What is abstinence for? Harm and benefits of sexual abstinence. Sex and health

What is sexual abstinence for men? Benefit, harm, forced landing or necessity?

Opponents and adherents of sublimation have accumulated a lot of evidence, but you can draw specific conclusions only by reading all the available information and “trying it on” for yourself.

Is abstinence so terrible or, on the contrary, does it contribute to the accumulation useful substances and strong sexual energy?

For an accurate answer, we will draw knowledge from traditional medicine and popular spiritual practices.

  1. Abstinence for Men According to Tantra and Vedas
  2. Temperance and the Tao of Love

Official medicine - opinion against abstinence

By "abstinence" is meant a term denoting the complete absence of a sexual life.

It is very significant that in medicine the concept-synonym is also actively used - abstinence (sexual), which in any other case describes the state of "withdrawal" in a drug-addicted person.

Psychological factor

That is, the first obvious harm of abstinence lies in the mental factor.

A person with a high sexual constitution will feel discomfort, constantly think about it, feel depressed and even depressed, as a result of which he will be nervous and tense.

This will eventually affect his health. But for men with more moderate sexual appetite such deprivations will not seem like torture.

There is no unequivocal opinion on how abstinence affects a man's life

Physiological factor

Urologists warn about the danger of prostatitis.

But in fairness, it should be noted that, in addition to abstinence itself, several other factors should be present: infections, stress, unhealthy lifestyle, circulatory disorders, etc.

Doctors insist that a full-fledged treatment of prostatitis is possible only if there is an active sexual life.

This applies to stagnant forms, bacterial problems are solved by completely different methods.

The constant filling of the prostate gland with sperm contributes to the purification and preservation of the functions inherent in nature.

Congestive prostatitis is expressed:

  1. Expansion of the veins of the scrotum
  2. Changes in the spermatic cord
  3. Swelling of hemorrhoids
  4. Venous congestion in the rectum

Is abstinence good or bad?

Hormonal factor

It is believed that long-term restriction of men in sexual terms leads to irreversible consequences in the hormonal sphere.

Sperm quality and fertility

Israeli scientists conducted a study using seminal samples from seven thousand men.

They came to the conclusion that a long absence of sexual life negatively affects the quality of sperm, although it increases its quantity.

Since it is quality that matters in the matter of conception, they do not recommend practicing sublimation for too long.

On the other hand, a short (up to 7 days) abstinence will have a beneficial effect on the prospect of pregnancy.

Opponents of this theory believe that frequent sexual intercourse, on the contrary, contributes to the renewal of biologically valuable material and this is beneficial.

Matter of habit

Doctors say that the body adapts to our needs and over time can be rebuilt so that the erectile function will gradually come to naught.

Morning erection and normal one will disappear and even wet dreams will become a rarity.

Sexual contact is also seen as a way of physical activity and helps prevent cardiovascular disease, but by and large in the same way that running or yoga would do.

Prolonged absence of sexual life negatively affects potency

oxygen starvation

Another proof that doctors operate on is the opinion that the male penis constantly requires a certain amount of oxygen.

It enters the body only during an erection.

If this does not happen for a long time, the vessels become clogged with cholesterol plaques and this negatively affects sexual health.

Advice: if you are thinking about the practice of sublimation, take a survey to understand if there are any emerging problems, and whether such a long absence of a sexual life will affect your health.

Official medicine - opinion for abstinence

Considering the issue of abstinence for men, as well as its possible benefits and harms, doctors like to scare with terrible diseases, but this does not mean that they express the opinion of the majority.

Not everyone thinks so. Moreover, adherents of the theory believe that the constant release of sperm causes the loss of essential nutrients: phosphorus, lecithin, cholesterol, etc.

The more important question is what the practice of abstinence can mean for a couple's relationship.

The preservation of sex hormones provokes their processing by the body. You do not lose useful substances, which in themselves are replenished very reluctantly.

They also put forward the following facts in favor of abstinence:

  1. Orgasm itself is a test for life. At this time, the body is in a state of shock, a powerful spasm appears, which leads to negative processes in the vessels of the brain and muscles.
  2. Immediately after ejaculation, men always feel weakness, loss of strength, because they lose the lion's share of hard-to-replace nutrients, immunity and energy potential are significantly reduced.
  3. The nervous system is oppressed so much that the appearance of neurasthenia is likely.
  4. Possible damage during copulation internal organs, increased blood pressure.

Scientists often cite as an example the great geniuses and creators Da Vinci, Newton, Spinoza, Nietzsche, Aristotle, who successfully practiced abstinence and did not notice any negative consequences. On the contrary, they gave the world great discoveries.

Athletes Ancient Greece were faster, stronger and healthier than anyone in their time.

Abstinence was practiced by many great men, incl. Leonardo da Vinci

They preferred to completely abstain from sexual intercourse before the competition and thus strengthened themselves.

What famous scientists think about the benefits of abstinence:

  1. Richard von Krafft-Ebing, an Austrian-German researcher of human sexuality, considered all the "diseases of continence" to be fiction.
  2. Edouard Chassegnac, a French professor of anatomy and surgery, thought that the healthier a person is, the more often he should practice this restriction. This is the absolute norm. Only sick (especially mentally) people find it difficult.
  3. The German professor and anatomist Max Furbinger expressed the opinion that all the problems for bachelors arise precisely because of the unnatural satisfaction of lust, from masturbation, and not from abstinence.
  4. Endocrinologist Ef. Jay Leadson (Illinois, USA) puts it literally this way: “Abstinence can never be harmful. Moreover, the retention of semen in the testicles often has a positive effect on physical and mental performance.
  5. The physiologist and venereologist Jean Alfred Fournier ridicules the very idea of ​​the “danger of abstinence” and insists that in all his many years of practice he has not yet come across a case where sex would be physiologically necessary to resist the disease.
  6. Dr. F. McCann speaks of abstinence as a way to keep youth and performance, because the lecithin contained in semen has long been used to treat neurological and sexual disorders.

Long-term observations of the copulation of rabbits led to the conclusion of a clear harm, because after the ejection of sperm, all males were in a state close to epilepsy.

There was complete exhaustion central system limbs trembled.

Regular sexual intercourse is necessary to maintain harmony in a couple.

When observing young stallions, deaths occurred, as this led to overstrain and a complete breakdown.

Even young bulls would lose consciousness for a while, which further emphasizes the veracity of the theory of the clear harm of frequent copulation.

If we collect some general opinion, then doctors say that reproduction is the release into the woman's vagina of all the best that the human body is capable of.

A man loses a huge amount of nutrients, vitamins and weakens. This is the price of reproduction.

Excessive sexual excesses for the male body are not desirable and will not lead to anything good.

Many of the above arguments seem plausible.

Observing great post and practicing spiritually, men often not only do not feel a breakdown during sublimation, but, on the contrary, feel much more energetic than before.

Of course, this does not happen immediately, but after restructuring to a new way of life.

And although many of the arguments on both sides look plausible, you should not go to extremes.

Tip: During the transition to abstinence, yoga is advised to concentrate daily on the ajna chakra (between the eyebrows) and sahasrara (crown) at the same time.

Abstinence for men - benefits and harms after 50 years

On this issue, scientists are also divided into two camps. On the one hand, after 45 years, men have better studied their body and can give a woman maximum pleasure.

Doctors are literally screaming about the importance of intermittent sex life, about how much it affects sexual function and its recovery.

According to them, erection and sexual intercourse should become an integral part of life.

It also affects blood testosterone levels, improving performance endocrine system and protection of prostate function.

They believe that abstinence for more than 5 years in a row can lead to impotence.

