Semen Retention Is Not a Superpower (and NoFap Isn’t Feminist)
- Raine Lovebright
- Jul 17
- 5 min read
This topic came up while I was doing some research for Men's Health Week and wow, I did not expect the sheer amount of confusion, misinformation, and Reddit rage I’d stumble into. Even some of my most health-savvy male friends were unsure about the science (or lack thereof) behind semen retention. That’s when I realised this isn’t just a fringe internet thing. It’s a cultural moment, and not necessarily a healthy one.
To dig deeper, I even interviewed Associate Professor Tim Moss from Healthy Male to unpack the science, the myths, and the worrying cultural trends surrounding semen retention (stay tuned for that piece as it’s a wild ride).
Let’s be honest. There’s something a little sus about a movement that claims the path to enlightenment is paved with ejaculatory denial and shame. Welcome to the world of semen retention, where your cum is apparently your cosmic life force, and not busting is supposed to make you a sex god, genius, alpha male, or all of the above.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with choosing celibacy, not having any interest, quitting porn, or giving your hand a holiday. Those are all valid personal experiences. But the NoFap movement goes way beyond that. It’s riddled with pseudoscience, moral panic, and a whole lot of YouTube bros preaching "discipline" with the same energy as a protein shake cult.
So let’s break it down with science, not superstition.
What Is Semen Retention?
Semen retention is the idea that refraining from ejaculation (either through masturbation or sex) increases physical, mental, and spiritual power. Think sharper focus, higher testosterone, glowing skin, superhuman willpower, psychic insight, etc.
Some folks call it a discipline. Others call it "sexual alchemy." To which we say: sure, but leave the alchemy to the wizards.
Enter: The NoFap Movement
“NoFap” began as a subreddit in the early 2010s and turned into a viral internet community encouraging people (mostly cis men) to quit porn and masturbation (Reddit, 2011). Some people do report feeling more energetic or motivated during temporary breaks. That’s valid.
But the deeper you scroll, the more concerning it gets.
NoFap's Greatest Hits:
“Porn is ruining men.”
“Ejaculation makes you weak.”
“Women can feel your sexual energy when you retain.”
“Masturbation makes you a beta.”
“Retaining semen for 90 days unlocks hidden powers.”
Spoiler: none of that is backed by real science. And a lot of it is rooted in shame, misogyny,
queerphobia, and purity culture dressed up as “self-mastery.”
What Does Science Actually Say?
Let’s bust some of these myths with real data:
Myth: Ejaculating too often drains your energy/life force.
Truth: There’s no scientific evidence that ejaculating depletes your body or mind long-term. Your body continuously produces sperm. You're not losing anything magical by getting off.
In fact, regular ejaculation has been linked to:
Improved mood and sleep
Decreased stress
Better prostate health (Rider et al.,2016)
Healthy sexual function
Myth: Retaining semen boosts testosterone.
Truth: Often quoted by those in the movement: a small 2003 study from China once reported a brief testosterone spike on day 7 of abstinence, but it’s since been retracted, and no reliable evidence supports lasting benefits. If semen’s so powerful, why aren’t all the manliest men lining up at the glory hole for their daily supplement?
Myth: Porn and masturbation cause erectile dysfunction.
Truth: So-called “porn-induced ED” is often more about anxiety, shame, or unrealistic expectations. Porn can affect arousal patterns, sure, but blaming porn alone ignores the psychological side of sexual function and disregards what we know about mindful masturbation and healthy sexual self-talk.
The Problem With NoFap
The NoFap ideology has deep ties to:
Toxic masculinity
Red pill/incel culture
Control over women's sexuality
Homophobia and transphobia
Religious shame narratives
Many NoFap influencers push anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, police women’s bodies, and promote rigid gender roles (e.g., men = strong leaders, women = submissive, porn-free baby factories).
It's not about healing or connection, it’s about control.
Mindful Masturbation ≠ Shame Spiral
Let’s be clear: choosing to take a break from porn or solo sex can be empowering if:
You’re doing it for yourself
It’s not driven by shame
You’re not replacing one obsession with another
You still view sex and pleasure as natural and good
You don’t have to go cold turkey or chase a 90-day “streak.” Exploring your own eroticism, boundaries, and arousal is a healthy part of being human, not something that needs gamifying.
What About Queer & Trans People?
NoFap rhetoric is deeply cis- and heteronormative. It erases queer, trans, and non-binary bodies, ignores diverse ways people experience desire, and reinforces harmful ideas that sex and power must follow strict binary rules.
Your orgasms don’t need to be spiritual or contribute to the development of your latent telepathic powers. They just need to be safe, consensual, and rooted in your agency.
Final Thought: You’re Not "Weak" If You Wank
There’s no magical superpower unlocked by not touching yourself. If semen is sacred to you, cool. If you like edging or saving it for a partner, go off. But don’t let shame-fueled pseudoscience trick you into thinking your body is a problem to control.
Your worth isn’t in your sperm count. It’s in how you show up, with consent, curiosity, and care.
TL;DR
Semen retention has no proven long-term health benefits.
Masturbation is normal, healthy, and often beneficial.
The NoFap movement is riddled with misogyny, pseudoscience, and shame.
Queer and trans folks deserve sex advice that’s affirming, not exclusionary.
Real empowerment = bodily autonomy, not performative abstinence.
References
Jiang, M., Jiang, X., Zou, Q., & Shen, J. (2003). Retracted article: A research on the relationship between ejaculation and serum testosterone level in men. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A, 4(2), 236–240. https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2003.0236 [RETRACTED]
Rider, J. R., Wilson, K. M., Sinnott, J. A., Kelly, R. S., Mucci, L. A., & Giovannucci, E. L. (2016). Ejaculation frequency and risk of prostate cancer: Updated results with an additional decade of follow-up. European Urology, 70(6), 974–982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2016.03.027
r/NoFap. Reddit. (2011, June). https://www.reddit.com/r/NoFap/
Sprankle, E. (2024). DIY: The wonderfully weird history and science of Masturbation. Tantor Media, Inc.
Resources
Want more queer, trans-inclusive sexual health myth-busting?
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The information provided in this blog post is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While I am a registered health practitioner, this content is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional who can consider your individual circumstances.
This blog reflects my personal views and professional experiences and does not represent the views of my employer or any affiliated organisations.
In line with AHPRA guidelines, no testimonials are included, and this blog post is not intended to advertise or promote specific services or treatments.
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