From the Guidelines
Masturbation is likely to be beneficial for improving sexual response.
Benefits of Masturbation
- Regular stimulation, including masturbation, can improve sexual response regardless of the stimulation used 1.
- This benefit is thought to be applicable to men with cancer, and potentially to the general population as well.
- The exact mechanisms by which masturbation improves sexual response are not specified in the evidence, but it is likely related to increased blood flow and genital health.
- It is also possible that masturbation can help to reduce sexual dysfunction and improve overall sexual well-being.
- The evidence suggests that early initiation of regular stimulation, including masturbation, may be beneficial for improving sexual response after cancer treatment 1.
From the Research
Benefits of Masturbation
- Masturbation is a healthy sexual behavior associated with different sexual functioning dimensions, which highlights sexual satisfaction as an important manifestation of sexual wellbeing 2
- Men masturbate primarily for the positive reinforcing effects of pleasure, but also to reduce anxiety/distress 3
- Women's masturbation behavior is related to a greater sexual repertoire, more sexual fantasies, and greater reported ease in reaching sexual arousal and orgasm 4
- Masturbation can be a stress coping and relaxation strategy for women, and is not necessarily a substitute for partnered sex 5
- Frequency of masturbation is related to lower satisfaction with partner, greater importance of sex, and higher levels of general anxiety/depression in women 6
Sexual Satisfaction and Masturbation
- A negative association between solitary masturbation and sexual satisfaction is observed in men, consistent with the compensatory role of masturbation 2
- In women, the relationship between masturbation and sexual satisfaction is more complex, with some studies finding a positive association and others finding no relation 2, 4
- Masturbation can be an important component of female sexuality, and early masturbation experience may be beneficial to sexual arousal and orgasm in adulthood 4
Reasons for Masturbation
- Men's reasons for masturbating include deriving pleasure, decreasing sexual tension, and reducing anxiety/stress 3
- Women's reasons for masturbating are manifold, ranging from sexual desire to relaxation and stress reduction 5, 6
- Some women fantasize about their partner during masturbation, while others fantasize about being "defenseless" or other scenarios 5