Masturbation is a normal activity with few or no side effects. There are plenty of claims which surround masturbation, like going blind and these claims are untrue. Masturbation means when the individual stimulates their genitals for sexual pleasure, which may lead to orgasm. Masturbation is also common among men and women of all ages and it plays a role in sexual development. According to research, it has been found that 60% of men and 30% of women between 55 and 64 years of age masturbate. There are various reasons why people masturbate which include, fun, pleasure, enjoyment and can release their tension. Some people prefer to masturbate alone and others do it with a partner. This article will look at the potential side effects of the masturbation and it will solve the facts regarding the masturbation myths.
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Myths about masturbation
There are plenty of myths about masturbation. Even though there are plenty of instances when the myths have been debunked but they seem to resurface again and again. Most of the claims about the masturbation are not backed up by science. There is no scientific evidence to show that masturbation can cause any adverse effects. Be sure that masturbation will not cause:
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Low sperm count
- Mental illness
- Physical weakness
- Blindness
- Hairy palms
- Shrinkage of penis
- Penis curvature
- Impotence later in life
Some of the couples worry that their relationship can be unsatisfying if either one of them masturbates, this too is a myth. Most women and men continue to masturbate either alone or together when are married. One study has found that women who masturbated had successful marriages when compared to those who did not masturbate.
Also Read: Masturbation Addiction- Full Guide
Side effects of masturbation
Masturbation is harmless. Some people can experience tender skin if they are too rough, but this will heal in a few days. If men masturbate daily within short space of time, they might experience swelling of the penis which is called edema. The swelling will disappears within a couple of days.
Other side effects include:
Guilt
Some people who worry that masturbation will conflict with their spiritual or religious beliefs can experience the feeling of guilt. Masturbation is not wrong or immoral and self-pleasure is no harm. If you discuss the feelings of guilt with your partner or with the sex specialist, can help the person to move past the feelings of guilt which they connect with masturbation.
Sexual sensitivity is decreased
If men do aggressive masturbation which involves a tight grip on their penis, they will experience decreased sensation. A man resolves this problem with a change in technique. Enhanced stimulation can help such as by using a vibrator, which will increase arousal in both men and women. Women who use a vibrator have shown improvement in sexual function while men experienced an improvement in erectile function.
Prostate cancer
It still is a debate about whether masturbation increases or decreases the risk of your prostate cancer. According to a study in 2003 men who ejaculated more than five times each week and are in their 20s were less likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer than those who ejaculated less. Researchers have also found that men who ejaculated 20 times per month or more had a reduced risk of getting prostate cancer.
Affecting daily life
In some cases, some individuals can masturbate more than they desire, which can cause:
- Miss their work or important events
- Obstruct a person’s daily functioning
- Affect their relationships
- It serves as an escape from the reality
If you think that you might be impacted by masturbation practice, then you might speak with a healthcare professional. The doctor might suggest talk therapy to determine some ways by which they can handle their sexual behavior.
Masturbation- Benefits
Masturbation has many mental and health benefits. Some studies have focussed on the benefits of masturbation and this research suggest that sexual stimulation can:
- Release tension
- Reduce stress
- Improve sleep quality
- Boost concentration
- Elevate mood
- Alleviate pain
- Improve sex
- Relieve menstrual cramps
Masturbation has been identified as a tactic to improve sexual health by promoting the intimacy, desires, reduces unwanted pregnancies, it also prevents sexually transmitted infections and transmission of HIV. Masturbation has sexual health benefits mainly for older women like less vaginal dryness and decreased pain while having sex.
Some people might feel embarrassed, ashamed when talking about masturbation. But the thing is that masturbation is normal and there is nothing to feel guilty about it. Masturbation will not lead to blindness or will cause any physical health problems. Masturbation is only a problem when it interferes with your daily life. In these circumstances, it’s helpful to speak to a professional.
Also Read: Does Phimosis Cause Trouble In Masturbating?