Semen retention is avoiding ejaculation. This can be done by refraining from sexual activity entirely, of course. Or you can also orgasm without ejaculating.
Although it may seem like a wild new trend, the practice is likely as old as humankind’s.
People have different reasons for doing this, it can be physical, emotional, or even spiritual.
Continue reading as we look at the semen retention timeline and semen retention benefits timeline.
What is Semen Retention?
Semen retention occurs when you “retain” semen by controlling ejaculation. For a few people, this means not having sex or masturbating at all.
For others, it means engaging in sexual activity but ceasing before ejaculating or having a dry orgasm.
This is also known as edging, but when some people engage in this, they do ultimately ejaculate.
While many contemporary practitioners believe that semen retention can have several health benefits, there is very little scientific proof to verify the integrity of these claims. That being said, intentional celibacy from ejaculation doesn’t seem to cause any health issues either.
Origins of Semen Retention 500 BC
If we think about ancient China, its origin was much before Taoism. Taoist experts are the ones who seek to maintain sexual kung fu in the 21st century.
Taoist sexual practices still exist today, and they are usually called “tantra” in the West. The
19th-century master Zhao Pichen thought that ;
Genitals store a person’s life energy.
He thought that maintaining sperm would obtain inner peace and general health. Losing sperm will drop one’s body into a world of confusion and fatigue. He refers to the energy stored in the testicles in units called “chu”
Master Zhao described that sexual energy increases every 8 years until 16.
After that, if the sexual energy is not used, the person will start losing 64 chu every 8 years for his whole life. He says that a fit and balanced body has 384 chu.
The Science Behind Semen Retention
Many experiments have been conducted when it comes to the semen retention stages. Anywhere from a day to a few days of abstinence is preferred by many fertility clinics. This study from 2017 analyzed 2,458 semen samples. The study categorized the samples into three groups based on length of abstinence: less than 2 days, 2-5 days, and greater than 5 days.
The study found that “the duration of abstinence had a statistically significant positive influence on sperm concentration and volume, the number of leukocytes, and a statistically significant negative influence on sperm motility and vitality.” In other words, the body continued to produce sperm but overall sperm quality decreased over time.
This review confirmed the results of other studies on sperm quality, like this study conducted in 1994. The researchers, who analyzed semen after various abstinence periods ranging from 2 to 18 days, found that “Semen volume and concentration and total sperm count showed significant increases, whereas motility and normal morphology decreased significantly with duration of abstinence. Significant changes in the percentage of normal sperm forms were observed after more than seven days’ abstinence.” These findings mirror those of the previous study.
Semen Retention Benefits and Power
Different people have attributed physical, mental, and spiritual benefits to semen retention.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), semen retention is said to treat shenkui, an illness directly attributed to orgasms and the loss of ching (vital essence) through ejaculation. The retention of semen is thought to relieve these symptoms of shenkui, including
- Mental fogginess
- Chills
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Insomnia
- Frequent dreams
Some TCM practitioners even recommend that semen retention can help with sexual problems like premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. The proof supporting these assertions is weak.
With practices like Karezza, which focus on sexual intimacy in the absence of orgasm, supporters claim that the semen retention benefits timeline are:
- Reduce stress
- Improve concentration and focus
- Ease pain
- Improve relationships
Some of these claims may seem appropriate, given that delayed ejaculation and anorgasmia are linked to high levels of sexual performance anxiety. By taking the need for ejaculation out of sex, sexual stresses can be eased.
Even so, few quality studies support these claims. Other claims have not been proven, including suggestions that holding off can improve fertility, increase muscle mass, or lower blood pressure.
Also Read: NoFap Timeline: Stages and What to Expect in 90 Days
30 Days Semen Retention Timeline
Start by setting yourself the intention that you will complete the 30 days of the semen retention timeline.
To complete the challenge, you will need to understand the fundamental pillars that make up a semen retention practice:
- Use various techniques to manage your sexual energy.
- Know your Point of No Return.
- Bring your partner on the journey.
- Resolve any emotional traumas that are released.
This can be an essential practice, even if you commit and complete one 30-day cycle of semen retention.
Semen Retention Stage 1 (Days 1-7)
Toward the end of the first week, you can expect:
- Homeostasis — Your body will come back to a more centered position. There will be more motivation, energy levels will come back, and there will be more clarity.
