Masturbation is an act of self-gratification that is often looked at with a stigmatic mindset. It is usually surrounded by several myths and misconceptions.
In this blog, we will talk about the act, its pros and cons along with debunking myths and misconceptions associated with masturbation.
Masturbation – What should you know?
Masturbation is an act of stimulating your genitals to achieve pleasure in the form of orgasm. As opposed to common belief, not only men but women also masturbate.
People of all ages and cultures usually masturbate, and this is a normal act of human sexuality. Most societies and cultures still do not endorse masturbation as healthy and rather portray it as a sinful act.
Masturbation has been treated differently across the world and in different cultures, with most cultures shunting the act and asking people not to to engage in such acts.
However, western culture and changing times have made masturbation more acceptable and are spreading messages about the normalcy of the act.
Debunking the Myths
Let us look at common masturbation myths and facts to help you find the right information.
1. Myth: Masturbation causes blindness
Fact: It is often believed that masturbation affects eyesight and might lead to blindness. However, there is no scientific evidence of such association.
The myth is likely to have originated in ancient times to maintain fear in the masses and keep people away from masturbation.
2. Myth: Masturbation leads to infertility
Fact: It is said that masturbation signifies constant ejaculation of semen, which may affect fertility. This holds no truth, and masturbation in no way causes infertility. Rather, regular ejaculation helps in promoting prostate health, which further takes care of reproductive health.
In women, masturbation promotes natural lubrication and blood flow, which is good for vaginal health.
3. Myth: Masturbation reduces sexual performance
Fact: It is a common notion that one should avoid masturbation as it ultimately reduces sexual performance. However, masturbation can improve sexual performance as it allows a person to explore their bodies and understand what works for them.
This self-awareness can enhance the sexual experience with your partner.
4. Myth: Masturbation is only for single people.
Fact: People of all relationship statuses masturbate and the practice is not limited to single people.
Masturbation is a normal and healthy practice for everyone even if you are in a relationship. It helps to understand the body better and enhance the experience.
5. Myth: Masturbation causes mental health problems
Fact: There is no scientific evidence that links masturbation and mental health benefits. rather, masturbation has exhibited psychological benefits such as stressbuster, relaxing mind and body, and elevating mood.
6. Myth: Masturbation is a sign of addiction
Fact: Masturbation is not an addiction but a healthy sexual practice. However, the compulsive act of masturbation may indicate deeper problems. You should consider seeking help if masturbation interferes with your daily routine.
7. Myth: Masturbation can cause depression
Fact: Again, there is no scientific evidence that links masturbation with depression. In fact, for many people, masturbation acts as a stressbuster and helps alleviate stress and improve mood.
The feelings of sadness or depression can stem from the stigmatic behaviour of society or personal guilt.
There are so many others like – Masturbation causes blue balls, How do you know if you are an addict, Prone masturbation poses more serious health risks, and so on.
Look at this video to get answers to all your queries and get to know whether masturbation is right or wrong from a reputed and experienced sexologist.
Health Benefits of Masturbation
Masturbation provides various physical, psychological, and sexual health benefits. It includes –
Physical Health Benefits
Stress Relief: Masturbation leads to self-pleasure which releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones. These help the person feel relaxed and reduce the stress level.
Improved Sleep – Hormonal changes post orgasm stimulate the release of oxytocin which helps the person sleep better.
Immunity – A few studies suggest that masturbation also boosts the immune system. The chemical changes help regulate and improve overall immunity.
Prostate health – Regular ejaculation is known to reduce the risk of prostate cancer as it helps the prostate clear the fluids which can be the centre of multiplication of cancer-causing substance.
Pain management – Masturbation is known to relieve pain and might be a harmless painkiller. It can help in the management of period pain, headaches, and migraine. Although it might not completely stop the pain it can surely counter the intensity and make it tolerable.
Psychological Benefits
Self-Exploration: Masturbation provides an opportunity for the person to explore their bodies. It helps someone to better understand their preferences, desires, and sexual responses which leads to improved sexual awareness.
