A new global study suggests that more frequent ejaculation may play a key role in improving sperm quality, challenging long-standing assumptions about male fertility.
For years, men trying to conceive have often been advised to abstain from sexual activity for several days to increase sperm count. While this approach can boost the volume of sperm, emerging research indicates that longer storage inside the male reproductive system may actually reduce sperm quality.
The study, which analysed data from 115 previous studies involving nearly 55,000 men, found that sperm stored for extended periods tend to deteriorate. Key indicators of sperm health—including motility (the ability to swim), viability, and DNA integrity—decline during prolonged abstinence.
Researchers attribute this decline to two main factors. The first is oxidative stress, a biological process that damages cells over time. The second is energy depletion, as sperm cells gradually lose the energy needed to function effectively while in storage.
Although the World Health Organization currently recommends abstaining for two to seven days before providing sperm samples for fertility treatments such as IVF, the study suggests shorter intervals may produce better-quality sperm.
Supporting this, recent findings show that ejaculating within 48 hours before providing a sample can improve IVF outcomes compared to longer periods of abstinence. Scientists believe that more frequent ejaculation helps flush out older, damaged sperm, replacing them with newer, healthier cells.
The research also explored similar patterns across the animal kingdom, analysing 56 studies covering 30 species, including birds, reptiles and mammals. Across these species, sperm quality consistently declined during storage, whether inside males or females.
Interestingly, sperm stored in females tended to deteriorate more slowly, likely due to protective biological mechanisms such as antioxidant-rich environments that help preserve sperm for longer periods.
The findings come at a time when global fertility trends are under pressure, with declining sexual activity—particularly among younger people—and delayed parenthood becoming more common.
Experts say that while many factors affecting fertility, such as genetics, stress and environmental conditions, are difficult to control, the duration of sperm storage is a manageable factor. Using fresher sperm, they conclude, could be a simple but effective way to improve fertility outcomes.
