I want to share my story on semen retention and get some advice.
I’ve struggled with masturbation and lust since I was 13. I’m now 17. I realized early on that these habits were harming my body and mind, so I’ve been on and off semen retention for years. At 15, I started hitting serious streaks, including one of 200 days. Most of the time, I averaged 30–60 days.
This practice genuinely helped me become the man I am today. It fueled my discipline in the gym; at 17, I’ve hit a 140kg bench and a 210kg deadlift. My diet has been clean since I was 15, I rarely cheat, and my relationship with God is strong. School is going well, and on the surface, everything is fine.
However, since February, I haven't been able to maintain a good streak. For the first time in a year, I went back to 18+ content, and it’s making me feel miserable. Now, I’m stuck in a cycle of 7–10 day streaks, and when I relapse, it's always with 18+ content.
It’s frustrating because I’m super disciplined in every other area—no social media, working out twice a day, and eating right—but these relapses are getting to me. I suspect the stress from my upcoming big exams is a major factor, but even knowing that, I still struggle. I want to get back on track.