What Happens When You Stop Masturbating

“There are few things more taboo than talking about masturbating — even among people with a healthy sex drive and no issues related to sexuality or gender identity. Still, there’s some evidence out there suggesting it might be good for you overall if you’re abstinent, at least temporarily.
A recent review article published by researchers in the Journal of Sexual Medicine reviewed data from several studies on the effects of abstinence on testicles (androgens) in men. Overall, these studies suggest that abstinence from masturbation or sexual activity can raise testosterone levels. The authors write: “”It is important to note that we found only two studies examining abstinence-induced changes in circulating total T concentrations specifically; however, both reported statistically significant increases.””
The question remains whether you need to actually stop masturbating to see this effect take place. In other words, do you have to go cold turkey? Or can you just not climax for a while? According to one study cited in the JSM review, it doesn’t matter.
“”We know that testosterone production requires arousal,”” says Dr. Michael Eisenberg, who co-authored the study. He also wrote an entire book on how to boost your manhood naturally, including everything from sleep and diet to exercise and isolation, which he calls “”the holy trinity.”” But when it comes to masturbation, his research shows that it has nothing to do with actual penile stimulation. Instead, it’s all about getting aroused through mental techniques like pornography and role play. “”This isn’t really about having an erection,”” he explains. “”Masturbation could be used for a variety of reasons.””
Eisenberg believes that most people masturbate because they feel lonely or bored, and that’s why the hormone response seems so universal. “”If I asked a group of heterosexual women what their favorite way was to get off, they would probably say intercourse, but then again, they wouldn’t want their partners knowing that either,”” he says. Even straight guys don’t usually admit to masturbating because it sounds too much like gay behavior. It makes sense given that society still equates masculinity and self-pleasure as being synonymous.
That said, Eisenberg does acknowledge that masturbating may help reduce stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which are linked to heart disease. So he recommends masturbating regularly, especially during stressful times. And if you’re stressed about something specific, like erectile dysfunction, masturbation definitely won’t make the problem worse.
But let’s back up for a second. What exactly happens when you orgasm anyway? While the penis is certainly part of the equation, it’s not the whole story. First, the brain releases oxytocin, a bonding chemical similar to breast milk. This causes blood vessels to dilate throughout your body, raising the flow of blood in your genitals as well as your scalp. “”You’re feeling relaxed physically and emotionally,”” says Eisenberg. Then, semen enters into the urethra, where sperm cells begin swimming toward the cervix. Finally, muscular contractions cause a powerful rush of blood that travels upward through the body, releasing endorphins into your system. Endorphins are associated with feelings of euphoria and relaxation, making orgasms particularly pleasurable.
So theoretically, if you keep yourself busy enough without actually climaxing, you’ll experience many of the same benefits. For example, one study cited in the JSM review showed that abstaining from masturbation for three weeks increased testosterone levels, while another showed that abstaining from masturbation for six months resulted in higher levels of free androgen index (FAI), another measure of male fertility. Another study found that abstinence periods lasting five days led to improved sperm counts compared to those who continued regular masturbating.
Of course, there are caveats here. If you use masturbation to deal with anxiety or depression, for example, stopping altogether may actually worsen your condition. On the flip side, if you’ve been masturbating to avoid intimacy or loneliness, it may be best to give up the practice completely. Research has shown that engaging in solitary activities like watching porn can lead to lower testosterone over time.
Finally, masturbation itself has never been proven to increase libido, although anecdotally, many people claim it does. As far as boosting fertility goes, Eisenberg cautions against trying to conceive right away following abstention. Most experts agree that it takes at least four months before any noticeable change occurs in the structure of your reproductive organs. But if you’re planning to become pregnant, masturbation should be fine.
Dr. Justin Garcia, medical director of the American Association of Sexologists, agrees that masturbation shouldn’t hurt anyone’s chances of conceiving, but he stresses that everyone reacts differently to different types of stimuli. “”Some people find it hard to orgasm through penetration alone,”” he notes. “”Others tend to prefer manual stimulation. Others still enjoy oral stimulation.”” For the latter group, he suggests using lubricant to simulate wetness, and focusing solely on foreplay rather than orgasm.
For those looking to improve their overall health, Garcia advises limiting masturbatory sessions to once per day. “”Too often people think of masturbation as a means to an end, instead of an opportunity for pleasure and exploration,”” he says. “”Many people will tell me ‘when my partner wants to have sex,’ or ‘after work.’ That mindset robs them of opportunities for personal growth.””
While Eisenberg acknowledges that masturbation can be harmful if done excessively, he’s quick to point out that it’s not necessarily a bad thing. After all, humans evolved to mate eventually, and it’s our bodies’ natural function. Some people simply struggle to reach orgasm otherwise.
“”People aren’t meant to be celibate forever, and masturbation allows for a release,”” he says. “”And masturbation can be a valuable tool to relieve tension and boredom.”” ”

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