DOES MASTURBATION CAUSE DEPRESSION?
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In this article we will discuss if masturbation can cause depression. We will also look at the health benefits of masturbation and its side effects too in addition to a few biological perspectives.
DOES MASTURBATION CAUSE DEPRESSION?
No, masturbation does not cause depression. It is rather normal for a 13 year old to believe that too much masturbation will make them go blind but the reasons are mostly religious or cultural for adults.
The fact that one keeps thinking about it and sometimes looks it up on the internet to find evidence can cause feelings of anxiousness or depression because of worry. Masturbation is stigmatised in many cultures, this can make a person feel guilty for indulging and enjoying the act which in turn can lead to feelings of depression.
There is no medical evidence that states masturbation causes depression, moreover it is denied.
However, there are people who feel post-nut depression.
PENIS-VAGINA INTERCOURSE (PVI) V/S SOLO SEX
Masturbation is often inversely associated with mental health because one lacks satisfaction that results from intimacy. It’s more of an individualistic satisfaction, which is short-lived and frequently followed by guilt.
A person can experience unhappiness, mental health problems or even physical problems but masturbation is not what is causing these problems. Compared to a person who practices regular and safe sex, anyone who does not and primarily masturbates will report a higher rate of depression or unhappiness. It’s because society condemns it, this can put pressure on the individual and lead him to depression.
One more reason for this can be lack of affection. Sometimes what a person needs is physical touch and affection rather than sex. Loneliness is a real problem that people with depression face and often confuse it with lack of sexual activity.
If people stop seeing masturbation as a sin and realise that it’s healthy for one to masturbate, these results or feelings can easily be reversed. A person could become happier, more satisfied and less depressed. Numerous religions and cultures around the world believe that anything other than traditional sex between man and woman is seriously shameful, and this includes masturbation.
PVI can help you build trust and intimacy with your partner. It also affects the confidence of a person and their self-esteem immensely. They feel assured or positive about expressing their emotional state and feelings
PVI more or less helps build better intimate relationships and feel less lonely. It is important to express one’s sexuality and sexual orientation, PVI plays a great role in helping a person realise their standing and what they enjoy. Being comfortable with the partner during sex is vital to enjoy the whole experience and this can only happen if one is comfortable with themselves, which stems from the act of masturbation truly.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF MASTURBATION
Masturbation can help relieve stress or anxiety that can result in feelings of satisfaction and pleasure. Masturbation can also help one in getting a good night’s sleep as it often relaxes the body. These feelings of gratification and pleasure also help elevate the mood.
One major benefit of masturbation is a better connection to your body and greater understanding of your sexual preferences. If you don’t know what you want, how will your partner know? Maturation helps one to explore various aspects of their body and the acts that result in pleasure.
In women, self-pleasure can help improve sensitivity and desire for sexual acts. Using a vibrator has been associated with improved and increased arousal and sexual function. It is also beneficial for pregnant women as it helps release that hormone induced sexual desire in a safe way. It can also help with labour because having an orgasm an induce labour.
Frequent discharge can lower the risk of prostate cancer. It flushes out any germs or virus from the prostate that could lead to the risk of cancer. It also lowers the build-up of sperm, which if not done can be harmful.
BIOLOGICAL CAUSE
One reason people feel that masturbation can cause issues with “getting it up” is because the feeling that they are engaging in a sinful act is so strong that it causes high levels of stress and anxiety. This leads to escalated flow of cortisol (stress hormone) in the blood; it chokes the arteries including those that ensure blood supply to the penis. Limited blood supply due to this constriction can cause problems in erection.
SIDE EFFECTS OF MASTURBATION
There aren’t a lot of side effects of masturbation but there are a few that can be counted.
Chafing can be caused due to frequent masturbation. Putting too much pressure on the penis or too tight a grip can also cause harm by damaging the nerves resulting in loss of sensation of erectile dysfunction.
