Does Masturbation Lower Energy? Why Some Athletes Avoid Sex Before Competition
For generations, many men have believed that ejaculation "uses up" something valuable. Some cultures viewed semen as a form of physical energy. Some athletes avoid sex before competitions because they believe it preserves strength. Some people practice "semen retention" because they feel more focused without ejaculation. But what does science actually say? The answer is not as simple as "sex makes you weak" or "sex has absolutely no effect." The human body is more complicated than that.
Does Masturbation Actually Use Up Energy?
Yes, but much less than most people imagine. Any physical activity requires energy. Walking uses energy. Eating uses energy. Sex uses energy. Masturbation also uses energy. However, the amount is relatively small. Research measuring energy expenditure during sexual activity has found that sexual activity typically burns only a modest number of calories, comparable to light-to-moderate physical activity. Partner sex burns around 4.2 calories per minute, and masturbation burns even less.
The feeling of being "drained" afterward is usually not because the body lost a large amount of physical energy. Ejaculation does not empty a person's energy tank; it temporarily changes the body's settings.
Why Do Some People Feel Tired After Masturbation?
This feeling is real. After orgasm, the body experiences changes involving prolactin, oxytocin, endorphins, and parasympathetic nervous system activity. The body shifts from a high-arousal state into a recovery state. This is why many people feel relaxed, sleepy, calm, and less physically tense.
This response is normal. It is similar to what happens after intense exercise. The body moves from activation into recovery.
Does Ejaculation Lower Testosterone?
This is one of the biggest myths.
Current evidence does not show that normal masturbation or ejaculation causes a meaningful long-term decrease in testosterone. A 2022 meta-analysis found no negative impact to physical performance of sexual activity between 30 minutes to 24 hours prior to an event. Examine.com confirms that ejaculation results in changes in prolactin (increase) and dopamine (temporary decrease), but does not result in changes in testosterone.
Some studies have observed that plasma testosterone was unaltered by orgasm. Ejaculation time was not associated with serum testosterone levels. Testosterone is influenced much more strongly by factors such as sleep, body composition, exercise, stress, illness, and age. A single ejaculation does not suddenly reduce masculinity, muscle growth, or physical ability.
Why Do Some Athletes Avoid Sex Before Competition?
This belief has existed for a long time. Some coaches and athletes believe avoiding sex helps preserve aggression, focus, energy, and competitiveness. The idea is often connected to the belief that sexual energy can be redirected into athletic performance.
But scientific research does not strongly support the idea that abstaining from sex automatically improves physical performance. Studies comparing sexual activity before athletic events have generally found little evidence that sex significantly harms strength, endurance, or performance. A scoping review found that available evidence indicates sexual activity ≥10 to 12 hours pretesting yields no observed performance impairment. A 2025 study found that pre-exercise sexual activity does not impair athletic capacity in trained men. So why do some athletes still avoid it? Because performance is not only physical.
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The Psychology Behind Sexual Abstinence Before Competition
An athlete's belief can influence their experience. If someone believes "sex makes me weaker," they may feel less confident after sex. If someone believes "abstinence makes me focused," they may feel mentally stronger. This is a psychological effect, not proof that ejaculation removed physical ability.
Confidence, routine, and mental preparation are powerful parts of performance. Sometimes athletes are protecting a belief system, not protecting a biological resource.
Does Sex Before Sports Reduce Strength?
For most people, no. Research examining sexual activity before exercise has generally not found significant reductions in strength, endurance, aerobic capacity, or physical performance. The timing matters more. Having sex at 3 a.m. and losing sleep before a competition is very different from having sex and getting proper rest. Often, the problem is not sex. The problem is everything surrounding it.
Why Do Some Athletes Feel Better When They Avoid Sex?
Individual differences matter. Some people feel more focused, more disciplined, and more motivated when they avoid sexual activity. This may happen because they associate abstinence with preparation. A pre-game routine can create psychological stability. For some athletes, avoiding sex becomes part of their mental ritual. The ritual itself may be the important part.
Does Masturbation Affect Muscle Growth?
No evidence shows that normal masturbation prevents muscle growth. Muscle growth depends mainly on resistance training, nutrition, protein intake, recovery, and hormones. Testosterone plays a role in muscle development, but normal ejaculation does not meaningfully reduce testosterone levels long term.
-Benefits of Masturbation
What About Semen Retention?
Semen retention is the practice of intentionally avoiding ejaculation. Some people report benefits such as more motivation, better focus, and increased confidence. These experiences may be real for those individuals. However, there is currently limited scientific evidence proving that semen retention creates major physical advantages. The benefits some people feel may come from improved self-control, reduced pornography use, changed habits, and increased confidence—not necessarily from storing semen itself.
