Abstinence 'makes men less fertile'

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 06/30/03 | David Derbyshire

[Pokey78]

The old wives' tale that men should abstain from sex before trying for a baby may actually make them less fertile, scientists say.

A study has shown that while the quantity increases after a few days without sex, the quality of sperm can dramatically fall.

Men with low sperm counts - and who may be struggling to conceive a baby - are most at risk, the research found.

Researchers at Soroka University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel, tested sperm samples from 6,000 men who had abstained from sex for up to two weeks.

The team looked at the volume and concentration of semen, and the shape and the proportion of healthy sperm.

While volume increased after 11 to 14 days of abstinence, the shape and form of the sperm from some men deteriorated over time.

In samples from men with reduced sperm counts, the proportion of healthy moving sperm fell significantly after just two days' abstinence.

Dr Eliahu Levitas, who presents his findings today at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference in Madrid, said: "Semen volume was directly and significantly correlated with duration of abstinence."

However, the activity of sperm fell for men with low sperm counts, he added.

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

"You see honey, we HAVE to have sex every night. It's not like I enjoy it. Think of the poor sperm. It's for the children..." (literally.)

[Solamente]

Wow! Doesn't that beat all?

[BenLurkin]

"Oh my!"

[buffyt]

Don't know that I agree that abstinence lowers sperm counts.... But.....

Having sex sure causes babies....

I remember when we had been married 8 years and we wanted to have a baby, and I had problems getting PG.....the doctor told us to have sex every day, and twice on the days when I was ovulating.

We had a baby boy, then a girl, then a boy....

Then we were afraid those little bundles from Heaven would never stop coming!

Now those babies are 19, 20, and 22 and tomorrow is our THIRTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.... Celebrated last night, with a night on the town in Houston....

[Texas Eagle]

So, in summary, abstaining from sex is an effective form of birth control on 2 levels.

[annyokie]

LOL What an appropriate screen name for this post! ; )

[alloysteel]

Use it or lose it.

[PayrollOffice]

Causality is difficult to determine. It might just be that men with low sperm counts find it difficult to conceive. I had no problem.

It might be that men who find it difficlt to conceive shoot blanks.

The best thing to do for couples trying to conceive is to wait until they are both "desirous" and then have sex. Nature knows best. Why push it?

[Bluntpoint]

I must of been super fertile when I was 12.

[Bluntpoint]

"until they are both "desirous""

Welcome to OZ.

[PayrollOffice]

If they are not so, then why bother? Having children should not be planned in that way.

[El Gato]

Don't know that I agree that abstinence lowers sperm counts.... But.....

Well, it worked the opposite in my case. We were having trouble getting my wife pregnant. Tests showed I had a low count (on a per unit volume basis, but double average volume) ...until I went TDY for the better part of a week. I believe our oldest daughter was conceived the day I got back. Second daughter just "happened", almost 6 years later. :)

[PayrollOffice]

One false step, and we've got another child. Bully for us, I guess. Must be nice to do all that activity only hoping. :)

[Bluntpoint]

How many wine coolers can a person drink and still be defined as desirous from the outset?

[PayrollOffice]

It depends on so many factors. But then, if the person is your spouse, what choice do you have, anyway? And if not, I would say 3 is the max!

[buffyt]

After it took so long to get Gary, we decided we should start trying right away to have another child. 8 1/2 months later, from that day, Michelle was born. My fertility problem was GONE. Then 13 months later, we had Mike! Then I got "fixed!" hee hee Sure was great being able to plan our family. We waited until we BOTH WANTED to have a baby. I thought I wanted four - but he always wanted two. Mike just kinda snuck up on us! Best little surprise package from heaven we ever got. Little? he weighs 200 now (body builder).

[buffyt]

Sex and desire and passion, when you are very young, those come naturally. Once you are older, it takes more work. Takes more work to get in the mood for sex, takes more sex to have a baby....
Plus if you really want to have a baby, you will do whatever it takes to conceive. My husband didn't complain when the doctor told us to have sex daily if we really wanted to have a baby!

[Bluntpoint]

Do you need a reserve bench?

[Savage Beast]

I'm not surprised. Mother Nature favors those whom she thinks she can count on to reproduce. She likes those who are healthy and sexually promising. She tends to keep them healthy and alive and to keep their spermatazoa healthy and alive.