Masturbation is a normal and healthy sexual activity with benefits and a few side effects.
Many myths around masturbation, such as going blind are mostly untrue. Masturbation is
when an individual stimulates their genitals for sexual pleasure, which may or may not lead
to orgasm. Masturbation is common among men and women of all ages and plays a role in
healthy sexual development. Among older adults, about 63 percent of men and 32 percent
of women between 57 and 64 years of age masturbate. People masturbate for many
reasons. These could include pleasure, enjoyment, fun, and tension release. Some
individuals masturbate alone, while others masturbate with a partner.
There are several myths around masturbation. Even though, many of these have been
debunked several times, they seem to resurface time and time again. It’s important to know that masturbation will not cause:
Blindness
low sperm count
infertility
mental illness
physical weakness
hairy palms
impotence later in life
erectile dysfunction
penis shrinkage
penis curvature
Side Effects of Masturbation
Some side effects of masturbation include:
Guilt
Some people may worry that masturbation will affect their religious, spiritual, or cultural
beliefs. They may in turn experience the feeling of guilt. However, naturally, masturbation is not immoral or wrong, and self-pleasure is not shameful. Discussing feelings of guilt with a friend, healthcare professional, or therapist that specializes in sexual health might help a
person to move past feelings of guilt or shame that they connect with masturbation.
Decreased sexual sensitivity
If men have an aggressive masturbation method that involves tightening their penis, they
can experience decreased sensation. A man can resolve this over time with a change of technique. Enhanced stimulation such as using a vibrator, may increase arousal and overall
sexual function in both men and women . Women who use a vibrator have reported
improved sexual function and lubrication, while men experienced an improvement in erectile function.
Masturbation has many physical and mental health benefits. Few studies focus specifically
on the benefits of masturbation, but research suggests that sexual stimulation, including
stimulation through masturbation, can:
reduce stress
release tension
enhance sleep quality
boost concentration
elevate mood
relieve menstrual cramps
alleviate pain
improve sex
Masturbation has also been identified as a strategy to improve sexual health by promoting
intimacy, exploring self-pleasure, desires, and needs, reducing unwanted pregnancies, and
preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV transmission. Individuals who
choose to abstain from sex or who do not currently have a sexual partner may often
masturbate as a sexual outlet.
