IS IT HEALTHY TO MASTURBATE?

Masturbation is healthy because it can help you lower the risk of getting prostate cancer, you get a chance to explore your body, and it boosts your immunity. Please read this article to understand more about masturbation and its benefits of masturbation.

There are misconceptions about masturbation, but when you think of it, masturbation is like sex because they both involve stimulations and may end in ejaculation. Therefore, is sex unhealthy? If sex is good for you, then so is masturbation. The only difference between sex and masturbation is that one is solo-play while the latter is partnered. But the result is the same for masturbation and sex – pleasure and relief. Masturbation is healthy in the same way that sex is healthy for you. Read this article for more information and determine if it is healthy to masturbate.

What Is Masturbation?

Masturbation involves the stimulation of the genitals and other erogenous parts of the body to achieve arousal and sometimes reach an orgasm. It is still masturbation even if toys are involved. The main aspect of masturbation is self-pleasuring.

Myths about masturbation

Laqueur (2003) explained that masturbation has been shunned because it is “secretive, fictive and unlimited.” But individuals need to realize that sexual activity, whether solo play or partner, is all done in private, so there is no reason why masturbation should be condemned.

You have probably heard some myths about why masturbation is bad and unhealthy for you. They are myths because there is no harm in masturbating and the only way that masturbation may be bad for you is if it stops you from being productive. If you cannot perform sexual duties, you expect it will be bad for you because you have a masturbation addiction, like any other addiction. Anything done excessively is usually harmful. Done at the right time and place, masturbation, like sex, is normal. Society has coined some myths to discourage people from masturbating because besides the fact that it may cause them to be less productive if done at the wrong time, it also has hints of selfishness. The following are some myths that are associated with masturbation. They are myths because any scientific facts do not back them. Masturbation can cause;

• Hairy palms
• Blindness
• Impotence
• Erectile dysfunction
• Penis shrinkage
• Infertility
• Physical weakness
• Mental illness

Benefits Of Masturbation

When you orgasm, your body will release a hormone known as oxytocin into the blood. Oxytocin is known as the ‘cuddle’ or ‘love’ hormone. The function of oxytocin also arises during sex if you have wondered why and how people still have sex even during the war. Oxytocin reduces anxiety too. Leonard (2010) stated that people cope with their stress differently, and some masturbate to reduce it. When you masturbate and have an orgasm, you feel less stressed, and you are also happier.

Help Lower The Risk Of Getting Prostate Cancer

There seems to be a connection between ejaculation and prostate cancer. You may ejaculate during masturbation or partnered play. Whichever way you ejaculate, the more you ejaculate, the more you reduce the chances of having prostate cancer. Scardino (2006) explained the relationship between ejaculation and prostate cancer.

You get a chance to explore your body.

Some women have never had an orgasm, but the reason why they enjoy masturbating is that they experience orgasms during solo play. Masturbation is a patience game. You take all the time you need to find the spots that arousal at your own time without pressure to please anyone as you would during sex. Everything you do during masturbation is within your own time. You will get the sex toys when you are ready for them. You will make time to find and touch other erogenous spots. Masturbation may be more pleasurable than partnered sex for some people because you are under no pressure to please anyone. Partnered play may give you pleasure, too, but the bottom line is that you understand your body better than anyone else. Besides, knowing the spots to touch and pleasure may make you a better sexual partner because you can guide your partner in pleasuring you as you wish.

Boosts your immunity.

Buemann & Uvnäs-Moberg, (2020) explained that when you masturbate and ejaculate, your body releases a hormone known as cortisol which strengthens the immune system meaning that your body will be able to fight off some diseases.

Helps you fall asleep

Many issues can cause you to not sleep, from health to daily problems. You know that if you have sex, you get drained and tired you will want to fall asleep. You will have the same results when you masturbate. Orgasm releases chemicals such as prolactin, oxytocin, and serotonin into the brain. The three hormones are connected to feelings of relaxation and happiness, and once you ejaculate, your body wants to relax after being overwhelmed by all the excitement.

Can Make Your Skin Glow.

If you have skin problems, you should consider having sex or masturbating to have a blood rush. Masturbation makes the skin glow because the blood vessels open up, and some people seem to get rosy cheeks after masturbation or sex. The orgasms can help reduce inflammation and makes rushes and pimples less prominent.

Can Help You Last Longer During Sex.

Sometimes men cannot stay longer during sex because they do not have a sexual experience. Trying everything to test your body by masturbating and delaying ejaculation would be best. Solo-pay makes you more experienced.

Conclusion

Some health benefits of masturbation include boosting your immunity, releasing stress, and helping you fall asleep. The benefits that one gets from masturbation cannot be overlooked. You may not be having partnered sex, but that does not mean you should deny your body the chance to have some pleasures. People who masturbate should have no shame in masturbating because human beings naturally have sexual instincts, and we ought to find ways to satisfy our body's desires. Masturbation does not harm anyone. Masturbation may seem selfish to some people, but there is no rule that we must share pleasures. Go on ahead and make yourself happy if and when you want.

References

Buemann, B., & Uvnäs-Moberg, K. (2020). Oxytocin may have a therapeutical potential against cardiovascular disease. Possible pharmaceutical and behavioral approaches. Medical hypotheses, 138, 109597.

Laqueur, T. W. (2003). Solitary sex: A cultural history of masturbation (p. 501). New York: Zone Books.

Leonard, A. (2010). An investigation of masturbation and coping style. In 38th Annual Western Pennsylvania undergraduate psychology conference.

Scardino, P. T., & Kelman, J. (2006). Dr. Peter Scardino's Prostate Book: The Complete Guide to Overcoming Prostate Cancer, Prostatitis, and BPH. Penguin.