Sperm's here to stay
Question
I'm really worried. I masturbate all the time, probably five or six times a day, and my brother's told me it could affect my health. He says I could run out of sperm if I masturbate too much. Is this true?
Answer
Please be reassured that frequent masturbation and sexual intercourse is not harmful and will not affect your health. Masturbating can give you good feelings and it can make you orgasm. It can also help you to get to know your own body. These things are all perfectly normal and it's important not to feel guilty or scared about masturbating. There are a lot of myths about things that happen to people who masturbate but they are not true; masturbation can cause no mental or physical harm.
According to the fpa, when a man ejaculates he releases on average about a teaspoonful of semen containing up to 300 million sperm. Each ball produces about 2,000 sperm per second which is about 200 million sperm everyday! So it's impossible to run out of sperm or for masturbation to affect the long-term amount produced.
Under 25s can talk to someone, in confidence, about anything to do with sex and relationships, at their nearest Brook Centre, so if you do feel worried about it you can pop into your nearest one. You can also call the Brook helpline on 0800 0185 023.
Updated: 23/10/2006
Question answered by YouthNet in association with Brook
