Fast Facts
Impact of Semen Retention On Testosterone
- Short term: Semen retention for 1 week increased Testosterone by 45.7% (Jiang et al., 2003). Semen retention will provide larger Testosterone increases short term.
- Long term: Semen retention for 3 weeks raised Testosterone by 14.9%. (Exton et al., 2001). Semen retention will provide a smaller, gradual Testosterone increase long term.
Relapse And Length of Semen Retention Streak
- Long Semen Retention Streak: Ejaculating after a long period of semen retention does not significantly lower testosterone. Testosterone levels dropped by 6% after ejaculation in men who broke their no fap streak after 3 weeks of semen retention. (Exton et al., 2001)
- Short Semen Retention Streak: Regular ejaculation causes a larger decrease in testosterone. Testosterone levels dropped by 16% after ejaculation in men who masturbated multiple times per week. (Exton et al., 2001)
- Restore Progress: The longer your semen retention streak, the easier it is to restore progress if you relapse.
Recommendation:
- Scientific Recommendation: Semen retention streaks of at least 1 week are needed to experience Testosterone increase.
- Personal Recommendations: Longer streaks (1 to 6 months) are superior to shorter streaks (1 to 2 weeks).
Benefits Of Long Semen Retention Streaks
Longer streaks allow you to:
- Develop self discipline
- Reset your brain’s dopamine receptors & reward pathways (Brand et al, 2015)
- Prioritize long term goals and delayed gratification. Instead of chasing instant gratification from cheap dopamine sources like porn and Only Fans.
- Experience the full benefits of high Testosterone. This includes increased self confidence, higher levels of motivation and increased productivity (Miller et al, 2019). Physically, high Testosterone enhances muscle growth, reduces body fat, and makes you more attractive to women. (Tulin et al, 2019)
Next Steps
Discover 150 Strategies To Quit Porn Addiction and Masturbation in our online course.
In Depth
Several studies show that semen retention can significantly boost Testosterone production.
According to a 2021 meta analysis published in the Frontiers of Psychology journal. Several studies were cited in the meta analysis:
2003 Study – Semen Retention Increased Testosterone By 47.5% In 7 Days
In a 2003 study, scientists looked at how Testosterone level changed after 16 days of semen retention.
The study found:
For men who ejaculated on the 1st day of the study:
- Semen retention for 2 to 5 days did not dramatically change Testosterone levels.
- Semen retention for 7 days increased Total Testosterone levels to 147.5% of baseline (starting level).
- This was a 47.5% Total Testosterone increase.
- From the 8th to the 16th day, Testosterone levels did not increase further.
For men who did not ejaculate on the 1st day of the study:
- Testosterone levels did not change during the 16 days of the study.
The findings of this study suggests that:
- At least 7 days of semen retention are needed to boost testosterone by 47.5%.
- Semen retention for more than 1 week will not increase Testosterone any further.
- If you have been doing semen retention for a long time, your Testosterone levels will stay relatively stable.
Theoretically
Semen retention for 7 days could increase your Testosterone from:
- From 300ng/dL Total Testosterone (low): to 442ng/dL (low average).
- From 400ng/dL Total Testosterone (low): to 590ng/dL (high average).
- From 500ng/dL Total Testosterone (average): to 737.5ng/dL (high).
- From 600ng/dL Total Testosterone (high average): to 885ng/dL (high).
- From 700ng/dL Total Testosterone (high): to 1032ng/dL (close to the natural limit).
Using the findings of this study.
However, after the 7th day, your Testosterone levels will return to starting level, according to this study.
Study criticism
- The study had only 28 participants. A larger sample size could have increased the accuracy of results.
- The study was retracted in 2021 (removed from the medical journal). But this was only because it repeated the findings of a 2002 study. The results of the study are still viable.
- The study was only 16 days. A longer time frame (such as 4 to 8 weeks) would show the impact of long term semen retention.
- Full study is not available online, only the study abstract (overview).
2001 Study – Semen Retention Increased Testosterone By 14.9% In 3 Weeks
A 2001 study looked at the effects of 3 weeks of semen retention on Testosterone.
The study found:
- Modest Testosterone Increase: 3 weeks of semen retention increased Total Testosterone by 14.9%.
- Improvement in Average Levels: Average testosterone levels increased from 389 ng/dL (low) to 447 ng/dL (average).
- Impact of Semen Retention: Men who practiced “No Fap” for 3 weeks had higher testosterone than men who regularly masturbated.
Diagram: Testosterone levels before and after ejaculation. Black square represents semen retention group. White square represents regular masturbation group.
Testosterone decrease after ejaculation:
- Men who practiced semen retention experienced a smaller Testosterone decrease after ejaculation. They had 6% lower Testosterone levels 60 minutes after ejaculation.
- Men who regularly masturbated experienced much larger decrease in Testosterone after ejaculation. They had 16% lower Testosterone levels 60 minutes after ejaculation.
This suggests that:
- Semen retention for multiple weeks will lead to small increase in Testosterone of 14.9%.
- Ejaculating after a long semen retention streak will not significantly lower Testosterone.
- Ejaculating will cause larger Testosterone decrease if you masturbate regularly.
- The longer your semen retention streak, the easier it is to restore progress if you relapse.
Theoretically:
Semen retention for 3 weeks could increase your Testosterone:
- From 300 ng/dL (low): Increase to 344.73 ng/dL (low).
- From 400 ng/dL (low average): Increase to 459.64 ng/dL (low average).
- From 500 ng/dL (average): Increase to 574.55 ng/dL (average).
- From 600 ng/dL (high average): Increase to 689.46 ng/dL (high average).
- From 700 ng/dL (high): Increase to 804.37 ng/dL (high).
Using the findings of this study.
Study criticism
- The study had only 10 male participants. A larger sample size could have increased the accuracy of results.
- The study was only 3 weeks. It was 5 days longer than the 2003 study. Extending the study (4 to 8 weeks) would allow us to see the long term impact of semen retention on Testosterone.
Fortunately, the full study is available on Research Gate.
Recommendation:
Scientific Recommendation:
Semen retention streaks of at least 1 week are needed to experience Testosterone boost.
Personal Recommendations:
From personal experience, longer streaks (1 to 6 months) are superior to short streaks (1 to 2 weeks).
Benefits Of Long Semen Retention Streaks
Longer streaks allow you to:
- Develop self discipline
- Reset your brain’s dopamine receptors & reward pathways (Brand et al, 2015)
- Prioritize long term goals and delayed gratification. Instead of chasing instant gratification from cheap dopamine sources like porn and Only Fans.
- Experience the full benefits of high Testosterone. This includes increased self confidence, higher levels of motivation and increased productivity (Miller et al, 2019). Physically, high Testosterone enhances muscle growth, reduces body fat, and makes you more attractive to women. (Tulin et al, 2019)
Next Steps
Discover 150 Strategies To Quit Porn Addiction and Masturbation in our online course, Semen Retention Blueprint.
Each strategy is:
- Easy to follow, step by step
- Backed by science (over 1,372 studies)
- Backed by personal experience (I have been living porn free for over 10 years)
To help you unlock the benefits of semen retention and become a semen retention god.
