History Sexual abstinence

the ancient world discouraged promiscuity both health , social reasons. according pythagoras (6th century bce) sex should practiced in winter, not summer, harmful male health in every season because loss of semen dangerous, hard control , both physically , spiritually exhausting, had no effect on females. idea may have been merged zoroastrian ideas of , evil in philosophy known gnosticism, influenced christian , islamic attitudes sexual activity. others stated christian religion s hold on ideal of sexual abstinence prior appearing of gnosticism , zoroastrianism , root found in old testament (which base of new testament) in virginity required law , marriage protected (see deuteronomy chapter 22).

throughout history, , prior 20th century, there have been have held sexual abstinence confers numerous health benefits. males, lack of abstinence thought cause reduction of vitality. in modern times, argument has been phrased in biological terms, claiming loss of semen through ejaculation results in depletion of vital nutrients such lecithin , phosphorus, found @ high levels in brain. conservation of semen allegedly allows reabsorbed bloodstream , aid in healthy development of body. along these lines, noted german philosopher friedrich nietzsche spoke of positive physiological effects of abstinence: reabsorption of semen blood ... perhaps prompts stimulus of power, unrest of forces towards overcoming of resistances ... feeling of power has far mounted highest in abstinent priests , hermits (quoted walter kaufman in classic, nietzsche: philosopher, psychologist, antichrist, p. 222). before sexual revolution of 1960s, commonly believed members of medical profession numerous mental , physical diseases in men caused loss of nutrients through seminal discharge, , deliberate conservation of substance lead increased health, vitality, , intellectual prowess. applied masturbation, thought lead bedwetting , hairy palms.

some advantages in favor of sexual abstinence claimed walter siegmeister, better known dr. raymond w. bernard a.b., m.a., phd, 20th-century american alternative health, esoteric writer, author , mystic, formed part of alternative reality subculture. in essay entitled science discovers physiological value of continence (1957) states:

[i]t clear there important internal physiological relation between secretions of sex glands , central nervous system, loss of these secretions, voluntarily or involuntarily, exercises detrimental effect on nutrition , vitality of nerves , brain, while, on other hand, conservation of these secretions has vitalizing effect on nervous system, regenerating effect on endocrine glands[,] , rejuvenating effect on organism whole.

historically, there has been swing sexually liberal end of industrial revolution chaste values of victorian period. followed new puritanism late victorian era mid-1900s. important transformation colors discussion of sexual behavior in later 20th century. world war began return sexual freedom , indulgence, more not, appearance of conforming earlier moral values of abstinence before marriage retained. conclusion of world war ii, societal importance of abstinence declined. advent of first oral contraceptive pill , available antibiotics suppressed many consequences of wide , free sexual behavior, while social morals changing. 1970s, abandonment of premarital chastity no longer taboo in majority of western societies, , reverse became true. cultural groups continued place value on moral purity of abstainer, abstinence caught in wider reevaluation of moral values.

during 20th century, prominent feminist , birth control advocate margaret sanger argued abstinence sexual activity led greater endurance , strength, , sign of best of species:

though sex cells placed in part of anatomy essential purpose of expelling them female purpose of reproduction, there other elements in sexual fluid essence of blood, nerve, brain, , muscle. when redirected building , strengthening of these, find men or women of greatest endurance , greatest magnetic power. girl can waste creative powers brooding on love affair extent of exhausting system, results not unlike effects of masturbation , debauchery.




^ uta ranke.heinman (1988). eunuchs kingdom of heaven - catholic church , sexuality. penguin books usa. isbn 0 385 26527 1. 
^ sanger, margaret (29 december 1912), every girl should know: sexual impulses — part ii, retrieved 6 november 2013