What Are The Potential Side Effects Of Masturbating In Men

Masturbation is a natural part of a healthy reproductive system and is common in several mammals throughout the animal kingdom. Regardless of this, the topic of masturbation is often demonised and shrouded in misconceptions and feelings of guilt and shame. But how many of these misconceptions are true? And on the opposite end of the spectrum, are there any positive side effects of masturbating in men?

In this blog, we will answer all your questions in a non-judgemental and scientific manner and give you all the information you need for a healthy life.

A] The Science Behind Masturbation

Masturbation is a natural and common sexual activity in both men and women. During masturbation, the person stimulates their genital and/or other sensitive areas for sexual arousal and pleasure without a partner. This is a natural and safe way to explore one’s body, likes, and dislikes, feel pleasure, and release built-up sexual tension.

 

During masturbation, your body releases several pleasure chemicals like dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin. Dopamine gives pleasure and feelings of reward and satisfaction during arousal. Endorphins promote the feelings of euphoria and reduce stress or discomfort. 

 

The peak of arousal is called the orgasm. During orgasm, your body releases oxytocin, which is commonly known as the love hormone, and makes you feel relaxed. During the orgasmic stage, you will also notice physical effects of masturbation, like increased heart rate, muscle contractions in the pelvic floor, and the release of semen.

 

B] Positive Effects of Daily Masturbation

Masturbation has several positive effects on the physical and emotional health of a person. These include:

Stress Relief and Relaxation

Masturbation is proven to reduce stress and anxiety and promote relaxation. As mentioned above, during masturbation, your body releases pleasure hormones like endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. An excess of these hormones decreases cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. Many men describe masturbation as a healthy coping mechanism for stress. While masturbation has no direct impact on fertility, reducing stress and anxiety can help to prevent male infertility.

Improved Sleep

Masturbation has been proven to improve sleep by promoting relaxation. Once you reach the orgasm stage, the body releases oxytocin which makes you drowsy. Orgasms not only help to fall asleep faster but have also been shown to improve subjective sleep quality.

Increased Sexual Awareness and Health

Masturbation can be a useful tool for exploring your own body and improving your confidence in yourself. You can explore your sexual preferences, learn your body’s response to different stimuli, and understand what you like and what you don’t like. It can also help you build control over ejaculation and perform better during sexual situations.

Prostate Health and Immunity

Regular ejaculation in males is shown to make the body resilient to many common illnesses by boosting the immune system. Another study shows that regular ejaculation can also help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Men who ejaculated 21 or more times a month enjoyed a 31% lower risk of prostate cancer.

 

C] Potential Negative Effects of Daily Masturbation

Like all things in life, excessive masturbation too has a negative side to it. Potential negative side effects of masturbation in males include:

Genital Discomfort

Excessive masturbation can lead to skin problems near the genitals. Frequent friction caused by rubbing the genitals for pleasure can cause soreness, chafing, or skin irritation. As genitals have more nerve endings, the reactions can be very discomforting.

Guilt or Shame

There are a lot of cultural and religious stigma surrounding masturbation; as a result, many people feel guilt or shame during and after masturbation. While there is nothing wrong with masturbation, these negative feelings can affect mental health. In such cases, it is best to consult a professional therapist. 

Dependency or Habit Formation

Masturbating daily can form a habit that may feel similar to addiction. While addiction to masturbation and sexual pleasure is classified as “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” and not a true addiction, it can have just as devastating effects on your social life.

Reduced Intimacy

Masturbating daily can reduce your libido and desire for intercourse or intimacy with your partner. This can strain your romantic relations with your partner. Desensitisation from too much stimulus to the brain can also affect your personal and professional relationships. 

 

D] How to Maintain a Healthy Balance

Recognising Signs of Overdoing It

While masturbation is a completely natural and safe activity, overdoing it can have serious effects on your daily life, health, and emotional well-being. Hence, it is necessary to recognise the signs of overdoing it and resolving the issue. Missing your college lectures or work, feeling too exhausted to do anything, or avoiding social interactions by being alone are signs of overdoing it.

Healthy Masturbation Practices

Being self-aware about how much is too much and if your personal relations are being affected can help to impose personal limits. Make sure masturbation is a healthy part of your life and doesn’t consume your entire personal and social life. If you are struggling with the habit, engage in alternative activities such as exercise, hobbies, or spending time with friends.

Seeking Professional Help

If masturbation starts to cause problems in your life, affecting your mental well-being, and you are unable to drop the habit, it is best to seek professional guidance. A therapist or a healthcare professional like Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, the best IVF doctor in Mumbai, can help to regain control of your life. Seeking professional help is half the part of overcoming this addiction.

 

Conclusion

Masturbation is a natural and completely safe part of a healthy life. While there are several cultural and religious stigmas surrounding the topic, masturbation has proven to have health benefits like stress relief, improved sleep, increased self-awareness, and potential prostate health benefits. However, without moderation, like all things, masturbation can also cause problems like genital discomfort, guilt, dependency, and reduced intimacy in relationships. Hence, maintaining a healthy balance is essential for overall well-being.

If you are facing problems like male infertility, get in touch with our clinic today for stigma-free and personalised care.