It’s true that masturbation does have side effects, but it’s not true that those side effects include outlandish things like going blind or having itchy palms. Do you know all the real-life health benefits that come hand in hand with self-pleasure? Let’s talk about it.
Masturbation. For years it’s been stigmatized to no end, and this has caused much misinformation, especially among younger adults.
Self-pleasure is a completely normal and totally healthy activity. It’s extremely beneficial when it comes to sexual exploration and crucial for becoming comfortable with one’s own body and sexuality.
People from all different sexual identities, cultures, and areas from around the world masturbate, and there should be no shame in doing so.
Masturbation does come with its own set of side effects, but rest assured, none of them are harmful or detrimental to your health.
The beneficial side effects of masturbating
Unfortunately, there is a lack of scientific studies about the effects of masturbation. What we do know through studies on stimulation and sex, however, is this: Masturbation isn’t just entertaining and fulfilling. If done on a regular basis (or whenever desired) it brings a multitude of health benefits with it.
Research shows that self-pleasure can bring the following side effects:
Stress relief
Masturbation and sexual gratification have been proven to improve sleep, increase relaxation and provide people with an instant boost in mood. It’s all thanks to the feel-good chemicals in our brains that flood through our bodies after we orgasm.
Better sex
Because masturbation helps one explore their own needs and push the limits of their fantasies, it can also, therefore, help improve their sex life. When two people are comfortable in communicating what their needs are during sex, the experience is often heightened to new levels.
Reducing the risk of STDs
Being comfortable with self-pleasure can drastically cut down on your chances of catching or spreading STDs. This one sounds obvious, but it really can be hugely beneficial. Instead of putting yourself in risky situations, it’s never a bad idea to settle for masturbation.
Can masturbation cause loss of sexual stimulation?
The answer to this question is no but it also depends. Research has shown that men who masturbate too forcefully can possibly lose some sensitivity in their penises over time.
But for those that keep things calm, there’s no evidence to show that loss of sensitivity would occur. Experts agree that it’s a good idea to frequently change up your masturbation techniques.
For women, regular masturbation has actually been shown to increase pleasure and stimulation. In 2009, two studies found that self-pleasure through the use of vibrators in men and women increased sexual sensitivity and even an increase in sexual desire.
How much is too much masturbation?
Some people, especially those with addictive personalities can become addicted to masturbation. If self-pleasure or porn watching begins to get in the way of a person’s personal relationships, work-life or mental well-being, it might be time to ask for help.
But most of the time, masturbation even multiple times a week is perfectly normal. How much is too much will ultimately come down to personal preference.
The current most popular ways to enjoy masturbation
Self-pleasure should be a fun and relaxing experience. If you find that you just can’t get into it for yourself, try switching things up a bit.
With a partner
Masturbation with a partner can provide people with an intimate and highly stimulating sexual experience. It can be done with or without pornography, and can actually help you get more comfortable if you’re coping with embarrassment or guilt associated with masturbation.
On live sex sites
Solo sessions while chatting with cam models on live sex sites is a wildly popular and new way to enjoy masturbation. If you don’t have a partner or just need a little extra excitement in your sex life, live sex streaming sites can help heat things up.
Live sex sites let users personalize and customize their self-pleasure, by hand-selecting and chatting with a model or models of their choice. And the added excitement that comes from live sex chats will definitely do the trick of getting you out of your comfort zone and trying new things, which in turn will boost your sex life.
Conclusion
Masturbation has many physical and mental health benefits and any negative side effects are almost non-existant. There are tons of ways for people to thoroughly enjoy their self-pleasure, and the sooner people find their favorite way, the better off they will be in so many ways.