On the other hand, opponents are sure that with age the male body weakens, and such an overstrain is more likely to give way to hemorrhage or cardiac arrest.

Especially if they did not give preference to physical activity and led a passive lifestyle.

There are many examples of older people dropping dead after intercourse.

In adulthood, the issue of sexual relations should be treated especially carefully.

I recall the sad story of the general, military governor M. D. Sobolev, who at the age of 38 suddenly died in the bed of an elite courtesan from "heart paralysis".

Abstinence for men - benefits and harms according to tantra and the Vedas

Abstinence for men, according to the Vedic cults, is more beneficial than harmful.

In Tibet, there are several opinions on this matter at once.

Vedic tantra is considered an ancient esoteric teaching, the meaning of which is often misunderstood.

In fact, there is no explicit propaganda of sex here.

Both abstinence and sexual practice as such are used, but not for pleasure, but to comprehend the doctrine of the Superconscious.

Each time is used for self-improvement and concentration on the spiritual side of the issue.

In fact, tantra considers both abstinence and an active sex life to be equally beneficial.

On the other hand, the doctrine recognizes that such a great sexual force is capable of being discharged for lofty activities: science, art, worship.

The practice of sexual abstinence is widespread in Tibet

Abstinence also accumulates Qi energy and prolongs a person's life.

In general, moderation and control of one's actions are promoted, everything that modern doctors insist on.

The Vedas consider sexual energy to be the most powerful in the universe, because thanks to it, a man (not without female help, of course) is able to create a new person!

Until the age of 25, it is considered inappropriate to spend this precious resource, therefore complete abstinence (virginity) is welcome.

Sexual energy is the most powerful according to the Vedas

Thus, tapas energy is accumulated, it makes it possible to:

  1. Stand up under any circumstances
  2. Always get your way
  3. "Iron" male patience
  4. Be true to your goals
  5. Stay strong and happy throughout your life

Rami Blekt, writer, philosopher, mystic, deeply studied Vedic culture and believes that during ejaculation, the most valuable energy, ojas, is lost.

It is almost not replenished and affects the duration of life and the strength of the nervous system.

Feminine energy makes up for the loss a little, but not 100%.

And masturbation completely takes energy from the future man and can even affect his ancestors.

Alternatively, you can use techniques where ejaculation is not associated with orgasm. The man enjoys it.

But there can also be negative health consequences, and not everyone is able to fully master them.

There is a theory on this subject in Ayurveda.

Ayurvedic schools view abstinence in terms of the caste to which a person belongs.

That is, whether abstinence is desirable depends on the purpose of life:

  1. Brahmins(clergy, teachers) recommended complete celibacy, because they dealt with spiritual aspects.
  2. kshatriyam(warriors) - frequent breeding is permissible, as these are strong personalities with good genetics and energy levels. Their purpose is to serve the people.
  3. Vaishyam(traders, farmers) could have sex, but had to provide for all their wives and offspring, as well as donate a lot of time and effort to spiritual practices and charity.
  4. Shudram(artists, ordinary workers) were not subject to strict prohibitions as a lower caste, but sexual life existed only within the framework of legal marriage.

Abstinence from ejaculation and the Tao of love

Tao believes that in order to extend the limits of its existence, it is necessary to be moderate in everything. This is especially true of sexual habits.

Frequent depletion of the "vital elixir" leads to premature withering of the body, susceptibility to disease.

Chinese Tao philosophy insists on moderation in the matter of male ejaculation

It is necessary to clearly limit yourself in this regard.

Taoist physician Sun Xiu Mo calculated the optimal frequency of ejaculation:

  1. 20 years - every 4 days
  2. 30 years - 1 time in 8 days
  3. 40 years - 1 time in 10 days
  4. 50 years - every 20 days

At the same time, a special place was occupied by daily physical activity and proper nutrition.

As a result, the Tao masters came to the conclusion that the best option there will be sexual intercourse without ejaculation.

There are several methods:

  1. Braking method. It consists in diaphragmatic breathing and interruption of sexual intercourse for 20 seconds, followed by continuation. The man calms down and begins to feel the limits of the moment of ejaculation and learns to control himself.
  2. Extrusion method. It is necessary during sex to take a deep breath and within 3 seconds to press on the point between the scrotum and the anus.
  3. Kinsey-Simakin control. In anticipation of the approach of orgasm, the man must tighten the buttocks and hips to achieve contraction of all muscles. He can even continue to move, orgasm will come, but without ejaculation.

Tip: try practicing one of the suggested techniques for 2 months. With due diligence, you will get the expected result.

If you are interested in the topic of the benefits and harms of abstinence for men, we recommend watching this informative video:

The indisputable fact remains the assertion that a regular sexual life is necessary for both a man and a woman.

The intimate component allows us to remain in a great mood, provides adequate psychological and emotional relaxation.

In addition, regular sex really does beneficial effect on the health of not only the pelvic organs, but in general.

Let's talk today about how rational a long abstinence is for a man, and what are the consequences of such an attitude.

What is abstinence

First of all, sexologists propose to define that there are three types of abstinence from intimacy, these are:

  1. Voluntary
  2. Forced.
  3. Social and age.

The voluntary type of abstinence most often includes adolescents and young people who are on initial stage formation as a person.

Abstinence here can be long, up to several months, or average up to several weeks.

This is not to say that such a lack of sex is harmful, but we note that adolescents on this basis can become irritable and aggressive.

However, there is also a benefit from such abstinence - an excessively early start of intimate life in men can lead to the fact that in adulthood a man ends quickly.

However, harm can also be manifested in the following points:

  • Nervous tension.
  • Psychosis.
  • Rash acts.
  • Looking for an adrenaline rush.

Forced abstinence is associated with health problems in men.

As a rule, these are diseases that lead to a decrease in libido and sexual activity in general.

Here you can talk about such problems as:

  • Erectile disfunction.
  • Oncological diseases.
  • Diabetes.
  • Genital trauma.
  • Congenital pathology of the structure of the genital organs.

In some cases, admission medicines, as a consequence leads to a decrease in sexual activity.

Here it makes sense to talk not about what harm abstinence can cause, but about what treatment to conduct and how to deal with the root cause.

As for social and age abstinence, it concerns the realities modern world in which a woman is more supportive of a successful, young and well-earning man.

What is the harm of abstinence

First of all, sexologists consider the harm of abstinence as an influence on the quality of spermatozoa. In other words, the quality of sperm in men is higher, the more regularly they have an intimate life.

This is especially true for couples who want to have a baby. Signs of infertility in men are very difficult to detect, but expecting abstinence to be beneficial is also not an option!

Recent scientific studies have shown that after a long abstinence for a man, it does not affect the improvement of sperm in any way, it increases in volume, but not in quality. But the harm is obvious - spermatozoa lose their mobility.

It is especially important to understand the harm abstinence can cause for men over 40:

  1. Stagnation in the pelvic organs.
  2. The development of inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis),
  3. The development of prostate adenoma,
  4. development of prostate cancer.

And in contrast, the benefits of regular sex instantly affect the normal functioning of the cardiovascular muscle and endocrine system.

The Consequences of Abstinence

Why is abstinence dangerous, and what can be its consequences for men?

First of all, the lack of sex has a bad effect on the psyche and sexual desire in general. The harm of abstinence here is due to the fact that gradually a man will increasingly lose interest in intimate relationships.

Ultimately, this explains why a man does not want sex, but the benefits of such abstinence are questionable.

In addition, abstinence is dangerous because:

  • There is congestive prostatitis.
  • The lack of a regular erection does not allow the penis to be adequately saturated with oxygen and blood.
  • The vessels of the penis become clogged with cholesterol, which causes an erection to disappear during intercourse and not only.
  • Dangerous and long-term presence of sperm in the body. It begins to split on the 10-12th day and penetrate into the tissues of the pelvic organs.

