From the Guidelines
Masturbation is a normal and healthy sexual activity that can be beneficial for individuals of all genders, with potential benefits including stress reduction, improved sleep, and better understanding of one's body and sexual preferences. According to the most recent and highest quality study, 1, any kind of regular stimulation, including masturbation, would likely be of benefit for improving sexual response, regardless of the stimulation. This study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2018, provides guidance on addressing sexual problems in people with cancer and highlights the importance of discussing sexual health and dysfunction with patients.
Benefits of Masturbation
- Stress reduction
- Improved sleep
- Better understanding of one's body and sexual preferences
- Release of sexual tension
- Help with menstrual cramps for some women
- Contribution to prostate health in men
Important Considerations
- Masturbation is generally safe and does not cause physical or mental harm, contrary to some myths
- If it interferes with daily activities, relationships, or causes physical discomfort, it may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider
- Privacy and personal hygiene are important considerations when engaging in this activity
- Some people may experience feelings of guilt or shame about masturbation due to cultural or religious beliefs, but from a medical perspective, it is considered a normal part of human sexuality
Guidance for Healthcare Providers
- Pediatricians and other primary care clinicians can explore the expectations of parents for their child’s sexual development while providing general, factual information about sexuality, as recommended by 1
- Healthcare providers should discuss sexual health and dysfunction with patients, including the potential benefits of masturbation, as recommended by 1
- Providers should assess for body image issues, intimacy, and relationship issues, and offer psychosocial counseling as needed, as recommended by 1
From the Research
Physical Effects of Masturbation
- Masturbation was found to be less sexually satisfying than intercourse 2
- Medical complications include penile injury and self-asphyxial behavior 2
Psychological Effects of Masturbation
- Masturbation was found to be associated with depression, anxiety, immature defenses, hypersexuality, guilt, poor body self-image and stress in the workplace 2
- Higher frequency of masturbation was related to lower satisfaction with partner, greater importance of sex, and higher levels of general anxiety/depression 3
Sociological Effects of Masturbation
- Most studies indicate a negative correlation between masturbation and relationship satisfaction, quality, intimacy, relational happiness, emotional satisfaction with the partner, trust, passion, and love 2
- Masturbation in adolescence was seen as clinically problematic, potentially leading to multiple issues in adulthood including sexual dissatisfaction with a spouse, psychological dependency, and erectile dysfunction, loss of sexual sensitivity in intercourse, premature ejaculation, and penis size reduction 4
Spiritual Effects of Masturbation
- Masturbation is highly positively correlated with pornography consumption and negatively with religion and religiosity 2
- Theologically, masturbation and pornography directly violate the religious virtue of chastity, undermining one's prayer life and the motivation to develop a spiritual life 2
Masturbation Frequency and Demographics
- The majority (94.5%) of women indicated having masturbated at least once in their life, with a mean age at first masturbation of 14 years 5
- Factors independently associated with masturbation frequency were relationship status, orgasm frequency, openness to new experience, and body acceptance 5
- There is a higher rate of masturbation in homosexuals and bisexuals than in heterosexuals 2