Semen Retention - is getting to 21 days really worth it?

I have been at the 21 day and beyond and there is really nothing different that's noticeable. I just have more energy and sexual energy. I used to ejaculate 2 to 3 times a week and now really don't need to or want to. I think we are just throwing away our jing and it's unnecessary. The aneros is enough for me but everyone is different and you just need to listen to your own body. It does take discipline which is good for oneself. It's all about learning about ourselves. Good luck. [h=1][/h]

I have recently accomplished a 20 or 21 day semen retention. Personally, I didn't notice much difference between, let's say, day 14 and day 20 or 21. From day 7 on I did have much more sexual energy and had periods in which I felt horny all the time. My aneros experiences improved while being in SR, so I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for improving his sessions.

@shockedwaves IMHO, it's not about the number (I made it to Day 26). But it is about how you feel. I found that with SR, my confidence got a boost, especially my sexual confidence. And SR for me was a stepping-stone to male chastity and orgasm denial. It may not be right for every guy but I love it! I find that both SR and male chastity helps "wind the spring" for me sexually. It makes me feel like a horny male even at my age (I'm soon to be 66). (What is wrong with that)? Sometimes, the need for ejaculation is so strong that the ejaculation itself (when it comes) is great but can be a let-down. So to be constantly in a state of orgasm denial is mind-blowing! I still perform prostate massage weekly so that aspect is not lost and my prostate remains healthy. Semen retention is not about how long you can go without ejaculating, it is about traveling on a new path and the feelings you experience along the way.

My question to anyone who is experienced with this, is there anything at Day 21 that's going to be really different than what I feel today? Or what I felt on Day 13 or Day 16? Ever since I got the 1st and 2nd attempts out of the way, I haven't noticed a lot of differences or changes during the attempts as the days go on. Is there something really different at Day 21 that I should expect? I there something at days 21 and above I should see for myself that I didn't feel at day 13 or day 16?

Nearly 3 years ago @Jspad authored the 21 day challenge post where a number of issues were mentioned. Getting back to your homeostatic hormonal condition takes a bit of time. After 7-10 days of ejaculatory abstinence your testosterone levels peak about 40%-50% higher than post ejaculatory levels. This then pretty much stays level until your next ejaculation, the effect of the higher testosterone is generally higher energy levels, alertness and libido. It may take 15-17 days to get past the hangover period needed for your dopamine levels to normalize.
As far as the 21 day period is concerned, it seems to have first been set forth in a self-help book called "Psycho-Cybernetics", in that book it was postulated you can create or break a habit in just 21 days. This idea took on a life of its own and became a popular concept which was widely circulated despite many contradictory anecdotal experiences. It's just a working framework date so don't get too hung up on it, as @goldenboy noted "...it's not about the number... But it is about how you feel." So to answer your question, NO, after the 'hangover period' you should be fairly stabilized. However, realize as soon as you experience an ejaculation you have effectively reset yourself to start the cycle all over. Staying in the high energized arousal state may require you to forego ejaculations as you continue to enjoy the O-zone of sexual play. This behavior is in accord with Taoist and Tantric practices for preserving/enhancing life force energy and spirituality. Occasional prostate milking is one method to get around the ejaculatory 'hangover' period while maintaining libido and good prostate health. Good Vibes to You !

@shockedwaves, I found that with SR, my confidence got a boost, especially my sexual confidence. [...] Semen retention is not about how long you can go without ejaculating, it is about traveling on a new path and the feelings you experience along the way.

Affirmative! Well said, @goldenboy! I would, too, as @rumel did, add that SR even boosts my life energy and my spirituality. It's like vibrating from energy every now and then every day all day long.

@shockedwaves, I feel, you may be pushing it too much. As @flexxor demanded, "Don't Get Caught Up In the End Goal!"
But don't let us push you neither. Perhaps it's not your time now. On the other hand, your listing above on the long run is a continuous advance. In other cases a convincing sign to stick to something.