And the main harm of a long-term refusal to have sex is a drop in sexual activity, that is, these are the first steps towards erectile dysfunction.

Psychological problems

Abstinence in men can lead to serious psychological problems that will affect women as well.

For example, almost 80% of all neuroses arise just because of the lack of sexual life or its total irregularity.

The efficiency of both men and women decreases by 70%, so the benefits of abstinence and performance are a myth.

Aggressiveness, as we have already written in adolescents, however, it can manifest itself with a long absence of sex in both men and women.

In addition to the benefits of abstinence in minimizing the risk of contracting STDs, all other indicators remain negative.

Perhaps, if men have already begun to have long periods without intimacy, dietary supplements for potency will help him, which not only increase erection, but also increase libido.

Sex is an integral part of all people in puberty, it is so inherent in nature that the instinct of procreation prevails in every man exactly as much as in a woman. But due to a number of reasons, such as the absence of a sexual partner, circumstances and personal prejudices, long-term abstinence from sexual intercourse can occur. Today, there are many conflicting opinions about whether long-term abstinence is good or bad for a man's body.

Because of the total sexual propaganda for many men, life without sex seems impossible. In fact, you can understand the expediency of abstinence or an active sexual life if you know for sure how the lack of discharge and sexual intercourse affects the body of a man. And it is necessary to consider such issues only from the point of view of medicine, and not stereotypes and unofficial ideologies imposed by society.

What is abstinence?

The concept of sexual abstinence should be understood as a voluntary refusal for a certain period of time or in general for the whole life of a man from sexual intercourse with representatives of the opposite sex. It is impossible to accurately determine the period of sexual abstinence, since this is a purely subjective time frame. In fact, the needs for sexual intimacy with a woman in a man are a consequence of the worldview and individual type of temperament.

For reference! It will be practically impossible to accurately determine the permissible limits of sexual abstinence for a particular man, since one man will not be able to hold out for more than a week, while another can abstinence for more than one month.

According to medical theory, it has been established that, on average, men with low sexual activity can abstain from sex for no longer than 1-2 months, which will be a fairly easy test for them. For men with high testosterone levels and physical activity, the frequency of sexual intercourse will be much shorter, counted as weeks. Therefore, doctors divide men into two groups:

  • the first group - those who are active sexual life;
  • the second group - less active men due to the individual characteristics of the organism, whether it be temperament, upbringing, environmental living conditions, climatic zone, health and emotional background, etc.

For representatives of the first group, sexual abstinence is a great threat to health; for them, the absence of relaxation will be accompanied by adverse manifestations. The second group, on the contrary, can live calmly and without consequences, without intimate life for a long time.

Is abstinence harmful for men and what does a long absence of sex lead to?

For many years, the benefits and harms of sexual abstinence have been actively investigated by medical specialists, as well as scientists and scientific institutions. In addition to the term "sexual abstinence", doctors simultaneously consider such a concept as abstinence or a state of "breaking" against the background of the absence of sex and the discharge of the body. And the first harm from this lies precisely in the mental negative impact per person.

A sexually mature and active man, due to the lack of sexual activity, will suffer from discomfort and obsessive thoughts about sexual intimacy, which develops over time into a depressed depressive state. This will sooner or later affect other organs and systems, including potency. If a man belongs to the second group with low sexual activity, abstinence will be an surmountable task for him.

Urologists note the fact that the lack of discharge after sex threatens men with the development of prostatitis. Especially if, in addition to this, a man has circulatory problems, stressful conditions, infections and an unfavorable lifestyle. In addition, a complete and successful treatment of prostatitis is impossible without sexual activity, as this contributes to the destruction of stagnant processes.

For reference! Bacterial forms of prostatitis, on the contrary, for some time reject sexual contacts of a man with the aim of successful treatment.

Congestive prostatitis and defective prostate gland against the background of abstinence threatens a man:

  • dilated veins in the scrotum (varicose veins);
  • an increase in hemorrhoids;
  • pathological changes in the spermatic cord;
  • venous congestion in the area of ​​the rectum.

Besides long abstinence in men threatens him with irreversible processes in the hormonal system. Studies have also confirmed that the lack of sex leads to a deterioration in the quality of the semen and the reproductive function of a man.

To conceive a child, abstinence is considered to be no longer than 7 days.. Doctors also suggest that the body will simply get used to a passive sexual life, against which the erectile function will begin to disappear. Also sex from the point of view of medicine is physical activity as a prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Numerous studies have established that only in a state of erection does the penis receive the right amount of oxygen. Lack of sexual life will lead to clogging of blood vessels with cholesterol, which will adversely affect the entire vascular system and potency. Therefore, before choosing for yourself the path of sublimation and refusing to have sex, you should consult with your doctor about the possible consequences.

The benefits of abstinence

Studying the consequences of a man's refusal to have sex, doctors and scientists have also found positive aspects and benefits for the body of such a condition. It is believed that with an overly active sex life and frequent ejaculations, a man loses a large number of useful substances of the body - protein, phosphorus, cholesterol and lecithin, etc. In addition, due to the preservation of sex hormones, a man can cause the process of reabsorption, that is, their processing.

It's just elementary! To return and strengthen the potency, you need every evening ...

Also, the benefits of sexual abstinence are as follows:

  • orgasm is a kind of test for the whole organism, especially for the muscles and blood vessels in the brain;
  • orgasm causes the loss of a large amount of useful substances by the body, as well as the strength and energy of the body, lowering the energy potential and defenses of the body;
  • frequent orgasms can lead to exhaustion of the nervous system and neurasthenia;
  • frequent sexual intercourse can increase blood pressure and disrupt the functioning of internal organs.

For reference! Vivid representatives of sexual abstinence are Spinoza, Da Vinci, Aristotle, Nietzsche and Newton. These great men did not suffer any serious consequences of sexual abstinence. The same can be said about the great athletes of Ancient Greece, who, in the absence of sexual intercourse, maintained their health, strength and endurance.

Numerous studies by specialists have repeatedly proved that sexual abstinence is not only not dangerous, but even beneficial for the body of a man. The only exceptions are those men who have a fragile unstable psyche and dependence on sexual life. Ideologists even say that the seed is the best and most expensive thing that a man's body can give.

Male energy and an alternative view on the issue of abstinence

Today there are many alternative ideologies and opinions about the benefits of sexual abstinence. All of them today have many adherents from men, as well as specialists and doctors. Also, their teachings, practices and theories have weighty arguments and facts about the benefits of not having sex. For example:

  1. Ancient Teachings of the Taoists. In the teachings of the ancient Taoists, there are treatises that the refusal of sexual intimacy for a man promises great benefits. It consists in the preservation of vital and necessary useful resources by the body, as well as sex hormones. All this is necessary for a man to maintain physical strength and endurance. Taoists said that with his seed, a man loses vitality and strength. This energy not only heals the body, but is also responsible for creativity.

At the same time, the Taoists had sex many times more than other people, but subject to a clear distinction between orgasm and ejaculation. They practiced skills that allowed them to have an orgasm, but not ejaculate. At the same time, an orgasm without ejection of sperm was an additional recharge for the body. Multiple orgasms also allowed a man to control the duration of sexual intercourse and orgasm.

  1. Modern Taoist practices . Thanks to the experience of the ancient Taoists, today world-famous and novice athletes have become their adherents. Based on the beliefs of the ancient Taoists, today men prefer to abstain from sexual intercourse long before the upcoming sporting events in order to conserve energy and strength. Also, great creative people also use Taoist practices to improve creativity.

