Myths about masturbation persist because many people associate deep feelings of shame or guilt with this activity. Myths allow them to feel justified in demonizing masturbation; in other words, it must be true that this is "bad" because look at what can happen to you if you do it! But these feelings of guilt or shame are learned, not innate. Children feel no self-consciousness or shame when touching themselves, and it is only when horrified adults catch them doing it that kids start to associate this pleasurable activity with being "bad." Even when they learn later on that this is a natural normal thing that many adults engage in, it can be difficult (and for many impossible) to "unlearn" this guilt reflex, and many adults continue to have difficulty with their urge to masturbate when they get older.
Here are some of the most common myths about masturbation, and the straight truth about them!
Myth Number One: Masturbation causes lasting physical damage. (This might include: stunting growth, causing the genitals to deform or fall off, causing sterility, causing blindness, causing hair to grow in unwanted places, creating unpleasant body odor, causing physical weakness, causing cancer, etc.)
Wrong! There is absolutely no truth to any of these. Many of these myths are meant to stop teenagers from masturbating by instilling fear about natural bodily changes of puberty (for instance, sometimes a growth spurt is followed by a lull in growth which might be seen as "stunting"; and while the appearance of hair under the arms or in the pubic regionis healthy and normal, it can be anxiety-provoking).
While it may be true that excessive (i.e. more often than once per day) or "rough" (i.e. using aggressive motions) masturbation MIGHT lead to soreness of the genitals, this is not because of masturbation itself but the method employed. If you find you get sore, do it less often, or use a lubricant like Astroglide to make things easier.
As for people being able to "smell" when you've been masturbating, it is true sexual fluids can cause an odor when they come into contact with bacteria. Keep clean and it won't be a problem. (This myth is likely one that developed to prey on teenagers' already-fragile social confidence)
And as for sterility: in the past masturbation was discouraged among young women (in Victorian times they were even forced to wear rough steel-wool gloves to bed!), under the assumption that they would delay marriage and thus continue to be a burden on their families. Encouraging marriage at a young age meant women would start bearing children sooner.
Myth Number Two: Masturbation isn't "real" sex.
Wrong! Masturbation is actually a healthy part of sexual function. In fact many sex experts say that people who masturbate regularly have more fulfilling sexual relationships with others because they know their own bodies better than those who don't masturbate. Those who masturbate without shame or guilt also have no issues about their (or anyone else's) sexual pleasure.
Myth Number Three: Masturbation is for "losers."
Certainly this myth is designed to make shy, awkward teenagers feel worse about their normal, healthy development. Why can't we try to make kids feel better about themselves, already? Masturbation helps people get in touch with themselves and their bodies, which can help anyone through that awkward period of growing when your hair never looks right and your face breaks out at the wrong time.
This also suggests people without partners are the only ones who masturbate, which makes people who are single feel inadequate. Ridiculous! Just because you do it alone, doesn't mean only people who can't get a date do it! On the contrary, masturbation is very common among people who are married, partnered or sexually active. Some couples like to watch each other masturbate, or engage in mutual masturbation, or pleasure each other manually, thus simulating masturbation. This activity will not lead to unwanted pregnancy and is one of the safest forms of sexual expression, so also helps prevent the spread of STDs. This alleviates much of the anxiety surrounding sexual contact, especially for people who have had experiences with unwanted pregnancy or sexually-transmitted disease. So, if you think about it, masturbation is for "winners!"
Myth Number Four: Women Don't Masturbate.(Variation: "Women Don't Need to Masturbate.")
This is just silly. Both men and women masturbate, and women get horny just like men do. This myth probably comes from old-fashioned notions that women are not meant to experience sexual pleasure, because their main function as sexual beings is in child-bearing. Also, since men's sexual organs are less "mysterious" than women's, lack of knowledge about women's bodies led people in the past to assume that the relief of men's sexual arousal (made obvious by the presence of an erection) was more of a "health" issue than women's healthy sexual release.
Masturbation is a great way for women to get in touch with their sexual sensations, and this in turn can improve their sex lives greatly. Also, for women experiencing lubrication problems with intercourse, masturbation (with or without lube) is one way a woman can prepare her body to make sex more comfortable.
Myth Number Five: Masturbation Will Curb Sexual Desire.
Okay, let's look at this one logically. Many people masturbate to relieve sexual tension, to alleviate the discomfort sometimes felt by people who have sex infrequently. So on some level, yes the immediate goal of masturbation is to temporarily curb sexual tension. But tension is not "desire." Masturbation, on the contrary, can actually increase sexual desire. Many studies and surveys have found that people who are in relationships masturbate more frequently than those who are single! Masturbation can help us appreciate and desire our partners more, because it may help make sex less "urgent," or, conversely, help keep us in a "sexy" frame of mind until we are with them again. So, while masturbating can help relieve the sensation of being "horny," it does not make sexual desire evaporate. It helps us remain healthy, sexual beings for whom sexual expression (whether alone or with others) is but one aspect of a balanced life.
Myth Number Six: Masturbation Causes Impotence/Lessened Sexual Performance
There is a myth that too much masturbation will make a man unable to sustain an erection. Well, yes and no. It is certainly true that excessive masturbation may make it difficult for some men to achieve or sustain erections until they have "rested" a while. But, for some, masturbation can help them alleviate tension quickly and help control premature ejaculation; in other words, the first time they come may be fast, but after that they may be able to stay hard longer. This varies greatly from one man to another so experimentation may be a good idea.
For women, the same general principle applies. Fatigue or genital soreness can set in after excessive masturbation, so it is wise to rest or engage in other activities until a woman can regain her energy or let the genitals heal. Some women find their natural lubrication gets spent after repeated masturbating, and they need to use lube to make sex comfortable.
Unless fatigue or discomfort interfere, and they might, there is no reason to think that masturbation will affect sexual performance. In fact it may improve it!
The following websites can provide more useful information:
Clitical.com
Coolnurse.com
Goaskalice.com |
