posted 03-30-2003 04:56 AM            

Please. Of course you first got acne when you started to masturbate, it's a process called puberty...

posted 03-30-2003 06:45 AM            

MYTH: Sex affects acne

FACT: Scientifically, to date, there has been no evidence of this. However, there has been some information posted that increased sexual activity can deplete the skin with the nutrients that it uses to break down the skin oil. Without the ability to break down (thin) the skin oil, acne will result. Although this has not been scientifically proven as of yet, you should monitor your own experiences.

I hope this report "hit home". Use this information to empower yourself.

posted 03-30-2003 11:37 AM            

I have noticed no difference whatsoever in my acne whether I've masturbated or not. Never.

However, the above point in correct. Semen is very rich in zinc and zinc is used by the body to create a strong immune system (to prevent bacterial infection) hence why it is often recommended for acne sufferers.

Also, if somebody thinks masturbation might cause acne then if they do masturbate (and let's face it, everybody is gonna sometimes... atleast the majority of guys) then they're gonna stress about it and end up causing more acne.

Hmm, just thought of something, I read in a nutrition book that the average ejaculation robs a man's body of 3 grams of zinc. Seeing as the average intake of zinc per day is 9 grams, a man who masturbates more than once daily is really heading for trouble as far as this mineral is concerned.

posted 03-30-2003 01:49 PM            

I'm a 17-year-old male. My acne started in 7th grade, and I started to get cysts and pustules right off the bat. Not a lot, but nevertheless. Around 3 or so years ago, I started masturbating. At first I made no connection between my acne breakouts and masturbation, and I'm not even sure if there was a connection... back then. I'd say about 2 years ago, I, being the over-observant and precautious freak acne made me, began to wonder if maybe ejaculating had a link to my acne breakouts, because they seemed to happen hand-in-hand.

Desperate for a solution, I stopped masturbating. Problem solved, right? I thought so. However, 2 weeks later, I had a "nocturnal emission" (fancy word for wet dream). Within a day I was broken out, pretty badly too. It happened again, and again. I thought I was solving the problem by not masturbating! I was dumbfounded, and I began to think that I was screwed: "Masturbation = breakout; Don't masturbate = inevitable wet dream = breakout." That's what happened too, about every 2 weeks I would ejaculate in my sleep, and within 24 hours I would have a severe breakout (cysts, pustules, the whole bit).

So I knew my problem, but how to fix it was beyond me. I tried not thinking about anything sexual, resisting any urge to masturbate, and I did pretty well. Like HongKongers said, I found out that my mental strength was through the roof, and I could tolerate any urge and kick it clear out of my mind. I didn't want to breakout, simple as that, and I was going to do anything I could to stop from. But no matter how hard I tried, no matter WHAT I did, I still managed to have those damn nocturnal emissions, and for good reason. For what I didn’t know at the time is that the male body produces somewhere around 2,000 sperm a minute, whether you have masturbated recently or not. Nothing can change this cycle, its nature’s hard-wired routine.

But say you DON’T masturbate for lets say… a week, maybe two. Your testicles are still making all that sperm, where’s it all going? It’s not staying in your body, that’s for sure. Once your body has reached its limit to how much sperm it can store, any excess is released. How, you ask? You guessed it: wet dreams. See, wet dreams aren’t only for those just entering puberty, they’re for anyone who does not masturbate for too long. Your body simply cannot stop making sperm, and it certainly cannot hold all that excess it makes. So it gets rid of it, in the easiest fashion possible. The only problem is, is that for some of us, ejaculation causes us to breakout. So I didn’t know what to do, I thought I would forever have to deal with this problem. I thought about every alternative, I thought “well… maybe its not me ejaculating that is causing the breakouts…” And believe me, I expended every… and I mean EVERY possible cause. Ejaculation = breakout. Simple. Unforgiving.

But then I started to notice something. Sometimes, for whatever reason, I would have nocturnal emissions in succession, about every other night. I noticed that the first one would cause me a severe breakout; but two nights later when I had another one, that one left me with a less severe breakout. And so on. This got me thinking, and a few ideas came into my mind. Having expended every alternative, and extremely desperate to try anything (knowing my situation could not get any worse), I experimented. My reasoning was this: “If the closer together I had these ejaculations and the less severe my breakouts got… why not make it so I ejaculate as often as these dreams? And maybe… just maybe, I can get my breakouts to eventually cease.” I started masturbating every other day.

To say the least, my experimentation worked, and my breakouts became less and less severe until about a week later, I was masturbating with no “recoil” from my skin at all. I was amazed to say the least. I beat the problem! This was last year, around September. Since then my breakouts have become few and far between, and not too severe when I do get them. As happy as I was, this didn’t stop me from fine-tuning my results to my liking. I experimented ejaculating everyday… but that made me breakout. So I tried every 3 days also, which didn’t seem to make a difference between that and every other day, so I stuck to every other day and have ever since.

