Exploring Masturbation: Benefits and Risks You Should Know

An ancient but frequently misinterpreted practice, masturbation is a self-soothing, natural behavior that cuts across centuries and civilizations. Although research affirms that it is a beneficial way to relieve stress and explore oneself, social rumors have long associated this private activity with shame, stigma, and a host of falsehoods.

Misconceptions, such as accusations of corrupt behavior or weakness in health, frequently overshadow its beneficial effects on mental, emotional, and physical health. The reality? Studies show that masturbation offers several unexpected advantages, including better mood and sleep, though moderation is essential.

Are you wondering about its dual nature? Let’s examine the advantages of self-pleasure that science supports and its overlooked disadvantages. 

What is Masturbation?

Masturbation, also known as self-pleasuring, involves stroking and caressing your breasts, vulva, clitoris, and penis for sex. Exploring one’s own body to discover what feels good, where and how one likes to be touched, and how to have an orgasm is a normal and healthy process.

Some individuals masturbate alone or with a companion. While viewing pornography, other people could engage in masturbation. It is common for people of all ages, from young children to teenagers and adults, to masturbate. Even though masturbation is common, outdated stereotypes (such as the idea that it is terrible) cause some people to feel shame or embarrassment over it.

Benefits of Masturbation in Female

In general, women tend to believe that their spouses are more essential than their sexual wants and desires. Many women believe that the need or want to masturbate is improper in some way, or the mere thought of it makes them feel guilty or humiliated due to cultural taboos. Here are only a handful of the many health advantages that masturbating women enjoy:

1. Relieving Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps, which can occur once a month, can cause pain and suffering for many women. Masturbation reduces menstrual cramps by releasing oxytocin and endorphins. These neurochemicals, which are organic analgesics, lessen the severity of cramping and encourage relaxation.

2. Promotes Better Sleep

Masturbation releases tension and hormones, which can help avoid sleeplessness naturally. Many women may not be aware that there is a physiological explanation for why masturbating helps them fall asleep or wind down at night. The ‘feel-good’ hormone, dopamine, increases as you anticipate a sexual climax. The relaxing hormones endorphins and oxytocin are released after the orgasm, giving you a nice glow that promotes sleep.

3. Lifts Your Mood

Masturbation releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to reward and pleasure, which is well known. Masturbation produces a dopamine rush that can improve mood and satisfy and fulfill one. It can be beneficial when dealing with stressful situations or mood changes.

4. Boosts the Libido

Over time, masturbation may boost a woman’s desire. Even when done alone, regular exploration can promote hormonal balance and increase the blood flow to the vaginal area. This incredible excitement and passion for intimacy can positively impact sexual experiences with a partner.

5. Self-Exploration

Physical and mental health depend on an understanding of one’s body. Women can discover their erogenous zones, explore their bodies, and discover what makes them happy through masturbation. Gaining this information might help one connect with themselves more deeply and have better sex with partners.

6. Boost Heart Health and Prevent Diabetes

Masturbation improves cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of type-2 Diabetes. Numerous studies have demonstrated that women who had more orgasms and were generally more satisfied with having sex, whether with a partner or not, were more resistant to type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD).

 7. An Increase in Blood Flow

When women participate in sexual stimulation, the pelvic area experiences an increase in blood flow. This improved circulation keeps the reproductive organs healthy, which may lower the chance of some gynecological problems and promote pelvic health in general.

Benefits of Masturbation In Men

Male masturbation has several advantages, including boosting the immune system, lowering stress levels, and helping infertile couples become parents through sperm donation. A

healthy sexual life includes regular masturbation, which has several positive effects on both physical and mental health. You might not be aware of these advantages of masturbating:

1. Enhanced Sexual Stamina

You can notice that you have less stamina during sexual activity if it has been a long time since you last ejaculated. By relieving tension, masturbating before sex can extend your time in bed. You’re also less likely to experience anxiety linked to early ejaculation if you have more incredible stamina during intercourse.

2. It Boosts Circulation and Burns Energy

A 2013 study indicated that males burn 2.4 calories per minute during intercourse, but there is presently no information on how many calories masturbating, in particular, might burn off. The more “rigorous” and prolonged your masturbation, the more calories you will burn. Masturbation is a type of cardiovascular exercise because it increases heart rate, circulates oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, and controls the neurological system.

