The Semen Retention Phenomenon: Benefits and Risks

Semen Retention is Trending

Written by: Joshua Gonzalez

Trends. You either love ‘em or hate ‘em. When we think of trends today, we tend to think of the latest TikTok dance or sound bite, like the infamous “Show me to me please, Rachel.” But much like fashion fads or viral Trader Joe’s hack recipes, there are also health trends. Enter semen retention .

While semen retention has been around in varying forms for many hundreds (if not thousands) of years, it seems to have gotten a serious boost in popularity recently. Frankly, we’re not quite sure if this is a fad that will fade as quickly as puka shell necklaces or will be evergreen like finance bros wearing Patagonia vests to the office .

Today, Popstar has the tips (and not just the tip) about trendy semen retention and what it actually does for your male sexual health.

“Let’s f*cking go? I guess?” 😉

What is Semen Retention?

Let’s start by saying this is not a trend you will see on your For You Page. That is unless you are looking to get your account banned. While it is a trend that is best kept in the boudoir, semen retention is self-explanatory—it’s when men purposely withhold their semen.

This unique type of fluid retention can be practiced in a couple of ways:

Edging – Bringing oneself close to orgasm but stopping before ejaculation, a practice known as tantric practices in some spiritual circles. Men can train their minds and muscles to achieve a dry orgasm (an orgasm sans semen).
Complete Abstinence – Abstaining from sex, orgasms, and masturbation altogether. This is often linked to the NoFap movement , which promotes the idea that avoiding ejaculation leads to libido enhancement and increased testosterone levels .

Why on earth would someone willingly deprive themselves of ejaculation? Turns out, there are lots of purported semen retention benefits.

The Pros of Holding It In

So what are the pros to not popping your cork? Many men who practice semen retention report a broad range of physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual growth benefits. They talk in terms of discipline —just like an ultra-marathon runner or someone who can go an entire hour without checking Instagram .

This form of self-denial takes dedication, focus, commitment, and training . But is it worth it?

Anecdotally, many men say, "Yes!" Let’s disregard the fact that there’s virtually no scientific research that backs these claims and even some that show that semen retention carries possible risks (we’ll get to those shortly). For now, let’s focus on the positive .

Physical Benefits

Increased testosterone levels , muscle mass, and stamina
Less hair loss and clearer skin
Higher sperm quality
More energy and vitality

Translation: You may feel like a warrior monk , but without the robes and meditation beads.

Mental Benefits

Improved focus and concentration
Meditation benefits and mindfulness practices
Increased self-confidence
Greater sense of self-discipline

Emotional Benefits

Reduced stress and anxiety
Better mood and emotional balance
Sense of accomplishment for self-control

Spiritual Growth

In ancient tantric practices , semen was believed to contain life energy , and withholding it was said to heighten spiritual awareness . Many modern-day semen retention advocates believe it helps them:

Develop deeper, more meaningful relationships
Connect with higher consciousness
Strengthen meditation benefits

When it comes to semen retention, make sure you do your research first and pay attention to what your body tells you.

The Cons: Does Regular Ejaculation Actually Have Benefits?

The general narrative around semen retention is that there are many upsides with no downsides. But that’s not entirely true. Would you consider being perpetually horny a con? Many men would.

Science suggests that regular ejaculation is good for:

1. Prostate Cancer Prevention

Regular ejaculation may reduce the incidence of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S. It’s estimated that there will be close to 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer in 2024 with around 35,250 deaths. Statistics show that as many as 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point, and as many as 1 in 41 men will die from the disease. So by abstaining, are you increasing your chances of prostate cancer? The jury may still be out on that one. To learn more about how playing with your pecker can protect your prostate, check out this article here.

A Harvard study followed 32,000 men over 18 years and found that men in their 20s who ejaculated at least 21 times per month were 19% less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who ejaculated seven times or less. Men in their 40s who ejaculated more often were found to be 22 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer.

2. Sperm Quality & Fertility

Could preventing yourself from choking the chicken prevent you from nesting? Could be! One study found that ejaculating once a day for seven days improved sperm quality for 80% of men. If you’re trying to conceive, daily ejaculation could help your swimmers stay strong and mobile. Turns out that a daily tug of the slug could be the answer to making sure your swimmers are Michael Phelps-ready.

3. Mental & Physical Well-Being

Continuing on the pro polishing the banister train: In addition to the lowered cancer risk, and higher sperm quality, regular ejaculation releases dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and prolactin, which help with stress reduction, better sleep, and mood stabilization. Plus, it’s thought that releasing semen can flush toxins, impurities, and carcinogens from the prostate as well as expel sperm with damaged DNA.

Not To Be Confused With NoFap

It’s important to note that while it’s similar , the practice of semen retention is not the same as NoFap. The NoFap movement is a trademarked business and website focused on avoiding porn and masturbation to combat porn addiction and sexual dysfunction. In internet speak, “fap” is the sound that’s made when a man masturbates. NoFap was born of the internet, and as it has in many online communities, toxicity has proliferated on NoFap message boards. NoFap has received harsh criticism from sex-positive advocates for sex-shaming and perpetuating harmful and misogynistic stereotypes.

As we’ve discussed before, porn addiction is not recognized as a real disorder according to the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) – the bible that mental health providers use to diagnose patients. There is also no scientific proof that porn causes sexual dysfunction.

At Popstar, we believe sex is a wonderful, amazing, and healthy part of an adult's life. If you find yourself in any dark corners of the internet and internet forums shaming people for having sex, make sure you take their rhetoric with a giant pink Himalayan block of salt. Step back and evaluate whether that’s the best use of your time.

Bottle It Up or Let It Flow?

Like any trend, knowing the pros and cons is important. Ie: Planking might hurt your back and that Patagonia vest might make you sweat your balls off in the summer months.

When it comes to semen retention, it may just come (or cum) down to personal preference. If you’ve decided to abstain out of curiosity, spiritual growth, or self-discipline, then more power to you.

Make sure you do your research first and pay attention to what your body tells you. There’s nothing inherently wrong with ejaculating. On the flip side, it’s probably not going to kill you if you don’t ejaculate for a while. If you’ve decided to abstain out of curiosity, circumstance or a never-ending search for clarity and inner peace, then more power to you. After all, we’ve all been guilty of following dubious trends.

Whether you’re holding back or letting it flow, Popstar’s Volume + Taste Supplement is a science-backed way to boost semen quality and volume. It's designed to enhance male sexual health, libido enhancement, and semen retention benefits.

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Key Takeaways

Semen retention benefits may include increased energy, focus, and testosterone levels.

Mindfulness practices and meditation benefits can help manage sexual urges and improve self-control.

Tantric practices promote sexual energy transmutation for improved spiritual growth and male vitality.

Balance is key—too much abstinence effects may lead to stress and frustration.

NoFap movement is separate from semen retention and focuses on avoiding porn/masturbation.

Popstar Supplements can support libido enhancement and male sexual health for optimal performance.

Shop Popstar Volume + Taste

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does semen retention increase testosterone levels?

There is some evidence suggesting a temporary testosterone boost , but long-term effects are unclear.

2. Can semen retention improve male sexual health?

Some men report increased libido enhancement and stamina, but regular ejaculation has proven health benefits like prostate cancer prevention.

3. Does semen retention improve meditation benefits?

Some say it deepens spiritual growth and mindfulness practices, but results vary.

4. Can semen retention affect fertility?

Daily ejaculation can actually improve sperm motility and quality.

5. Should I stop ejaculating completely?

It depends on your goals. Semen retention benefits are mostly anecdotal. If you feel better holding it in, go for it. If you prefer regular release, science is on your side.