Three Surprising Side Effects of Masturbation You Should Know

Many people enjoy masturbating, however, even as the act may be enjoyable for many, it comes with side effects you must consider carefully.

*Photo used for illustrative purpose*

 

Masturbation is one of the things openly frowned out by people, yet many indulge in the habit.

 

According to Dailystar, a recent study asked 5,000 men and women between 18 and 34 how often they did the deed.  The report showed that 83% of women who participated in the survey admitted to masturbating regularly.

 

A third of these women said they did it several times a week, and 12% said they did it every day. When it came to men, 94% of the respondents said they masturbate. A whopping 60% said they do it several times a week and 35% said they do it every day.

 

However, another study by Indiana University found only 57% of men have masturbated in the last month. Whatever the case, we’re all doing it. So what are the side effects of masturbation?

 

1. Disease prevention

A Harvard Medical School study looked at the sex lives of 32,000 healthy guys for 18 years – with 3,839 of them later being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

 

The researchers quizzed the men about the average amount they climaxed each month and the results were surprising.

 

Lads aged between 40-49 who ejaculated 21 or more times each month had a 22% lower risk of developing the disease compared to those who ejaculated between four and seven times.

 

It can also be beneficial for women as masturbation can help fight UTIs by flushing out the cervix.

 

2. Stress and pain relief

Like many activities, masturbation releases endorphins which make us happy.

“In both men and women it [masturbation] provides release of stress, a time to commune with oneself (taking stock of one’s emotional state and needs), and for some even the possibility of greater self-awareness or insight,” Dr. Jordan Tishler told Medical Daily.

 

Masturbation has also been proven to help you sleep better and can help reduce pain associated with menstruation.

 

3. A pathway to addiction

Not all of the side effects of masturbation are good. Therapist Dee Wagner told Medical Daily that masturbation can, “serve as a chronic way to avoid intimacy with others, which in the long run can cause anxiety.”

 

Masturbation also stimulates a reward response in the brain which means it is possible to get addicted to the feeling of an orgasm.

 

An orgasm addiction is not only bad for your mental health but can be harmful as it requires more and more stimulation the more you do it to get the same results.

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