The sperm plays a very vital role in sexual intercourse and especially procreation among living things, particularly among human beings and animals. It is usually a small, compact cell, highly specialized for the task of fertilizing an egg.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica (updated on 12 March, 2023), sperm, also called spermatozoon (plural spermatozoa) is the male reproductive cell, produced by most animals [and humans]. The sperm unites with (fertilizes) an ovum (egg) of the female to produce a new offspring.
It was further stated in https://study.com that the sperm cell provides half of the genetic material needed to form a fertilized zygote or embryo during sexual reproduction with an egg in the female body.
Its slender and lightweight allows it to travel quickly and easily in narrow spaces within the female reproductive tract to allow the best fertilization with an egg during ovulation.
The sperm differs from an egg in various ways, especially in that it is constantly produced in the tested during a male’s life. It has a significantly longer lifespan of up to five days after ejaculation inside the female reproductive tract.
Emphasising its importance to human existence, Nicholas Yong, published in asiaone.com on 15 June, 2023, said: “Safe to say, having healthy sperm or strong sperm improves the chances of getting pregnant.”
Yong further asserted the need for unending discourse on healthy sperm as it is crucial for conception. “When it comes to making a baby, both the egg and sperm play vital roles,” he stated.
“Healthy sperm is essential for successful fertilisation. They need to be strong swimmers to navigate through the female reproductive system and reach the egg.
“Not only that, but they should also have the right shape and size to penetrate the egg’s protective outer layer. Plus, healthy sperm carry the genetic information that will combine with the egg’s DNA to create a unique individual.
“So, guys, remember, healthy sperm increases the chances of conception,” Nicholas Yong declared.
However, several men, the world over, have, over the years, been seeking to downplay the importance of sperm to sexual intercourse and procreation.
While many have resorted to vasectomy in their bid to prevent pregnancy, several others have engaged in retaining semen in their body during sex by withdrawing at the point of ejaculation.
Successful semen retention may have stained some level of success, especially in preventing unwanted pregnancy.
However, such an act, when encouraged often and done for a long time, can have its own consequences on human health, both male and female.
Studies have revealed that retention of sperm in man and too much of sperm deposit in the body of woman may give rise to noticeable pain, discomfort and also result in health complications in both sexes.
Some of the identified harmful or side effects of too much or excessive sperm buildup include the possibility o reducing fertility, body pain, epididymal hypertension and hyperspermia.
There can also be lower abdominal pain, bacterial vaginosis (BV), dysorgasmia, discomfort as a result of inflammation, physical and psychological symptoms, among other harmful effects.
A study published on 22 May, 2023 in https://www.verywellhealth.com asserted that sperm buildup actually cause pain in the testicles.
According to the study, the pain called blue balls or known medically as epididymal hypertension, can occur after a long period of arousal without ejaculation.
Also, a study on “Spermatocele-Symptoms and Causes”, published by Mayo Clinic in https://www.mayoclinic.org, 31 March, 2022, stated that a spermatocele usually causes no signs or symptoms and might remain stable in size.
“If it becomes large enough, however, you might feel pain or discomfort in the affected testicle,” the study stated.
“Hyperspermia: Symptoms, treatments, and causes”, a 23 March, 2020 publication in https://www.medicalnewstoday.com, stated that too much sperm in the body can lead to hyperspermia.
“Hyperspermia is a relatively rare condition compared with other issues that affect sperm.
“It does not cause any physical changes or health conditions. However, it may reduce fertility,” the study revealed.
Excess sperm in the body can also cause bacterial vaginosis which becomes a problem when too much of the bacteria grow, according to a publication in https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org (1 March, 2019).
“Several factors can increase the number of bacteria, including sex. Semen impacts the pH level in the vagina, which can contribute to a higher rate of bacteria growth,” it was stated.
Too much sperm can also cause lower abdominal pain as the sperm is another reason that can trigger the pain, stated in a https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com report (1June, 2023).
“Health experts say that as sperm is an irritant to the uterus, the uterus can react when in contact with sperms. This can result in uterine contractions, which in turn causes stomach pain and cramps,” the report added.
It has also been revealed that sperm cause body pain in females. “Sperm is an irritant to the uterus and the uterus will react when in contact with sperm,” Tami Prince, an OB-GYN and a Medical Director with US, said.
“As such, the uterus will contract and this contraction may manifest as cramping and pain in the stomach,” he told HelloGiggles (https://www.yahoo.com, 26 February, 2018).
Also there can be discomfort as a result of inflammation owing to the accumulation of semen inside the testicles and seminal vesicles.
“The testicular ducts and seminal vesicles expand due to the retained semen and that induces the release of a hormone called Prostaglandin E2,” stated a 26 March, 2023 report in https://www.lybrate.com (Tips
Pain Of Abstaining – Semen Retention & Its Consequences).
Too much of sperm can cause abdominal pain in both sexes. This is when you may be experiencing dysorgasmia, also known as pain with orgasm, according to a report in https://goodcleanlove.com, published on 25 October, 2019.
“This can affect both men and women. Some symptoms to look out for include abdominal pain or abdominal or pelvic cramps during or after sex,” the report, “Can Sperm Cause Abdominal Pain? – Good Clean Love”, added.
Another study, “The effects of too much sperm in the female body”, also concluded that too much of it can create physical and psychological symptoms in women.
The report, https://mobile.ghanaweb.com on 13 April, 2023, stated: “When a woman’s body contains too much sperm, she may experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms, including exhaustion, dry eyes, headaches, mood swings, irregular menstrual cycles, and pain during intercourse.”
