Why masturbation could be healthy

GOOD AND BAD SIDE OF MASTURBATION

Overview

Masturbation is a common activity. It’s a natural and safe way to explore your body,
feel pleasure, and release built-up sexual tension. It occurs among people of all backgrounds, genders, and races.

Despite the myths, there are actually no physically harmful side effects of masturbation.

However, excessive masturbation can harm your relationships and everyday life. Other than that, masturbation is a fun, normal, and healthy act.

Now, let’s talk about why people masturbate and why some can present a problem:

* Pure Pleasure: Many people masturbate for the pure pleasure of it. They want to feel good and so they make themselves feel good. For these people, it really isn’t much more complicated than that.

* Sexual Release: Many people masturbate for sexual release. By this, I mean they feel that the absence of sexual pleasure is becoming a distraction to them. They therefore pleasure themselves so they can deal with the distraction and get on with the business of living.

* Treatment: Masturbation can be used as part of the treatment protocol - usually under the guidance of a professional - for example with survivors of sexual trauma, people recovering from experiences that have altered their experience of their bodies in one way or another, people with certain disabilities; some even do it to help them sleep!

* Avoidance: Some people masturbate to avoid dealing with other less pleasurable aspects of their lives. For them, life and many aspects of their life are too difficult, boring or overwhelming to deal with so they disengage from all that by engaging in a pleasurable activity over and over again. Here is where masturbation can turn into an addiction, because it can go beyond pleasure, meeting a need or even choice.

**SIDE EFFECTS OF MASTURBATION

Masturbation doesn’t have any harmful side effects. However, some people may feel guilty about masturbating or have issues with chronic masturbation.

* Masturbation and guilt

Some people may feel guilty about masturbating because of cultural, spiritual, or religious beliefs. Masturbation is neither wrong nor immoral, but you may still hear messages that self-pleasure is “dirty” and “shameful.”

* Addiction to masturbation

Some people can and do develop an addiction to masturbation. You may be spending too much time masturbating if masturbation causes you to:
skip your chores or daily activities
miss work or school
cancel plans with friends or family
miss important social events
Addiction to masturbation can harm your relationships and other parts of your life. Masturbating too much may interrupt your work or studies, which can lower productivity.

Does masturbation cause a decrease in sexual sensitivity?

For women who have sexual dysfunction, enhanced stimulation — including masturbation — can help increase sexual desire and sensitivity.

Masturbation can affect sensitivity during sex for men because of their technique. Research has shown that too tight of a grip on a penis during masturbation can decrease sensation.

Sexual health experts recommend changing your technique during masturbation to restore sensitivity levels during sex.


**Benefits of masturbation

Masturbation is a healthy sexual activity. It has many benefits for your physical and mental health.

There are limited studies on the benefits of masturbation, but there are studies on sexual intercourse and stimulation.

Research and anecdotal reports suggest that sexual stimulation, including stimulation through masturbation, may help you:

*relieve built-up stress
*sleep better
*boost your mood
*relax
*feel pleasure
*relieve cramps
*release sexual tension
*have better sex
*better understand your wants and needs
*Couples may also mutually masturbate to explore different desires, as well as avoid pregnancy.
*Self-pleasuring also helps you prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Masturbation and prostate cancer

Some research suggests that regular ejaculation may lower the risk of prostate cancer, though doctors aren’t exactly sure why.

A 2016 study found the risk of prostate cancer decreased by about 20 percent in men who ejaculated at least 21 times a month. A 2003 study also discovered a similar link between frequent ejaculation and lower prostate cancer risk.

There’s no evidence, though, that ejaculating regularly protects against advanced prostate cancer.

** Masturbation during pregnancy

Hormone changes during pregnancy cause some pregnant women to feel heightened sexual desire. Masturbation is a safe way to release sexual tension during pregnancy.

Self-pleasure may also help ease pregnancy symptoms, such as lower back pain. You may feel mild, irregular cramping, or Braxton-Hicks contractions, during and after orgasm.

They should fade away. If the contractions don’t disappear and become more painful and frequent, contact your doctor right away.

Masturbation may not be safe for women with high-risk pregnancies. This is because orgasm can increase your chances of labor.

** So, how do you stop?

* Cut down on ‘alone time’:
        Even if you are home alone, keep doors open and stay in public spaces. Help your brain begin to understand that things are going to be different.

* Cut out/down on pornography: Masturbation and pornography tend to go together so starve your mind of this fuel.

* Get busy and keep busy:
Do your dishes, work on your project, clean your home, run errands, watch inspiring videos or even listen to interesting podcasts. Do what you need to do to ensure that your mind and body are occupied.

*Reconnect:
Disconnection is key to excessive masturbation so reconnection is key to interrupting it. Engage in projects that bring you joy. Return those phone calls that you had been ignoring, attend those family functions and cultivate new relationships and experiences that add value to your life. Simply put, reconnect with your friends, your family and
yourself.

* Be patient: It took time to get here so give yourself some time to find your way to a better sexual place.

** Takeaway

 Masturbation is like a fork. You can use it as a tool to help you eat or you can use it as a weapon. Masturbation is not the problem; how you choose to use it is what can be the problem. Choose wisely.

Masturbation is a healthy, natural, and safe way to practice self-care and improve your health.

Masturbating may have many benefits for your mind and body. Despite the possibility of addiction, there are no harmful side effects. Feel free to enjoy self-pleasure without guilt or shame.