The Pros and Cons of Masturbating You Should Know

It’s well known that masturbation, or the sexual act of pleasuring one’s genitals, is common among men and women in the United States. While there are varying opinions on masturbation, it remains a common human experience for many people.

In fact, in a National Survey of Sexual Health Behavior (NSSHB), more than 50% of men ages 16-59 and 40% of women ages 20-29 reported engaging in solo masturbation within the prior month.

Having fun in the bedroom doesn’t always have to be with a partner. Masturbation can spice up your sex life, help you increase performance, build stamina, and so much more. Though there are plenty of benefits of having a grand solo session, there are also some downsides to masturbation that you may find bothersome.

Whether you’re new to masturbation or just curious to know more, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re highlighting the pros and cons of masturbation.

The Pros and Cons of Masturbating

Like anything else, there are both pros and cons to masturbating. The debate may always remain, but we’re here to share the facts on the effects of masturbation.

The Pros of Masturbation

From a burst of “happy hormones” to falling asleep easier at night, there are plenty of pros to masturbating. Some of the top benefits of masturbation include:

The release of “happy hormones”. Ejaculation is linked to the release of “happy hormones” like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. These hormones and endorphins are proven to boost your mood and reduce stress, meaning that masturbation can leave you feeling relaxed and content after your session.

Improved mood. As mentioned above, the release of “feel-good hormones” is shown to help improve your mood. And who doesn’t love being in a great mood? Turns out orgasms can really help you feel your best.

Better focus. Masturbating can be a great way to ensure your daily focus remains sharp. Many people find that after masturbating, they can concentrate better and have more mental clarity.

Higher stamina. If you want to improve your sexual stamina, masturbation is your best friend. Improving your sexual performance can help increase pleasure for yourself and your partner. It can even help prevent or control premature ejaculation and boost your self-esteem in the process.

• Improved sleep. Masturbation is a lesser-known way to combat insomnia. Since achieving an intense orgasm causes your body to release hormones that help you relax, it makes sense why it also helps you fall asleep! This is one of the best health benefits of masturbation for both men and women.
• Release sexual tension. Everyone gets aroused at certain points and may become sexually frustrated if they can’t relieve themselves. Masturbation solves the problem of not having a partner when the sexual tension becomes too much.

Lowers the risk of prostate cancer. According to medical research, the more men ejaculate, the less likely they are to develop prostate cancer. Masturbation can help men avoid the risk of prostate cancer which we think is a pretty amazing health benefit!

No risk of STDs. By engaging in solo masturbation instead of partner sex, you can effectively avoid sexually transmitted diseases. You can still get sexual pleasure while protecting your health and wellness.

As you can see, there are lots of pros to masturbating that outweigh the cons for most people.

The Cons of Masturbation

Now that we’ve gone over the good we should probably discuss the not-so-good. Note: The negative effects of this sexual activity may not apply to everyone.

Addiction. Some people with addictive personalities may become obsessed with masturbating and that prized feeling of sexual release.

Feelings of guilt or shame. Unfortunately, masturbation is a rather taboo subject in many cultures and religions. Some may experience negative feelings of guilt or shame due to their religion, culture, or other circumstances. This can turn people off to the act of masturbation because they don’t want to feel the shame that their religion or culture has placed on them.

Underlying health conditions may make the act frustrating or uncomfortable. Erectile or sexual dysfunction can make masturbation a frustrating experience. Additionally, conditions like anxiety and depression that have been left untreated or are treated with medications like SSRIs may impact one’s ability to feel pleasure during masturbation. Consult a medical professional if you feel a health condition is hindering your pleasure.

Relationship issues. Depending on your partner, you may run into disagreements over masturbation. Partners or spouses may feel inadequate in satisfying your needs. Be sure to openly communicate with your partner about sex and masturbating.

After reading about the pros and cons, you can make your own decision on whether masturbation is right for you! It can be a really great thing for most people and not to mention, finding the best way to masturbate can be a whole lot of fun.

What To Do If You Become Addicted to Masturbation

Masturbation can be a completely healthy and perfectly normal part of your life. However, if you find yourself masturbating several times a day and forming a psychological dependence on self-pleasure, you may be addicted to masturbating.

Excessive masturbation is something that can become a problem for those with high sex drives and addictive personalities. If you notice that masturbation is starting to get in the way of work, relationships, day-to-day activities, or other parts of your life, it may be time to take a step back. Too much masturbation can be concerning for certain individuals but can be addressed using several methods.

Let’s go over what to do if you notice you may have an unhealthy obsession:

Speak with a licensed professional. Speaking with a certified mental health professional or sex therapist can help you talk through your emotions and find ways to move forward.

Avoid consuming erotic content. One of the first things you should do is remove any triggers such as erotic content. Block porn websites and avoid TV shows and movies with overly-sexual content. This will help you avoid unnecessary arousal and the need to masturbate.

Focus on coping mechanisms, such as finding new hobbies. Coping mechanisms can be highly effective for those struggling with addiction. Finding new hobbies and ways to limit downtime can help keep your mind distracted from your urges. Trying a new sport, playing video games, or hitting the gym consistently can be effective coping mechanisms.

Join a support group. Groups like Sexual Compulsives Anonymous can offer you a safe space to talk about your feelings and frustrations. You can give and receive validation that you are not alone in your struggles.

Find an accountability partner. An accountability partner or friend can assist in holding you to your efforts to break your addiction. Find a close friend or significant other who you feel comfortable checking in with about this sexual behavior.

While pleasuring yourself on a regular basis is totally normal and healthy, be sure to be honest with yourself if you feel that you have a problem.

On the brighter side, learning your own body and what feels good can be a super empowering experience. Trying new things beyond just your hands can exponentially boost the positive experience you have in bed.

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We believe in the power of masturbating and encourage you to try it for yourself. Masturbation isn’t something to be ashamed of—it’s normal and healthy for you! So relax, have fun, and let your sexual desire take control.