Masturbation: What Is It, Benefits, Frequency, and Side Effects

Masturbation is the act of touching your own body, usually the private parts, to feel sexual pleasure and reach an orgasm. Modern science has proven that masturbation is a normal and beneficial part of human life.

Masturbating to climax results in dopamine spikes that quickly provide feelings of happiness and relaxation. For men, ejaculating 21 or more times a month lowers the chance of getting prostate cancer by 31%. For women, the rush of feel-good hormones acts like a strong, natural painkiller that can boost the body's ability to handle pain by over 40%. 

However, masturbating too much can cause side effects like skin chafing or temporary numbness. It can become a serious issue when the brain gets too used to the dopamine rush, leading to compulsive masturbation and disruptions to your daily life. 

Online communities like NoFap are available to help with compulsive masturbation, allowing you to step away from the habit and give your body time to heal. The healing period also allows your brain's chemical levels to return to balance. You can also download the QUITTR app, which is designed to help you stop watching porn and regain balance in your daily life.

What Is Masturbation?

Masturbation is the act of touching your own body to feel sexual pleasure and reach an orgasm. Masturbation for men usually involves rubbing or stroking the penis until semen is released. Masturbation for women typically involves rubbing the clitoris, vulva, or penetrating the vagina with fingers or a sex toy until climax is achieved.

The word masturbation comes from the old Latin word "manus stuprare." The term "manus stuprare" means "to defile by the hand" and was coined by medieval doctors who believed that masturbation was a disease that caused health and mental problems.

Men usually masturbate from random physical changes, like waking up with an erection (morning wood) or seeing something sexual. Masturbation can sometimes be initiated by men after viewing pornography.

Women may also be stimulated to masturbate as an effect of watching porn. They may also masturbate to relax, and fall asleep more effortlessly, or ease period cramps.

Masturbation in both men and women triggers the release of several "happy" hormones and neurotransmitters, primarily during arousal and orgasm, to enhance pleasure and reduce stress. Key chemicals that the body releases into itself before, during and after masturbation include dopamine (reward/pleasure), oxytocin (bonding/relaxation), endorphins (pain relief), prolactin (satisfaction), and endocannabinoids. Because masturbation triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, it helps you feel relaxed and happy.

Masturbation in men results in the release of semen, followed by a recovery period where they may feel sleepy. During the masturbation recovery phase, it is typically physiologically difficult or impossible for males to have additional orgasms.

Women who climax during masturbation feel rhythmic pulses followed by feelings of relaxation.  These feelings are a natural, physiological response to sexual arousal and orgasm.

Masturbation Techniques

Masturbation techniques differ between men and women primarily because of their different body structures. There are some common masturbation methods, but everyone may have personal preferences.

In men, masturbation techniques generally involve using the hand to stroke or rub up and down the penis shaft. This stroking can be aided by lubricants to ease friction and make masturbation more comfortable. Some men also use adult toys, such as a sleeve, to simulate the feeling of real sex. They may also masturbate by lying face-down on a mattress and rubbing their genitals against the mattress or a pillow.

In women, masturbation techniques mainly involve rubbing the clitoris, which can be done with gentle massages of the clitoris or circling the area with fingers. Some women combine clitoral rubbing with vaginal penetration using their fingers or a sex toy like a vibrator. Women can also masturbate by rubbing their genital areas against a pillow or bolster.

What Are The Benefits Of Masturbation?

There are several measurable benefits of masturbation. Masturbation engages multiple body systems, including the cardiovascular, endocrine, and nervous systems. The engagement of the cardiovascular system helps the body transport nutrients and blood through the body. The engagement of the endocrine system helps regulate metabolism and growth in several parts of the body. The engagement of the nervous system helps coordinate bodily actions.

For men, masturbation helps flush and maintain the prostate gland, which produces prostatic fluid that makes up about 20 to 30% of the volume of semen. This flushing of the prostate gland significantly reduces the risk of prostate cancer.

For women, the main benefit of masturbation is that it naturally relieves localized pain, such as that from menstrual cramps. Masturbation also strengthens the pelvic floor and maintains natural vaginal elasticity and lubrication.

