I think the only aspect of this debate that still warrants inquiry is how the levels of VEGF, or other repair or tissue building hormones or proteins are temporarily mediated by ejaculation in the refractory period. The endless page after page of people replying with one of the two contradicting personal anecdotes is extremely counter-productive, it makes finding any credible exploration of this topic pretty quickly impossible.
The only post in this thread which comes close to addressing this is post#46 on page 4, by surfdude, but this is more focused on a theoretical ischemia-state caused by having an erection. Ischemia triggers VEGF production, which is one of the arguments so strongly in favor of clamping (ischemia = cutting off blood flow for a very specific 5-10 minute interval).
Some light sifting through studies online provides ample insight into hormonal relationships in causing an orgasm, but little data regarding what the endocrine system looks like afterwards. The best I could find was from this study: Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculationNormal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation
"Following orgasm in men is a temporary period of inhibition of erection or ejaculation called the refractory period. This is a poorly understood phenomenon, with some investigators suggesting a central rather than spinal mechanism causing it (28). Elevated levels of PRL (prolactin) and serotonin after orgasm have been suggested as a potential cause; however, there is much debate about their exact role (29). More research is still needed in the area of male orgasm."
Somewhat useful, but definitely vague. Interestingly, we seem to know very little about the role of Prolactin in male bodies. There does seem to be evidence that high levels of prolactin are linked with erectile dysfunction. But also there appears to be evidence that too low of a prolactin level can cause the same not to mention seems to be a hallmark of poor general health. So, only more vague. Serotonin may have some distant effect, but it being a neurotransmitter makes me a little less directly interested (although I don’t doubt there could be a relationship).
But I haven’t ever come across any medically-informed perspective on this or any other forum detailing how ejaculation acutely impacts or modulates VEGF levels. There is also the larger question of how impactful VEGF in particular is upon penile tissue growth, but I personally retain a strong suspicion that this is the most crucial protein bridging the gap between PE exercises and growth signalling.
I’m reviving this thread in hopes to hear from anyone with a relevant medical/endocrinological background who might have insight into what specifically happens in the blood/endocrine environment after ejaculation.
This question remains nagging to me because despite all of the anecdotes or common sense arguments to the contrary, my anecdotal evidence has always been that ejaculation at the end of a session hinders my gains.
Again, not to take over this thread, but I’m hoping only to hear back from people with a medical/endocrinology background so that the thread doesn’t immediately devolve once again to endless coin flip anecdotes.