June 26, 2025, 8:24 am | Read time: 5 minutes

Various myths surround what happens in a man’s body when he hasn’t had sex for an extended period. Topics such as loss of libido, sperm congestion, and erectile dysfunction are often discussed. FITBOOK writer Laura Pomer consulted a urologist to find out what is true and what isn’t.

Do the sexual organs change?

Muscles that aren’t used for a long time atrophy. Theoretically, the same could happen to the sexual organs–they might not function as they should. Indeed, if a man hasn’t used his “best asset” for a long time, it can lead to erectile dysfunction. This is confirmed by Dr. Christoph Pies, a urologist and author, in a conversation with FITBOOK. Due to lack of blood flow, the erectile tissue can “atrophy” over time, essentially wasting away. Dr. Pies mentions changes in the muscles of the genital area and scarring in the erectile tissue that abstinence can cause. This has even been shown in a study.¹

Semen buildup–is it real?

Not having sex for a long time is said to cause semen buildup and make the testicles swell–a painful notion that can fortunately be dismissed as a myth. Urologist Dr. Pies reassures us. “While new sperm are continuously produced in the testicles, unused ones are eventually broken down or expelled through nocturnal emissions.” So, semen buildup doesn’t exist.

Also interesting: These tricks can boost your testosterone levels

Can sperm go “bad”?

Similarly, the schoolyard tale that sperm quality suffers if you haven’t had sex for a long time and haven’t “gotten rid” of them is untrue. According to Dr. Pies, the seminal fluid doesn’t change for better or worse, which U.S. researchers have also demonstrated in a large-scale study.²

Also interesting: Do men get better sperm through exercise?

Do sex and abstinence affect the prostate?

Yes. Researchers from various faculties have shown in a joint study that regular ejaculation reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer. Twenty-one or more ejaculations per month led to a 33 percent reduced risk compared to the group that ejaculated only four to seven times per month.³

Does the immune system suffer when you haven’t had sex for a long time?

Yes and no. Conversely, it can be said with certainty: Having sex two to three times a week supports your immune system! Especially when another person is involved, says Dr. Pies: “Exchanging saliva acts like a vaccination, as more antibodies are detectable.”

Does abstinence harm mental health?

It’s well-known that sex triggers the release of happiness hormones and inhibits the stress hormone cortisol. Without this “act,” people become more irritable. Many affected individuals often exacerbate this unhealthy effect themselves–unintentionally, of course. Pies reports on a study from the University of Göttingen with around 32,000 participants, which found that a third of men and women who had sex at most once a week distracted themselves with work. “This further increases stress levels,” warns Pies. So the answer is: Yes.

Also interesting: What happens in a woman’s body when she hasn’t had sex for a long time 

Does “feminization” occur?

No. Although the research on the impact of sexual abstinence on testosterone levels is not entirely clear–for instance, a lack of ejaculation can lead to a drop in active “free” testosterone–there is no negative impact on overall testosterone or any “feminization.”⁴

Does libido disappear when you haven’t had sex for a long time?

Generally not, Dr. Pies explains, but it can happen in individual cases. Doctors refer to the “widower syndrome,” a sexual disorder where the body becomes accustomed to a lack of sex. The causes are not hormonal but arise from grief after a breakup or death, or from general physical inactivity.

More on the topic

Urologist Explains What Happens in a Man’s Body When He Hasn’t Had Sex for a Long Time

Orange Health 9 Foods That Are Good for the Liver

Surprising Result Incline Walking vs. Running: Study Shows Which Burns More Fat

Some intriguing data on sex in Germany

“Statista” offers some intriguing numbers and survey results on sexuality. In 2008, data was collected on how often women and men had sex on average per month. The results were quite similar for both genders. Thirty-five percent of men and 36 percent of women reported having sex six to ten times a month.⁵ A 2020 survey examined sexual frequency in relation to participants’ relationship status. A large portion (27 percent) of married couples reported being intimate several times a month. Unmarried couples, according to the survey, enjoyed intimacy several times a week (30 percent). In contrast, 39 percent of single respondents reported having no sex at all.⁶

Self-love in the form of masturbation is also widespread in Germany–and fortunately, it’s no longer a taboo topic. In a 2020 survey, 93 percent of men and 80 percent of women reported masturbating.⁷ Sextoys are also becoming increasingly popular. In 2020, 47 percent of men and even 61 percent of women surveyed reported using sextoys. In comparison, in 2018, only 28 percent of men and 37 percent of women reported using sex toys.⁸