As it can't be a matter of age, @flexxor in his twenties, me in my fifties, @goldenboy in his sixties, it may be a matter of mindset.
I believe, reading @flexxor's post through thoroughly some month before implanted a trigger in my mind, without which I would never have found the door to the new dimension of bliss coming with denial.

Today (on day 32 of SR) it gave me wonderful Aless with a rock-hard boner from nipple play in the morning to some crazy giggling and involuntaries along with a very strong erection ending in two super-Os this afternoon. The feeling of bliss coming along with these minutes up to hours of ecstasy is so overwhelming that the seconds of horny excitement an ejaculation gives me already have lost a bigger part of their addictive power. This seems to be what @flexxor meant writing about UNLEARNING:

You have to learn to let go and "UNLEARN" all your previous knowledge of orgasm (through ejaculation), and instead focus on the NOW (current feelings you're getting) and build on them.

Unlearing, too, is the best method to conquer one's weaker self, isn't it? Take a minute to think about this: Is there an inner voice telling you, "hey, don't fuss with SR, didn't I help you all the years to find the easiest way to get some little bliss?" You might want to answer, "yes, but that did never bring us any further, did it?"

It just comes to my mind that only now I understand why I was able to conquer my weaker self yesterday when deciding to go jogging after months or already years of not bracing myself up to go running. I just did overcome my weaker self! And, call me a fool, I blame it to re-wiring and SR.

Good vibes to all of you!

Thanks for the replies - some good advice. I'm a pretty analytical person, and sometimes that does interfere with things - especially this sorta thing.

Other than the day I ejaculated last (Sunday), I've been in a good mood and not caring too much about having to reset. I did have the goal of 21 days, so I'm hoping to get there this last time to check a box to say I did 🙂 Actually, if successful, planning to go to about 28 days - then prob go back to the once per week on average since that worked well in the past for me (basically, just cum once every 4 or 5 sessions).

Always good to try new things. This goal I think made me really pay extra attention to how I feel during sexual activity, and really pay attention to the point of no return. I think I got really good at hovering even closer to it for longer and having good awareness of when I need to stop. I feel like I've taken huge steps when it comes to control and being able to orgasm really hard and know when the ejaculation is coming even before I start to feel tightness and things starting to contract. That has been huge. Without the goal, I might not have paid as much attention to that.

I had sex for 4 hours Saturday (and a 2 or 3 minute orgasm that was one of the best I've ever had with a partner) - I had to stop and slow down a few times during that afternoon, but I felt almost like I was seeing the future. Physically, I didn't notice the sensations of feeling like I was close to ejaculating - it was way more mental in my head. In the past, I was really focused on looking for a physical sensation, but with this journey the last two months, I really feel like it's becoming more a mental feeling which happens a few seconds sooner than the physical signs.

To the journey!

it was way more mental in my head.

@shockedwaves, and because our brain is your mightiest sexual organ, that is what it's all about! This way can be a little frightening from time to time, because it leads to the unknown, making us cautious by nature, but only who dares, can win! I already see you on the winner's road.

Good luck!

Sounds like a discussion I have had on and off with a friend who is also a naturopath. Her conclusion is that for both men and women, there is an optimum amount of sexual activity which is individual to the person which may vary as they age. A little is good, too much is not. Her ballpark figure is twice a week for teens and 20s, once a week for 30s to 50s and twice a month beyond that. All ballpark, because a healthy 62 year old might run rings around an unhealthy 42 year old in that department. But, it should be long enough that you deny yourself some, not give into the first big urge that comes along. And, things should feel full.

As it can't be a matter of age, @flexxor in his twenties, me in my fifties, @goldenboy in his sixties, it may be a matter of mindset.

@chastityisland, thanks for your food for thought. From my point of view the examples above did already disprove age as a main factor and even as a ballpark figure. Playing on words: At least in the evening of day 34 of SR things truly feel full! 😮