Does the frequency of masturbation affect male fertility?

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To address their sexual needs, many young men masturbate privately at home.This is not certainly a bad thing, but according to experts, you may not have a full understanding of masturbation. And many guys don't know if the frequency of masturbation affects fertility.

1. Is male fertility affected by frequent masturbation?

Frequent masturbation in men does not have a significant impact on their fertility. Sexual intercourse with ejaculation several times a week will maximize the conception chances of your partner, whether or not you masturbate.

Some data suggests that optimal semen quality occurs after two to three days without ejaculation. But other research shows that even with daily ejaculation, men still have normal sperm quality and concentration.

2. Male masturbation and 5 things you didn't know

2. 1. Masturbation does not provide the same health benefits as sexual intercourse

Tobias S. Köhler - an associate professor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, said: "It seems that not all orgasms are created equal."

Various studies have shown that intercourse has many benefits for men. These benefits include:

  • Benefits for blood pressure.
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Benefits for the prostate
  • Pain-relieving effect.

Many men think that masturbation will also achieve the same benefits. But that's not true. Why is there a difference between ejaculation due to having sex and due to masturbation? This has not been clearly explained. But your body seems to react differently to these two actions. Even the evaluations of semen are different if you masturbate instead of having sex.

However, does that difference really matter? Have you been masturbating all these years just because you want to boost your prostate health? A study by Harvard medical experts suggests that male masturbation may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Sexual intercourses bring cardiovascular benefits for men
Sexual intercourses bring cardiovascular benefits for men

2.2. Masturbation is risk-free?

Masturbation still has some risks, but these risks are lower than those of sexual intercourse. Masturbation is the safest form of sex possible today. No one has ever contracted a sexually transmitted disease from themselves or become pregnant from masturbating.
But like other low-risk activities, masturbation still has some risks. Frequent or forceful masturbation can cause mild skin irritation. Bending an erect penis can rupture the blood-filled chambers, a rare but dangerous condition called a penile fracture.

Köhler has seen men with fractured penises after masturbating forcefully. A fractured penis looks like an eggplant, often purple and swollen. Most of these cases require surgery to repair the penis.

2.3. There is no "standard" frequency of masturbation

Men may be worried about whether they masturbate too much. However, the number of times you masturbate in a week (or a day) does not matter, but rather how suitable that number of times is with your life.

If you masturbate many times a day and have a healthy, fulfilling life, that's good for you. But if you masturbate many times a day and you're neglecting work or giving up sex with your partner because of it, consider seeing a sex therapist.

2. 4. Masturbation does not reflect your relationship with the opposite sex

Levkoff says the most harmful delusion about male masturbation is that many people think it's a sign of something wrong in your relationship with the opposite sex.

The fact is that most men have masturbated. They masturbate if they are single, in a bad relationship, or even in a great relationship. It's just something they do that doesn't involve their partner.

Masturbation is not just a way to achieve orgasm instead of sex. For many people, it's a regular way to relieve stress, clear their head before work or going to bed.

2. 5. Masturbation can improve your sex life

Masturbation can improve your sex life, as it's a way for guys to learn what they like about sex. Some sex therapists suggest that women will be more satisfied in sex if they masturbate as much as men.

Dr. Ian Kerner, a sex therapist and author of She Comes First, says that some guys get caught up in a certain pressure during masturbation or the stimulation of pornography that they can't replicate with a partner. In that case, masturbation may no longer be beneficial to them.

However, those are just exceptions, and for the vast majority of men, masturbation is a healthy thing. Sometimes when a guy stops masturbating, it can be a sign of anxiety or health problems.

Masturbation may be beneficial to sexual life of couples
Masturbation may be beneficial to sexual life of couples

3. How long does it take for the body to produce new sperm?

The male body produces sperm every day, but a full sperm production cycle (spermatogenesis) takes about 64 days. Spermatogenesis is the complete cycle of sperm production and maturation. It continuously provides your body with a supply of sperm that can travel through the vagina to the unfertilized egg in the woman's ovary for fertilization.

A man's testicles continuously produce new sperm during spermatogenesis. The full process takes about 64 days. During spermatogenesis, your testicles produce several million sperm each day, and it is estimated that about 1,500 new sperm are created every second. In a complete sperm production cycle, a man can regenerate 8 billion sperm.

This number may seem excessive, but you release 20 to 300 million sperm cells in one milliliter of semen. That's why your body maintains a surplus to ensure a new supply for fertilization.

The sperm production cycle includes:

  • Division of spermatogenic (germ) cells: diploid germ cells divide into haploid sperm cells that can carry genetic data.
  • Maturation of sperm in your testicles: Sperm maturation takes place in the testicles, especially in the seminiferous tubules. Hormones that promote spermatogenesis will affect this process until they become sperm. Sperms remain in the testicles until they are almost mature. Mature sperm have a head containing genetic material and a tail that helps sperm move through a woman's body to fertilize.   
  • Movement of sperm into the epididymis: after the sperm matures, they move into the epididymis, a tube connected to the testicles to store sperm. The epididymis is where sperm are stored until ejaculation. This is also where sperm acquire their best motility. This allows them to move when ejaculated.

Fertilization is very likely to occur when you have not ejaculated for a while. The continuous regeneration of sperm fills the epididymis with new sperm. The longer the sperm is accumulated, the higher your sperm count will be in one ejaculation.

If you and your partner are trying to conceive, waiting a few days between ejaculations can increase your chances of conception. You can further increase your chances by abstaining from ejaculation the week before the woman ovulates. This approach maximizes sperm count during the peak fertile window.

With the above information, you probably have an answer to the question "Does masturbation affect fertility?" In fact, masturbation is not certainly bad, but if you overuse and depend on masturbation, it may affect your reproductive health as well as your own and your partner's emotions.

Reproductive health examination before marriage is necessary for men
Reproductive health examination before marriage is necessary for men

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Reference source: mayoclinic.org - webmd.com - healthline.com 

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