You need to understand that a man's seed contains a large amount of useful substances, hormones and body resources. Frequent orgasms lead to exhaustion of the body, many men are advised to refrain from orgasms by doctors before conceiving a child. In the event that a man experiences pain during abstinence, it is important to consult a doctor and not delay a passive sexual life.

And yet, is it good or bad?

Of the above opinions and teachings, a literate man must endure for himself general information. First of all, these can be the following rules:

  • Frequent and indiscriminate sexual intercourse leads to health problems and exhaustion of the body.. And if relationships are not accompanied by the use of contraceptives, this can cause serious diseases.
  • The frequency of sexual activity must fully comply with the temperament and sexual constitution of a man in a particular case. Reducing or, on the contrary, forcing the frequency of sexual intercourse can adversely affect the state of health. Conventionally, the rhythm of sexual life involves 2-3 acts per week.
  • In order to improve creativity and physical ability you can withhold sexual energy for a while.

In addition, abstinence can be useful in planning and conceiving a child, which will allow a man to increase the concentration of sperm and its volume. Sexual abstinence cannot be harmful, even useful for a man, only if it is adequate in terms of timing, and also does not cause psychological and physiological discomfort.

For any inhabitant of our planet, sex is an integral part of life. Mankind is engaged in it for procreation and for pleasure. But sometimes a situation arises when, due to circumstances, it is necessary to refrain from intimacy for some time. And then the question arises: what are the consequences of abstinence for men? Its benefits and harms, myths and truth are revealed in the article.

The concept of abstinence

This is a temporary forced or voluntary refusal of intimacy. The period when the absence of sex can be called abstinence cannot be defined.

The need for sex is determined by the temperament and worldview of a person. For some, abstinence means not having sex for several months, for others it is difficult to last even a week. Men who have a reduced level of sexual activity need intimacy 1-2 times a month, it is easy for them to endure the time of forced abstinence. But representatives strong half humanity, which has an increased level of testosterone, discharge is needed much more often.

It follows that all men can be divided into two groups: those who are sexually active, and those for whom abstinence from sex is not a problem. Both the first and second cases are the norm, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the organism, heredity, emotional state, physical health, age, climatic zone, environmental conditions, and upbringing.

Scientific basis

Scientists have long been discussing the pros and cons of physical abstinence, but there is still no definite answer. The opinions of experts on this issue were divided into two groups. Some sexologists say that abstinence from sex is an incentive for the formation of mental and physical disorders. Others claim that temporary cessation of sexual life is good for the body. But which one is right? Disputes about the pros or cons of giving up a sexual life, about what abstinence is fraught with for men (the benefits and harms are also discussed) have been going on for a long time.

Sex and health

For the stronger sex, intimate life is a physiological need that provides normal functioning organism. This is an opportunity for emotional relaxation, stress relief. Intimacy has a positive effect on immunity, the cardiovascular system, prevents heart attacks, rejuvenates the body, and prevents obesity. Regular sex minimizes the risk of prostate cancer, in addition, the likelihood of developing diabetes is reduced.

It can be concluded that abstinence for men, the benefits and harms of which are of interest to many, is not conducive to health.

Prolonged refusal of sex and the ability to conceive

There is an opinion that frequent sexual intercourse reduces the possibility of conception. In such cases, a man is recommended to give up sex for some time. The goal is to increase the concentration and quantity of sperm, which in turn increases the possibility of conception. But this method rarely gives the expected result. Most scientists have come to the conclusion that sexual abstinence in men leads to a deterioration in sperm quality and a decrease in sperm activity.

Scientists from Israel conducted an experiment for which they took more than 7,000 sperm samples. During the study, they observed a decrease in sperm activity in men who temporarily gave up sex.

Effects of abstinence on health by age

Most sexologists are convinced that long-term abstinence of men is not only unhealthy, but also harmful. The consequences of refusing intimacy in the form of a deterioration in health may appear years later. The older the man, the more pronounced will be the results of the rejection of a regular sexual life.

Abstinence for men: benefits and harms

Refusal of sexual life entails a number of side effects. It can cause the development of prostatitis, that is, inflammation of the prostate gland. Doctors say that the prevention of prostate disease is regular ejaculation.

Also, the result of the refusal of sex may be the acceleration of ejaculation, as a result of which the time of sexual intercourse is reduced. But in healthy men, with the restoration of sexual life, everything returns to normal. Regularly abstaining from intimacy for several months can be bad for the health of the unborn child.

It has been proven that men who deprive themselves of this type of pleasure cause damage to their psyche. The result is a loss of confidence, depression or aggressiveness. To eliminate all these symptoms that have arisen as a result of abstinence, you need to restore regular sexual relations, which will heal a man faster than any magic pills and psychologists.

When Abstinence Is Good

Sexologists are positive about abstinence if a man is undergoing treatment for a sexual infection or is afraid of getting infected from a sexual partner. There are cases when doctors prescribe sexual rest for health reasons (heart attack, complex surgery).

Creative people argue that sexual abstinence for men, the benefits and harms of which are being studied, gives impetus to the development of creativity, opens the way to inspiration.

Religion calls to give up sex to cleanse karma, clarify consciousness and spiritual growth.

It is now widely believed in society and even among physicians that the physiological benefits of abstinence are mere medieval religious superstitions and scientific ignorance, and this is incompatible with modern knowledge of physiology.

Some doctors use this idea for their own commercial gain and create a fear in society of abstinence, which allegedly causes diseases of the nervous system and adversely affects general health. Based on this belief, doctors and psychoanalysts sometimes go so far as to advise young men to use the services of prostitutes, arguing that the risk of catching a venereal disease is incomparable to the detrimental effect on the nervous system from long abstinence.

Further study of this article, however, should convince any sane reader that everything written above is a lie, and that abstinence, in fact, cannot harm, but rather is useful; and that when there are any health problems in non-sexual people, it is only the result of unhealthy sexual behavior. Given the fact that sperm is very rich in such substances as lecithin, cholesterol, phosphorus, it becomes clear that the loss of these valuable substances, along with malnutrition, is the cause of disorders of the nervous system and brain, and not abstinence, contrary to the absurd statements of corrupt psychoanalysts .

We have seen that the secretions of the sex glands are the basis for the vital energy of man, both physical and mental. This is achieved through the reabsorption of sperm. Saving sperm means saving sex hormones and increasing energy, while losing sperm means losing hormones and decreasing energy. chronic deficiency sex hormones leads to the appearance of aging symptoms. Sperm is a viscous liquid with an alkaline reaction, very rich in calcium and phosphorus, as well as lecithin, cholesterol, protein, iron, vitamin E, etc. In one ejaculation, a man loses about 226 million spermatozoa, which contain a large amount of lecithin, cholesterol, proteins and iron. One ounce of semen is equal in value to 60 ounces of blood. In this regard, Dr. Frederick McCann is convinced that the seed does indeed have great potential, as ancient scientists claimed.

Sperm contains substances of high physiological value, especially for the nutrition of brain tissue and the nervous system. It is known that the absorption of sperm through the wall of the female vagina has a very positive effect on the female body, the same should take place in the body of a man in which this seed is stored. Conversely, the loss of sperm should deprive the body of vital energy and valuable substances necessary for the nourishment of nerve cells, such as lecithin, which has been used therapeutically with great success to cure neurasthenia as a result of sexual excesses.

Here are some facts that demonstrate the benefits of abstinence:

1. The chemical composition of sperm is very close to the composition of the cells of the central nervous system (especially cholesterol, lecithin and phosphorus).

2. Excessive loss of semen (through sexual intercourse, coitus coitus coitus coitus coitus coitus coitus coitus excessively) is debilitating and harmful to the body and brain.

