Abstinence May Harm Male Fertility

Best By Date: Women are often the focus of fertility conversations, but men obviously play a big part in conception, too. It’s a long-standing belief — and even a recommendation from the World Health Organization — that when couples are trying to conceive, men should abstain from ejaculating for two to seven days between tries to allow their sperm count to build back up. But a new large-scale meta-analysis suggests that might not be the best move for fertility. 

The Study: Researchers collected and analyzed sperm data from 115 published studies including nearly 55,000 men, as well as 56 studies across 30 insects, mammals, and other non-human species. They found that longer periods of abstinence were associated with increased sperm DNA damage and oxidative stress from exposure to free radicals, which reduced sperm’s viability and motility (how well it moves).

The Takeaway: Sperm is produced continuously from puberty and stored in the ejaculatory tract prior to use. Sperm don’t have a strong metabolism, nor are they able to repair themselves effectively. More frequent ejaculation can offer a boost to male fertility. 

Keep in Mind: Fertility is complex and often influenced by environmental factors. While this new evidence may support an updated set of guidelines for couples trying to conceive, it’s only one piece of the puzzle.