I can now safely say, months later, that my moderate to severe cystic acne (amplified by a failed and cut-short Accutane course) is on its retreat. My face rarely breaks out (knock on wood), and all of my scars are well into their healing stages.

Now like I said I am 17, and this is around the time that acne starts to make its natural retreat in some people anyway. COULD all this just be one big coincidence? I won’t lie, it could be. It could. But then again… maybe it isn’t. I’m neither a doctor nor a dermatologist. I’m only a concerned and observant acne sufferer. I cannot give you medical studies that give support to my testimony. I can only share my story and experiences and have you read them. Take my story with a grain of salt. What happened to me doesn’t happen to everyone, and what I did to solve it will not work for everyone either. All of our bodies are different, and no one knows your body as well as you do. Which brings me to my next topic…

Who gave these overly ignorant people the right to tell us that there is no link between sex/masturbation and acne? I guess they’re all doctors right? Probably. Not. Now I could explode right about now, because I have read just one too many “Dr. Joe Schmoe says that there’s no way ejaculation can cause breakouts, it violates the biological chemistry in the molecules of the atmosphere blah blah blah” posts/replies. I’m sure my sarcasm doesn’t go overlooked. The point is… I’m tired of it. What do you people think we’re all in on a conspiracy? That we all get together and try to throw in this so-called radical theory that sex causes us to breakout? It’s not that out-of-this-world, for your information. If it doesn’t happen to you, FINE! Be happy. Throw a party. It doesn’t matter what you do, but don’t tell ME that I’m wrong. We’re all just as self-conscious about this disease as you are. If there somehow were an alternate cause, it would have been found already. I can’t tell you what exactly causes me to breakout when I ejaculate, like I said, I’m not doctor by any means. But neither are you. Got that? Is that so hard to understand?

And Doolittle… you know that you “did little” to prove your point? You’re asking for scientific proof? Tell me… where’s the scientific proof that states that gravity exists? Search all you want, you’re not going to find it. To be quite honest, Astronomers and Scientists alike to this day simply have no idea why gravity exists. They can only measure it and study its effects. One of the smartest brains of our time, Isaac Newton (the man responsible for inventing calculus), said “I frame no hypothesis” when it came to the existence of gravity. He knew it existed, but he had no clue why. Since then nothing as changed. So I guess that means gravity doesn’t exist, right? Surely we can’t prove it to you, so why should you believe it? What’s that? Gravity does exist? Wait a minute… you’re telling me that we just have to accept some things because that’s just the way they are and there is no “scientific proof” to support it yet? No way! What a concept! Weird.

Oh, and these “ignorant clichés” you speak of? Ignorant: that’s a funny word. Let’s look up the definition:

ig·no·rant [ ígnrnt ]
adjective

1. lacking knowledge: lacking knowledge and education in general or in a specific subject
2. unaware: unaware of something; ignorant of the danger
3. resulting from lack of knowing: caused by a lack of understanding or experience; an ignorant mistake

Lack of understanding or experience… hey that sounds familiar! You want to know I think? Over the past couple of years I’ve seen the number of people coming forth about this subject slowly rise. This is good, because now more people are starting to go against what the majority is telling them. And its not just Dr. Doolittle here, this goes out to everyone who thinks just because when THEY ejaculate and THEY don’t breakout that therefore everyone else is wrong. Ignorance is bliss friends. Remember that. And you’re the ignorant ones, not us. You see a post saying anything to the effect of sex equaling breaking out and instantly you want the proof and/or you don’t believe it. Instantly! Webster couldn’t find a better example than you guys for the definition of ignorance.

I’m not trying to change your minds here, because I’m almost positive I haven’t. I wouldn’t be surprised if years from now you guys are still looking for that scientific proof you speak of; but by then they may have found it. Think about that. All I ask is that everyone just leave your mind open to stuff like this. So what if it doesn’t happen to you. Consider yourself lucky! But that doesn’t mean to other people it may be a reality.

So, in closure (man I really made this longer than I intended... but I had to), I hope that I helped some people out there with my experiences. I hope what I did works for you. There is no saying it will, but I had to give it a shot. Good luck and have a nice day. Later.

- MachOneMustang -

[This message has been edited by MachOneMustang (edited 03-30-2003).]