Below, we provide a broader list of the psychological, neurophysiological, physical, and sexual benefits of masturbation:

• Measurable stress reduction: Studies show that masturbation reduces stress-related blood pressure spikes by roughly 10 to 15 mmHg.

• Prolactin surge: Immediately following climax, the brain releases a massive surge of a hormone called prolactin, which helps induce sleep 15 to 20 minutes faster.

• Prostate health (Men): A Harvard University study also found that men who ejaculated 21 or more times per month had a 31% lower risk of developing prostate cancer.

• Natural pain relief (Women): Research published in the medical journal "Pain" shows that the endorphins released into the bloodstream during masturbatory climax increase pain tolerance by up to 40%.

• Pelvic floor conditioning: Masturbation to climax is a high-intensity workout for the pelvic floor, improving muscle tone and helping prevent urinary leakage as people age.

• Long-term sexual function: Studies show that men who masturbate to climax at least 2 times a week have a 50% lower chance of developing erectile dysfunction later. Women who regularly masturbate maintain significantly better vaginal tissue health.

Is It Healthy To Masturbate Once A Week?

Yes, it is healthy to masturbate once a week. By masturbating once a week, you are providing your body with a natural way to relieve tension and boost your mood. For men, masturbating weekly helps keep the reproductive system active and clears old fluid from the prostate gland. For women, masturbating weekly maintains blood flow to the pelvic area and balances stress hormones.

Masturbating once a week provides long-term health benefits with no proven negative physical effects. Men can expect a lower risk of prostate cancer even by masturbating 4 to 7 times a month. Women who masturbate weekly can expect better long-term stretchiness and moisturization of vaginal tissue.

Is It Healthy To Masturbate Every Day?

Yes, masturbating every day can be healthy for most people, as long as it does not take over their daily schedule or cause physical pain. In men, research shows that ejaculating 21 or more times a month lowers the risk of prostate cancer by 31%. In women, masturbating daily can clear away stress and trigger the release of sleep-inducing hormones.

Daily masturbation may cause some physical side effects, especially if you're too rough or masturbate for too long. Examples of side effects from daily masturbation include skin irritation and swelling. 

Men who masturbate daily may also face issues with delayed ejaculation, which makes it hard to climax with a real partner. Delayed ejaculation is caused by the body getting accustomed to a specific, often firmer grip during masturbation.

Women who masturbate daily may find their clitoris becoming too sore or temporarily numbed. This soreness or numbing is typically caused by the over-stimulation of the clitoris, which has as many as 8,000 nerve endings in the area.

Masturbating daily can also carry psychological risks if it becomes compulsive. Compulsive masturbation is a behavioral addiction, where masturbation becomes an uncontrollable habit that interferes with daily life.

What Are The Side Effects Of Excessive Masturbation?

The side effects of masturbating too much can be physical, mental, and sexual. The main physical side effect is a risk of skin irritation. The psychological and sexual side effects are risks associated with compulsion or using overly intense methods.

For men, the most common side effects are soreness of the penis and difficulty in climaxing with a real partner. For women, the primary side effects are making the clitoris sore or temporarily numb, especially if they use high-speed vibrators too frequently.

Here is a list of possible side effects from excessive masturbation:

• Skin irritation: Research in the Journal of Urology shows that irritated skin requires 2 to 4 days of complete rest to fully heal.

• Muscle fatigue: Clinical studies by Masters and Johnson demonstrated that overworking muscles can cause temporary cramping.

• Dopamine dependency: Research highlights that daily dopamine floods can significantly lower overall energy and motivation over time.

• Compulsive masturbation: Studies published in Archives of Sexual Behavior show that roughly 3% to 6% of adults struggle with compulsive masturbation.

• Delayed ejaculation: Sex therapists often require a strict 30 to 90-day break from masturbation for the body to reset its natural sensitivity.

• Vibrator numbness: Research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine confirms that the constant buzzing of vibrators temporarily overloads sensory nerves.

There are many myths about masturbation, but facts often show that many of these myths are untrue or exaggerated. Below is a list of myths about masturbation and the facts that disprove them:

• Masturbation causes physical problems: There is no medical proof that masturbation causes physical issues like blindness, hair loss, or stunted growth. 

