Masturbation is still considered a cultural taboo, even in liberal cultures. Nonetheless, it remains a big part of men’s and women’s life. Studies show that approximately 95% of men and 60% of women masturbate regularly (Bowman, 2014). Many people masturbate, though the frequency of masturbation differs from one person to another. Young adult men in their 20s and 30s are more likely to masturbate more, but the rate of masturbation decreases throughout the rest of the life course (Regnerus & Gordon, 2013). If masturbation was as bad as it is painted to be, many people would not be engaging in it. Masturbation is a safe and free source of euphoria among other emotional benefits, and those who engage in it should not be ashamed.
According to Bowman (2014) the negative feelings surrounding the act of masturbation prevent many from engaging in it, or at least prevents those who engage in it from enjoying the benefits fully. Growing up, children are warned against touching themselves for fear of burning in hell. There are other myths employed by parents and the society to prevent adolescents from engaging in masturbation, for instance, masturbation leads to blindness and impotence. Some believe that masturbation causes mental health problems. Consequently, many people, especially women, feel guilty and ashamed of masturbating (Bowman, 2014). Parental influences, religious education and lack of sufficient education on the positive effects of masturbation make individuals feel guilty after (Winkler, 2008). Winkler (2008) states that among the 90% individuals who masturbate, 60% feel guilty after. The best way to help such individuals is through education on the positive emotional and psychological effects of masturbation.
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The fundamental positive effect of masturbation is sexual satisfaction (Coleman, 2003). Masturbation releases “feel-good neurochemicals” such as dopamine and oxytocin. These chemicals boost one’s spirits and activates the reward circuits in the brain. It is worth noting that most women find it easy to achieve an orgasm through masturbation than normal sexual intercourse (Bowman, 2014). Masturbation is also a source of sexual satisfaction because it makes individuals most knowledgeable about their sexuality. Individuals will discover new sexual techniques that work for them to improve their overall sexual lives. According to Regnerus & Gordon (2013) masturbation has a positive effect on the sexual health of women based on a comparative study between masturbating and non-masturbating women in their late adolescence. Adolescents who masturbate regularly are more comfortable with their sexuality, and are more confident. For those experiencing marital sexual problems, masturbation is often encouraged by medical professionals to help couples improve their sexual lives (Regnerus & Gordon, 2013).
Research studies show that masturbation provides a different experience from sex (Bowman, 2014). Psychologically, a majority of individuals who masturbate claim that they achieve more intense orgasms during masturbation in comparison to normal sexual activities with their partners. A bigger percentage of women do not orgasm during sex with their partners, rather they experience some form of pleasure (Coleman, 2003). Masturbation is the best way for such individuals to explore the limits of their sexuality. After all orgasms are accompanied by a sense of happiness, and happiness is a positive emotional effect in itself.
Another positive effect of masturbation is that it enhances confidence and body image. Knowledge of one’s body can be empowering, especially when one realizes that he/she has the power to attain sexual pleasure. Confidence in one’s body image is a hard thing to come by with the Hollywood definition of beauty. Teenagers and adults alike are not confident in their bodies anymore, affecting their everyday confidence. Masturbation is an act of self-loving, and it has the potential to improve one’s outlook on life. It is a source of good feelings about oneself, and one can transfer the feeling to the rest of the world.
Regnerus & Gordon (2013) assert that masturbation is often used as a “replacement” behavior by men. Men who do not have sex regularly masturbate a lot, however, this is not the case for women. The desire for sex increases one’s need to masturbate. Whether masturbation is used as a form of “replacement” or not, it helps individuals to attain some form of safer pleasure. Masturbation carries no health risks associated with regular sexual activities involving others, and one can attain pleasure from masturbation anytime they feel like.
A majority of masturbating individuals tend to masturbate before going to sleep. Most individuals fall into deep sleep after sex with their partners because sex acts as a sleeping pill (Bowman, 2014). The release of endorphins during sex lowers the blood pressure and increases relaxation. Masturbation has the same effect as regular sex. The feeling of relaxation and calms makes an individual drifts into sleep peacefully.
Masturbation also relieves stress. It is a source of relaxation, and can easily make an individual forget everyday stress. Masturbation has the same effect as getting a massage or whatever people do to relax. Self-stimulation releases hormones that trigger the pleasure circuits in the brain, eventually negating the effects of stress (Regnerus & Gordon, 2013).
It is worth noting that the physical health effects of masturbation have effects on the psychological wellbeing. Some studies have suggested that masturbation reduces the risk of prostate cancer in men. Prostate cancer is a terminal condition that can affect one physically, emotionally and socially. If there is a chance that an act of self-loving can prevent such conditions, then nobody should feel ashamed of masturbating. Masturbation in women is known to reduce menstrual pain. A study done in 2004 by the New Scientist revealed that there are many health benefits of masturbation, it is a relaxant hence it relieves pain from headaches, back pains and menstrual pain (Regnerus & Gordon, 2013).
Given the above emotional and psychological effects of masturbation, there needs to be a change in societal perception towards masturbation. Re-education on the effects of masturbation and how to masturbate safely should be encouraged. Adolescents and young people are at their exploratory phase, and they are more likely to engage in a lot of masturbation or use unsafe substances to masturbate. Masturbation is very addictive, just like sex, and those who are properly educated have the knowledge to control the frequency of their self-loving rituals (Bowman, 2014).
Bowman (2014) also notes that re-education on masturbation especially among women will improve their perspective towards masturbation and sex in general. According to a study conducted by Bowman (2014) women’s feelings towards masturbation is classified into three categories: shame, sexual empowerment and fear of acting selfishly. Through re-education on masturbation, women will stop associating it with shame and selfishness, and view it as a way of empowering themselves sexually. The difference in frequency of masturbation among men and women shows that women are more ashamed of masturbation than men. Women are likely to masturbate three times a month, while men masturbate three times a week.
In today’s society, sexual information circulates freely. One can easily learn that there are no health side effects associated with masturbation, rather society labeled it a taboo to impose sexual abstinence of people. Nobody gets sick from masturbation, there is no worry of pregnancy and STI’s, and it generates a lot of happiness to the individual. Masturbation enables individuals to explore their sexual fantasies in a safe manner. All human beings have sexual fantasies, some are normal while others can be disturbing. Masturbation is a way of acting on the sexual fantasies in a safe manner. Individuals often use erotic film and literature to help them masturbate (Bowman, 2014).
In conclusion, in today’s liberal society masturbation should not be considered a taboo anymore. Many practices which were considered taboos such as homosexuality are now legal, hence people should be free to talk about masturbation. Sex toy business is a booming business because of masturbation. Masturbation is a safe, pleasurable process that enables individuals to explore their sexuality. Such individuals are more confident and they tend to have a positive body image. Other psychological benefits of masturbation include: sexual satisfaction, reduced stress and improved sleep. Human beings are sexual beings, and masturbation enables them to obtain maximum sexual satisfaction in comparison to normal sex. Additionally, the act of masturbation releases pleasure hormones that induce relaxation, eventually reducing stress and inducing sleep.
References
Bowman, C. P. (2014). Women’s masturbation experiences of sexual empowerment in a primarily sex-positive sample. Psychology of Women Quarterly , 38 (3), 363-378.
Coleman, E. (2003). Masturbation as a means of achieving sexual health. Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality , 14 (2-3), 5-16.
Regnerus, M., & Gordon, D. (2013). Social, emotional, and relational distinctions in patterns of recent masturbation among young adults. Austin, TX: Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture .
Winkler, M. (2008). Male Masturbation. Web4Health. Retrieved from: http://web4health.info/en/answers/sex-autoero-male.htm