Depression has a higher chance of affecting the sex drive rather than masturbation leading to depression. Depression, stress, and anxiety can lead to Erectile Dysfunction in men. ED is a condition in which a man faces the inability to either get or keep the erection firm enough to perform intercourse.
Chronic masturbation is harmful. It can affect your relationships, work, and academics as it can significantly lower productivity. If you’re missing work/school, cancelling plans too often or masturbating multiple times a day on a regular basis, it might be time to seek some help.
There are organizations on the internet that promote abstinence from male masturbation, such as NoFap.
CONCLUSION
In this article we discussed if masturbation can lead to depression. We also looked at the health benefits of masturbation and its side effects in addition to a few biological perspectives.
There is no shame in masturbation. It is a need that occurs in people of all ages and gender across all cultures and ethnic groups.
Masturbation is probably doing more good than harm. Masturbation can be a form of self-care if you let it be.
FAQs: Masturbation and depression
Does masturbation help ease depression?
Masturbation can make a person feel good but this feel-good emotion doesn’t stay for long. Masturbation will secrete dopamine, the “happy hormone” and you will feel better but as soon as these levels of dopamine go down and return to their normal state, you will feel like your old self again.
If you feel like you may be suffering from depression, talk to someone who knows how to help you.
There is a strong probability that the feelings of sadness come back stronger after masturbation and push you deeper in depression.
What is chronic masturbator disorder?
Compulsive masturbation is a real disorder. It’s listed as a disorder in International Classification of Diseases (ICT). It comes under Compulsive Sexual Disorders. It can be characterised by the lack of impulse control to engage in the said act. If it’s interfering with your work life and social life or resulting in physical harm, it’s a problem. Chronic masturbation can also interfere with your intimate or romantic relationships. A need to masturbate even after one has engaged in the act of sexual intercourse can be a strong indicator that a problem exists.
Why does discharge relieve stress?
Discharge causes the release of dopamine which in turn makes you feel happy and pleasured and lowers cortisol levels. Cortisol is what’s causing all that stress. Having an orgasm will lower the levels of cortisol and increase the levels of dopamine and serotonin. So you’re literally letting the stress out of your body when you’re discharging.
Is “Sadsturbation” a thing?
Yes, sadsturbation or mastursobbing is a real thing. It’s also a behaviour made legit by urban dictionary. It’s the act of masturbation followed by crying. The idea here is to let the emotions or hormones go crazy as a result of masturbation and indulge in a good crying session to relieve all the stress.
Side effects of daily masturbation in males?
There isn’t any high risk in masturbating daily but it can cause chafing and swelling of the penis.
Too much pressure on the penis when masturbating can damage the nerves and lead to erectile dysfunction.
Does female masturbation cause infertility?
No, masturbation does not cause infertility in females. On the contrary, muscular contraction due to orgasm can help in conception. Orgasm also increases the chances of going into labour for pregnant women. Women who masturbate have higher rates of orgasm during PVI than those who don’t. Using a vibrator has been associated with improved and increased arousal and sexual function
Does masturbation count as cheating?
No, masturbation is not cheating. It is possible that you are not able to get an orgasmic response with your partner and as a result of that you turn to masturbation. It’s only because you know your body better and are able to do the needful. If such a problem persists, communication with your partner is the best solution. It will help them understand your needs better.
Does masturbation cause erectile dysfunction?
No, masturbation does not cause erectile dysfunction. Though, if too much pressure is used or if one masturbates frequently lying face down on their stomach can cause damage to the nerves resulting in Erectile dysfunction.
CITATIONS
https://www.healthline.com/health/masturbation-and-depression#benefits
https://www.healthline.com/health/masturbation-side-effects
https://www.buzzfeed.com/annaborges/we-need-to-talk-about-sadsturbation
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324525#when-to-seek-help
https://www.insider.com/masturbation-questions-answers-embarrassing-2018-6
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