Increased Self-Esteem: Understanding your own body and sexuality can boost self-esteem and help promote body positivity. It makes you confident and increases the ability to prioritise yourself.
Mood Enhancement: Release of endorphins which are feel-good hormones can improve your mood and overall emotional well-being.
Sexual Health Benefits
Better Communication: Masturbation helps you understand your priorities and choices which further aids in communicating your preferences. Better communication would improve sexual intimacy and lead to more fulfilling experiences.
Reduced Risk of Sexual Dysfunction: Regular masturbation can also help in avoiding sexual dysfunction, such as erectile difficulties and vaginal dryness. It keeps the sexual organs active with required action and maintains sexual health.
Sexual variety – Masturbation helps a person explore their fantasies and desires which can be implemented in the sexual act. The awareness can help improve the quality of sexual acts and make it more fulfilling.
Techniques and Tips
There are a few techniques and tips for masturbation that can upscale the entire act. These include –
1. Right Environment
Having a comfortable space around can make the experience better. It involves having a quiet space to yourself and where you do not have any interruptions.
Things like soft lighting, a comfortable seating area, or a relaxing bath can enhance the experience.
2. Lubrication
Lubrication is an essential part of a solo act. It is a must to have adequate lubrication, which will reduce the friction and increase the sensation, thereby improving the experience.
There are various types of lubricants including water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based options. You should choose the one for you according to your preference and planned act.
3. Breathing and Relaxation
It is important to realise the importance of breathing and relaxing your body during the masturbation experience.
Deep breathing can increase the blood flow to the genitals which further relaxes the body and helps one reach an orgasmic state.
4. Incorporating Fantasy
Fantasinsg about sexual scenarios or reading erotica can engage the mind better and make the experience more pleasurable. You should not stop yourself from exploring and trying new things that might work for you.
5. Mutual Masturbation
Couples can even do it together which will help them in exploring each other bodies. By this means, they can communicate their desires and help their partners to see their sexual reactions and make the experience more pleasurable for both of them.
Experiment with Different Techniques
Masturbation might sound like an act with a set of instructions which remains the same for everyone, however, it is not the case.
Masturbation works differently for different people and you can introduce experiments which can elevate the experience.
Techniques for male masturbation
Various techniques can be employed by men to upgrade the experience.
Hand Techniques: Different hand movements can be used such as stroking, squeezing, or twisting, which can create different sensations. You may also experiment with different speeds and pressures that will tweak the experience.
Edging: It refers to bringing yourself close to orgasm and then stopping just before ejaculation. This act is also known as the start-stop method and helps to prolong the experience and intensify the entire experience.
Toys and Accessories: Introducing sex toys and accessories like vibrators or prostate massagers can make you feel heightened pleasure.
Techniques for female masturbation
Clitoral Stimulation: Women can experiment with different types of movements like circling, tapping, or applying pressure. The clitoris is a highly sensitive area that is responsible for female pleasure and needs arousal and touch to orgasm.
Internal Stimulation: Women can also make use of fingers or sex toys to stimulate the G-spot which can lead to powerful orgasms. One should try to experiment with different angles and speed to figure out what works best for them.
Combining Techniques: Combining clitoral and internal stimulation can enhance pleasure and provide intense orgasms. The best combination can only be decided after certain experimentation.
Frequency and Normalcy
How often is masturbation normal?
When it comes to masturbation, there is no “normal” as it varies from person to person. No set standard can be applied to everyone.
Masturbation frequency depends on personal preferences, relationship status, lifestyle, age, and other conditions. It is crucial to understand that it might greatly vary, and no one should try to fit in a bracket.
Frequency of Masturbation
The frequency of masturbation can range from several times a day to once a month or even less. It could depend on several factors like –
Age: Younger people are more prone to masturbate due to their high sex drive. They have a heightened desire to explore their sexuality, and masturbation might be the choice to do so.
Sex Drive: People with a bad sex drive may tend to masturbate more frequently. It might not necessarily be age-dependent, and anyone could have a comparatively high sex drive.
Stress and Lifestyle: Stress levels and daily routines can also impact how often people masturbate. Some may use it as a stress relief method, while others might be too busy or stressed to masturbate regularly.
