The connection between sexual activity in men, and hair loss has been posited in both Taoist and Ayurvedic (Indian) medical texts for thousands of years. In a nutshell, it is maintained that excessive emission by men during intercourse or otherwise results in pattern hair loss for those genetically predisposed.
Westerners typically scoff or recoil at this very notion, yet what little data that actually does exist on the subject indirectly lends a modicum of support to the ancient Eastern view. In this update we will resist the temptation to dismiss these claims as ludicrous and attempt to evaluate possible lines of reasoning behind this view.
– In Chinese medicine, which has its roots in Taoism, it is widely accepted that there is a direct correlation between kidney/adrenal health and the health of the hair. They maintain that excessive emission puts tremendous stress on the kidneys.
– Here is a quote from the “Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity” by Daniel Reid.
“When enhanced secretions from the male ‘kidney-glands’ are preserved through properly disciplined intercourse without ejaculation, they enter the bloodstream, travel throughout the body, and prevent hair loss, skin wrinkling, poor muscle tone, arthritis, rheumatism, impotence and other disasters associated with aging.”
Here is another quote from” Taoist Secrets of Love, Cultivating Male Sexual Energy” by Mantak Chia, (author of dozens of books on Taoist practices-)
“With frequent emission of sperm vitality ultimately plummets. The big spender loses stamina, his vision begans to weaken, his hair tumbles from his skull: he grows old before his time.”
In Taoist and Tantra yoga it is maintained that for men, frequent sex without emission, not celibacy is a reliable way to prevent hair loss and stall aging. This practice reportedly releases hormones into circulation that have an anti-aging effect.
There are but few studies in the medical literature by which to attempt to evaluate these positions.
At least one study showed that erotic visual stimulus significantly raised testosterone levels within minutes, and another showed that emission lowered testosterone and raised DHT.
Another study showed emission raises prolactin and DHT, both of which are problematic for hair.
Yet another study showed that even short term abstinence (7 days) raises testosterone by 145% , which could quickly be returned to baseline with 1 emission.
Former pugilists Muhammed Ali, Julio Cesar Chavez, and the late Bruce Lee were all apparent adherents to these practices, and all have/had full heads of hair.
Present day practioners of Taoist yoga (which puts a foundational emphasis on the preservation and cultivation of male sexual energy), have full heads of hair into their 60’s and beyond. Mantak Chia and Stephen Chang are 2 examples.
Here is an article from the Japan Times on the subject:
Lock that zipper to help keep your mane thicker
By MARK SCHREIBER
Asahi Geino, May 17
A significant portion of adult males in Japan express concern over hair loss. Now, perhaps even more so, as new revelations suggest linkage between hair loss and sexual activity.
“We received 1,400 responses to a survey of our members,” says Keigo Yoshida, executive vice president at the Add Hair Zomo Center in Yoro-cho, Gifu Prefecture. “In addition to questions related to frequency of shampooing and dietary preferences, we also questioned them regarding their sexual activities. About 70 percent of the respondents said they ejaculated between 14 to 30 times per month.”
Readers’ indulgence is requested while Asahi Geino delves into a somewhat sticky subject: Can, the magazine asks, any correlation be established between seminal excretions and hair loss?
According to an unnamed journalist who covers dietary topics, although water composes 90 percent of such emissions, their basic ingredient is a protein.
“For a long time men have been advised to take a diet of meats, eggs and other foods high in proteins,” he remarks. “Hair is also created from protein intake.”
Ergo, a new theory holds that excessive ejaculation of seminal fluid may deplete proteins and would impede hair growth.
“Viewed objectively, it (i.e., excessive ejaculation) can result in premature aging, reduced metabolism and thinning hair in males from middle age and beyond,” says Add Hair’s Yoshida. “We’ve found that compared with the older generation, today’s younger men tend to be more sexually active. Even though they boast a robust metabolism, they’re burning up too many proteins. As lifestyles change, so do sexual lifestyles, and that’s why you see more young guys showing signs of premature baldness.”
An unnamed source in the hair restoration business tells Asahi Geino a guideline has actually been developed to discourage overactive libidos from ravaging one’s hairline.
“Using this formula, the ideal frequency (of emissions) can be calculated by taking the person’s age in years, dividing the number by 10, and squaring the result. Thus for a man age 30, the ideal frequency is once each 9 days, and for age 45, once every 20 days,” he explains.
In other words, to assure a shaggier pate, men should bite the bullet, take cold showers and engage in restraint in all things carnal.
“It may be a bit stressful for males in their teens and 20s to stifle their sex urge to that degree,” he acknowledges. “So there are advantages and disadvantages to these guidelines.”
Some men try to have it both ways by supplementing their dietary intake with Zinc. Dr. Hideo Yamanaka, director of the Hibiya Clinic in Tokyo’s Toranomon, advises Zinc be taken in daily doses of 15 to 20 mg.
Indeed, word from the street has it that male performers in adult videos regularly pop Zinc along with multivitamins, so as to aid their anatomy to “recover rapidly” from exertions in front of the cameras.
Acknowledging that quite a few of the adult-video industry’s more illustrious performers have shiny pates, Dr. Yamanaka points out that genetically predisposed male pattern baldness, commencing from the front, may indicate the presence of higher levels of such hormones as androsterone and androstane. Many such men, who also have heavy growth of facial hair, are known for their sexual prowess, but their occupation may be exacerbating their hair loss.
In that respect, truly, a vicious cycle has never been so much fun.
It’s a vicious cycle indeed. If standard sex (not tantric or Taoist sex) exacerbates hair loss, than losing hair over time will reduce your likelihood of having sexual encounters to begin with in the future.
Taoist master Mantak Chia maintains that the conservation of male sexual energy will reliably prevent hair loss in those genetically predisposed, but is less likely to grow hair back that has already been lost.
OUR ANALYSIS
Because Taoism forms the foundation of Chinese Medicine, Herbology and Acupuncture (which actually do have voluminous scientific support) we are hesitant to dismiss this information as nothing more than esoteric flapdoodle. Those who choose to outright dismiss the connection between hair loss and sexual activity because there is” no evidence” should bear in mind there is absolutely no evidence negating this connection either.
On the other hand , there are many wacky theories about what grows hair and one should not indiscriminately embrace any idea that comes along. With that in mind we have presented this update for informational purposes only with no treatment recommendation implications.
For those interested in more information we suggest reading “Taoist Secrets of Love “ by Mantak Chia and “The Tao of Sexology” by Dr. Stephen Chang. You can also visit www.universal-tao.com