For decades, male sexuality has been surrounded by figures, unwritten rules and inherited beliefs that have rarely been rigorously questioned. ¿How often is it “healthy” to ejaculate, is abstinence harmful, and does more semen mean more pleasure?
Today, scientific evidence invites us to abandon extremes and to understand men's sexual health from a broader, more informed and unbiased perspective.
One of the most widely cited data in recent years comes from a large observational study published in European Urology, The study, conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, was conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health. Over nearly two decades, more than 31,000 men were followed, observing that those with a high ejaculatory frequency - around 21 times a month - had a lower risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer compared to those who ejaculated less frequently.
The doctor François Peinado, a urologist and andrologist specialising in men's sexual health, explains that this protective effect may be related to the so-called prostatic stagnation hypothesis: frequent ejaculation would help prevent the accumulation of potentially harmful secretions in the prostate gland..
However, experts underline a key nuance: it is a statistical association, not a universal preventive prescription. Ejaculatory frequency does not replace other essential factors such as genetics, diet, physical exercise or regular medical check-ups, and its impact seems to be more relevant in low-risk prostate diseases.
Sex, hormones and rest: a natural stress regulator
Beyond the prostate, sexual activity - as a couple or alone - has clear effects on the nervous system and emotional balance. During orgasm, a complex network of hormones is released that promotes relaxation and well-being.
According to Dr Peinado, after ejaculation, levels of oxytocin and prolactin, hormones linked to feelings of calm, attachment and deep sleep, increase, while cortisol, known as the stress hormone, decreases. Studies show that Both sex and masturbation can improve sleep latency and perception of sleep quality.
This is in addition to the release of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters associated with pleasure, natural analgesia and mood regulation, making sexuality a physiological tool to support anxiety and pent-up tension.
The relationship between eroticism and the immune system is another under-reported area. Research cited in urology and clinical psychology suggests that being sexually active - for example, once or twice a week - may be associated with higher levels of Immunoglobulin A (IgA), a key antibody in the first line of defence against viruses and bacteria.
Although not an “immune shield” in itself, this reinforces the idea that sexual health is part of the overall balance of the body.
Abstinence, semen and pleasure: dismantling persistent beliefs
In contrast to the emphasis on frequency, experts insist on banishing the fear of abstinence. Do not ejaculate for prolonged periods it is neither pathological nor does it imply an “intoxication” of the body. As urologists explain, unused sperm are naturally reabsorbed by efficient physiological mechanisms without causing structural damage.
Similarly, clinical sexology has disproved another common belief: the idea that a greater volume of semen - after periods of abstinence - automatically translates into greater pleasure. Current evidence shows that sexual pleasure does not depend on an isolated quantitative variable, but is a complex experience influenced by neurological, emotional, relational and contextual factors.
Science supports that regular ejaculation can bring physical and mental health benefits, acting as a prostate protector and emotional modulator. However, experts agree on one key message: sexual health should not be lived by rigid metrics or constant comparisons.
Every body has its own rhythms and self-regulating mechanisms. Integrating sexuality as part of wellness - on the same level as rest, nutrition or movement - means listening to the body, reducing performance pressure and understanding that the true indicator of health is balance, not numbers.