3. Excessive unintentional loss of semen (nocturnal emissions, spermatorrhea, etc.) adversely affects the nervous system and can cause neurasthenia.

4. Studies have shown that orgasm depresses the nervous system for some time, and if abused, it often leads to chronic nervous diseases (sexual neurasthenia)

5. Abstinence is good for the brain (since valuable lecithin, which is one of the most important components of the brain, is preserved). Many great geniuses practiced abstinence, among them Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, Leonardo Da Vinci, Nietzsche, Spinoza, Newton, Kant, Beethoven, Wagner, Spencer and others.

6. The experiments of Professor Brown Saquard and Professor Steinak prove the rejuvenating effect of the male seed.

7. Leading physiologists, urologists, urogenital specialists, neuropathologists, psychiatrists, sexologists, gynecologists and endocrinologists confirm the physiological value of abstinence. Among them are Moll, Kraepelin, Marshall, Lydston, Talmey and others.

Professor von Gruber München, an eminent sex therapist, says it is absurd to think of semen as a harmful, unnecessary secretion like urine that needs to be excreted regularly from the body. Sperm is a vital fluid that is not only reused by the body during sexual abstinence, but through this reabsorption, has a positive effect on physiological health, as confirmed by great geniuses who have practiced total abstinence for most of their lives. Dr. Bernard S. Talmy, an eminent American gynecologist, is of the same opinion, and holds that semen, in the absence of stimuli, is completely absorbed through the seminal vesicles, thereby making abstinence easy and habitual over time.

Professor Alfred Fournier, the famous physiologist, ridicules the idea of ​​"the dangers of abstinence for the young man", and that in his many years of medical practice, he never encountered any such case. Professor Montegazza, on the other hand, is convinced of the positive effects of chastity on both the body and the brain. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg cites many famous athletes of ancient Greece (like Astylos, Dopompos and others mentioned by Plato) practicing total abstinence during their training, which contributed to their unusually high energy levels. Professor Furbringer, a flamboyant German researcher, writes: “Sexual abstinence, contrary to the opinion modern medicine is not harmful to health. He writes that problems for bachelors arise not at all because of abstinence, but because of masturbation and other forms of satisfaction of lust. Krafft-Ebing, a sex specialist, dismisses the "diseases of continence" as a myth.

Gynecologist, Loewenfeld, considers it quite possible healthy person live in complete abstinence without any side effects. Professor, endocrinologist F.G. Lydston University of Illinois: “Abstinence can never be harmful. Moreover, the retention of semen in the testicles often has a positive effect on physical and mental energies. Chassaignac states that the healthier a person is, the easier it is for him to practice complete abstinence; only pathologically ill people with an unhealthy nervous system find it hard to abstinence. The famous researcher, Acton, writes that the common misconception about abstinence as the cause of genital atrophy and impotence is a serious mistake.

Convincing evidence for the benefits of abstinence comes from research on sexual orgasm. Havelock Ellis, in his "Studies in the Psychology of Sex", refers to the research of Dr. FB Robinson. He notes that when a stallion is first allowed near a mare, after a short vigorous copulation, the stallion often loses consciousness, the cause of which Robinson sees as the cerebral anemia thus produced. He mentions one case when, after copulation, the stallion fell dead. Young bulls also often lose consciousness after the first connection with a cow, and it is very common to see a young bull so exhausted that he crawls into a quiet corner and lies there for several hours. However, dogs do not faint during copulation because they have longer intercourse, and dogs do not have any seminal vesicles. As for the boar, the orgasm in these animals is so strong that it seems as if the animal is experiencing a strong pain shock, from which, after copulation, it cannot move away for several hours. Havelock Ellis writes:

“Having understood how big the effect of detumescence (cessation of erection after ejaculation and orgasm, approx.), We can explain the occurrence of serious consequences after copulation. Young bulls and stallions fainted after the first copulation; boars can be seriously harmed after copulation; stallions, it was said, even died. In humans (males), the time of detumescence lasts somewhat longer, but numerous accidents after sexual intercourse are known, which are the result of vascular and muscle spasms involved in the process of detumescence. Fainting, vomiting, and urge to urinate often occur in young people after their first copulation . Epilepsy was rare. Sometimes there were lesions of various organs, even rupture of the spleen. Men of mature age have had brain bleeding after intercourse as a result of their inability to resist high blood pressure. In older men, intercourse often caused death, there are many examples of old men dying after intercourse with their young wives or prostitutes.

The famous Russian general Skobelev died while cohabiting with a young girl, possibly a prostitute. Researcher Robinson draws attention to the case of a judge who died shortly after having an affair with a girl in a brothel, and to the case of a man in his seventies who died after having intercourse with a prostitute. Such sad cases usually occur with older men as a result of sexual intercourse with young girls.

Acton, the famous medical researcher, writes that in some people, orgasm is accompanied by processes that resemble a mild form of epilepsy. After sexual intercourse, the nervous system becomes exhausted for a while. This has also been observed while observing the rabbits, who, after each copulation, fell into a fit of mild epilepsy, rolled their eyes. Animals often made several spasmodic convulsions with their hind limbs, suffocated for some time, until the nervous system was restored. Acton mentions deaths that have occurred in brothels as a result of the adverse effects of orgasm on the nervous system and on the body in general, especially in sensitive people.

Geddes and Thomson, in their book, "The Development of Sex", address the fact that some spider species die after the female has been fertilized. The same cases occur in some types of insects.

After sexual intercourse, any living creature lowers the threshold of resistance to diseases for a while, fatigue and a decrease in energy occur.

“Reproduction (reproduction) is the beginning of death. The loss of lecithin and phosphorus with each loss of semen in any case leads to a temporary deficiency of these substances in the body, as a result of which the nervous system and brain suffer first of all. Psychiatric hospitals are overflowing with patients affected by excessive sexual activity. The lack of lecithin is very detrimental to the brain, measurements showed its deficiency in all mentally unhealthy people.

The greatest geniuses of antiquity and modernity reached the peak of their creativity precisely during forced abstinence. An example is Dante, who wrote: Divine Comedy» Being in exile, Miguel de Cervantes wrote Don Quixote in prison. Milton wrote Paradise Lost while blind and unable to have sex. Newton kept his mind alive until the age of 80 thanks to abstinence, the same can be said about L. Da Vinci, Michelangelo and many other great geniuses.

After every loss of sperm, you lose all the best in the body, every drop of sperm lost will be compensated from your blood. Sperm must be re-absorbed by the body and become the material for the formation of healthy muscles, joints, bones and brain. By throwing away sperm, you are throwing away your life.

When you see such phenomena as paralysis, apoplexy, rheumatism, diseases of the brain, a tired, exhausted face, stooped shoulders, when young people turn into old men ahead of time, you can be sure that this is the result of excessive loss of semen and the harmful effects of orgasm, abuse of sexual intercourse. .

You will observe these effects all around you. The consequences will be denied, all diseases of the body will be attributed to any other cause, but we assure you that nothing is so debilitating as excessive sexual activity, and any sexual intercourse is an excess if it does not carry the goal of conceiving children.

The consequences for disobedience to this law are a shortening of life and an increase in diseases, examples of which can be seen everywhere.

According to Acton, the sexual orgasm resembles an epileptic seizure in both its manifestations and its effects. Mental weakness and physical exhaustion are always companions of sexual orgasm. Acton says that only very healthy mature men can endure a moderate sexual life without consequences. In young people, all vital forces must be preserved for growth and development.

