men and women of all ages.
Wet dreams are thought to be related to the body's natural processes for eliminating excess sperm and sexual arousal. They often occur during the stage of sleep known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when the body is most relaxed and the brain is active.
Wet dreams are not uncommon and do not usually indicate a problem. They may be more common in adolescents and young adults, but they can occur at any age. Wet dreams are not typically associated with any particular cause, and they do not usually require treatment.
If you are concerned about wet dreams or your sexual health in general, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
✔️ References
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5641453/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12659241/