Masturbation is the act of stimulating one’s genitals for self-pleasure. Even though masturbation is taboo in some cultures, it’s important to remember that masturbation is perfectly normal for both single people and couples to engage in. After all, it feels good and can help strengthen a couple's relationship, if that’s what they’re into.
However, you might wonder: is it bad to masturbate every day? While some people believe that masturbating can negatively affect most aspects of life, others think it can be favorable.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits and downsides of masturbating daily, and whether it is bad to masturbate at all.
Is it Bad to Masturbate Every Day?
Many people consider masturbating daily as excessive masturbation, but when can we truly say masturbation is becoming excessive? Is it bad to masturbate every day? No, it's not. But here are some signs that you may need to give your boner a breather once in a while.
Compulsive sexual behavior
Again, there is no such thing as excessive masturbation as it varies and depends on each individual. The only time you might reasonably say that you are masturbating too much is if it’s starting to interfere with your daily life.
It could be you no longer have enough time for schoolwork, or you’ve started to neglect your responsibilities at work. You might have even stopped going out with family and friends. Moreover, having frequent thoughts and an unbearable urge to masturbate again could be a sign that it’s becoming “too much.”
It is essential to remember that everyone has different needs regarding masturbation, and what may be excessive for one may not be excessive for another. If you’re struggling with controlling your masturbation urges and how it interferes with your daily life, then it might be time to consult a medical professional or a therapist.
It affects your dating life
One of the downsides of masturbation is how it affects your dating life. Masturbation is sometimes regarded as “object cheating”, this is when you spend too much time and energy on self-pleasure instead of your partner. This doesn’t apply to all relationships. However, if you keep doing it even after your partner voices her complaints, she will view it as a betrayal.
Another sign that masturbating is affecting your dating life is if it is interfering with your ability to engage in intimate relationships. That is, you would rather masturbate to porn than have sex with your partner. Even if you do engage in penetrative sex, you might find yourself struggling to climax, even though you have no trouble achieving it on your own.
Decreased sensitivity
It is possible that rough masturbation can cause temporary desensitization of the penis, making it more difficult for a man to achieve orgasm. This is because frequent or rough handling of the penis can cause minor nerve damage, which reduces sensitivity over time.
Thankfully, this issue usually goes away after some time. You can resolve it by abstaining from masturbation and allowing the nerve endings of your dick to fully heal before you engage in more sexual activities.
If you are experiencing prolonged issues with decreased sensitivity or difficulty achieving orgasm, it may be a sign of a bigger underlying medical or psychological problem. You should have this addressed by a healthcare professional.
It reduces the risk of prostate cancer
On the upside, one study that lasted 18 years and involved 32,000 men found that men who ejaculated at least 21 times a month lowered their chances of developing prostate cancer by 20 percent compared to those who only masturbated four to seven times a month. This is because ejaculation clears the prostate of dangerous compounds that accumulate in semen.
That said, do note that ejaculation only lowers the chances of developing prostate cancer. It does not completely safeguard you from developing it, as many factors contribute to this disease.
Addiction to masturbation
Is it okay to masturbate every day? Anything that you do daily can be addicting, and masturbation can definitely become addictive. Having the urge to masturbate even if your body doesn’t want to, and masturbating in inappropriate places or situations, are some signs you may be addicted to masturbation.
You might find yourself jerking off while driving, while in the office in the middle of work, or really any time and place where you think you can be alone. Moreover, spending excessive time and money to watch porn and feeling guilty or ashamed after masturbating, but still doing it anyway, are also signs you’ve become addicted to masturbation.
This doesn’t apply if you feel guilty after masturbating, despite not doing it often. If you're feeling ashamed, talking to a sexual health therapist or a mental health counselor may help. They can assist you in getting over feelings of shame or guilt.
Is it Bad to Masturbate at All?
Some people believe that masturbation is bad for men's health and dating life, while others argue that it can be beneficial. So, is it bad to masturbate at all?
The truth is masturbation is a normal and healthy stage of sexual development. Though it has many health benefits, you may also want to be aware of the side effects and negative feelings associated with masturbation.
Almost everyone does it for pleasure
Masturbating, and eventually achieving orgasm, increases the body’s hormone levels associated with a positive mood. The hormones dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins all stimulate the reward pathways in our brains. These hormones are why we feel so good after climaxing.
Masturbation is the ultimate form of safe sex
Masturbation is a personal decision that doesn't directly affect other people's sexual well-being, making it the ultimate form of safe sex. You get to explore and pleasure yourself without any worries about getting a girl pregnant or getting sexually transmitted infections or STIs.
Also, the act of masturbating is commonplace and can actually help spice things up with your girl. When you masturbate in front of your partner, you not only help her get off, but you also teach her how you want to be pleasured.
Improves sleep
Ejaculating gives off a pleasurable feeling. Oxytocin and prolactin, among other substances, are simultaneously released into the body when you ejaculate. According to a study in Frontiers in Public Health, the relaxing effects of these hormones can lead to a good night's sleep.
Knowing and familiarizing oneself
The most important benefit you can get from masturbation is you get to know what turns you on and what doesn’t. With this knowledge, you can better communicate your sexual needs to your current or future partner. It is not something that you do for someone. You do it for yourself.
Masturbation according to religious beliefs
Masturbation is viewed differently by different religions, so opinions on it will vary depending on who you’re talking to. Even within the same religion, opinions differ. Masturbation may be regarded as a natural and harmless expression of sexuality by some religions, while it may be viewed as sinful or immoral by others.
For instance, masturbation is typically considered a sin by Christian denominations as it contradicts biblical teachings about abstaining from sexual immorality before marriage. Masturbation is also considered haram or forbidden by some Islamic scholars because it is regarded as a form of sexual self-gratification outside of marriage.
However, not all religious teachings regard masturbation negatively. Some spiritual teachings, such as those in Buddhism and Paganism, actually encourage sexual self-exploration and self-discovery as a means to better understand and appreciate one's own body and sexuality. Buddhist teachers encourage their followers to keep track of their desires to masturbate and how they come and go, while Pagans tend to have more liberal sexual ethics than other religions and are therefore unlikely to condemn masturbation.
Ultimately, whether or not masturbation is considered bad from the perspective of religion depends on individual beliefs and interpretations of religious teachings. Understand your personal sexual beliefs and values before you engage in any type of sexual behavior.
Masturbation may cause irritation to the penis
Aggressive masturbation can cause physical irritation or injury to the genital area. This occurs due to the friction or pressure applied to the skin or tissues during masturbation, especially if the area is not adequately lubricated.
Some signs that masturbation is already irritating your genitals are soreness, redness, swelling, or even cuts on the penis. If you think something is terribly wrong with your penis, immediately seek medical attention.
When to Masturbate?
There is no perfect time to masturbate, as the urge to do it depends on every person. Still, there are certain times when masturbating can be beneficial. For example, if you have gone a long time without having sex with your partner, masturbation can help relieve that sexual tension within you. It can also help you get some much-needed sleep after a long day.
Additionally, masturbation comes in handy if you’re having blue balls after a wonderful first date. What should you do if you didn’t have sex on your first date? You’ll have a hard time thinking clearly thanks to the discomfort in your balls, so jerk off first, and then consider your next move.
Masturbation is a normal part of life that can be beneficial if done in moderation. It can help you and your partner get to know each other better sexually, and can even help you get some sleep. But if your masturbation habits are interfering with your daily routine and with your relationship, then don’t be afraid to reach out to a therapist or support groups for some professional help.
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