Over Masturbation: A Common Concern

Masturbation more than often is considered unhealthy. The reasons are more cultural and societal reputation than actual benefits or drawbacks.

We need to establish in our minds that masturbation is a normal and healthy part of human sexuality.

But what about over-masturbation? It surely has more eyeballs on it lately. In this blog, we will understand what it is and how to address the potential impact it may have.

What is Masturbation?

Masturbation is the act of self-stimulation of the genitals to feel sexual arousal and orgasm. It is a normal thing that can be part of a healthy person's sexual expression.

The act is practised across all age groups, genders, and sexual orientations and is not only a "man" thing to do.

Masturbation is generally a normal, healthy activity when done in moderation. Things may go for a spin for some and overindulging in the act may have brought in some negative repercussions.

Over-Masturbation - What Is It?

The term over-masturbation is actually not medically recognized, but it is when someone masturbates excessively, then the Impact of Over Masturbation may have negative consequences on penis nerves.

This remains highly subjective, as what may be excessive for one person can be normal for another.

There is a blurry line between normal sexual activity and getting into compulsive behaviour that starts interfering with your day-to-day life.

Here are a few signs that may point towards the habit exceeding its normal limit -

Interference with daily life: When masturbation interferes with work, school, social life, or personal responsibilities, it could signal that it is becoming excessive.

Emotional distress: If a person associates feelings of guilt, anxiety, or shame after masturbating, this may indicate an unhealthy turn to the practice.

Inability to control the behaviour: Compulsive urge to masturbate, where a person feels an overwhelming need to masturbate and finds it extremely hard to control it, can be problematic.

Physical discomfort or injury: Excessive masturbation can also lead to soreness, irritation, or injury to the genitals.

How Much is Too Much?

Well, there is no predefined number to showcase when it becomes excessive. Frequency varies from person to person and depends on multiple factors like personal preference, hormone levels, stress, sexual desire, and relationship status.

Some people may masturbate daily, while others may do it less frequently or some may not indulge in it at all. In a survey, 60% of men aged 15-69 years agreed to have indulged in the act in the last month.

The main fact to consider is that as long as masturbation is not affecting your daily life, relationships, or work, you are good to go.

But, if it is gradually becoming a compulsive act, it may hamper the brain’s reward system. It can turn into a cycle of short-term gratification and potential long-term dissatisfaction.

As long as masturbation is not interfering with daily life or relationships, and it is done in a way that does not cause physical harm, there is typically no reason for concern.

However, when it becomes a compulsive behavior, it may start to interfere with the brain’s reward system, leading to a cycle of short-term gratification and potential long-term dissatisfaction.

Potential Physical Effects of Over-Masturbation

If done in moderation, masturbation is a safe activity and will not have any negative physical consequences.

Excessive masturbation, on the other hand, can lead to physical issues, such as:

Skin irritation: Repeated friction while masturbating can cause irritation or abrasions. The chances of injuries are higher if it is done frequently without lubrication.

Erectile dysfunction: Although masturbation directly cannot cause erectile dysfunction, the way one masturbates may affect partnered sex.

Excessive masturbation can lead to temporary desensitization of the genitals and may require more stimulation during real-time sexual acts.

All these factors can cause difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection that impacts personal relationships.

Problematic orgasms - Excessive masturbation can also impact the ejaculation timings. Porn viewing while masturbating may further complicate the situation and lead to weaker orgasms and lesser satisfying experiences in real life experiences.

Studies reveal that men who masturbate frequently tend to have lower sexual well-being with increased boredom and lower orgasm satisfaction with their partners.

It is important to understand the relationship between masturbation and real-life sexual scenarios and find a balance between the two.

Sore muscles: Excessive masturbation when done repeatedly can also cause soreness or fatigue in the pelvic or wrist muscles.

Mental and Emotional Consequences

Masturbation if practised under control is a great stress reliever. It also helps in exploring bodies and understanding sexual pleasure at deeper levels. But if things go out of hand, it may end up having emotional and mental consequences like -

Guilt and shame: The way our society depicts masturbation can make the person doing it feel ashamed about their behaviour.

When done in excess, the guilt and shame may increase to the limit it becomes a vicious cycle. It is more commonly seen in people who have been brought up in conservative and religious environments.

Social isolation: In some cases, excessive masturbation can lead to social isolation. Sometimes, people begin prioritizing the activity over forming or maintaining healthy relationships. This can ultimately lead to loneliness and isolation.

Escapism: Some people develop compulsive masturbation as a way to cope with underlying emotional issues.

They try to fight issues like depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem by turning to masturbation as a temporary distraction. It slowly becomes an escape from actually dealing with more serious issues in life.

Psychological Impact

Masturbation is a pleasurable activity that will release dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for the sensation of pleasure and reward.

When masturbation becomes excessive, it can impact the brain's reward system and might lead to a cycle of dependence.

When a person engages in compulsive masturbation, the brain becomes habitual of high levels of dopamine. This can make one feel they have lesser satisfaction or happiness in other areas of life.

In some cases, this can result in low libido with a partner along with reduced motivation for non-sexual activities. It messes us with balance in brain and beings in an overall sense of dissatisfaction with life.

Strategies for Managing Masturbation

You can begin putting restrictions and managing the habit on your own to limit the negative effects. Try to -

Set limits: Pick the frequency of masturbation that suits your needs. Once you set the limit for yourself and stick to it.

Find alternative activities: To fight off the urge to masturbate at other times, engage in other activities that give you joy. You can try dancing, playing a game, reading a book, or exercising, anything that will help you take your mind off of masturbation works.

Identify triggers: Try to identify patterns, situations, or emotions that encourage you to masturbate. Once, you are able to recognise these triggers, you can better equip yourself to redirect your emotions to alternate sources and avoid overmasturbation.

Seek support: If you are struggling to manage your behavior even with these strategies, talk to a sexual health expert.

When to Seek Help?

If at any point, you feel that masturbation is negatively affecting your life or it is giving more insecurity than happiness, it might be the time to call it out.

When you start noticing that you are unable to focus on daily chores and are more interested in getting time to masturbate, it is not a healthy indication.

If you cannot work properly or maintain your relationship, you may need professional assistance.

Overwhelming feelings of shame, guilt, or stress due to compulsive acts of masturbation may also require external intervention.

Moreover, if you notice you are having issues being intimate with your partner and are unable to get aroused and have an erection, you should consider talking to a sexologist.

A sexologist can help in getting to the root cause and suggest various therapies that can help you overcome compulsive behaviour.

Bottom Line

Masturbation is a normal act that is a natural tendency and part of human sexuality. However, it may get off-limits and have negative consequences on one’s physical, emotional, and mental health.

It is important to recognise the signs of compulsive habits and take essential steps. Timely intervention can reduce the extent of damage and help you lead a healthier sex life.

Consult a sexologist if you are having trouble with keeping a tab on your masturbatory activities.