Myths about masturbation have been around for as long as people have been well, masturbating. Common myths—possibly created to discourage below-the-belt activity—include blindness or growing hair on your palms as a consequence of self-indulgence.

The truth is all sorts of people masturbate. Old and young; male and female; couples and singles; gay and straight. Some do it on a regular basis. Others rarely do it.

Experts say masturbation—the act of manipulating one's own genitals for sexual pleasure—is perfectly normal and an excellent way to learn about your body. Using that knowledge can increase your own sexual pleasure and lead to greater intimacy with your spouse or partner. "Relating better to your partner often starts with masturbation," says Peter Kanaris, PhD a psychologist and certified sex therapist in Smithtown, NY.

True or False? Masturbating is unhealthy
False.
In fact, research has suggested masturbation has health benefits, such as boosting the immune system for men and increasing resistance to yeast infections for women. In 2003, an Australian study concluded that men could even reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer through regular masturbation.

The researchers questioned 2,500 men and found that those who had ejaculated the most between the ages of 20 and 50 were the least likely to develop cancer. The theory being that cancer-causing agents build up in the prostate if they are not released through ejaculation on a regular basis. However, sexual intercourse does not seem to have the same protective benefit (due to the threat of developing a sexually-transmitted diseases, and the link between cancer and STDs).

True or False? Masturbating is a symptom of sex addiction
Not always.
According to the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy nearly 12 million people suffer from sexual addiction in the United States of which excessive masturbation can be a form.

Kanaris agrees that, yes, there are cases where masturbation can be compulsive and excessive and lead to a variety of sexual problems. But preferring yourself to a partner is okay clinically speaking as long as it is your choice. "However, if it interferes with a relationship—in other words if a person chooses masturbating over being with his or her partner—it may be excessive," he says.

Masturbating that gets in the way of one's ability to do his job or take care of himself or his home is also a problem that should be discussed with a certified sex therapist or mental health professional. Additionally, men can train themselves to ejaculate in a way that makes it difficult for them to orgasm with a partner through intercourse.

True or False: You can injure yourself while masturbating
This one has a bit of truth to it.
"It's possible to damage the penis through masturbation that is too forceful and women should be careful not to insert unclean objects into themselves," he says. "Genitals are a sensitive part of the body and should be treated with care and cleanliness."

True or False: Masturbating is a manifestation of anxiety
It may be,
say experts. "A child growing up in a family that is negative about sex might have performance anxiety as an adult. People with social anxiety might also turn to masturbation as a safe alternative where they won't experience rejection," explains Kanaris. Problematic sexual behavior can also be rooted in mismanaged anger or fear of intimacy, stress management, sexual abuse or being raised by parents who have affairs or expose their young children to pornography.

True or False: Masturbation causes erectile dysfunction
Nope.
Sorry, but erectile dysfunction (ED) is not the result of masturbation-excessive or otherwise. "It can appear that masturbation causes ED, but it's actually anxiety that causes the problem," says Kanaris. "Masturbation in that case can be the solution."

If you, or someone you know, is having a sexual problem, know that treatment is effective. As reported by The New York Times, outpatient treatment for excessive masturbation and other sexual problems typically requires 12 to 18 sessions and has an average success rate of 70 to 80 percent. Kanaris adds, "anti-anxiety techniques can be taught and in the right setting, masturbation can be used as a therapeutic tool."

To find a properly licensed mental health provider, Kanaris recommends the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists. Visit the group's website at: www.aasect.org or the American Psychological Association at: www.apa.org.

 


 

Sources:

Interview with Peter Kanaris, PhD
Psychologist and certified sex therapist in Smithtown, NY

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
http://www.aamft.org

The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com

Planned Parenthood
http://www.plannedparenthood.org