Do Masturbation Have Any Health Benefits?

Do Masturbation Have Any Health Benefits?

Of all the topics you are likely to hear being discussed at work, at cocktail parties, and around the supper table with family, masturbation is probably not one of them. Long considered a taboo subject, solo sex is not something that is commonly discussed in polite conversations held in public. According to Martha Cornog, author of the book The Big Book of Masturbation, pleasuring oneself sexually is the second most common type of sexual act that human beings perform.

Controversial Topic

It is not surprising why. Negative messages passed down through the centuries have condemned the practice as being an act that encourages sexual promiscuity and renders a person less able to control themselves. As a result of the messages conveyed to individuals as they grow from children to teenagers to adults, many people feel embarrassment and shame about this controversial and deeply personal topic. Many people do it in the privacy of their own homes but very few actually talk about it. Many animals even do it too so we are not the only species that wants to enjoy our sexuality even when we are alone!

Healthy and Natural Behavior

Various studies on the incidence of self-pleasuring have shown that almost every male masturbates, while approximately 82 percent of women do, dependent upon age. For men, age does not really matter as researchers believe the percentage is close to 100 percent, although some men are not willing to admit to it. For females, age plays a bigger factor. According to a study done in 2010, 30 percent of females in the age group of 60 to 69 were still masturbating regardless of whether they were in intimate relationships or single.

Self-pleasuring is a healthy and natural way to learn more about your body and to find out what feels good to you. By teaching yourself about pleasure and learning how it feels to bring yourself to climax, you will be able to communicate your needs to your sexual partner.

Masturbation is a normal behavior and form of sexual expression for both sexes. It is an important way of validating your sexual self and should not be something you feel dirty, bad, or guilty about doing. Making masturbation a part of your natural routine may lead to a happier and healthier you.

Health Benefits for Both Sexes

The most surprising aspect of masturbation is that it offers plenty of health benefits for both males and females. It is believed to promote the release of neurotransmitters in the brain called endorphins. Often described as being “feel good” chemicals, endorphins bring about happy and positive feelings that can lift a person’s mood and fend off depression and stress overload.

Masturbation also has these benefits:

-produces oxytocin, which is a chemical that acts as a natural type of pain reliever
- natural tension and stress reliever
-reduces muscles aches in the body, as well as headaches
- is a form of relaxation for both the body and the mind
-offers a sexual outlet for those who are not having sex regularly (or not at all)
- improves the work of the immune system
- provides a boost to energy levels
-acts as a natural sedative for sleep
- strengthens muscle tone in the pelvic floor, as well as the sex organs
-safest form of sexual release that will not lead to unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s)
-leads to better sex as each partner knows what is stimulating to them

For Women

There are other possible health benefits for women that masturbating brings with it. These include:

- combats the physical and in some cases, the emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- relieves the pain (cramps and back pain) that accompanies menstruation by promoting a more steady blood flow to the pelvic area
- builds a stronger resistance to acquiring yeast infections
- provides women the opportunity to understand and explore their bodies, in order to know what they will enjoy when they are engaged in sexual activity

For Men

Masturbating offers other potential health perks to males. Here are those benefits worth knowing about:

- keeps semen healthier because it flushes out the male genitals
- may prevent premature ejaculation by training a man to control his orgasms on a solo basis
- may help to prevent prostate cancer because chemicals that cause this disease can build up in the prostate gland if ejaculation does not take place regularly
- is enjoyable and offers release when the opportunity to have sex is not available (lack of a partner or partner is not in the mood)

Masturbation offers an ample array of benefits to both males and females. Frequently engaging in solo sex can improve the health of your genitals and can make you feel better about your body and how you express yourself sexually.

Posted by Melanie Mendoza on Sunday August 17 2014, 3:13 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0