Healthy Masturbation Habits
It is important to balance masturbation and your routine activities. Engaging in masturbation in moderation is absolutely healthy to maintain overall well-being.
One should be careful enough to notice if masturbation starts interfering with daily activities including work and social interactions.
Recognizing When It Might Be a Problem
While masturbation is generally a healthy activity, it can become problematic if it starts to interfere with daily life or relationships.
Below are the signs that masturbation might be an issue:
– If masturbation leads to neglect of work, relationships, studies, or social obligations.
– If you experience significant guilt, shame, or distress about the frequency or nature of masturbation.
– If you use masturbation to cope with stress, emotional issues, or boredom.
Therefore, in cases where masturbation causes problems or distress, you should consider talking to an expert and finding out underlying issues and management techniques.
Masturbation and Relationships
It is interesting to know about the role of masturbation in relationships. As opposed to common belief, people masturbate when they are in relationships. Communicating about your desires and preferences can help both partners in a relationship have better sexual experiences.
They can choose to opt for mutual masturbation or even solo sex provided they talk about it.
Mutual masturbation can provide various benefits as it enhances sexual relationships. The benefits include –
Better intimacy – It can bring two partners closer and help them build an emotional bond.
Learn about each other – Partners who masturbate together get to understand each other’s choices and can show each other what and how they like it.
Relaxed encounter- Mutual masturbation eases the pressure of satisfying each other. It helps both partners relax and enjoy the session without any performance anxiety.
Masturbation Myths and Children
Masturbation is a natural process but it might be difficult to talk about it with children. Although challenging, it is important to talk to kids about masturbation to help them build healthy attitudes towards sexuality.
It is crucial to initiate age-appropriate discussions with children. For younger children, you need to help them understand the sensation of touching yourself. For older children and teens, provide more detailed explanations along with focusing on its normalcy and the right way to do it.
How can you encourage a healthy attitude?
Childhood lays the foundation of healthy relationships. It is equally important to focus on sexual health early on to help your children grow into healthier adults. You can encourage a healthy attitude by –
- Using correct terminologies and help them normalise the concept of sexual health.
- Teaching about the privacy of the matter and appropriate settings.
- Ensure children get answers to their curiosity while normalising sexual needs.
Common concerns for parents
Parents may have a few common concerns about masturbation habits. It is important to build a newer perspective and disregard societal taboos and misinformation. Parents can educate themselves and figure out the normalcy and benefits of masturbation to help children address their concerns.
At the same time, do not punish your children for the habit as it can associate guilt and shame with the habit. Rather, work with them and help in breaking the taboos and providing accurate information. The right knowledge will equip them to make the right decisions for themselves.
Moreover, you should encourage children and help them feel confident in their skin. Teach them diversity and acceptance and provide them with a safe and judgement-free space where they can come up to you with their queries rather than falling prey to misinformation.
Is Masturbation Good or Bad for Health?
Although, we have talked in detail about the habit and clearly stated the pros and cons of the habit, let us try to answer the most burning question here.
Masturbation when practised to satisfy your sexual urge and mindfully can offer various health benefits. It improves sleep, sexual health, mood, manages pain and relieves stress.
Masturbating also helps in exploring bodies and finding what works for you along with multiple benefits.
However, things may go haywire when you cannot differentiate between normal and compulsive behaviour. Today’s generation is prone to readily available explicit and becomes habitual or even addicted before they know it.
Moreover, masturbating to escape stress, relationship issues, or routine issues might not be a healthy thing to do.
Therefore, it is crucial to understand that masturbation is a normal and healthy part of well-being and has to be within healthy limits.
Bottom Line
Masturbation is rather natural and healthy and offers multiple benefits. Hopefully, this detailed blog has helped you debunk myths, understand the benefits, explore techniques, and find ways to educate children.
It is vital to be able to differentiate between right and wrong and find what works for you. There is no set frequency or order that you need to follow. You will have to find your comfort by experimenting and communicating with your partner.
Talk to a sexologist if you think masturbation is becoming an issue in your life or is affecting your work or personal life.