Doctor settles debate over whether not masturbating for 30 days is actually beneficial

While many of us have been counting down the days until we can open the first door of our Christmas Advent calendar, others have been waiting for a very different release at the start of December.

That's right, there's some folks on the internet who have been abstaining from ejaculation for the past 30 days and now they're finally free to polish the rust off their crown jewels.

For nearly 10 years now, the social media trend of No Nut November has been rapidly growing in popularity, with men in particular seeking a break from sex and masturbation, for reasons which are apparently still unclear.

Although the mental health boost that comes with avoiding porn for a whole month isn't to be sniffed at, the supposed health benefits of completing the challenge are certainly more questionable.

It might not be worth the effort (Getty Stock)

It's long been suggested by folks online who are crazy enough to complete this challenge that they will see an almost immediate boost in their testosterone, fertility and semen quality and volume, but the reality is far less exciting.

Speaking to LADbible, Boots Online Doctor clarified exactly why not giving your sword a reward doesn't come with the benefits that some people online claim it does.

They said: “‘No Nut November’ is a social media trend where people abstain from ejaculation for a month. From a medical point of view, short-term abstinence isn’t harmful, and there’s no evidence that avoiding ejaculation for any period of time brings physical benefits or risks.

“You won’t see hormonal changes as the month goes on. Testosterone levels aren’t affected by abstinence; they’re not influenced by how often you ejaculate. Some men may notice a temporary build-up of sexual tension or more frequent erections. They may also experience the occasional nocturnal emission – or ‘wet dream’ – which is simply the body’s natural way of releasing semen."

November is over folks, have at it (Getty Stock)

So, abstaining can lead to staining at least, and if you want to avoid the embarrassment of waking up to wet sheets, then you're better off avoiding NNN.

The doctor added: “There’s no concern about abstinence over 30 days from a health perspective, and even very long periods are generally not physically harmful. The consideration is more psychological: in some people, abstinence may start to cause feelings of anxiety, frustration, or relationship difficulties.

"My advice to anyone abstaining from ejaculation for longer than they usually would is to pay attention to how they are feeling.”

So, while NNN is finally over and you imagine that those involved might have relieved themselves by now (on the presumption that they don't have anyone else to assist with their predicament), this is perhaps a warning to think twice when November 2026 comes around, if you'll pardon the pun.