Is abstinence for men a harmful or beneficial practice for the body? The topic is delicate and there is no exact answer among the scientific community.

However, one thing is known – the refusal of any manifestations of sex will not go unnoticed for the male sex.

Benefits of total long-term abstinence

Abstinence or abstinence is a voluntary abandonment of sexual relations, suppression of drives for a certain time or for life. In religious practice, sexual abstinence is called the vow of celibacy or celibacy.

Today, all the talk about sexual abstinence is for the most part puzzling. The idea is deeply rooted in society that giving up sex is harmful to the emotional and physical health of not only men, but also women.

Few people understand why to limit themselves, to be deprived of pleasure, and most importantly – what is it for?

Men deliberately refuse intimate relationships for the following reasons:

• religion;
• medical indications.

A frequent factor in refusing love intimacy is the practice of religious beliefs. For example, a Muslim must give up all sexual gratification, even porn, during the holy month of Ramadan.

And sex outside of marriage in many religious teachings is generally a sin.

Also a vivid example of such abstinence is the monastic fast or the vow of celibacy. So monks devote their lives to serving God, abandoning worldly pleasure for the sake of spiritual growth and self-knowledge.

Long-term abstinence is used by athletes during preparation for big competitions. So athletes do not waste their male energy and increase the amount of testosterone in the blood. The male sex hormone works like a doping agent and helps to achieve the best athletic performance.

Men can refuse sex for medical reasons. For example, due to sexually transmitted diseases or certain diseases of the reproductive system that interfere with the conception of a child: insufficient sperm volume or insufficient number of viable sperm in the ejaculate.

A ban on intimate relationships can be imposed by a doctor, for example, during the rehabilitation period after a heart attack, stroke or surgery.

The theory that prolonged absence of seminal flow is good for health is not supported by all doctors. However, abstinence proponents believe that the benefits of abstinence for men are as follows:

• disposes to spiritual and moral growth, a person has better control over himself and his emotions;
  complete rejection of sex eliminates the risk of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases;
• long-term refusal to have sexual intercourse increases the level of testosterone in the blood, enhances libido – sexual desire;
• an increased level of the male hormone increases physical strength, helps to achieve the best results in sports;
• abstinence improves semen analysis: the quality of sperm increases, the volume of ejaculate and the number of viable sperm increase.

Abstinence is useful, but doctors studying sexual and gender relations still cannot give an exact answer: how much can you abstain without harm to your health?

Experts are sure that every man has his own term, which they can withstand. For some, this period is a week, for some a month, and someone without consequences can do without sex for years. It depends on the individual sexual constitution, temperament, social factors.

The harm from complete abstinence

Complete abstinence from masturbation and sex is not encouraged by sex therapists, urologists and psychologists. Studies have shown that the lack of orgasm or discharge of the body initially negatively affects the psychological state of a person.

A sexually mature man, due to a lack of sexuality, may experience psychological discomfort, obsessive thoughts of sexual intimacy begin to torment him, which can develop into depression.

A suppressed depressive state leads to disruption of many body systems, emotional incontinence and negatively affects potency.

In addition, in men, not only the psyche suffers, urologists are sure that a prolonged lack of discharge leads to circulatory disorders and congestion in the pelvic organs.

Against the background of malnutrition, addictions, infections, this leads to disruption of hormonal levels and the development of congestive prostatitis.

The penis receives the right amount of nutrients and oxygen only when it is erect. With a complete or prolonged absence of excitement in the genital organ, atherosclerosis of the vessels develops – cholesterol plaques develop, which have a bad effect on the vascular system and erectile function.

Inadequate work of the gonads and organs due to abstinence leads to the development of:

• congestive prostatitis;
• hormonal disruption;
• vascular atherosclerosis;
• pathological changes in the genitals;
• infertility;
• erectile dysfunction.

Urologists also have a negative attitude to the technique of interrupted frictions, which some men practice during sexual abstinence. The essence of this practice is that a man interrupts sexual intercourse when he approaches, thereby keeping sperm in the urethra, preventing it from being released outside.
According to experts, this technique can negatively affect potency. Frequent interruption of intercourse can cause atrophy of the smooth muscles responsible for ejaculation and prostatitis.

Forced abstinence, is masturbation necessary

In addition to a conscious, voluntary refusal from an intimate life, there is also forced abstinence:

• due to illness: stroke, heart attack, period after surgery;
• psychological trauma – experiences associated with negative memories of unsuccessful sexual intercourse;
• Military service;
• serving a sentence in places of deprivation of liberty – prison;
• features in the profession;
• lack of a sexual partner.

