What is No Nut November?

We’ve heard of Movember, Stoptober and Veganuary. But have you heard of No Nut November? As the name might suggest, No Nut November involves abstaining from something for a whole month; but not what you might think. 

So what is No Nut November, when did it start, what are the suggested benefits and – most importantly – can there be negative implications of abstinence on both physical and mental health and wellbeing?

No Nut November means abstaining from ejaculating for the entire month of November. As the event has gained popularity, a host of “NNN rules” have emerged, which include what can – and can’t be done in order to “pass” the test.

When did No Nut November start?

No Nut November, or #NNNchallenge first appeared in the Urban Dictionary in 2011, but it gained traction on social media in 2017. While the modern concept is fairly new, abstaining from ejaculation – or semen retention – has ancient origins, and has been practised by Taoists and those practising tantric sex for hundreds of years. 

What Is the point of No Nut November? 

No Nut November is essentially a challenge to see if men can retain semen. However, some people take on the challenge for its alleged physical, mental and spiritual health benefits, many of which are the result of increased testosterone, which include:

• muscle growth, 
• increased stamina 
• thicker hair
• improved sperm quality 
• reduced stress
• reduced anxiety
• improved concentration
• improved self-control
• increased libido
• reduction of erectile dysfunction

Is No Nut November really good for you?

As with many health trends, there is not enough reliable evidence to prove the reported benefits of No Nut November; the most significant research investigated the relationship between testosterone levels and ejaculation in 20031, and the impact of ejaculating for the first time after three weeks’ abstinence. 2

A review of studies in 2018 looked at the relationship between ejaculatory abstinence and semen characteristics 3, and found that abstaining for less than a day, no longer, can improve sperm motility. 

For those hoping to increase testosterone levels to boost hair growth, specific treatments are available that can help to slow down hair loss as a result of male pattern baldness.  

For men who are experiencing low libido or erectile dysfunction, there are over-the-counter treatments such as stud 100 spray. Other erectile dysfunction treatments such as sildenafil tablets and Cialis Together 10mg tablets are available via prescription from your GP or online. 

You can learn more about erectile dysfunction treatments through our dedicated blog page here.

What causes a low libido?

Low libido, or erectile dysfunction is likely to happen to most men at one point in their life, while erectile dysfunction is more prevalent in men between the ages of 40 and 70, it is estimated that around half of these men will experience erectile dysfunction. So, what can you do to prevent erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by many different factors, such as:

• Being overweight
• Smoking 
• Excessive alcohol use
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Having cardiovascular disease
• A high cholesterol

The good news is, most of the time erectile dysfunction can be treated with lifestyle adjustments, check out our blog article on 5 natural ways to overcome erectile dysfunction for more information. 'Update 2/11/2023'

Is No Nut November bad for you? 

Just as there is insufficient evidence to assert that No Nut November is good for you, there is not enough research to confirm that it is bad, either. In terms of sperm quality, there is research that suggests that regular ejaculation may improve sperm quality. However, anecdotal benefits of ejaculation include reduced stress, better sleep quality 4, improved mental health and, if having regular sex with a partner, improved relationships. 

Tips on how to delay ejaculation naturally 

If you are considering taking part in NNN in order to increase self-control and prevent premature ejaculation 5, there are other methods and medications that can help. These include masturbating a couple of hours before sex and the use of premature ejaculation tablets such as Priligy 30mg.

You can learn more about premature ejaculation treatments through our dedicated blog page here.

Should I take part in No Nut November? 

If you are considering taking part in No Nut November as a fun challenge to yourself and you don’t have any physical or mental health problems that may be impacted by it, there is no reason why you should not take part in NNN. However, if you think that you may have an addiction to sex, porn, or masturbation, it is wise to consult your doctor.

Similarly, if you are worried about low testosterone levels 6, are concerned about your sperm quality or you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, professional guidance is the safest course of action. 

If you would like to find out more about the range of treatment options for hair loss, erectile dysfunction, or premature ejaculation, Oxford Online Pharmacy’s pharmacists are on hand to help. Simply add products to your basket and complete the online consultation to determine the best treatment for you. 

References

1. National Library of Medicine, A research on the relationship between ejaculation and serum testosterone level in men, PMID: 12659241 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.2003.0236
2. National Library of Medicine, Endocrine response to masturbation-induced orgasm in healthy men following a 3-week sexual abstinence, PMID: 11760788 DOI: 10.1007/s003450100222
3. National Library of Medicine, Revisiting The Relationship between The Ejaculatory Abstinence Period and Semen Characteristics, Int J Fertil Steril. 2018 Jan-Mar; 11(4): 238–246.
4. Fertility and Sterility, Relationship between the duration of sexual abstinence and semen quality: analysis of 9,489 semen samples, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.12.045
5. NHS, Can premature ejaculation be controlled?
6. NHS, The male menopause