• Masturbation causes infertility in men: The male body constantly produces millions of new sperm every single day.

• Only lonely people masturbate: Studies show that 70% of men and 40% of women in happy, long-term marriages still masturbate regularly.

When Does Masturbation Cause Problems In Life?

Masturbation can cause problems in life when it stops being a healthy way to relax and becomes a compulsive habit. As a compulsive habit, masturbation can cause physical pain, destroy emotional connections with partners, or occupy so much time that you end up neglecting school, work, or friends.

For men, the most common problem masturbation causes in life is numbing the body to normal, gentle touches. This numbing makes it difficult for men to get an erection or reach a climax when having sex with a real partner.

For women, the main issue masturbation causes in life is the acclimatization to the buzzing of vibrators. When this acclimatization happens, normal, soft intimacy with a partner can feel frustrating or simply not enough.

What Is NoFap?

NoFap is an online community of people who have committed to stopping watching porn and masturbating for a set period of time, which is typically 90 days. The main goal of those joining NoFap is to heal their brains and take back control over their daily habits. The most significant part of the NoFab journey is the fight against compulsive masturbation, which is the uncontrollable urge to masturbate even if it disrupts daily functions.

What Are The Benefits Of Not Masturbating?

The benefits of not masturbating are mainly about giving your body and brain a much-needed break to heal. This healing is especially crucial if masturbation has become an uncontrollable habit that interferes with daily life.

For men, not masturbating can create a sharp, temporary boost in testosterone and help restore physical sensitivity. A clinical study in the Journal of Zhejiang University Science found that men's hormone levels spiked by 145.7% on the 7th day of not masturbating.

For women, not masturbating gives the nerves in the clitoris time to rest and restores the ability to enjoy a gentle, human touch. Studies in the Journal of Sexual Medicine indicate that not masturbating allows the sensory nerves around the clitoral area to heal and regain sensitivity to gentle touches.

When Should You Stop Masturbating?

You should stop masturbating when it stops being a normal, healthy way to relax and starts causing physical pain, hurts real-life relationships, or interrupts your daily responsibilities. 

Physical pain caused by masturbation is indicated by cuts, swelling, or chafing on your genitals. The hurt in your real-life relationships happens when you neglect your partner in preference for masturbation. The interruption of daily responsibilities happens as time spent masturbating leads to you skipping work or school and ignoring your friends.

Can Viewing Porn Trigger Masturbation?

Yes, viewing porn can trigger masturbation. By viewing porn, you are flooding your brain with strong visual signals that make you feel sexually excited. Your brain processes visual stimulation from porn in milliseconds and quickly releases a large amount of dopamine. This rush of dopamine pushes your body to crave a physical release to match the intensity of what you see on the screen, resulting in a strong urge to masturbate.

What Is Masturbation Addiction?

Masturbation addiction, also known as compulsive masturbation, is a behavioral addiction where you have an uncontrollable urge to self-stimulate. The compulsiveness in masturbation addiction can lead to a disruption in your daily life.

Your body gradually becomes accustomed to the easy rush of dopamine that happens during masturbation. Because of this acclimatization, masturbation becomes a default action, even at the potential expense of physical health, relationships, or daily responsibilities.

A Note From QUITTR

Masturbation is a completely normal way for people to touch their own bodies to feel pleasure and reach a climax. When done in moderation, masturbation provides proven health perks, such as lowering a man's risk of prostate cancer by 31% and naturally boosting a woman's pain tolerance by over 40%.

However, masturbating too much can cause side effects like painful skin irritation and temporarily numb the physical nerves. Masturbating can become a serious issue when it becomes compulsive masturbation, where there is a loss of control and disruption to daily life.

We believe that frequent masturbation eventually can lead to porn addiction in some people. If you feel like your masturbation becomes too frequent, download our app. The QUITTR app is a masturbation addiction recovery app built to help you stop masturbating. The app provides the structured guidance needed to successfully complete a reset period, allowing your brain's chemical levels to balance out so you can regain your natural sensitivity, focus on your daily goals, and fix your sex life after porn addiction.