Researchers may have identified a surprising side effect of regular self-pleasure, and for anyone thinking about sperm health, it’s actually good news.
Everything from diet tips to timing sex “just right,” tends to pop up every now and then – when it comes to sex and masturbation, here’s never been a shortage of theories. Another topic that keeps coming back is the question of how often men should masturbate, and whether there’s such a thing as “too much.”
In recent years, the trend “No Nut November” has drawn global attention. The trend stems from the belief that abstinence might boosts sperm quality and testosterone – something doctors have consistently dismissed. Instead, Medical News Today notes that extended periods without ejaculation may contribute to anxiety or depression.
A new review conducted by the University of Oxford, analyzing 115 studies and nearly 55,000 men, also found that longer gaps between ejaculations were actually linked to poorer sperm health overall, according to UNILAD. The researchers looked at factors such as motility (how well sperm move) and viability (how many are alive), and both declined the longer the period of abstinence, and at the same time DNA damage increased. In simple terms, sperm that sits around for too long may begin to deteriorate.
Benefits of regular masturbation
More frequent ejaculation, including through masturbation, could in other words help “refresh” the sperm supply by clearing out older, potentially damaged cells.
Previous research has also highlighted the benefits of regular ejaculation. A Harvard study found that those who ejaculated 21 times or more per month had a 31 per cent lower risk of prostate cancer.
“The results held up to rigorous statistical evaluation even after other lifestyle factors and the frequency of PSA testing were taken into account,” the study said, according to UNILAD.
There are a couple of possible explanations behind the findings in the Oxford-study. One is oxidative stress which can build up over time and damage cells. Another is energy depletion: sperm are highly active, and when stored for too long, they may simply lose the energy needed to function properly.
