Masturbation is about giving yourself sexual pleasure alone. It’s a way of pleasuring yourself and discovering your body. But masturbation has also been shown to have other benefits, both emotional and physical. Even though this practice has long been considered taboo (and it still is to some extent), we’re going to tell you about five benefits of masturbation, because nothing is taboo here.
1. Masturbation reduces stress and anxiety
One of the benefits of masturbation is the reduction of stress and anxiety. Unsurprisingly, masturbation gives you pleasure, which releases certain hormones. These include endorphin, oxytocin and dopamine, which are known to improve your emotional well-being. That’s why you feel calm and zen after giving yourself pleasure.
2. It can help with sleep problems
Again, it’s a question of hormones. During orgasm, your brain releases a hormone called prolactin. This hormone helps you to relax and fall asleep. So if you’re having trouble sleeping, it might be worth a try! The least we can say is that this method is 100% natural.
3. It’s a way of getting to know your body better
Masturbation is a way of exploring your sexuality and getting to know yourself. If it’s still a bit taboo and you don’t necessarily dare talk about it, masturbation may help you feel more at ease in your private life. It will teach you what gives you pleasure, and if you feel like it, you’ll be able to share it with your partner.
You might also need a helping hand to learn or relearn how to discover your own body or that of your partner, in which case you might consider consulting a sex therapist. Sex therapists are professionals trained to help individuals and couples explore and understand their sexuality in a healthy and fulfilling way. Their expertise covers a range of topics, including sexual communication, solving sexual problems, managing libido and exploring desires and fantasies.
4. Masturbation reduces the risk of prostate cancer
It would appear that one of the benefits of masturbation is to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. In fact, a 2016 American study revealed that men who ejaculated more often (around 21 times a month) reduced their risk by 20%. While this study is somewhat controversial, prevention is better than cure. So why deprive yourself?
5. It could help relieve pain
Last on our list of benefits (but by no means least!) is pain relief. As you’ll have gathered, masturbation releases several different hormones. One of them is endorphin: a natural painkiller. It can be pretty handy for headaches and the like. So if you’re a woman, masturbation could also help you get through your period pains.
The benefits of masturbation: our conclusion
Here you have a non-exhaustive list of the emotional and physical benefits of masturbation. Whether you practise it or not, the important thing is to listen to your body. But one thing’s for sure: there’s nothing to be ashamed of or taboo about this practice. In fact, it can boost your self-esteem by improving your sexual health. So masturbation can even indirectly improve your well-being. However, it remains a personal practice, so it’s up to you to choose the one that suits you best and respects your desires.
