Will holding back semen cause infertility?

Preventing ejaculation for a long time may increase the risk of infertility. The main influencing factors are vas deferens obstruction, prostatitis, decreased sperm quality, sexual dysfunction and psychological stress.

1. Vas deferens blockage:

Repeated interruptions in ejaculation may cause semen to flow back into the bladder, and long-term accumulation may cause inflammation or blockage of the vas deferens. The vas deferens is the channel through which sperm is discharged. Blockage will prevent the normal discharge of sperm and reduce the chance of pregnancy. The clinical manifestations include reduced ejaculation volume or ejaculation pain, which need to be diagnosed through routine semen examination and ultrasound.

2. Prostatitis:

Retention of undischarged semen may induce chronic prostatitis. Prostatic fluid is an important component of semen. Inflammation will change the pH of semen and affect sperm motility. Common symptoms include perineal swelling and pain, frequent urination and urgency, and may be accompanied by fever in severe cases.

3. Decreased sperm quality:

Long-term retention of semen will lead to the accumulation of aged sperm and the reduction of fresh sperm production. The survival time of sperm is limited. Sperm that have not been discharged for more than 72 hours will have problems such as increased DNA fragmentation rate and reduced motility. Semen analysis can reveal that sperm forward motility is less than 32%.

4. Sexual dysfunction:

Long-term inhibition of the ejaculatory reflex may cause changes in the ejaculatory threshold, leading to anejaculation or retrograde ejaculation. The sensitivity of the sexual center of the brain to ejaculation stimulation decreases. In severe cases, ejaculation cannot be completed even during normal sexual intercourse, which directly affects fertility.

5. Psychological pressure:

Intentional control of ejaculation may produce anxiety and affect hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function. Psychological stress can inhibit testosterone secretion, leading to loss of sexual desire and spermatogenesis disorders. Some patients will experience neurasthenic symptoms such as insomnia and irritability.

It is recommended to maintain a regular ejaculation frequency and ejaculate 2-3 times a week to help maintain the health of the reproductive system. You can eat more zinc-containing foods such as oysters and pumpkin seeds every day, and avoid sitting for long periods of time and wearing tight pants. Moderate exercise such as jogging and swimming can improve pelvic blood circulation. When ejaculation disorder or semen abnormality occurs, you should promptly go to the reproductive medicine department to determine the cause through semen analysis, hormone testing, etc. During pregnancy preparation, you should pay more attention to avoid deliberately holding back semen to ensure the normal cycle of sperm metabolism.