How masturbation affects potency in men - harmful or beneficial

The attitude towards self-satisfaction has gradually changed over the centuries. In the 19th century, masturbation was revered as a terrible disease, which modern medicine has dubbed an exaggeration. The effect of masturbation on potency in rare cases is palpable. 1

Does masturbation affect potency?

In the scientific community, controversy continues not only about the degree of potential harm that self-satisfaction can bring, but also about how useful it can be in a number of situations. 2

Numerous studies show that most men engage in masturbation at one time or another in their lives. There are a number of leading opinions about the degree of influence of "occupation" on reproductive health:

Is it true that masturbation causes impotence

Despite the fact that in modern sexology it is customary to bring the positive influence of masturbation to the fore, the answer to the question of whether impotence from masturbation can occur will be in the affirmative. 3

We are talking about pathological forms of self-satisfaction, which have the following possible characteristics:

• the action takes place for years, more than once a day (in any convenient place);
• during the process, there is constant stimulation of the prostate gland;
• the man deliberately prolongs the moment of orgasm and ejaculation (to get more satiated);
• engaging in so-called mental masturbation (reaching orgasm without mechanical stimulation due to violent fantasies);
• masturbation is accompanied by a pronounced sense of guilt with the loss of a lot of energy.

A risk factor for problems with potency is too early in the practice of masturbation. Masturbation, if it provokes the development of erectile dysfunction, then, as a rule, we are talking about a psychogenic variant of the disease. 4

Popular myths

The table contains the most common myths about masturbation and the rationale for exposing them.

Myth

Reality

Unfortunately, medical science at the current stage of development still cannot unambiguously answer many pressing questions of sexology. How masturbation affects the potency and health of a man is subject to numerous studies. 1

Masturbation increases or decreases testosterone

Testosterone, the main male hormone, affects all elements of intimate life. High libido, confident erection, bright orgasm - this is an incomplete list of "merits" of this endocrine regulator.

The question of how masturbation can affect testosterone levels is very burning. On the Internet, you can find diametrically opposite opinions. 3

The answer of experts in the field of andrology and sexology is the same: masturbation has no significant effect on the hormonal background of a man. But there is still a connection and it can be represented by the following mechanism:

Thus, the desire to masturbate in order to realize the desire can increase with an increase in the amount of testosterone in the body. Masturbation itself does not cause fluctuations in the concentration of the hormone (except that there is a slight decrease in the male hormone after orgasm, as in the case of sex). There is evidence that sexual release (this also applies to full-fledged intercourse) can lower the level of another biological regulator of cortisol - this is a stress hormone, the excessive amount of which increases anxiety and frequent mood swings. 5

Benefits and harms of masturbation for men

It's hard enough to say unequivocally: is masturbation useful or harmful for a man. For example, masturbation is used as a therapeutic technique in the presence of such pathologies as early ejaculation. And, on the contrary, excessively frequent masturbation can have serious negative consequences, both in terms of psychology and at the physiological level.

Benefits

One of the obvious pluses is accessibility. An economical and quick way to relieve excess stress, which subsequently has a positive effect on mood and stress resistance.

Psychologists consider masturbation as an auxiliary tool for maintaining fidelity in a relationship during forced separation (an indirect benefit).

In adolescence, self-satisfaction serves as an assistant in the fight against hypersexuality, when it is too early to start a real relationship, and "energy" needs to be put somewhere.

In the scientific literature, there is research confirming that masturbation increases a man's stamina, thereby increasing the potential for achieving a longer duration of sex. 3

Harm

As already mentioned, the harm should be talked about when it comes to abuse - with the regular "use of the hand" several times a day.An obsessive habit can be problematic:

• decreased sensitivity of the penis;
• development of varicocele - varicose veins in the spermatic cord;
• decreased sex drive;
• increased risk of worsening neuroses and other psychological problems;
• increased risk of infection, inflammatory reactions;
• the possibility of developing prostatitis, prostate adenoma;
• withering potency.

It should be noted that after an act of self-gratification, drowsiness is often observed - accordingly, when doing handicrafts "for breakfast, lunch and dinner", a man may experience symptoms of chronic fatigue. 4

It is important to understand that each organism is individual and a number of representatives of the stronger sex may develop similar consequences with a more rare "lovemaking with oneself." The most harmful is psychological masturbation. It leads to the fact that a man cannot fully get aroused at the sight of a "real" object - a confident erection occurs only when active erotic fantasies are connected.