People have mixed opinions about masturbation. Some believe that it’s not healthy and that there are many benefits of “no fapping” or not masturbating. On the other hand, some people believe that regular masturbation is actually good for you. And that it’s perfectly normal – and even encouraged – for a person to masturbate.

But what effects does masturbation have on the body? And in men, what in particular are the effects of not ejaculating?

Benefits of No Fapping: Are There Any?

There are a number of reasons why some people don’t masturbate. Some people might do it for religious reasons, and some just don’t like to do the deed. However, others do it because they feel that it improves their overall health.

In the case of the latter, an online community on Reddit.com, called “NoFap” have popularized not masturbating. People within the community claim that it’s important for men to abstain from masturbation.

The movement has become so popular that they started a challenge called “No Nut November,” wherein men stop masturbating for the entire month.

According to them, it helps increase testosterone levels and also boosts energy and a person’s overall health. But how true are these statements, and is it backed by science?

What Are the Effects of Not Ejaculating?

Members of the NoFap community have shared that one of the benefits of “no fapping” is higher testosterone levels.

Their claim was based on a study done on the relationship between masturbation and testosterone levels. As found in the study, male participants who did not masturbate for 7 days saw an increase in testosterone levels.

In fact, the testosterone levels went as high as 45.7% higher than the normal levels. This is a pretty significant increase.

According to the community, higher testosterone levels may make men healthier overall, improving sexual performance and helping build muscle.

While these are partly true, testosterone is not the only factor that plays a role when it comes to health, sexual performance, and muscle building. Factors such as a person’s diet, how much exercise they do in a day, and a person’s genetics can also play a role.

Aside from this, there is another problem with the claims that the NoFap community make. With regard to the study that cited an increase in testosterone levels, the researchers also found that beyond the 7-week abstinence, testosterone levels suddenly went down.

In addition, other studies conducted on abstinence have found that there are no significant differences in testosterone levels between men who abstained and men who masturbated.

When Does Masturbation Become a Concern?

Despite this, there are some possible reasons why a person might want to stop masturbating.

In particular, people who might have a sex addiction or who find that their masturbation is getting in the way of work and personal relationships, might want to stop masturbating.

Though in these cases, it might be best to also seek professional help. That way, you can address the problem at its root.

What Does Medical Science Have to Say?

As far as medical science is concerned, masturbation is a healthy and normal human act. In fact, it is claimed as the safest sexual practice that a person can engage in.

Masturbation has the following benefits:

• Helps release sexual tension
• Improves body image
• Helps reduce stress
• Can help you sleep better
• Improves physical and mental wellbeing

The only time that masturbating becomes a potential problem is when it interferes with your daily life.

Key Takeaways

While there might not be any significant benefits to not masturbating, this doesn’t mean that it’s a harmful thing to do. At the end of the day, it all depends on a person’s decision of whether or not they want to engage in masturbation.

Learn more about Sexual Wellness and Sex Tips here.