Does Masturbation Affect Mental Energy?
Some people feel refreshed afterward. Some feel temporarily less motivated. Some feel guilty because of personal beliefs. The experience depends on frequency, relationship with masturbation, expectations, emotional state, and sleep quality. The same behavior can feel different depending on context.
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Is Too Much Masturbation Draining My Energy?
The question is usually not "How many times is too many?" There is no universal number. The better question is: "Is it interfering with my life?" Potential concerns include avoiding responsibilities, disrupting sleep, interfering with relationships, and feeling unable to control the behavior. Frequency alone does not determine whether something is unhealthy.
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GITMPLAYBOOK Advice
If you're wondering whether masturbation affects your energy, the most important thing is to pay attention to your own body. Some people feel relaxed and focused afterward. Others feel tired. Both responses are normal.
If you're an athlete considering abstinence before competition, consider whether the practice is based on evidence or ritual. If it helps you feel mentally prepared, that's valid. If you're avoiding sex out of fear that it will physically weaken you, the science doesn't support that concern.
The best approach is to experiment. Notice how your body responds. Adjust based on your own experience, not on myths from the past.
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So... Does Masturbation Lower Energy?
For most healthy people, no.
Masturbation does not permanently reduce energy, testosterone, strength, or athletic ability. However, orgasm can temporarily create relaxation and tiredness because the nervous system shifts into recovery mode.
Some athletes avoid sex before competitions not because ejaculation scientifically drains strength, but because they believe it improves focus, they prefer their routine, or they want psychological confidence.
The human body is not a battery that loses power after orgasm. It is a system that constantly adjusts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does masturbation make you weak?
No. Normal masturbation does not make someone physically weaker or reduce muscle strength.
Q: Does ejaculation lower testosterone?
No evidence shows that normal ejaculation causes a long-term testosterone decrease.
Q: Why do I feel tired after orgasm?
Orgasm activates recovery responses in the nervous system and releases chemicals associated with relaxation and sleepiness.
Q: Should athletes avoid sex before competition?
Not necessarily. Research does not show that sex automatically reduces athletic performance. Some athletes avoid it because of personal routines or beliefs.
Q: Does semen retention increase strength?
There is limited scientific evidence that semen retention directly improves strength or athletic performance.
Q: Is masturbation bad before a workout?
For most people, no. If it affects your sleep, motivation, or routine, then timing may matter.
Final Thought
The idea that ejaculation "steals energy" comes from a very old human belief that sexual fluids represent physical power. Modern science shows something different. Sexual energy is not a limited fuel supply that disappears. The body creates, uses, and restores constantly.
The better question is not "Did masturbation make me weaker?" It is "How does my own body respond, and does this habit support the life and goals I want?"
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing persistent fatigue, changes in sexual function, or other concerning symptoms, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.
References
- Acute and Delayed Effects of Sexual Activity on Athletic Performance: A Scoping Review Across Sex, Age, and Ethnicity (2026). Sexual activity ≥10-12 hours pretesting yields no observed performance impairment.
- Myths vs Facts About Masturbation – What Science Really Says. Pristyn Care. No scientific evidence that masturbation causes long-term weakness or physical decline.
- Masturbation before a workout: Is there any effect? Medical News Today (2019). Masturbation has little to no direct effect on workout performance.
- Does Ejaculating Every Day Lower Testosterone? Advance Study (2026). Ejaculating every day does not significantly lower testosterone levels.
- Does ejaculation affect testosterone levels? Examine.com (2025). Ejaculation results in changes in prolactin and dopamine but does not result in changes in testosterone.
- Endocrine response to masturbation-induced orgasm in healthy men following a 3-week sexual abstinence. PubMed. Plasma testosterone was unaltered by orgasm.
- Delayed Ejaculation and Associated Complaints: Relationship to Ejaculation Times and Serum Testosterone Levels. PubMed (2017). Ejaculation time was not associated with serum testosterone levels.
- Sexual activity before exercise influences physiological response and sports performance in high-level trained men athletes (2025). Pre-exercise sexual activity does not impair athletic capacity in trained men.
- Semen Retention - Benefits, Myths, and the Science. Claims about semen retention benefits are not backed by scientific evidence.
- What Are the Benefits of Semen Retention? Verywell Health. Reported benefits include improved mood, confidence, energy, and focus.
- Why Do You Feel Sleepy After Sex? Prolactin, oxytocin, and endorphins promote relaxation.
- Does Sex Help You Sleep? Hims (2025). Post-orgasm release of oxytocin promotes relaxation