Masturbation
Masturbation is a normal, healthy part of your sexual development. It involves the use of your hands, fingers, sex toys or other objects to stimulate your genitals and other sensitive areas of your body for sexual pleasure. Masturbation has many documented health benefits. It may reduce stress, improve sleep and ease pain, among other benefits
What is masturbation?
Masturbation is the self-stimulation of your genitals or other sensitive areas of your body for sexual arousal or pleasure. It’s a common behavior among people of all sexes, genders and ages. Masturbation plays an important role in healthy sexual development. It’s a normal, natural way to explore your body, feel pleasure and reach the point of sexual release (orgasm).
Masturbation may involve the use of your hands, fingers, sex toys or other objects. You may touch, press, rub or massage your genitals. You may insert your fingers or a sex toy such as a vibrator into your vagina or anus. You may also use a sex toy or another object such as a pillow to stimulate your penis, vulva or clitoris.
You may also find pleasure in touching, pinching or rubbing other erogenous zones such as your nipples or testicles. You may find the use of a lubricant helps reduce friction while manually stimulating yourself. You may enjoy reading or watching explicit material or thinking about sexual fantasies during masturbation, which can often lead to orgasm. Different people masturbate in different ways. It’s a personal decision, and there are many ways to do it.
Masturbation may be a solo act or it may involve a partner. In addition, it’s normal to masturbate whether you’re sexually active with other people or not. You may think masturbation is only something you do if you’re single. But both single people and people in sexual relationships masturbate.
What are the benefits of masturbation?
Masturbation is good for you. It has many physical and mental health benefits. Studies have shown that masturbation may:
- Reduce stress.
- Relieve tension.
- Improve sleep.
- Increase your focus.
- Boost your mood.
- Alleviate aches and pain.
- Enhance your sex life.
- Prevent anxiety and depression.
Male masturbation
Studies of male masturbation have shown it’s healthy to masturbate and even beneficial for long-term health. One study suggested that people assigned male at birth (AMAB) who ejaculate frequently may have a lower risk of prostate cancer. Ejaculating often may prevent the buildup of cancer-causing agents in your prostate gland.
Female masturbation
Female masturbation has many other proven benefits. People assigned female at birth (AFAB) who masturbate are more likely to have an orgasm during sexual relationships with their partners. Female masturbation can also help provide relief for menstrual cramps. In older people, masturbation may lead to less vaginal dryness and decreased pain during sexual intercourse.
According to one study of married people AFAB, those who masturbated reported:
- More orgasms.
- Higher self-esteem.
- Increased sexual desire (libido).
- Greater satisfaction with their marriage and sex life.
What are the side effects of masturbation?
Masturbation doesn’t have any serious side effects. There are many myths about masturbation, but research hasn’t proven any of them to be true. Masturbation doesn’t cause:
- Vision loss.
- Hairy palms.
- Mental illness.
- Shrinkage or curvature of your penis.
- Decreased sperm count.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Lowered libido.
- Infertility.