Do you know that masturbation, or the act of touching one’s genitals for pleasure, is something that people do as early as infanthood? It’s a fact because it’s actually a natural and a normal part of one’s healthy sexual development. In a nationally representative US sample, 94% of men admit to doing the act, while 85% of women also admit to doing it.
Masturbation has lots of benefits for the health. Lots of stigma and negative ideas persist about the act, but for women, the act can help them prevent having cervical infections and urinary tract infections. This is because the process of “tenting” or the opening of the cervix when the body becomes aroused enough, stretches the cervix and the cervical mucous.
This results in fluid circulation, which allows the cervical fluids of bacteria to be flushed out. Also, masturbation can lower the risk of type-2 diabetes, reduce insomnia by hormonal and tension release, and can increase the pelvic floor strength through the contractions that happen as organs approaches.
For men, doing the act can help them prevent the risk of prostate cancer, as this gives the prostrate the chance to flush out the potential cancer-causing agents from their bodies. Masturbation also improves immune functioning by increasing the cortisol levels, which in turn regulates immune functioning in small doses.
It also reduces the risk of depression by inducing the release of endorphins in the bloodstream which causes the feeling of happiness.
Also, masturbation is known to be the most convenient method for maximizing one’s orgasms. There are also good benefits for achieving orgasms—it can reduce stress, blood pressure, can increase one’s self-esteem, and reduce pain in the body.
Masturbation, in a sexual point of view, is hailed as one of the safest sexual behaviors as it poses no risk of pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted infections. There are no risks of disappointing one’s partner or having sexual performance anxieties, along with having no emotional baggage.
Mutual masturbation, or the act of partners pleasuring themselves in the company of each other, is a proven great and safe activity that can be incorporated into other partnered sexual activities. It is a good way to start to learn more about what makes the person happy and to demonstrate what actually makes each person feel good.
Having an open communication with a partner can greatly improve one’s sex life and relationship overall. Talking about masturbation has proven to have great benefits too—it promotes sex-positive views in the environment and society, teaching young people healthy behaviors and attitudes without having to adhere to stigmas and shame.
What do you feel about masturbation? Do you think this is really healthy for us? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!