- Practices — You will need to refer to your semen retention practices (above) to integrate the energetic changes that are taking place to avoid sexual frustration taking place.
- Cognition — Mental clarity will increase.
- Change in the body — The first signs of your body feeling different will take place.
- Sex — may find it easier to control energy.
Semen Retention Stage 2 (Days 8-14)
If coming into the 30-day challenge, you have been ejaculating a few times a week, week 2 can be difficult. While you will not be suffering from the DTs, you will need to have some self-compassion this week.
Out of all the weeks, most practitioners find this the hardest.
What you can expect:
- Pressure — Sexual pressure may build up this week if you haven’t done the practices correctly. Refresh yourself over the practices. Do the micro orbit during the day, even when your sexual energy has taken hold of your body. You need to move the sexual out of the groin area. Alternative practice yoga, qi gong, or going to the gym or a run can help.
- Will power — Confirm your commitment to lasting 30 days without ejaculating. You have made a promise to yourself. See this time through to the end. Confidence comes from accomplishing goals.
- Integration — Sexual energy will only be integrated into the body through the practices. Studying and learning them.
- Radiate — In public, others will start to notice you and see you are more attractive. Your attention will be focused and you may attract new opportunities.
- Sex — If you are in a relationship. Continue to talk to your partner about the commitment that you have made to the 30-day challenge. Talk to her about the benefits to the relationships and how much better the sex will be when you are the master of your domain. Don’t go anywhere up to the PNR. Because this week your energy will be super sensitive.
Semen Retention Stage 3 (Days 15-30)
What to expect from the 3rd week in the semen retention stages –
- Power — Your internal power emanates from your body. You will feel the power in your body and your bones. Your body will feel heavier and more solid. Any spacey and disconnection from your body is melting away. You are now drawn into your body.
- Alignment — There is a gathering alignment in your life towards your goals. Power comes with mastering your sexual energy. You are in control and have a choice over what you want to do and don’t want to do. You are aligned with your purpose.
- Leaking energy — You will look to cut out those things that no longer serve your highest purpose. Pornography, staying up late, eating junk food — you level up in all areas of your life.
- Perception of other people — You will now see women as people and not sex objects. You appreciate a woman’s softness, quirks, and gifts. You no longer look to take from women but enjoy the warmth that arises emotionally inside yourself when you interact.
How to Do Semen Retention?
By choosing to not ejaculate for an extended period of time, we avoid the “rest and relax” process that would have been brought on by the hormonal and neurochemical release catalyzed by ejaculatory orgasm.
Instead, when you don’t ejaculate for multiple days, your body will start to optimize itself to go out into the world and find a mate to procreate with.
It’s not just the retaining of sperm that makes semen retention work. Otherwise, men with vasectomies should be full-on superheroes by now. Remember that a vasectomy only stops sperm from being emitted during ejaculation, and sperm only makes up about 5% of the total volume of semen.
Willpower and self-control are muscles that get stronger the more you exercise them. There are infinite distractions and problematic temptations in this world and most men never reach their full potential because they waste their life away on instant gratification.
How can BlockP help you in Semen Retention?
If you are addicted to porn and want to quit, BlockP can help you in your recovery journey. The first step to overcoming semen retention is to stop masturbation and porn.
BlockP is the most effective porn blocker that has several features like focus mode, password protection, keyword blocking, AI blocking, and image and video blocking, that can eliminate adult content from all your devices.
FAQ on Semen Retention Timeline
1] Does semen retention promote hair growth?
Semen retention does not have any impact on your hair
2] What are the benefits of not ejaculating for 30 days?
Based on a few smaller studies, abstaining from ejaculation may increase testosterone levels. In theory, increasing your T levels by not ejaculating might have benefits if your levels are low. Low testosterone can have a negative impact on your mood, energy levels, and sex drive.
3] Is it better to hold sperm or release it?
While many modern practitioners believe that semen retention leads to a number of health benefits, there is very little scientific evidence to confirm the veracity of these claims. That being said, intentional abstinence from ejaculation doesn’t seem to cause any health problems either.
4] Does semen retention increase testosterone?
According to some research, retaining sperm can boost testosterone levels by up to 45 percent in just a week