[This message has been edited by MachOneMustang (edited 03-30-2003).]

posted 03-30-2003 05:03 PM            

I'm glad we don't all think the same here, it wouldn't be quite so entertaining!!

posted 03-30-2003 07:04 PM            

quote:

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But say you DON’T masturbate for lets say?a week, maybe two. Your testicles are still making all that sperm, where’s it all going? It’s not staying in your body, that’s for sure. Once your body has reached its limit to how much sperm it can store, any excess is released. How, you ask? You guessed it: wet dreams. See, wet dreams aren’t only for those just entering puberty, they’re for anyone who does not masturbate for too long. Your body simply cannot stop making sperm, and it certainly cannot hold all that excess it makes. So it gets rid of it, in the easiest fashion possible .

---

posted 03-31-2003 10:57 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Tomata:
If you're really concerned, take a multivitamin each day (iodine free) to replace what you have "lost".

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posted 04-01-2003 04:19 PM            

Tomata, you’re coming off like I was attacking you. Sorry, but you were the one who said that we were all “silly” and that this whole topic was based around “one of those old wives tales.” In your initial reply, you mentioned nothing to the effect of hormonal acne being the culprit. It seemed you were more interested in putting this “myth” to rest. You drew the battle lines; I only defended my side of the story. And yes I have heard of hormonal acne and I understand its effects; but this does not point the finger at masturbation and relate it to the cause of breaking out. My reply talked about a direct (or some how linked to) correlation between ejaculation and breaking out, as I said I would break out within 24 hours or so after. And besides, did I not say that I am no doctor and cannot prove any of my theories to you? I even stated that all this could be one big and eerie coincidence, but I cannot prove it. Just like I cannot prove that my theory is true. Please, tell me if I am out of line here.

Doolittle, I know you were only stating your opinion, and if that’s all you meant for it to come off as, I apologize. But coming off sarcastically saying “And the scientific evidence to support this theory is where…” sure sounded to me like you had discovered for yourself that there was no link between the two. Then you went on to explain that the reason we get acne in the first place is because of this thing called puberty. Thank you. I think we knew that one. Sarcasm… not needed.

HongKongers, I’m not quite sure all you were trying to say up there in your replies but I think I got the jist of it. You say that sperm storage cannot reach a limit. I’ve never heard that before, and it may very well be true. If that’s the case, what I would like to know is why I only got wet dreams when I didn’t masturbate for long periods of time. Since I started my every-other day deal, I haven’t had any… which is proof I only got them because I didn’t masturbate. What it could’ve been is that my body was more at of a lack of the feeling rather than “reached its limit” for production. That could be what happened. When one doesn’t masturbate for a while, the opposite sex because 10x more appealing and you notice a lot more things about them. Is it true or is it just me? I was not making my own assumptions, however, when I said that I got nocturnal emissions because the “sperm level” reached its limit. I did read that, and in more than one place; but you may very well be right with your story.

As far as what Aktick said about his camping trip and the reduction of breakouts when we have a “natural high,” I could not agree any more. This past summer I went down the shore with a friend for a week. I was reluctant to go because I feared I wouldn’t keep up with my stringent and long-routine acne regimen (what nights to apply creams, gels, take pills, etc.). So I took everything. All my medicine went into my suitcase, including more than enough pills to last me a week. Did I keep up with my regimen? Hell no! I think I washed my face once when I was down there, and I never even opened the bag that had all my topicals in it. I was SO lazy down there I rarely even took the pills I brought. And you know what? I didn’t care. I was having the time of my life; not a care in the world at all. Despite all of this, I noticed a reduction in the severity of my breakouts, and even noticed some clearing up! I was excited nonetheless… but amazed at the same time.

I also agree with Angry Green Hippo when he says that masturbation causes a fluctuation in some hormones. I have read that before. This goes along with what PizzaFace666 said that ejaculations cause already unstable hormonal levels to get even more out-of-whack. What makes some people more prone to these fluctuations and more likely to break out is beyond me. It could be genetic, which would explain why not everyone breaks out after they ejaculate. Makes sense to me.

I’m not here to make enemies; I’d like to think we’re all in this together. We all must deal with this disease, that’s the reason we’re here in the first place. To change everyone’s mind and brainwash them was not what I came here to do (although I can’t say the same for some of you). I think everyone must admit that in the past this topic has been argued somewhat… make that a lot… biased. What I have seen in the past is someone starting to hint to this theory and the only replies it gets are put-downs and rejections. That has to stop. My only purpose was to try to level out the battleground so people like me, who do in fact encounter this problem, have more of a chance at seeking resolutions to it. I’d like to think I solved my own problem, but as I said before and I’ll say it again, this may not be the case.

