Declaration: The content of this article is original and is written based on authoritative medical information combined with personal opinions. It was first published on 72hours on Toutiao website. There is a 5-second free advertisement in the article. Thank you all for your support. The sources are indicated at the end of the article. For ease of understanding, some story elements are fictionalized with the aim of popularizing health knowledge, please be aware.
Li and Zhang, two long-lost old classmates, finally reunited at a gathering on a weekend. Amidst the toasts, Li suddenly leaned in close to Zhang, asking in a mysterious tone, “Zhang, have you heard that some people say if a man holds back ejaculation, it could be harmful to the body after a month. Do you think it’s true?”
Zhang was taken aback by the question. As someone who usually pays attention to health, he often reads health-related articles but had never come across such a claim. Curiously, he asked, “Who told you this? Is it really true?”
Li chuckled and said, “I recently saw some discussions online, mentioning something about ‘harming the body by holding back sperm’ and even suggesting that it could lead to prostate problems or affect fertility. I thought since you pay attention to your health, you might have looked into it.”
Zhang shook his head, indicating he was unaware of the validity of such claims, but it piqued his interest.
To get to the truth, Zhang decided to consult more authoritative sources and seek advice from doctors and health experts.
In daily life, many men deliberately delay ejaculation for various reasons, unaware of whether it actually impacts health negatively.
While this question may seem simple, it touches upon the overlooked important topic of male reproductive health.
We often focus on health issues related to diet, exercise, and other aspects, but male reproductive system’s daily care and maintenance are rarely discussed.
According to the American Urological Association, sperm production in adult males is a continuous process where sperm is formed in the testes and stored in the epididymis, being released externally at the appropriate time.
Can “holding back sperm” harm the body?
Actually, sperm is not something that can be “locked up.” Male sperm is continuously produced, much like the renewal of skin cells, as a natural physiological process. So, does not ejaculating for a long time have any negative effects on the body?
Many people might wonder if sperm being withheld in the body would “explode” or “block,” but in reality, it doesn’t. The body has its own “recycling” mechanism.
If ejaculation is delayed for a long time, the aged sperm is gradually absorbed by the body and re-enters the circulation system, without causing blockage or accumulation. It’s similar to your phone’s storage getting full; the system automatically clears unnecessary files for smooth operation.
However, the male body is not a simple machine; it also has emotional and psychological factors. While withholding ejaculation may not directly harm the body, the psychological impact should not be ignored.
Long-term suppression of sexual desire could lead to anxiety, irritability, and even affect sleep quality, as sexual desire is a normal physiological need. Ignoring it for a long time could lead to emotional imbalance, affecting daily life.
From the perspective of the prostate, holding back sperm can indeed lead to some minor issues, such as prostate congestion.
Excessive retention of prostatic fluid may cause mild inflammatory reactions, especially in men who already have prostate issues.
It’s similar to tightening a faucet too much, which can lead to excessive pressure wearing down the pipes. However, if your prostate is in good health, the risk is very low, and you don’t need to worry much.
Another frequently mentioned concern is that abstaining from ejaculation for long periods might affect fertility. While this concern sounds plausible, it’s mostly unfounded.
Absence of ejaculation over a long period might lower the vitality of sperm, yet as long as normal ejaculation frequency is resumed, sperm quality will recover, not having long-term effects on fertility.
Think of your body as a factory, producing various products every day; sperm is one of the “products” of this factory. Normal production and “shipment” are necessary for the healthy operation of the factory.
If there is excess stock, the warehouse naturally takes measures to clear out the old goods without affecting overall operations.
Secondly, assessing the quality of sperm by three major criteria:
Sperm quantity:
Sperm quantity is the most direct indicator, similar to a football game where more players increase the probability of scoring goals.
The World Health Organization’s standard is to have at least 15 million to 200 million sperm per milliliter of semen. While this number may seem large, falling below it does not necessarily mean being unhealthy.
The key lies in overall health and lifestyle habits. Excessive smoking, alcohol, irregular sleep patterns can reduce sperm count and fertility.
However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, sperm count can generally remain within a normal range.
Sperm motility:
Simply put, it’s how fast and strong sperm swim. Like a skilled swimmer versus a non-swimmer, who’s more likely to reach the finish line is obvious.
For sperm to reach the egg and fertilize successfully, they must swim fast and steadily, with stronger motility increasing the chances of successful fertilization.
If sperm swim slowly or lack coordination, even with a high quantity, they may struggle to fulfill their task. Factors like high stress, poor nutrition, lack of exercise affect motility.
Therefore, maintaining good lifestyle habits and relaxation are important methods to improve sperm motility.
Sperm morphology:
Many may not know that all sperm are not identical in appearance; some have large heads and small tails, while others have small heads and short tails, and some even have two heads or two tails. Despite different shapes, only sperm with standard morphology can successfully fertilize an egg.
Normal sperm have oval heads and long, flexible tails, allowing them to pass through the female reproductive tract easily and reach the egg for fertilization.
If the morphology is non-standard, sperm may face difficulties in movement and may even get lost or exhaust midway, making morphology an important criterion for evaluating sperm quality.
Thirdly, how to improve male sperm quality:
Diet:
Eating healthily leads to living healthily, but many people underestimate how diet affects sperm quality. Foods rich in antioxidants protect sperm from free radical damage, making them swim faster and live longer.
Vitamin C, E, zinc, selenium are micronutrients aiding in sperm development. Eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish can make your “troops” more vigorous.
Exercise:
Some believe exercise has no connection to sperm quality, but that’s a misconception. Regular exercise promotes blood circulation, enhances physical fitness, directly aiding sperm production and activity.
However, excessive exercise can backfire. Prolonged cycling, for example, may compress the testicles, affecting sperm generation. Exercise should be moderate, and aerobic activities like running, swimming, and fitness are good choices.
Stress:
Modern life is fast-paced, and high stress levels often neglect the impact of mental health on the body. Stress can cause hormonal imbalance, affecting sperm production and vitality.
Relaxing and reducing stress are essential to improving sperm quality. Engage in activities you like, learn to relax; leisure and rest in moderation will greatly benefit mental and physical health.
Environment:
Long-term exposure to harmful environments like high temperatures, radiation, chemicals can negatively affect sperm quality. For instance, frequent hot baths or sauna use can raise testicular temperature, affecting sperm production.
Therefore, it’s essential to avoid prolonged exposure to high-temperature environments in daily life, maintaining an appropriate temperature to provide a comfortable living environment for the “soldiers.”
Regularity:
Excessive or prolonged abstinence can negatively impact sperm vitality and quantity. Moderate and regular sexual activity not only supports normal sperm metabolism but also maintains the overall physiological balance, effectively promoting the healthy operation of the male reproductive system.
This balance helps sperm maintain optimal condition, thereby enhancing fertility and overall health.
Conclusion:
By adjusting diet, moderate exercise, reducing stress, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption through healthy lifestyles, men can not only improve sperm quality but also enhance overall health.
Sperm quality is not only related to fertility but also a significant indicator of male health. By paying attention to these details and taking proactive steps, you can have better fertility and a healthier life.
References:
【1】Liu, S. (2020). Will Long-Term Ejaculation Suppression Harm Oneself? Renren Health, 24, 50-54.
【2】Li, L. (1984). Treatment Cases of No Ejaculation. Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine Journal, 06, 14-28.
References:
【1】Liu, S. (2020). Will Long-Term Ejaculation Suppression Harm Oneself? Renren Health, 24, 50-54.
【2】Li, L. (1984). Treatment Cases of No Ejaculation. Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine Journal, 06, 14-28.
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