Fertility has remained at the center of various myths surrounding masturbation. People harboring these thoughts worry obliviously that self-pleasure might lead to infertility or other reproductive health difficulties.
However, science has never held such beliefs. This article helps to clarify such misconceptions regarding masturbation and its effects on the fertility of men and women.
Let’s see how masturbation works for men and women.
Does Masturbation Cause Infertility?
According to scientific studies, masturbation does not negatively affect fertility in men or women. On the contrary, the process of regular ejaculation through masturbation may actually benefit the male reproductive system by ensuring that only good sperm remain, preventing the buildup of aged or damaged sperm in the reproductive tract.
How Male Fertility Works: Ejaculation, Sperm Count, and Semen Quality?
1. Ejaculation: The beginning of Male Fertility
Ejaculation is the process through which semen, the part-fluid containing sperm, is expelled from the penis and typically occurs with orgasm. It encompasses the overall production and delivery of sperm, including:
- Sperm production in the testicles.
- Maturation of sperm in the epididymis.
- Moving the sperm through the vas deferens.
- Mixing with seminal fluids from the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands to create semen.
Every single ejaculation releases approximately 2 to 5 milliliters of semen. Each milliliter contains approximately 50-200 million sperm. However, the health of the sperm is more important than quantity.
2. Sperm Count: The Number of Sperm Cells
Sperm count is defined as the number of sperm cells existing in a single ejaculation, and its assessment will be the best determinant of male fertility.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a normal sperm count as a level of 15 million or more sperm per milliliter of semen.
- A decreased sperm count (oligospermia) can create complications for conception, especially when associated with impairments in sperm motility or morphology.
- Azoospermia refers to the absence of sperm in semen, a very serious issue concerning fertility.
Even if a man produces a high sperm count, that does not guarantee fertilizing capacity, but a low count indicates the probability is even lower.
3. Seminal Quality: Beyond Just Semen Count
Semen quality includes different aspects that contribute to good conception:
Sperm Motility
This refers to the ability of sperm to move efficiently. At least 40% of sperm should show forward movement for optimal fertility. Poor motility (asthenozoospermia) makes it harder for sperm to reach and penetrate the egg.
Sperm Morphology
This is the shape and structure of sperm. Ideally, sperm should have an oval head and a long tail to swim effectively. Abnormally shaped sperm may struggle with fertilization, though a few normal ones can still do the job.
Semen Volume and pH
- Normal volume: 1.5 to 5 ml per ejaculation
- pH should be slightly alkaline (7.2 to 8.0) to protect sperm from the acidity of the vaginal environment.
Integrity of the sperm DNA
Even if sperm count, motility, and morphology are all good, any DNA fragmentation within the sperm will still decrease fertility, increasing the risk of miscarriage or implantation failure.
Female Masturbation and Reproductive Health
Neither do scientific studies link female masturbation to infertility. Masturbation does not affect ovulation or the ability to conceive; therefore, self-pleasure has nothing to do with a woman’s fertility.
Moderation is the key to any activity for optimal benefits; masturbation is one of those activities that should be performed in moderation. Excessive masturbation leads to reduced sensitivity or interferes with balance in daily living. Maintain moderation; also, consider visiting a professional if uncertainty arises.
Benefits of self-pleasure for women include physical and psychological:
- Stress relief via endorphin release during orgasm.
- Pain relief by muscle relaxation.
- Better quality sleep with relaxation.
- Mood enhancement and dopamine discharge.
When Can Masturbation Affect Fertility?
Although it usually doesn’t trigger infertility and rarely interferes with sperm quality or reproductive potential, there are situations in which it may interfere with fertility these especially when trying to conceive:
1. Frequency and Sperm Quality
While the body continuously produces sperm, ejaculating too frequently in a short period (multiple times a day) may temporarily lower:
- Sperm count (the number of sperm per ejaculation), Sperm concentration, and Semen volume.
This will bring on a slight decrease in the success of fertilizing, especially if a few hours later, some sperm will have been lost without just cause.
