Masturbation Myths

Not only are there a lot of myths surrounding masturbation that are not true, but there are in fact many medically and socially-sound reasons to do it on a regular basis.

1. Masturbation relieves stress.

Not only does masturbation relieve the tension associated with being sexually inactive, but it relieves general physical stress as well. When the body has an orgasm, a great deal of muscular tension is released through the rhythmic movement of muscles contracting and releasing. For those who experience muscular tension from, for example, sitting at a desk all day (which especially creates tightness in the neck and shoulder muscles which can lead to tension headaches), masturbation can help lessen this tension.

It can also help relieve emotional stress. Emotional worry and anxiety can cause us to hold tension in various parts of our bodies, from the digestive organs to the lower back, in addition to making it hard to focus and relax. In addition to a healthy diet, exercise and adequate sleep, masturbation is one element of lifestyle that can help us reduce stress, and to feel better on a day-to-day basis, as well as improving health over the long-term. Long-term stress can severely impact health, leading to a wide range of symptoms from migraine headaches to stomach ulcers to high blood pressure. Masturbation is good for you!

2. Masturbation relieves menstrual cramps.

Some women do not feel comfortable having sex with a partner during their periods. But self-love at this time can help relieve cramps, because the gathering and release of muscular tension in the genital area helps to alleviate pain. No one seems to know why but it is as tried and true a remedy as a hot water bottle or a handful of ibuprofen! (And without the side effects of the latter)

3. Masturbation can relieve insomnia.

Often insomnia (the inability to fall asleep on a regular schedule) is the result of muscular tension or emotional anxiety. Sometimes just releasing this tension is all someone needs to help them drift off to sleep. Orgasm is not just a muscle-relaxing event but it also produces endorphins and other hormonal substances that produce a feeling of pleasure and well-being. So you will fall asleep more easily and your sleep is more likely to be deeper and more restful.

4. Masturbation can help stimulate the immune system.

Sexually activity of any kind stimulates the body's immune response, which can help us fight off common infections (like cold, flu, or other bacterial or viral infections). As part of a healthy lifestyle, masturbation ranks right up there with taking Vitamin C and eating your greens as a way to help bolster general immunity.

5. Masturbation can help relieve mild depression.

As mentioned above, masturbation stimulates the release of endorphins and other substances. These mood-elevating hormones can help to lessen the emotions and moods associated with mild depression. While someone who is depressed should also seek help in the form of therapy, for those who get "the blues" from time to time, exercise, a healthy diet and regular sexual activity (yes, masturbation counts!) Can really help keep these feelings at bay.

6. Masturbation can improve your sex life.

If you are already sexually-active, masturbation can serve several purposes. It can help relieve the heightened sexual desire one sometimes experiences. It can alleviate sexual frustration that may arise if one is not sexually-fulfilled in a relationship. Masturbation can help one to stay in touch with one's sexuality and thus encourage more confident exploration of sexual activity or intimacy with one's partner. It can also become part of your sex play with your partner (you can masturbate in front of each other, as part of phone or "cyber" sex, or as a source of narrative description in role-playing or fantasy activity).

7. Masturbation is accessible to all.

There is no need to leave the house, purchase special equipment, or indeed make any sort of contact with anyone else. Granted this may not be a preferable long-term option for everyone, but it is a welcome form of sexual release for those who cannot or do not wish to pursue it in the usual ways.

8. Masturbation is virtually risk-free.

There is no danger of pregnancy, sexually-transmitted disease or relationship-based emotional upsets with masturbation. The only difficulty may arise if it becomes an obsession, which can sometimes interfere with a healthy lifestyle, an intimate relationship, or normal social interaction. If your masturbation activity or thoughts start to interfere with what you normally wish to accomplish in your life, or is causing someone in your life to worry about you, you may want to examine whether you are putting too much time or effort into it.

9. Masturbation is helpful in overcoming sexual shyness.

You can become adept at using sex toys or your own body as a form of pleasure and this in turn can make you more confident with a partner, or in pursuing your own pleasure. Once you accept that you deserve pleasure and full sexual expression, masturbation can be a very freeing and accessible way to pursue these goals.

10. Masturbation feels good!

Sometimes our culture seems like a very pleasure-denying one, in spite of a rather decadence-obsessed media. We must never forget that pleasure is a part of every life, and that we all deserve to feel fulfilled in this way.

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