Editing Sexual abstinence (section)

==Masturbation==
{{further|Masturbation#Health effects}}
In the 2010s and 2020s, promotion of [[abstinence]] from masturbation for health reasons generated millions of views on [[social media]].<ref name="Hagen" /> The medical claims made were generally unsupported by any scientific evidence, and [[urologist]] Ashley Winter pointed out that voluntary ejaculation is in many men simply replaced by involuntary [[nocturnal emissions]].<ref name="Hagen" /> Unsubstantiated claims included that abstaining from masturbation would "reboot" the brain, increase [[testosterone]], strength, manliness, economic success, and sexual confidence; and resolve problems like [[erectile dysfunction]], depression, and bad skin.<ref name="Hagen" /> Medical experts worried that participation in efforts like 90-day abstinence routines could worsen mental health problems like anxiety and depression, especially for those who cannot complete the abstinence period.<ref name="Hagen">{{cite news |publisher=NPR |title=Masturbation abstinence is popular online. Doctors and therapists are worried |date=February 3, 2024 |author=Lisa Hagen |url=https://www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1198916105/mens-health-masturbation-abstinence}}</ref> Some commentators have also criticized the concept of masculinity promoted in masturbation abstinence forums like [[NoFap]] as [[toxic masculinity|toxic]] and [[misogynist]].<ref name="Hagen" />

Abstinence from masturbation has been advocated by some [[white supremacist]]s since the early 20th century, including modern groups like the [[Proud Boys]] and leaders like [[David Duke]] (who endorses an unsubstantiated [[anti-Semitic]] [[conspiracy theory]] that Jews are using pornography to undermine white men).<ref name="Hagen" />