When how much you masturbate becomes a problem as Oxford University study reveals side effects

There's always that curiosity around how much is too much when it comes to masturbation.

That being said, a University of Oxford study has shared some surprising results when it comes to fertility, suggesting that ejaculating more often can actually improve your sperm count because sperm tends to deteriorate the longer it is stored.

Once sperm cells mature, they have very little ability to repair by themselves.

This is far from the current guidance issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommends men to abstain from ejaculation for between two and seven days before giving semen samples.

But if you aren't planning for pregnancy any time soon, a sexual health specialist has explained why masturbation frequency is less important than you think.

When how much you masturbate becomes a problem

British men will masturbate 174 times a year on average (Getty Stock Images)

Studies have shown that Brits are actually masturbating more than ever.

A study published last year showed that between 2010 and 2012, 40.3 percent of women and 77.5 percent reported masturbating at least once a month, up from 37 percent and 73.4 percent respectively in 1991-2001.

The researchers put the rise down to the increased availability of internet porn.

Stats from sexual empowerment brand Womanizer shared by Huff Post in 2021, who surveyed 14,500 participants, showed that UK men masturbate an average of 174 times a year, around once every two days. Women, on the other hand, masturbate just 59 times a year, about once every six days.

Dr Megha Pancholi told LADbible that 'there isn’t an ‘ideal’ masturbation frequency' and that 'it varies hugely from person to person'.

"What matters most is whether it feels comfortable and isn’t causing any distress or interfering with daily life," said the Sexual Health Lead at Boots Online Doctor.

"For most people, a wide range of habits can fall within what’s considered healthy.

"It’s also normal for frequency to change over time, for example due to everyday stress, relationships or hormone levels — and these shifts aren’t usually something to worry about unless they’re sudden or causing concern."

Is 'too much ejaculation' a thing?

Over a fifth of British men in their late twenties masturbate four times or more a week (Getty Stock Images)

Dr Pancholi said that 'there’s no strong evidence that ejaculating frequently harms sperm health or overall wellbeing'.

The GP said regular ejaculation is healthy and 'frequency alone usually isn’t a problem'.

It can only become an issue if it's causing 'physical soreness, fatigue or interfering with daily life'.

“Some men may experience concerns around timing, such as premature ejaculation, which is very common and treatable. If it’s affecting confidence or relationships, confidential support and treatment options are available through services like Boots Online Doctor Premature Ejaculation Treatment service,” Dr Pancholi added.

Limitations of University of Oxford study

Regular ejaculation is healthy for most people (Getty Stock Images)

Dr Pancholi insists that 'overall health and lifestyle' are far more important for fertility than masturbation frequency.

“The results are most relevant in fertility settings, such as IVF treatment, and sperm quality is influenced by many other factors including age, smoking, alcohol intake, weight, and overall health. So while it’s an interesting insight, it’s just one piece of a much bigger picture,” Dr Pancholi said.

“Men who are actively trying to conceive may benefit from avoiding very long gaps between ejaculations, but outside of that, there’s no need to change normal habits. If someone has concerns about fertility or sexual function, speaking to a healthcare professional can help them get personalised advice and reassurance.”