Dr. Ryan writes that sexual intercourse can be compared to an electric shock; both the mind and the body are under its influence, the influence is so great that a person does not hear or see anything for several seconds, and some people even lose their lives after sexual intercourse. That is why sexual intercourse is dangerous after severe wounds, bleeding, etc. Here is how Rouband describes the effects of sexual orgasm, comparing it to a mild epileptic seizure:

The circulation is accelerated, the beating of the arteries is increased, the venous blood, blocked by muscular contractions, increases the general body temperature, and this temporary stagnation, especially in the brain, as a result of contraction of the muscles of the neck and sometimes throwing the head back, causes a sharp accumulation of blood in the brain tissue, at this time the perception of the surrounding world is lost, the ability to think is suspended. The eyes take on a characteristic haggard, inflamed appearance. Often the eyes during orgasm are completely spasmodically closed to avoid contact with light. The respiration is quickened, sometimes interrupted, and may be stopped altogether by spasmodic contractions of the larynx, and the air, compressed for a while, is finally emitted in the form of groans or snatches of words. The jaws, strongly compressed, often injure the partner's teeth, lips, or even shoulders. This insane state lasts a very short period, but this time is enough to exhaust the forces of the organism, especially the person.

Professor Lidston believes that the consequences of sexual excesses are similar to the consequences, in both cases there is a change in the composition of the blood and general metabolism, as a result of the loss of lecithin, cholesterol, iron, calcium, phosphorus, etc. It is now widely believed that, unlike masturbation, sexual intercourse is harmless under any conditions and in any quantities. However, Lidstone strongly opposes this claim. He believes that sexual excess is the most common cause of many diseases of modern society. Moreover, according to the professor, sexual excesses adversely affect not only men, but also female body.

Here is how Tissot describes the consequences of sexual excesses:

Sexual excesses disrupt the activity of almost all organs ... Digestion and sweating are disturbed. There are rheumatic pains, characteristic weakness in the back (violation of posture), underdevelopment of the genital organs, loss of appetite, headache, etc. In a word, nothing shortens life so much as the abuse of sexual pleasures.

Dr. Talmy states that frequent sexual intercourse leads to anemia, asthenia of muscles and nerves, indigestion of food, malnutrition, mental exhaustion. People who are excessively fond of sexual pleasures can be recognized by their pale, elongated, flabby faces, which are sometimes tense in a special way. These people are depressed and usually completely unsuited for any laborious long-term physical or mental work.

Professor von Grubber believes that the frequent loss of seminal fluid leads to a "reduction of the specific internal secretion of the testicles", which would otherwise enter the bloodstream. Depression, fatigue and general exhaustion, feeling of pressure in the head, insomnia, ringing in the ears, spots before the eyes, fear of bright light, trembling, excessive sweating, muscle weakness, memory loss, neurasthenia, inability to mentally and physically work, decreased digestion efficiency, - these are, according to the professor, the consequences of sexual excesses for a man.

What is excess? Any sexual intercourse that does not carry the goal of conceiving children is, in fact, an excess. The man is sexually perverted. He is the only animal that supports prostitution, the only animal that is demoralized by all forms of sexual perversion, the only animal whose male (male) attacks women (female), the only animal where a woman's desire is not law, the only one who does not use his sexual energy in harmony, as nature intended.
Of all mammals, only civilized man suffers from a self-invented cult of sexual satisfaction, unhealthy sexual excesses. Wild animals mate only at certain times of the year, and only for the purpose of reproduction. Civilized man practices this act always, and in most cases without the purpose of conception.

On the other hand, as Havelock Ellis notes, the more primitive human races, who lead a more natural way of life, are much more chaste and do not suffer from sexual excesses. This should suggest that the sex life of civilized men is unnatural, and that the excessive sexual activity among them is not at all due to a natural instinct, but due to artificially imposed social incentives, as well as due to a high-protein diet (along with lack of physical movement), tobacco, alcohol and coffee, sexually stimulating literature, movies, conversations, etc. This may well be the explanation why civilized people have inferior offspring much more often than primitive peoples (savages) and animals.

The ancient Spartans were a people with a high level of sexual ethics, who practiced abstaining from sexual excesses. Men and women lived apart, even when they were married.

In order to maintain chastity, which Lykergus (Sparta's legislator) considered essential to the energy of the Spartan race, he (Lykergus) forbade the consumption of meat and other stimulating foods, and introduced a vegetarian diet. Alcohol was also banned. Lykergus also forbade eating at home, so that the people of Sparta would eat only at the collective public tables, thus controlling their diet, he was able to control their ethics. The people of Sparta became famous throughout the world for their morality, courage, physical and mental development.

Frame from the series "The Big Bang Theory"

Abstinence for men - what is the benefit and harm, and most importantly - what is more?

Even without numerous scientific studies, intuition and experience tell us that regular sexual intercourse is not only pleasant, but also very useful. But, alas, life is not always perfect, and by virtue of different reasons the problem of not being able to have sex as often as they want.

And if you find yourself in a similar situation (or you are just curious), then let's try to figure it out together: is male abstinence useful or harmful, and what it can lead to.

What happens to a man's body during abstinence?

And we would like to start this conversation with an interesting term in sexology, namely, the Tarkhanov-Belov phenomenon. Now you will understand why.

As soon as a period of a long absence of sexual contact begins in a man’s life (another name is sexual abstinence), then, according to the Tarkhanov phenomenon, sperm begins to accumulate in his body, increasing his sexual arousal. And since these "surpluses" cannot leave the body naturally, during sleep, a man encounters wet dreams - involuntary ejaculation. And this is absolutely normal.

If the period of abstinence from sexual intercourse is prolonged, then the Belov phenomenon replaces the Tarkhanov phenomenon: the body decides that since sex is not among your priorities at the moment, you should not produce sperm in the same quantities as before. As a result, over time, the problem of sudden erections, arousal and wet dreams becomes less relevant.

Fortunately, this is a reversible process: as soon as they become periodic again, everything will return to normal, and the body will come out of the “energy saving mode”.

The Benefits of Abstinence for Men: A Few Pro Opinions

But until this happens, the question “Is abstinence useful?” continues to be relevant. Well, some believe that not having sex can provide certain benefits.

Firstly, the benefits (or even the need) of temporarily refraining from sexual intercourse are undeniable when one of the partners is undergoing treatment for.

Secondly, in a situation where abstinence was prescribed by a doctor during the rehabilitation period after an operation, a heart attack or other serious illness.

Many doctors also believe that a week's abstinence has a positive effect on semen quality and can increase a couple's chances of conceiving, but not everyone agrees with this opinion.

There are a few more unofficial opinions about the benefits of abstinence, but before we give them, we warn you right away: we are by no means engaged in propaganda - just

Proponents of "celibacy for medical reasons" argue that frequent orgasms deprive the body of such beneficial substances as proteins, flavins, amino acids, phosphorus, potassium and other elements that make up sperm.

In addition, they emphasize that sex is a real stress for the body, increasing blood pressure, negatively affecting the nervous system and requiring high energy costs. Therefore, by giving up this activity, you thereby “save” your body from unnecessary stress.

Another adherents of abstinence (but from ejaculation, and not from sex itself) are adherents of the ancient Chinese philosophical teaching of Taoism. According to their views, the less often a man finishes, the higher his chances of prolonging his life due to the "saving" of energy.

You probably know that many athletes also practice temporary abstinence in preparation for important competitions and, by the way, they have been doing this since ancient times. And finally, let's say about representatives of creative professions who believe that sexual energy can be very successfully used to create various masterpieces: paintings, books, music, and anything else.

Among the most prominent adherents of abstinence, it is worth highlighting such personalities as Da Vinci, Newton, Spinoza, Nietzsche and Aristotle. As you can see, the company is serious, but small.

