What Is No Nut November? Expert Explains If Holding Sperm Betters Sexual Health

Every November, social media buzzes with the challenge called No Nut November, and if you’ve heard of the challenge, you know it. Participants, mostly men, aim to avoid ejaculation for the full month of November. Some join for fun, others for a belief promoted online that holding sperm may lead to better sexual health, more energy, and improved focus. 

But what’s really going on? Does abstaining from ejaculation really have benefits? To get to the heart of it, we reached out to Dr Jayshree Pathak, Consultant-Fertility at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Patparganj, New Delhi.

What Is The Meaning of No Nut November

While No Nut November feels like a modern internet sensation, the concept of semen retention is ancient.  Dr Pathak points out the idea isn’t entirely new, saying, “This was followed earlier also in some old cultural practices and ancient spiritual teaching methods. They used to say that if you are not able to or you are not ejaculating by intentionally not ejaculating or avoiding orgasm or allowing orgasm but not ejaculating, it is called folding of sperms.”

In other words, the idea of “semen retention” has roots in spiritual and traditional teachings. But does it work, medically? Let’s break it down.

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Does Holding Sperm Actually Help?

Despite the trend’s popularity, Dr Pathak stresses, “There is no scientific basis for fully supporting or rejecting semen retention.” She further emphasises the nuance, “Sometimes some people find benefits by feeling that they are more, they are feeling a lot of energy, they feel a lot of self-control, so they feel a lot of self-esteem, they feel their body mass, their testosterone levels increase, so their other function starts improving, they feel their sexual life improves. But again, these are all person-to-person variations.”

So yes, some men report feeling better. Benefits often reported include:

• Higher self‐control, confidence, and self-esteem
• Feeling more energetic or less scattered
• A sense of improved sexual performance

The Science Behind Sperm Retention and Fertility

A study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine evaluated similar abstinence practices and found no measurable benefit or harm in short-term retention on erectile function or sexual well-being. However, it noted that psychological effects vary widely among individuals. 

From a biological perspective, semen contains testosterone, zinc, and nutrients that some believe are "lost" with each ejaculation. Thus, retaining sperm might lead to higher hormone concentration temporarily. However, scientific evidence remains inconclusive about whether this significantly boosts fertility or sexual function in the long term.

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The Possible Downsides and Psychological Impact

Dr Pathak also highlights potential challenges:

• Difficulty maintaining abstinence can cause stress
• Some couples may experience confusion or frustration
• Excessive focus on semen retention might distract from healthy sexual habits

She advises, “One must set clear reasons for following semen retention. If done for yoga or meditation, it may help mental focus. But for fertility or sexual health, evidence is lacking.”

So Does It Really Help Sexual or Sperm Health?

Here’s the balanced answer:

• Yes. Some men may feel psychological or subjective benefits (confidence, energy, discipline).
• But no. There is no strong, consistent scientific proof that long-term sperm retention improves fertility, sperm quality, testosterone levels or sexual health in a reliable way.
• The practice carries variation: for some, it may work as a discipline tool, for others, it might bring frustration or unintended stress.

As Dr Pathak says, “It is not always very easy for a person to follow semen retention. If they are trying to do some yoga or meditation, it may really help. But actually, for fertility, there are no clear goals for semen retention or sperm retention.”

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Conclusion

If you’re thinking about avoiding ejaculation for a month (or longer) under the banner of No Nut November or semen retention, go in with eyes open. Some personal benefits may emerge especially in terms of self-control or psychological boost but the science doesn’t back up sweeping claims of improved sperm quality or sexual health. 

As with many wellness trends, it’s best used thoughtfully, not as a substitute for healthy habits or medical advice. If you’re trying for fertility, experiencing concerns, or feel uneasy about the practice, a conversation with a fertility specialist like Dr Pathak is a smart step.