Semen retention meaning and the science behind the hype
Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate
Dec 05, 2025 · 13 min read
Semen retention is deliberately avoiding ejaculation for a period of time. Research suggests it does not produce a sustained testosterone boost. A 2001 study in World Journal of Urology found a modest rise around day 7 of abstinence that drifted back toward baseline despite continued retention. Here’s what the evidence says about how “holding semen” ...