3. It Increases Immunity

A study claims that masturbating can improve your body’s resistance to illness. Researchers found leukocytes (white blood cells), lymphocytes, lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the bloodstreams of male participants both before and after they experienced orgasm during masturbation.

4. Enhanced Mental Well-Being

During masturbation, the body releases endorphins and oxytocin into the bloodstream, which have a relaxing impact on the psyche. Additionally, it lets you examine your own body without embarrassment or self-consciousness, which can increase your sense of self-worth and confidence. Masturbation may benefit those with poor mental health since some of the hormones released after an orgasm have calming and mood-boosting benefits.

5. Better Understanding of Your Sexual Needs and Desires

Masturbation is a solitary hobby that lets you freely explore your body without unwelcome criticism or peer pressure. Additionally, it allows you the time and space to discover your interests. You have the option to use this information in your sexual encounters with a partner. Asking for what you want during partnered sex might be made more confident if you “practice” what you enjoy beforehand.

Disadvantages of Female Masturbation

1. Physical and Mental Imbalances

An excessive amount of masturbation throws the body and mind out of balance. One tends to ignore other aspects of life if one becomes involved with it. Their self-esteem suffers, they feel guilty, and they become addicted.

2. Pain in the Back

Back pain is a result of excessive masturbation. The pelvic region is painful and cramping. It causes the pelvic muscles to contract.

3. Traumatic on an emotional level

Depending on one’s culture, religion, and spiritual beliefs, it may cause guilt. Some people think it’s nasty and immoral. It is preferable to talk to a sexologist or confide in a close friend or family member if one is feeling guilty. 

4. Dangerous While Pregnant

During pregnancy, hormonal changes take place. Some women engage in masturbation because they are sexually attracted to men. Pelvic cramps will occur both during and after an orgasm. It can be pretty harmful to the womb since pregnant women prefer to release their sexual tension, which can put too much pressure on them. Therefore, it is preferable to refrain from masturbating when pregnant. For women who are in danger of having a high-risk pregnancy, masturbation is not safe.

Disadvantages of Male Masturbation

While masturbation is not hazardous, it might cause edema, which is a minor enlargement of the penis or painful skin, if you release sperm or masturbate every day. These adverse effects, nevertheless, can disappear in a few days. However, there are more negative consequences of masturbation that you could experience:

1. Prostate Cancer

Excessive masturbation can lead to this dangerous illness. Researchers have conducted several type of studies to determine whether everyday masturbation raises the risk of prostate cancer. 

2. Reduced Sensitivity to Sexual Activity

Vigorous masturbation and daily sperm leakage may reduce your sexual sensitivity. It indicates that you are tightly gripping your penis during masturbation, which lessens the experience. You can solve this problem by altering your masturbation style.

3. Effects on One’s Personal Life

Sometimes, when your desire to experience pleasure increases, you may begin to masturbate more regularly. It could negatively impact your personal life.

4. Shyness in Public

Masturbation addiction can interfere with day-to-day functioning. Many guys who suffer from a masturbation addiction find it difficult to interact with others and at other events. They will refrain from going out and would instead remain at home. Men who have this addiction will do whatever to spend time alone in their rooms. They will offer a variety of justifications for not going outside or interacting with others.

5. Lack of Focus

Men who develop a habit of masturbating more than once a day often become distracted. They will make every effort to avoid work or school. They don’t have the concentration needed to finish their tasks. Over time, this may harm them since it will affect multiple aspects of their studies, jobs, and lives in general.

6. Low Sperm Count

There are some health benefits to masturbating. But it’s only beneficial if you don’t overdo it. Regardless of how fantastic something is, we must use it wisely. Excessive masturbation may hurt a man’s body’s capacity to produce testosterone. It could lead to a low number of sperm.

Conclusion

Masturbation, when done with awareness and in moderation, is a normal and healthy aspect of self-care. It’s more than just the enjoyment of the body; it’s a means of bettering your general well-being, lowering stress levels, and learning about your body. You give yourself the ability to put your mental and sexual health first by accepting it without feeling guilty or ashamed.

Balance is essential in any self-care activity. Exploring your needs and respecting your body is necessary to cultivate self-awareness, calmness, and confidence. Celebrate your close relationship with yourself since it’s a little but important step toward accepting a happier, healthier version of yourself.

• Jun 2019
  Written by Somapika D
• Jan 2025
  Edited by Ankita Sethy