If you have ever been on reddit, YouTube or men’s wellness forums before, chances are you have stumbled across the concept of semen retention at some point – the belief that not ejaculating for 7 days somehow boosts your energy, focus, testosterone, aura or other attributes. If you are unfamiliar with the concept, we have a detailed post below discussing the truth behind the theory and what not ejaculating for 7 days can actually do for you.
Let’s get into the facts, debunk some of the myths and explore if there is any truth to what some would call a sexual biohacking practice.
What is the source of the 7-day rule?
The ‘rule’ itself is far from an official thing, but most of the info comes from anecdotal experiences, NoFap forums and a few studies done on the topic that show some interesting results.
In a Chinese study done in 2003 and published in J Zhejiang Univ Sci , researchers found that testosterone levels peaked on day 7 of semen retention and dropped after (source). Now, there are other factors that influence testosterone levels and a temporary increase like this won’t necessarily give you a permanent upper edge.
With that being said, the study did show a connection between short-term abstinence and testosterone surges.
7 Day Ejaculation Break: What are the Effects?
There is no exact science as to what not ejaculating for a week can do for you because it differs from man to man, but based off anecdotal evidence and studies we’ve compiled a list of possible benefits below:
1. Temporary testosterone increase
As mentioned in the study referenced above, testosterone levels tend to peak around day 7 before dropping. This increase is usually enough to give you a slight upper edge in terms of energy, but it won’t be drastic.
Men who want to temporarily boost their T-levels should consider other more effective methods like testosterone boosters or TRT. Testosterone supplements have more consistent and long-lasting effects and can be used strategically to help you get bigger muscles, increase sex drive and more.
2. Higher sperm count and better seminal fluid quality
Studies show that ejaculating regularly helps keep semen quality high. However, if you are trying to boost sperm count for fertility reasons, a 7-day break is long enough to see improvement in both concentration and motility (source).
It should be noted that longer breaks (a week or more) might reduce concentration levels, so for fertility tests and conception attempts it’s best to stick to 2-5 day breaks.
3. Slight energy or motivation increase
Some people report an increase in energy or motivation when they stop ejaculating for a few days. This could potentially be a psychological response to abstinence or it could also be caused due to increased testosterone.
While there is no study outright stating that semen retention increases motivation, researchers have noticed that people who deny themselves things they like tend to become more disciplined with time.
Psychological Effects of Not Ejaculating
1. Increases confidence or alpha male traits
This mostly falls under the category of self-reported effects. People who try 7-day breaks and follow through usually report an increase in alpha male traits. This could be caused due to the sense of accomplishment when you finish the challenge or because they felt drained before and now have more energy.
A study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior even showed that males who denied themselves porn and masturbation for a week were more emotionally stable and had a better focus after the break (source).
2. Greater sensitivity and control
Some men report greater sensitivity and stronger orgasms when they take a break from ejaculating. This is because repeated and frequent ejaculation reduces sensitivity over time.
Taking a break resets the sensitivity and allows men to enjoy sex and masturbation even more than before. If you suffer from premature ejaculation, you might want to try longer breaks in combination with PE meds or techniques.
Are there any risks or side effects of not ejaculating?
Not really. Unless you suffer from a psychological disorder and are avoiding ejaculating out of shame or guilt, there are no real side effects.
People report occasional wet dreams when they take breaks just long enough for the body to accumulate fluid. Some men also feel discomfort in the prostate area and have increased sex drive.
For the most part, long term abstinence doesn’t have many risks (unless you are doing it for selfish reasons). Studies have even shown that ejaculating 2-4 times per week reduces the risk of prostate cancer in older men and keeps the prostate healthy (source).
Does it increase testosterone, stamina, muscle gain or brain power?
Unfortunately for you, there hasn’t been a real study showing that semen retention alone leads to permanent increases in energy, strength, brain power or muscle mass. If that were the case, bodybuilders and athletes would have stopped having sex a long time ago.
However, a 7-day break can help you:
- 2. Build better control and last longer during sex
- 3. Reset your porn-induced dopamine receptors or sex drive
- 4. Help you stay in check and discipline yourself
Who should try a 7-day semen retention break?
If you are trying to boost fertility or seminal fluid quality and need to take breaks for testing purposes – it’s a good idea to keep track of how your body reacts to a week of abstinence.
People who want to learn ejaculation control techniques and train themselves to last longer during sex can also benefit from the practice. It’s more of a mental challenge than anything else.
Men who suffer from porn-induced erectile dysfunction or low sex drive should consider semen retention as a potential solution.
In short, anyone looking to improve their sexual wellbeing or discipline could benefit from this kind of challenge.
What if I’m suffering from a bigger problem?
Like we said, unless you are avoiding ejaculation due to psychological issues there aren’t many risks. That being said, if you are experiencing real problems with low sex drive or erectile dysfunction – you should consult a healthcare professional.
We have a detailed article about natural solutions that can help you combat those issues here – and if those don’t work, prescription medication like Cenforce 100, Vidalista 20mg or other PDE5 inhibitors recommended by a doctor can help.
Final thoughts
So, does a 7-day abstinence challenge really do anything for you? It can, but it’s very situational.
If you are just trying to boost energy or sex drive in the short-term, then yes – you will see some results. For everyone else, you are better off focusing on other areas of wellness and working on sexual discipline gradually.
Ultimately, there is no real reason to avoid ejaculation for a week unless you are trying to boost fertility, seminal fluid quality, or your sexual stamina. If you are experiencing psychological issues and avoid masturbation or sex out of shame or guilt – it’s best to talk to a professional.
