What Oxford University ejaculation study means for your masturbation habits
Researchers at the University of Oxford have gone against traditional masturbation advice after the results of their study show the benefits of doing it more often.
Current guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that men abstain from ejaculation for between two and seven days before giving semen samples for fertility testing or assisted reproduction.
But scientists now reckon that ejaculating more regularly may actually improve sperm count and boost male fertility.
Why? Because 'sperm, much like eggs, have a “use-by date”', doctors at the University of Oxford told The Conversation.
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Their new research, involving a sample size of nearly 55,000 men, has questioned typical medical advice.
The results from 115 studies found a consistent pattern - sperm tends to deteriorate the longer it is stored.
This is possibly because sperm cells are particularly fragile and once they mature, they have very little ability to repair themselves.
Sperm love to swim about the place and use up a lot of energy when stored, leading to ageing and potential damage.
And this has real implications for men who are trying to conceive.
Co-lead author Rebecca Dean said: "Our study highlights how regular ejaculation can provide a small but meaningful boost to male fertility." Get to it then, chaps.
The scientists added that the upper limit of the WHO's two to seven days abstinence guidelines before providing a sperm sample 'may be too long', and might not provide you with the best chance of having a baby.
When it comes to men, long periods without ejaculation were linked to increased DNA damage, higher oxidative stress and reduced sperm mobility.
All of these factors can lower fertilisation success and embryo quality.
Difference in sperm rate deterioration in male and female animals
The researchers didn't just look at humans, but 30 other species too.
They were interested by the fact that animals such as queen bees, ants and wasps, along with the females of some reptile species, can store sperm for many years.
And they think their findings might benefit humans in the future, too.
"This likely reflects the evolution of female-specific adaptations, such as specialised storage organs that provide antioxidants to extend sperm viability," explained senior author Dr Irem Sepil at Oxford's Department of Biology.
"These organs often secrete reproductive fluids to nourish sperm and could provide unexplored avenues for biomimicking technology to improve artificial sperm storage in the future."
In humans, sperm can live inside women's bodies for several days, but we don't really know what effect that has on their viability the longer they're there.
How often should you masturbate?
Health educator Dr Jen Caudle said on her YouTube channel that 'masturbation actually can be a very healthy part of overall life and fulfilment, so I don’t want you to think that masturbation is not okay'.
“There’s not a top limit threshold,” the licensed doctor from the US said.
“It’s nothing like ‘oh you can’t masturbate more than this amount of times,’ there’s not a lower threshold.
“There’s not a number of times in a day, a week, a month.
“Certain people masturbate multiple times a day, some people masturbate only certain times every few months depending on whatever.
“Some people masturbate when they’re in a certain mood, some people masturbate at other times, it just depends.”
When to stop masturbating
Dr Caudle notes that the 'only caveat' to masturbating is if it starts to 'interfere with your daily life'.
“It doesn’t interfere with your mental wellbeing, it does not interfere with your relationships; interfere with your ability to go to your job or lead a happy, healthy, productive [life],” she said.
“In certain situations you can see how masturbation becomes compulsive, in which case we say that you need to be evaluated.”
The expert warns that if this becomes the case, then be sure to 'discuss this with a licensed professional'.
Anish Vij