Masturbation or self-pleasuring involves touching and rubbing parts of your body for sexual pleasure.

Whether you masturbate or not is up to you and only you.

If you do, doing so will not harm you physically. And if you don’t masturbate, there’s no harm in that either.

But did you know masturbation can also help your mental health? 

While masturbation alone can’t treat depression or anxiety, it can relieve some symptoms, such as stress and insomnia. 

So is it all fun and games? Not exactly. Here are some points every man—regardless of whether he masturbates or not—should be aware of.

Health Benefits Of Masturbation 

Masturbation can fulfil your sexual needs with or without a partner still it cannot be the only item on your mental health treatment plan. It can’t cure all but here’s what it can do for you.

How masturbation affects your brain

Masturbation helps your body release a number of feel-good hormones—dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin, testosterone, prolactin.

Research indicates that it also affects the prefrontal cortex of your brain.

Dopamine, endorphins and oxytocin are known as “happy hormones” associated with stress reduction, relaxation and closeness. 

Testosterone is released during *** and when you have sexual fantasies to improve stamina and arousal.

Prolactin is known to influence mood and the immune system. So masturbating can help you feel better when you’re in a bad mood. 

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How it improves focus

Have you heard of post-nut clarity? It’s a situation where your brain suddenly feels focused after getting an orgasm. 

There’s no scientific explanation for this as yet but some people believe that masturbating helps them concentrate better.

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How masturbation helps alleviate stress and anxiety

Some people enjoy the stress-fighting properties of masturbation. The release of oxytocin aka love hormone helps manage anxiety, as a 2005 study points out.

It does so by reducing blood pressure and lowering your cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress. 

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Can masturbation help you fall asleep?

Many people choose to masturbate to fall asleep because oxytocin and endorphin release helps them relax. 

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Can it boost your self-esteem?

Masturbation is a great way to get to know your body better and appreciate it. As you’re learning to enjoy your own body, it can also be a way of practising self-love and boost your self-esteem. 

Will masturbating improve your *** life?

A boost of self-esteem coupled with relaxation can be great for your *** life. Evidence suggests that masturbating can help you maintain a healthy *** drive.

A 2001 study links masturbation-induced orgasm to elevated levels of testosterone in males.

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Side Effects Of Masturbation

While masturbation benefits are proven, some people have had negative experiences. It’s important to remember that masturbating is a choice. It’s okay to dislike the feeling.

Some People Consider It A Sin

… due to religious and spiritual reasons, which makes it a highly unsatisfying act. Some religions are against masturbation and consider it immoral.

Masturbating with such beliefs can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety or a self-loathing attitude. This is why it’s totally okay to abstain from masturbation. 

If you want to address or overcome these feelings, talking to a therapist might help.

Underlying health conditions may cause problems

Masturbation can be a frustrating process for people experiencing:

Erectile dysfunctionLow libidoPremature ejaculationPost-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS), a less-popular condition where individuals who have a ***** can become ill after ejaculating.Masturbating might be difficult for those who have experienced sexual trauma—men or women.

In such cases, it is recommended that you consult a doctor.

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It Might Lead To Addiction

Some people can develop an addiction to masturbation. It might become a problem if masturbation causes you to: 

Skip your choresCancel plans with friends and familyMiss work, school or any other important event

If you feel you’re moving in this direction, direct your thoughts to another activity. Next time have an uncontrollable urge to masturbate, try:

Going for a walk or a runWriting a journalTalking to a friend

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Prostate cancer

Masturbation saves you or puts you at risk of prostate cancer—the results are mixed on this one.

A 2003 study demonstrated that men who ejaculated more than 5 times a week in their 20s were 1/3rd less likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer than those who ejaculated less often.  

But, in a 2008 study, researchers found that men who were involved in frequent sexual activities or masturbated regularly in their 20s and 30s were at a higher risk of prostate cancer.  

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Masturbation Myths

A lot of claims about masturbation are not science-backed. Masturbation will not cause:

BlindnessHairy palmsErectile dysfunctionPremature ejaculationLow sperm countImpotence later in lifePenis shrinkageMental illnessPhysical weaknessInfertilityLow testosterone

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FAQsWhat happens if you masturbate too much?

Frequent masturbation may cause skin irritation but other than that it’s not harmful—physically or emotionally. Use a lubricant while masturbating to avoid any type of skin issue. A lube will only improve your experience.

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Does ejaculating make you weaker?

Not really. Testosterone levels fluctuate immediately after an orgasm but it’s a temporary change and unlikely to affect your physical fitness. 

Does masturbating reduce testosterone?

Masturbation doesn’t have any lasting effect on testosterone levels. 

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Is sperm good for acne?

Spermine, an organic compound found in semen, contains antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory. This is why many people believe it can treat acne. But there’s no scientific evidence that supports the claim. 

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What happens if a man releases sperm daily?

Ejaculating daily does more good than bad. In fact, when a man ejaculates, 8 body parts—testes, *****, vas deferens, prostate gland, epididymis, seminal vesicle and urethra—work together.

In some cases, your body gets rid of old semen to accommodate the new semen. This is called nightfall.

In the end, it all comes down to what you’re comfortable with.

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