What Really Happens After 30 Days of No Nut November

Summary

In this video, Dr. Mina Malik, a urologist and pelvic surgeon, examines the science behind semen retention, particularly during the 'No Nut November' challenge. While some myths claim that abstaining from ejaculation boosts testosterone, improves fertility, and increases semen volume, Dr. Malik debunks these, citing research that shows limited effects. He explains that while semen volume may slightly increase with short-term abstinence, prolonged retention can actually hurt fertility and lead to wet dreams. Ultimately, he advises that moderation and a balanced approach are key to optimizing sexual health.

Takeaways

• 😀 Semen retention is the practice of avoiding ejaculation in any form, including no sex or masturbation.
• 😀 No Nut November, a viral 30-day challenge, encourages men to abstain from ejaculation but lacks strong scientific backing for many of its claimed benefits.
• 😀 Two small studies found brief increases in testosterone after semen retention, but these increases were short-lived and likely due to anticipation rather than the retention itself.
• 😀 The claim that semen retention boosts testosterone or fertility is largely unsupported by science.
• 😀 Semen quality declines with prolonged abstinence, especially after 5-7 days, with lower motility and DNA fragmentation in sperm.
• 😀 The practice of semen retention does lead to an increase in semen volume, but this is limited, especially after 4 days of abstinence.
• 😀 After 4 days of abstinence, the rate of semen volume increase slows significantly, and the body begins reabsorbing unejaculated semen.
• 😀 Wet dreams or nocturnal emissions are a normal physiological response, and they should not be seen as a failure or a setback in the challenge.
• 😀 For men trying to maximize semen volume or sperm health, 4-5 days of abstinence is ideal, and longer periods likely don’t offer additional benefits.
• 😀 For couples trying to conceive, having sex every other day around the fertile window optimizes both sperm volume and quality.

Q & A

What is the practice of semen retention?

Semen retention is the practice of avoiding ejaculation in any form, which includes abstaining from sex, masturbation, or any release whatsoever.

What is the purpose of No Nut November?

No Nut November is a 30-day challenge that started from a Reddit post in 2011. It encourages participants to abstain from ejaculation for the entire month of November.

Does semen retention increase testosterone levels?

There is limited evidence to suggest that semen retention increases testosterone. One study showed a slight increase in testosterone after 3 weeks of abstinence, but it was likely driven by anticipation of sexual reward rather than retention itself.

How long does testosterone increase last during semen retention?

The increase in testosterone is typically short-lived. A study found that testosterone increased after 7 days of abstinence, but this effect quickly dropped back down after that.

Does semen retention improve fertility?

No, prolonged abstinence actually decreases semen quality, especially after 5-7 days. Studies show increased DNA fragmentation, reduced sperm motility, and worse sperm morphology the longer you abstain.

Does abstaining from ejaculation increase semen volume?

Yes, abstaining from ejaculation does increase semen volume, with studies showing a 12% increase per day during the first 4 days. However, the rate of increase slows down after that.

What happens after a prolonged period of semen retention?

After a prolonged period of abstinence, your body starts to reabsorb the semen, and eventually, you may experience a nocturnal emission (wet dream), which resets your semen volume to zero.

Is having a wet dream a failure during semen retention?

No, wet dreams are a normal physiological response and are completely out of your control. It is not a failure if this happens during semen retention, and you should not feel bad about it.

What is the optimal duration for semen retention if you are trying to maximize volume or sperm health?

The optimal period for maximizing semen volume and sperm health is about 4-5 days of abstinence. Beyond that, the benefits plateau, and the body may absorb the semen or release it through nocturnal emissions.

What is the recommended frequency for couples trying to conceive?

For couples trying to conceive, the recommendation is to have sex every other day during the fertile window, particularly around ovulation, to optimize both semen volume and quality.