Physical and psychological benefits of masturbation
The search for pleasure is one of the main objectives of the human being. Not only men and women live through reflection and hard work. Pleasure, in its many facets, is associated with happiness and is (or should at least be) something that we should all look for.
To feel pleasure there are many forms, including sex, either with other people or with oneself. Of this last possibility we will speak today, deepening in the masturbation and its multiple positive effects for our physical, psychological and physiological health .
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Masturbation is a sexual behavior that can be defined as any form of sexual self-pleasure obtained through any type of direct physical stimulation. This sexual behavior is widely practiced, since 95% of men and 63% of women have ever masturbated .
Masturbation as a usual practice usually begins during adolescence, with boys beginning earlier than girls as a trend, with an average age of beginning of 14 and 16, respectively. A curious fact is that women tend to masturbate more often when they are in a stable relationship, whereas men tend to masturbate more when they lose a relationship and become single again.
This sexual behavior is not specifically human, since It is also observed in other animals , especially among mammals.
Historical vision of masturbation: religion and taboo
Masturbation has been condemned throughout history , giving it a negative connotation and provoking or attributing diverse physical and mental problems to the people who have practiced it.
Thus, for example, the Christian religion has historically persecuted it, considering it even a worse sin than incest or rape in past ages. Culturally, masturbation was considered the cause of health problems such as loss of vision or sterility, something that science denies sharply. Despite this, in times when information and access to scientific sources was a utopia, people firmly believed that masturbation would cause them severe problems, and therefore repressed their instinct to practice it.
But not only religion has transmitted negativity and has generated cultural taboo towards this sexual behavior: several scientists and health professionals have written extensively about the negative effects of masturbation on the health of the people who practice it. For example, Tissot , in 1758, considered masturbation as a cause of brain softening .
It was also theorized that this practice was one of the causes of homosexuality, and Kraepelin He explained that masturbation was a symptom of several mental illnesses. Sigmund Freud also wrote about this sexual behavior, and had the theory that masturbation was normal in childhood, but a symptom of immaturity in adulthood, especially in the case of female masturbation.
Physical and psychological benefits of masturbation
Clinical research has been able to show that masturbation is beneficial both physically and psychologically , and in fact, it is widely used as a technique in sexual and couple therapy
These are some of the benefits of this practice.
Physical benefits
- Causes an analgesic effect and can help with menstrual pain, as it causes a deflation of the genital area.
- Maintains a healthy state of the genitals : it helps to maintain a good lubrication in the case of women, and a good reflection of the erection and ejaculation in the case of men.
- Some studies indicate that masturbating helps strengthen the immune system and prevents infections, due to the higher levels of immunoglobulin A that can be seen in people who get more orgasms.
Psychological benefits
- It helps to improve sleep, especially in the case of men, due to the release of serotonin and opioids.
- It has a relaxing effect and a feeling of well-being , helping to release sexual, physiological and psychological stresses.
- Help to explore and learn about one's sexuality , promoting positive attitudes towards sex and genitals, and can improve sexual functioning in the couple.
Bibliographic references:
- Hair, F (2010). Manual of sexology and sexual therapy. Madrid: Editorial synthesis.