This is one of those topics that until it is absolutely, positively, without a doubt proven by a well-respected organization, people will argue it. And even when (if it ever is) proven, people will argue it. Take for example “The Flat Earth Society.” Try telling them the Earth is round. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, that’s America. My only request is that don’t be so ignorant (yes, I said it) to push yours upon others, especially when you have the approval of the majority. None of us are doctors, dermatologists, or experts at the human body. I’m sure some of us would like to think we are, but the truth is we aren’t. I just hope I can finally and for the last time let people know that masturbation/sex DOES have a sometimes-serious effect on SOME people’s acne. Not everyone, I didn’t say that, only SOME. But a problem isolated to a select group of people should not be regarded as irreverent. Right? Put yourself in the shoes of those you accuse (check out my rhymin’ skillz) of not knowing what they’re talking about, that’s all I ask. Talk you guys later.

posted 04-02-2003 07:18 PM            

I hope that this thread has made some difference in the way people reguard this subject, as they can see theres actually some scientific backing to our suspicions. Finally.

Oh and Kopoli, something I forgot to mention last time. Yes, I would opt to not masturbate if I kept my skin clear. As you can see I already tried that. Guess you didn't read my initial reply. When you go through a case of acne as severe as mine, you would do just about anything to get it to clear, including getting rid of sexual desires. That's just some of the psychological damage this disease is responsible for. If you only knew.

Quick note: why were the views to this page reset? They were up to around 500+ and then went to 0. Does that happen regulary? Is it a glitch or what?

Once again, Tommyboy73, thank you. See you all later everyone.

posted 04-03-2003 01:00 PM            

This is from the Men's Sexual Health Board:-

In general, wet dreams are an automatic process consequent to the build-up of sexual "tension". Whether that actually corresponds to the filling to "overflow" of the seminal vesicles, or is instead a function of "need" in the brain itself, is moot, and I'd guess "a little bit of each".

So, it is certainly true that in general, guys have (much) fewer wet dreams if they masturbate or have sex with others often enough, but equally, they may "drop off" in frequency if he has no sex or masturbation at all over an extended period (this may also be an indicator of depression), and he may get them even if he is having a whale of a time with an exciting partner - demonstrating that he is really turned on!

So obviously, the "sexual tension" which I mentioned, is not just a "so much per day/ week" build-up, but a matter of (opportunity for) stimulation.

posted 04-03-2003 05:12 PM            

quote:

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So, there you have it. Also, I read that if semen is not released and a limit is reached it is broken down back into the nutrients which created it. Recycled in effect. That would explain why some guys don't get wet dreams even if they don't masturbate, hence no 'release' happens, yet they don't well, burst.

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posted 04-04-2003 12:02 PM            

Matt M, I believe your information is true. I'm convinced. I guess I was wrong in my initial reply about the semen limit, but hey, if we knew everything there is to know we wouldn't be here. Right?

Charlesxavier, I understand where you're coming from, but you got to understand this. Not everyone who has acne is affected by this minority-cause. That's all it is; it only affects some people. I wish I knew why, but I'm one of them, that’s for sure. You cannot take one example and relate it to a group, that’s all.

Unfortunately, acne by itself is hard to get rid of. But to make matters worse, it seems many outside influences can have an affect on it. Going back to what Atkick said and the stress-free environment enabling him to clear up, it seems even the normal day-in and day-out stress can put a hold on things. That's really not fair if you ask me (not like complaining is going to get me anywhere), but we are just ordinary people here. If we stress out over something... we break out. If we eat something our body doesn't appreciate... we break out. If we masturbate... we break out. Don’t get enough sleep? You’re skin will show it. Once again, so I don't get any conflicting replies to this, these statements are only from my experiences. I know for a fact even slight stress wrecks havoc on my skin, and so does food... sometimes. And then the thing is, I think “Great. I’m stressing out and now I’m gonna break out,” which makes me stress out even more! Masturbation I'm 100% sure did affect my skin... why it doesn't now is still a mystery to me. And if I don’t get enough sleep my skin looks “worse” than normal. Ya know... we're not robots here (I’m venting here, if it hasn’t become apparent… try not to listen to me fully ). It's not fair that we have to mold our entire lives around this damn disease. For me, it's always in the back of my mind and I am constantly thinking about my skin. Throughout the day, as I make my normal daily decisions, I always see it running through my mind: "Will this affect your acne?" And I usually make my decision based on the answer. It’s a shame the stuff I have missed out on because of my skin. They say the skin only veils the soul, but it also imprisons it. The psychological damage this disease does to us is incomprehensible, and I only hope that it can be reversed once we get rid of it. We're not machines for God's sake! Give us a damn break, Mother Nature. Stop making it so damn hard for us to rid ourselves of this disease! Soon they’re going to find out breathing, blinking your eyes or drinking water causes severe breakouts. And you know what, I wouldn’t be surprised one bit! Everything affects our skin. Everything! It’s just not fair.

Sorry, but sometimes I just got to let that stuff out. Much thanks going to PizzaFace666 for starting this post, it has helped me and hopefully others out a lot. Let's keep it going!

- MachOneMustang -