Nature is so arranged that for a happy, full-fledged sexual life of a person, he needs a sexual partner.

But what if he is not there or there is no opportunity for intimate meetings?

Can you use masturbation to satisfy your desires?

Most doctors do not see anything wrong or judgmental in masturbation, but one should not think that masturbation cannot be harmful. Sometimes, nevertheless, a person needs to choose between satisfying his carnal desires and health benefits.

Why is masturbation dangerous?

According to statistics, more than 70% of men and 50% of women who are married or have regular sexual partners regularly engage in masturbation. There is no exact data on how harmful masturbation is. But according to some doctors, frequent masturbation can harm a person.

Initially, it concerns shy, withdrawn, insecure men who often masturbate while watching porn. This form of sexual gratification can over time convince a man that masturbation can replace a fulfilling personal life, love, and family. Because of what important areas of their lives may suffer.

Accustomed to being aroused by watching porn, some men may not receive full sexual satisfaction from intimacy with a sexual partner. Since such a connection seems to them already less effective, without emotional and uninteresting.

Physiologically, changes can also occur in a man’s body due to frequent masturbation. For example, masturbation can lead to dilated veins in the scrotum, a decrease in the concentration of sperm in the ejaculate, which can interfere with the conception of a child.

Also, frequent ejaculation leads to a deficiency of nutrients and trace elements. To replenish which a person needs a certain time. Moreover, after orgasm, men stop producing testosterone for a while, which can make them feel tired.

Benefits of masturbation

Despite some negative aspects caused by an excessive passion for masturbation, doctors have found a lot of good things in masturbation. Sexual satisfaction has the following positive effects on the body:

• strengthens the immune system;
• relieves emotional stress, helps fight stress;
• improves sleep;
• helps to strengthen relationships.

Masturbation, as one of the options for sex, in men promotes the production of immunoglobulin – an important element of the immune system. And the release of semen during ejaculation activates the work of the vas deferens and prevents the development of various infections in them.

During orgasm, the body releases large amounts of happiness hormones that reduce stress levels and help fight depression. After masturbation, a man experiences sexual rest, which improves his general well-being.

Masturbation is one of the most effective ways to combat insomnia. After ejaculation, a man’s prolactin level rises and dopamine levels fall, which causes a strong feeling of drowsiness in the stronger sex.

Self-satisfaction of sexual needs helps to improve the quality of sex and strengthen the relationship with a sexual partner.

Engaging in masturbation, a person gets to know his body better, learns about his reaction to sexual arousal and what can enhance it. Which helps to deliver more sexual satisfaction to yourself and your partner. Which also has a positive effect on mutual relations.

Masturbation is one of the best prevention methods for stagnant prostatitis. However, it cannot replace a full-fledged intercourse.

When abstinence is required

There are not many reasons why abstinence from sex for a certain period of time is necessary. They are mainly related to medical indications. Doctors usually recommend a complete rejection of any manifestations of sexual gratification in the following cases:

• during the recovery period after a stroke, heart attack, operations;
• if necessary, take a semen analysis.

During orgasm, a person experiences strong excitement and emotions, and a large amount of hormones are released into the bloodstream. Such a reaction can have a negative effect on a person or cause a relapse of the disease.

Therefore, intimacy is contraindicated for patients undergoing rehabilitation after suffering serious illnesses.

Families experiencing problems with conceiving a child are forced to go to doctors to identify the causes of infertility. Typically, the couple undergoes a medical examination together. For men, an important step in detecting infertility is a spermogram.

It is this examination that reveals the volume of ejaculate, the number of viable and suitable spermatozoa for conception. The World Health Organization, before taking the analysis, recommends refraining from sexual intercourse and masturbation for 3-5 days in order to get better material.

Some break in sexual relations is also required for couples who have lost emotional sensitivity from intercourse. Sex after abstinence, even for a period of several days, is always more intense, passionate and bright.

To make it easier to endure the psychological stress during the refusal of intimate relationships, men are encouraged to play sports or find some kind of hobby. Sports, any physical activity or even computer games will help to distract from obsessive thoughts.

As the saying goes: “no one has died from sexual abstinence yet, but no one has been born either.” This practice has both pros and cons.

Doctors consider sex 2-3 times a week to be the norm. If this does not happen, and you are experiencing psychological discomfort, then you need to use masturbation for emotional release. If you want to try deliberate abstinence for more than 1 month, then it is recommended to contact your doctor for advice in order to clarify the possible health consequences.