masturbation

doing masturbation for more than 8yrs regularly creates any health problem to the person?

[Janice M Epp, PhD]

Hello.

I'm glad you asked this question because so many people have heard myths about masturbation (self-pleasuring), and here at MedHelp, we only give information that's factual.

Some people have been told that self-pleasuring is somehow harmful or can be done “too much.” The truth is that everyone has different needs and different sexual interests. Some people self-pleasure five times a day, some never, some 5 times a week, some once a month, some 10 times a day, etc. You get the picture, right? Whatever works for you is what works for you.

Another myth is the idea that when you ejaculate, you somehow become weaker. Self-pleasuring doesn’t affect your body in any negative way. What it CAN do, like any strenuous exercise, is either energize you or make you feel tired. Exercise affects everyone different, so it’s possible that after an orgasm, you might sometimes feel tired, the same way as after a brisk work-out. And you know that later, you’ll regain your energy.

One reason these myths about semen and strength still prevail is that after orgasm, there is a period in which men cannot have another orgasm--the "Refractory Period." Think of it as a time when your body is resting in order to build up its ability to orgasm again, if you will. It's just a rest period, and nothing to worry about. This period varies from man to man, depending on age, physical health and other factors. It’s a biological process, and has nothing to do with how often you self-pleasure, etc.

Self-pleasuring is a part of who you are sexually—for your whole life, not just when you don’t have a partner. People self-pleasure from birth to death, when they’re alone and when they’re partnered. It’s just one of many options we have as sexual beings. It’s not better or worse than partner sex, just different—like steak is different than chicken.

Remember that all our scientific data show that the people who take responsibility for their OWN pleasure have the best sex lives and rate themselves as happiest about their sexuality. So please stop worrying, accept your sexuality as a gift and start enjoying life. My best wishes for a long and happy sex life. Dr. J