Men's health from semen standards to prostate problems

What constitutes standard semen quality?

A typical ejaculation volume is 3-5 ml. Semen is usually grayish-white, turning pale yellow after prolonged periods without sexual intercourse. Semen has a certain viscosity, and 1 ml contains 60-150 million sperm. Semen liquefies after 10 minutes of standing, and 70% of the sperm remain viable 30 minutes to 1 hour after ejaculation. If this percentage is lower, the sperm quality is considered poor. If more than 50% of sperm are dead, it often affects fertility.

Can excessive masturbation cause male sexual dysfunction?

Whether masturbation leads to impotence is a question many young men are both curious about and worried about.

Masturbation is something every man experiences, and most men have a habit of masturbating. We can't say it's a bad habit; after all, based on physiological reasons, men are born with sexual urges that often need to be released.

Even if this isn't relieved through sexual intercourse or masturbation for a long time, nocturnal emissions are necessary. In situations where sexual activity with a woman is unavailable, masturbation is often the natural way to relieve sexual tension. Many men regret this afterwards, worrying about long-term consequences.

In fact, masturbation is just like sex, only the method is slightly different. Therefore, as long as it's not excessive, it won't harm the body or leave any lasting effects.

Unless you use excessive force or use inappropriate tools that injure the penis itself, such as causing abrasions or fractures, there's no need to worry about future impotence.

Does benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affect sexual ability?

The prostate is one of the important organs in the male reproductive system. In middle age, especially after 50, some men experience a gradual enlargement of the prostate gland. When the prostate enlarges to a certain extent, it compresses the urethra, causing symptoms such as difficulty urinating, frequent urination, and urgency. This is medically termed benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

BPH is a condition characterized by the growth and enlargement of the prostate tissue. It does not damage the anatomical structure of the penis, nor does it affect nerve, blood vessel, or endocrine functions. Therefore, it will not affect libido or sexual ability. However, since sexual intercourse increases prostate congestion, this may be detrimental to the condition. Because the bladder neck contracts during ejaculation to prevent semen reflux, it may also worsen urinary difficulties. Therefore, frequent sexual activity and excessive indulgence are inappropriate. Similarly, avoiding sexual activity due to fear of prostate enlargement and engaging in long-term abstinence is also not advisable. Normal sexual activity is a sign of good health in middle-aged and elderly people. Prolonged abstinence from sexual activity can increase the sensitivity of the external genitalia, making erections easier and exacerbating repeated prostate congestion, which is detrimental to the condition.

Does sitting in an office all day cause decreased sexual function?

Sitting at an office all day with little movement can indeed reduce sperm motility. Whether it leads to decreased sexual ability varies from person to person, as many factors can induce sexual arousal, with psychological factors having a particularly significant impact. Therefore, people who sit all day do not necessarily experience decreased sexual ability.

However, prolonged sitting, especially with a cushion under the buttocks, prevents the genital area from dissipating heat. The increased heat in the testicles inevitably reduces their function. Therefore, men who sit for long periods at work often experience low sperm motility, leading to decreased fertility.

To improve this situation, try getting up and moving around frequently, or sitting with your legs apart. This allows for sufficient ventilation in the genital area.

Furthermore, sitting on a firmer chair is better than a soft one. When sitting on a firmer chair, the spine naturally straightens, creating space between the thighs, preventing the testicles from being compressed and allowing them to regulate their own temperature.

Similarly, wearing loose-fitting trousers is far better than wearing poorly breathable jeans.