Why is male abstinence dangerous?

And now let's move on to the cons of long-term abstinence in men and its negative health consequences.

The proof that abstinence can cause problems with reproductive function was a study conducted in Israel. It was attended by seven thousand men, whose examination showed that a long absence of discharge worsens the quality of the seed.

Another harmful factor in abstinence is the stagnation of sperm in the prostate gland, which can lead to prostatitis, adenoma or hemorrhoids.

The next moment is the "oxygen starvation" of the penis, which occurs when there is no erection for a long period of time. It leads to blockage of blood vessels with cholesterol plaques and, as a result, an increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

The psychological consequences of abstinence should also not be underestimated: despondency, irritability, decreased performance and insomnia are fairly common "side effects" of abstinence.

Long term abstinence - how long?

After reading this not the most pleasant news about the dangers of abstinence, you probably wondered - when does the lack of sexual release become dangerous? In a month, a year or a decade?

It is impossible to give an exact number. Each person has their own individual sexual needs. Some men begin to experience physical and psychological discomfort from the lack of orgasm after a few days, others can easily endure abstinence for several months.

Many urologists argue that a healthy adult man needs to "finish" at least once a week, since after 10 days of no ejaculation, the process of splitting seminal fluid begins, as a result of which it is absorbed by the body back. And this leads to a decrease in sperm motility and potential problems with reproductive function.

Masturbation - the way out?

If prolonged abstinence is harmful, can masturbation help in this situation? Let's talk about this purely from a medical point of view. Experts say that in the absence of a partner, it is normal and even useful to solve the problem on your own. Do this as often as you are comfortable with.

Sometimes, however, it happens that a person begins to abuse masturbation heavily, doing this many times a day. Then the consequences of onanism may be as follows.

Attention: all the problems outlined below are possible only if masturbation becomes an addiction and a complete replacement for sexual intercourse.

1. Risk of prostate cancer

According to a study by American scientists (from the University of South Dakota Health Sciences in Vermillion, the respective universities in Kirksville and Minneapolis), a link can be found between excessive masturbation and prostate cancer. However, the authors of the study emphasize that there is not enough data for any generalizing conclusions, and in future work, their colleagues will have to take into account the age of the participants and the number of ejaculations.

According to Sandra Lamorgese, Ph.D., author of Switch: Time for a Change, masturbation helps flush out toxins and prevent prostate cancer.

2. Increased risk of erectile dysfunction

When a man gets used to masturbating for hours and constantly delays the moment of orgasm (or does not reach it at all), this can lead to erectile dysfunction.

In an interview with Vice magazine, sexologist Michael Perelman, professor of psychology at Cornell University, cited the following statistics: 40 percent of men who come to his office complaining of delayed ejaculation admit to masturbating in a very “peculiar” way.

However, urologist Dr. Richard Santucci emphasizes that, in his opinion, masturbation is not among the ten most common causes erectile dysfunction and low testosterone. Taking certain medications and diabetes cause this problem much more often than masturbation.

3. Premature ejaculation

Some sexologists suggest that frequent masturbation can do a disservice to your sex life, as it creates a conditioned response to a quick orgasm, which in the future can cause problems when you try to have long and passionate sex with your partner. In addition, according to them, too frequent masturbation can cause feelings of lethargy and fatigue.

On the other hand, it's hard to deny the reduction in stress levels and the improvement in sleep quality that come with a moderate amount of self-gratification.

4. Injury to the penis

If you masturbate too often and actively, then, according to the website Medicalnewstoday, you may encounter very painful swelling of the foreskin of the penis and glans (which, fortunately, passes in a couple of days).

Another thing is testicular torsion, which leads to compression of the vessels and nerves that pass through the spermatic cord. This pathology requires emergency medical intervention, otherwise serious problems may arise - up to the cessation of the functioning of the penis.

Here you need to “intercede” for masturbation and add that, according to the publications of domestic urologists (Nechiporenko and Lyulko), testicular torsion can also happen with strong tension in the press, coughing, and even just ... in a dream (good night and strong dreams to you today, by the way).

And, finally, we repeat once again - with all of the above " side effects» men encounter only when masturbation becomes a real addiction for them. In most cases, masturbation is completely safe and has little effect on the frequency and amount of sexual contact in both sexes.

These conclusions were reached by scientists from the University of Texas at Austin, who conducted a study in 2017, in which they interviewed 7648 men and 8090 women aged 18 to 60 years. It turned out that for the majority of respondents, their lack of sexual satisfaction was a more obvious reason for masturbation than the frequency of sex.

The effect of abstinence on the physical and emotional condition a man depends on his sexuality, sexual constitution, upbringing, moral convictions. The cult of regular sex is being actively imposed on society. The assertion is being promoted that abstinence is harmful for men: it is fraught with prostatitis, cancer, early aging, impotence, infertility, heart attack. The opinion of doctors on this matter is not so categorical.

Abstinence (sexual rest) is the absence of regular sexual intercourse. The triggering factors can be very different.

Examples of reasons for voluntarily not having sex:

  • Asexuality is when a man does not want sex. Libido is compensated by sublimation, for example, in creativity or sports;
  • Vow of celibacy, spiritual practices;
  • Preparation for sports competitions;
  • Psychological barrier.

Forced abstinence gives a man much more problems because psychologically he is not ready to put up with the lack of sex. The reason may be detention, illness, features of work, absence of a partner. If tension is periodically relieved with the help of masturbation or, then such abstinence is called "partial abstinence". Complete abstinence (lack of sexual activity and ejaculations) - total abstinence.

What you need to refrain from says blogger Alexei Belov

The Consequences of Abstinence

Abstinence has its pros and cons. Prolonged lack of sex in men does not always lead to negative consequences. A vivid example is the Tibetan monks, who deliberately refuse sexual intercourse, suppressing all manifestations of arousal, but at the same time they are in good physical shape and maintain complete mental balance.

Another thing is men with a strong sexual constitution, a pronounced libido, which is not so easy to sublimate into anything. For them, abstinence for more than a week is already dangerous with mental disorders: neurosis, depression, aggression.

In some cases, abstinence has a negative impact on physical health. The problem is especially relevant for men leading passive lifestyle. The consequences of abstinence for a long time (more than a year) can manifest themselves in a number of diseases:

  • Development or exacerbation of congestive prostatitis. Irregular emptying of the gland leads to blockage of the ducts and the multiplication of pathogens;
  • Varicocele (varicose veins of the scrotum);
  • or .

Prolonged abstinence against the background of a passive lifestyle after 40 years can result in the development of adenoma, cardiovascular diseases.

Some men note that in the absence of sex, the testicles swell, hurt, break and harden (“the eggs ring”). The pain may radiate to the abdomen. This happens due to the overflow of the seminal vesicles, which swell and provoke discomfort. This condition does not pose a danger, it passes on its own with the decomposition of unclaimed spermatozoa. The body can independently regulate the process through nocturnal emissions..

Yuriy Prokopenko, a sexologist and psychotherapist, talks about the effect of abstinence on the body

When abstinence is necessary:

  1. Before spermogram.
  2. To normalize the hypersensitivity of the spinal nerves.
  3. To refresh the feelings of partners.
  4. To restore normal ejaculatory reflexes after prolonged masturbation.
  5. Before fertilization.

Abstinence is harmless and even beneficial for young people under 20 because the psychosexual side of their personality has not yet been fully formed. Teenagers often find themselves in difficult situations due to early sexual intercourse. With abstinence, more sex hormones enter the bloodstream, which creates favorable conditions for the physical and mental development of a young man.

