Is daily masturbation bad for your health?

Masturbation, or the act of stimulating your own genitals, is one of the safest ways to explore your body, feel pleasure. Not only this, masturbation comes with umpteen mental and physical health benefits. If done with awareness, it can result in releasing feel-good vibes within one’s body.

Masturbation carries with it no risks of STDs or STIs and can also help you in understanding your body better. However, there are many myths related to masturbation. If you have been wondering, “Is masturbation healthy?”, “how often should you masturbate” and “Is masturbation good for you”, we have all your answers right here.

What is masturbation?

Masturbation is the act of self-pleasuring, where your touch and even rub your genitals or other sensitive areas of your body, in order to get sexual pleasure. “Any activity that involves connecting, physically touching, or caressing your erogenous body parts (which may or may not include your genitals) can be considered masturbation,” explains physiatrist and sex expert Dr Madhura Samudra. The most common form usually includes fondling of the genital regions (namely the penis in the males or clitoris in females), insertion of a finger or some object within the vaginal canal leading to orgasm. Many people masturbate on a daily basis. This study, published in Springer, revealed that 27 to 40 percent women and 41 to 65 percent men masturbated in a period of one month in the US. 

Is masturbation safe if done on a regular basis?

Yes, it is safe. Masturbation is said to have no physical or emotional disadvantages. There is no scientific data that suggests that masturbation is bad for your health, even when indulged in daily or more than once a day. In fact, it is a safe and free method to experience sexual pleasure and connect with your own body. The International Society of Sexual Medicine states that there is no fixed number when it comes to frequency of masturbation.

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Benefits of masturbation

Is masturbation healthy? Yes it is. There are many benefits of masturbating regularly. Masturbation leads to better sexual outcomes and greater satisfaction. A study, published in the journal Sexes, suggests that frequent masturbation led to better orgasms. Masturbation also leads to a reduction in overall stress levels, and improved cardiac function and sleep. Sex and masturbation release oxytocin, which helps to keep stress at bay, reports this study.

In females, masturbating during their menstrual cycle can alleviate cramps and symptoms of menstrual syndrome like mood swings, bloating, cravings, etc. There is also no risk for pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections with solitary activities like masturbation.

Myths regarding masturbation

Years of conditioning and ill perceptions towards masturbation in various parts of the country have led to various myths about masturbation. There are cultural beliefs related to loss of semen leading to weakness and loss of energy, and these have led to misconceptions about masturbation in general.

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How to be safe while masturbating?

it is very important to make sure you are masturbating in a safe manner. Make sure to wash your hands, before you start. If your hands are not clean, it could lead to an infection. Make sure your nails are trimmed. Also, be very careful while selecting a lubricant. It should be one that suits you, and you have used before. Besides this, it is also very important to make sure any objects or sex objects that you are using are clean as well. It is also very important to urinate after masturbation as it helps clear out any bacteria, especially in case of female masturbation.

Conclusion

A better understanding of our own bodies can lead to confident and well-informed people. With improved sex education and the creation of non-judgmental spaces for conversations around masturbation or sexual activities, we will be able to see greater awareness and a lessening of stigma around these topics.