Does holding back ejaculation cause harm?

☰ Table of content

The ability to get an erection and ejaculate is controlled by the nervous system. Some men believe holding back ejaculation can conserve semen and improve health, based on the idea from ancient medicine that semen is more valuable than blood. So, should men deliberately hold back ejaculation for health reasons?

1. How sperm is formed in men

Ejaculation happens when semen is released from the male genitalia. This typically occurs during the climax of sexual arousal, whether through intercourse, masturbation, or even during sleep (wet dreams).
Sperm is produced in the testes, and each ejaculation releases around 300 million sperm. However, the exact number of sperm can vary from person to person. 
The process of ejaculation in men can be divided into four stages:

• Stage 1: Arousal - This is the initial stage of the ejaculation process in male, beginning 10–30 seconds after sexual desire is triggered. It can last from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the individual. When a man is aroused, his penis becomes erect, making it easier to penetrate a woman’s vagina. However, successful intercourse requires lubrication for both the male’s genital and the female’s genital. As arousal increases, the penis releases more lubricant, reducing friction and allowing easier penetration.
• Stage 2: Control and endurance: As the penis enters the vagina, intense stimulation occurs. More lubricant is produced, reducing friction between the genitals. In this stage, the penis reaches maximum erection, and the man's body feels hotter, with a faster heartbeat and stronger breathing. The duration of this phase depends on the man's ability to control himself. A man needs to know how to control himself to control ejaculation, and at the same time prolong the time of the intercourse to help his partner reach orgasm. Premature ejaculation may affect the experience and leave the woman unsatisfied.
• Stage 3: Ejaculation and orgasm: This is the peak of intercourse, lasting only a few seconds. The semen will be secreted from the urethra and then released through the penis through rhythmic contractions. At this point, the man experiences orgasm, and his breathing, heart rate, pulse, and blood pressure increase further.
• Stage 4: Recovery: The body enters a resting state that can last from minutes to half an hour or longer, depending on the individual's constitution.

The ideal time for ejaculation during intercourse is about 10 minutes and depends on the man's ability to delay ejaculation. If ejaculation occurs in under 2 minutes, it may be considered premature ejaculation..
 

2. Holding back ejaculation in men

• Delaying ejaculation can prolong sexual activity. But is it harmful? Scientifically, delaying ejaculation can harm men’s health, potentially causing fatigue, lack of sexual interest, hemorrhoids, or prostatitis, etc.
• Holding back ejaculation can make men feel tired and increase the risk of developing male reproductive health problems. According to specialists, suddenly stopping intercourse before ejaculation can lead to blood congestion throughout the body or in the pelvic area. Additionally, the central nervous system, already under extreme tension, cannot relax, leading to more stress. In some men, organs like the seminal vesicles or prostate may not release fluids as they normally would, causing the body to experience further tension.
• On the other hand, normal ejaculation helps men relieve stress. Thus, repeatedly stopping or delaying this process over time can lead to fatigue. Moreover, this habit increases the risk of conditions like erectile dysfunction, testicular inflammation, impotence, and inflammation of the vas deferens.
• Suppressing ejaculation reduces pleasure and affects the quality of sexual experiences. During arousal and climax, organs like the vas deferens, prostate, and seminal vesicles contract intensely. However, holding back ejaculation at the peak moment significantly reduces a man's pleasure. Over time, this habit can make it difficult for men to experience satisfaction or emotional highs during intercourse.
•  
• Ejaculation control not only affects men but also their partners. Delaying ejaculation may leave partners unsatisfied or disappointed, especially during their climax. If this occurs frequently, partners may lose interest in sex or even avoid it. In some cases, this can lead to back pain, abdominal discomfort, or nervous system issues for men. Prolonged pelvic congestion caused by holding back ejaculation can also result in illness.
• Ejaculation control can weaken erectile function. During climax, consciously delaying ejaculation increases pelvic blood congestion and puts pressure on the nervous system and reproductive organs. If this happens often, it reduces sexual desire and impairs erectile function.
• Frequent ejaculation suppression may increase the risk of hemorrhoids. Controlling ejaculation disrupts blood circulation to the anus, raising the likelihood of developing hemorrhoids. Additionally, prolonged congestion may lead to prostate inflammation or other reproductive health issues.
• Holding back ejaculation can cause blood vessel or capillary rupture, leading to bleeding and inflammation of the scrotal sac.
• Holding back ejaculation also makes it difficult for sperm to move out, potentially causing sperm to leak into other body areas. When occurs frequently, this phenomenon can lead to infertility in men.
• Suppressing ejaculation affects the nervous system. When men hold back ejaculation, their nervous system remains tense and stressed. Over time, this weakens the nervous system, potentially causing hallucinations, insomnia, forgetfulness, headaches, or dizziness.
• If ejaculation does not occur during intercourse, it may reduce the chances of pregnancy, which can affect family happiness. Therefore, ejaculation plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy relationship. Men experiencing difficulty ejaculating should consult a doctor to identify the cause and receive effective treatment.
  When ejaculation issues are caused by medical conditions or certain medications, men should see a doctor, pause medication, and follow the doctor’s treatment plan.
• In cases of retrograde ejaculation or blocked vas deferens, surgery may be recommended.
• If ejaculation problems stem from erectile dysfunction or weak libido, treatment can include both traditional and modern medical approaches.
• The harmful effects of suppressing ejaculation make it clear that this practice is harmful to men’s health. Men should avoid this habit to protect their well-being.

3. A few misconceptions about ejaculation

• Pulling out prevents pregnancy: This is completely incorrect and can lead to negative consequences if used as a birth control method. Pulling out can still result in pregnancy because, during sexual arousal, the male genital organ releases a lubricating fluid. This fluid often contains a small amount of sperm. If the sperm remain viable, they can successfully fertilize an egg. Therefore, pulling out should not be considered an effective or safe contraceptive method. For effective birth control, you can use other methods like condoms.
• Ejaculation only happens during climax: Theoretically, ejaculation occurs when a man reaches orgasm. However, this may not always be the case, as it depends on the man's sensations during intercourse.
• Frequent ejaculation depletes sperm: This is entirely false. Sperm is continuously produced in large quantities by the testicles throughout a man’s life. Therefore, sperm will not run out.

When understanding the issues related to controlling ejaculation, men should maintain balance to achieve a fulfilling sexual life and minimize health problems.

To arrange an appointment, please call HOTLINE or make your reservation directly HERE. You may also download the MyVinmec app to schedule appointments faster and manage your reservations more conveniently.