Too frequent (especially erratic) sex can lead to hormonal depletion, when the body does not have time to renew spent energy and biochemical resources. Signs:

  1. Increased irritability.
  2. Earthy complexion.
  3. Chronic fatigue and inattention.

There may be a feeling of discomfort from the genitals. Since sex requires compliance with the rules of hygiene (washing the glans penis), as a result of frequent procedures, dysbacteriosis often develops - its own protective microflora does not have time to recover.

Age limits

Boys and young men aged 20-30 with prolonged abstinence, the body increases sexual arousal(Tarkhanov phenomenon) and solves the problem through nocturnal emissions. At an older age, in the absence of sex, the brain simply “turns off” libido so as not to deplete mental and physical resources (Belov's phenomenon). About after a month, abstinence ceases to bother. As soon as a relatively regular sexual life begins, the testicles activate their activity, the desire returns to its previous level. In men with a strong sexual constitution, this process occurs much faster.

For persons after 50-60 years when the level of testosterone is already critically low, the lack of sexual activity can provoke the onset of menopause, and with severe negative manifestations. At this age, the reproductive system “sinks” quite quickly without training (in 2-3 months), it will be almost impossible to restore libido and potency later (read about measures). In cases of forced abstinence, it is recommended to masturbate at least occasionally in order to preserve sexual reflexes, stimulate testosterone synthesis and spermatogenesis.

Abstinence, testosterone and sports

Many athletes (a vivid example of Mohammed Ali) try to refrain from ejaculation for as long as possible before performances, believing that testosterone levels drop from sex, the severity of the reaction decreases.

Immediately after intercourse, prolactin rises, which really depresses testosterone, but this effect is so short-term that the level of the male hormone does not have time to drop significantly. Sexually active men have higher average testosterone levels than men who abstain from sexual intercourse and masturbation.

To achieve optimal athletic performance, consider: maximum level(approximately 145% of the initial) in athletes after 30 years testosterone reaches 7 days of abstinence, up to 30 years - on the 3rd day. Then it gradually drops to the base value. Men for whom a high concentration of testosterone is important, it is enough to reduce the frequency of sexual intercourse to 1-2 per week.

Opinion on sports performance in abstinence

As for the loss of protein and other substances, during ejaculation they are insignificant and are quickly restored.. To speed up the process, you can additionally take vitamins of group B, C, zinc, potassium, magnesium. Fats and proteins are also needed (for example, a protein shake and a handful of almonds).

According to experts, long-term sexual abstinence before a performance or competition is pointless, a few days are enough. After a workout, sex is useful because it activates immune cells and speeds up the recovery of the body..

The issue of sexual abstinence is a delicate one: only a specific person in specific situation. In scientific and religious circles, a different point of view on the problem dominates on the issue of abstinence: sexologists and psychologists argue that restrictions in the field of sex have a bad effect on the physical and mental health of the human body.

Religious figures insist that celibacy is useful for the spiritual development of the individual. Who is right and who is not - we will figure it out together. So, is abstinence harmful?

Benefits of sexual restrictions

Let's start by finding out whether short-term or long-term abstinence from sex is harmful or good for women's and men's health?

  • Some scientists believe that the decline in sexual activity is useful for the personal realization of a person, since most of the energy spent on sex remains unspent during temporary celibacy, and a person begins to use it in other areas of his life: work, creativity, study. It is far from simple that athletes and artists are advised to refrain from intimate contacts before important performances.
  • Moreover, reasonable restrictions in the field of sexual life are necessary: ​​in men, excessive consumption of seminal fluid and regular increased energy costs can cause a number of psychological disorders and even cause such a serious disease as neurasthenia. Also, frequent sexual intercourse leads to a deterioration in the fertilizing function of spermatozoa, which is highly undesirable for couples who want to conceive a child.
  • Temporary abstinence from sexual relations is also useful as a means to renew the sensual side of relationships - after forced breaks in sexual activity, passion flares up with renewed vigor.
  • It is also worth noting that in the theory of representatives of spiritual and mystical teachings, sexual abstinence is useful for spiritual concentration, a person becomes more capable of concentration, contemplation, and deep reflection.

Here are reasons why sex restrictions can be beneficial, however, excessive and prolonged celibacy can also be detrimental to health. Let's talk about this in more detail.

What is fraught with prolonged abstinence from sex for men

So, is abstinence bad for men's health? An important point that should be especially emphasized when speaking about restrictions in the field of regularity of sex: the degree of consequences of prolonged abstinence is primarily related to the temperament and personal attitude of a particular person to the issue.

Let us explain: if a person endures forced celibacy relatively calmly, doing his own thing and being completely absorbed in it, some negative consequences simply will not appear.

Example: a man obsessed with sexual activity with a long absence of intimate relationships becomes more aggressive, irritable, while a man who does not attach such importance to sex remains quite calm and reasonable.

As for physiology, with an excessively long absence of sex in men, there is a predisposition to early ejaculation: this, in fact, is not a violation and a sign of any disease, since with the normalization of the usual rhythm of intimate contacts, premature ejaculation of sperm disappears, but can cause problems psychological nature.

So, the consequence of abstinence can be a fear of sexual intercourse, which is associated with the emerging early ejaculation of the seed. A man may begin to think about the onset of a period of impotence and avoid sexual relations, however, sexologists advise, on the contrary, to continue intimate acts with a regular partner and perform them in several approaches. A loving woman will definitely understand the temporary difficulties of her man and help to overcome them.

Note that replacing a full-fledged sexual intercourse with masturbation in the event of a forced restriction in the regularity of sexual life is not a way out of the situation, but its aggravation, since self-satisfaction causes the habit of doing without a real sexual partner, preferring one's fantasies to reality.

Another negative outcome of the forced absence of sexual relations is the emergence of interest in sexual perversions, non-traditional sex. Here are the main problems that can arise in the event of a long-term refusal of sex in men, but is long-term sexual abstinence harmful for the fair sex?

The consequences of abstinence in women

So, is abstinence harmful to young and mature women? The female body and psyche endure the absence of sexual relations more calmly. This statement is especially true for women after menopause or vice versa, who have not yet reached childbearing age.

For other age groups, the following changes may occur:

With regard to the allegations that with a long-term rejection of intimate relationships, tumors and uterine bleeding can occur, this information should be attributed to the area of ​​​​speculation that has not been confirmed by science.

AT psychological aspect in women with increased temperament and libido, all the same consequences are observed as in men: aggression, irritability, frequent mood swings, increased interest in sexual perversions. In addition, against the background of a long absence of sex, passionate women may develop a tendency to nymphomania or simply promiscuity.

During intercourse, women produce a special hormone of pleasure, which has a positive effect on the mental state of a woman - she becomes less prone to depression and apathy.

Nutritionists also have interesting information on this issue: they believe that girls and women who have a regular sex life without long breaks are not prone to gaining excess weight, since sex requires a huge output of energy. There is also a controversial theory from a number of dermatologists who claim that regular and satisfying sex is the best remedy for youthful and healthy skin.

Drawing conclusions

After evaluating the above information, one can easily come to the conclusion that the need for the regularity of sex is a purely individual problem of each person. A man or a woman should make a decision about abstinence, based on their temperament, character, inclinations, state of health.

Within reasonable limits, abstaining from love pleasures is definitely useful, but excessive enthusiasm for celibacy can also lead to negative consequences. Finally, we will give advice from sexologists, which will be equally good for both men and women: do not practice limiting sexual contacts in family life for no reason.

Abstinence has a harmful effect on the relationship of partners, weakens the connection between them, causes a desire to seek entertainment and solace on the side.

Remember that sex, although not the main thing in life, is still one of the basic and natural instincts of a person, therefore enough attention must also be paid to harmony in this side of romantic relationships.