The optimal frequency of ejaculation while trying to conceive would generally be every 2 to 3 days during the fertile window to maintain good sperm quality and allow for maximum chances of conception.
2. Pre-Semen Analysis Timing
Masturbation before a scheduled semen analysis or IUI/IVF sample collection can affect test results if:
- There hasn’t been sufficient abstinence (usually 2–5 days),
- The sperm haven’t had time to fully regenerate, possibly leading to lower sperm count or motility.
For this reason, an abstinence period of no less than 2 days, and no more than 5 days, is generally recommended prior to testing.
3. Use of Lubricants
Some men use lubricants while masturbating, but many commercial lubricants contain chemicals that can:
- Damage sperm membranes, reduce motility, or Kill sperm altogether.
If trying to conceive, use fertility-friendly lubricants or avoid them entirely during masturbation.
4. Psychological & Behavioral Effects
In rare cases, excessive masturbation may be linked to:
- Reduced libido with a partner,
- Ejaculatory dysfunction or performance anxiety, especially if it becomes compulsive.
These psychological effects can interfere with regular sexual intercourse and lower chances of conception, though they don’t directly reduce fertility.
5. Impact of Underlying Health Issues
If frequent masturbation is accompanied by:
- Pain, swelling, or blood in semen, or low semen volume consistently, may indicate an underlying medical issue like prostatitis, varicocele, or hormone imbalance that could affect fertility. In such cases, a consultation with a healthcare provider or urologist is advised.
Common Myths Around Masturbation and Infertility
- Myth: Masturbation lowers testosterone levels.
Fact: Masturbation does not significantly impact testosterone levels. Some studies suggest a temporary increase in testosterone following sexual activity, but no long-term effects have been observed.
- Myth: Masturbation negatively affects sperm motility.
Fact: Regular ejaculation can help maintain healthy sperm motility by preventing the buildup of older sperm cells.
- Myth: Masturbation damages the uterus.
Fact: There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Masturbation is a safe activity that does not harm the uterus or other reproductive organs.
Can Masturbation Lead to PCOS or Hormonal Imbalance?
No, masturbation has no connection to PCOS or hormonal imbalances. PCOS is primarily related to hormonal disruptions influenced by genetics and lifestyle factors. Masturbation does not cause hormonal disorders and is considered a normal sexual activity.
Tips to Maintain Reproductive Health for Fertility
Actionable habits to improve reproductive health and increase fertility include:
Balanced Diet Maintenance:
Include a range of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your daily meals. For example, nutrients like folate, present in leafy greens, and mainly omega-3 fatty acids, that can be found in oily fish are much more beneficial in fertility improvement.
Stress Management:
Finding time to reduce stress is very important because stress is known to adversely affect hormones that control reproductive health. Stress may be reduced by meditation, yoga, or deep-breathing exercises.
Regular Physical Activity:
Moderate exercise improves health in all aspects and has also been associated with fertility improvement. Find activities that you like to make you more consistent with them.
Sleep Properly:
Aim for 7-8 hours that involves real sleep so that hormones can be regulated as well.
Avoid Smoking and Minimize Alcohol Intake:
Smoking and drunkenness have both been related as causes of fertility reduction in both men and women. Both seem to greatly improve reproductive health concerning stopping smoking or moderating drinking.
Safe Sex Practices:
Most STIs can cause infertility when untreated; hence, use protection against STIs.
Conclusion
Masturbation does not cause infertility in either sex. It’s perfectly natural and very common.
Excessive masturbation, or compulsion, may occasionally be associated with some factors contributing to infertility, such as psychiatric or personal issues in interpersonal relationships.
But often, masturbation is a completely safe activity and can even be beneficial for health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, masturbation does not cause hormonal imbalances. It is a normal sexual activity that does not adversely affect hormone levels.
Masturbation is generally not a concern when trying to conceive. However, if it leads to decreased sexual activity with your partner or causes distress, it may be helpful to discuss this with a healthcare professional.
No, the male body continually produces sperm, and regular ejaculation does not deplete sperm reserves to the point of causing infertility. In fact, frequent ejaculation can help maintain sperm quality.
