LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Masturbation encompasses the act of stimulating one’s genitals or other erogenous zones on the body to achieve sexual arousal or pleasure. It often carries a stigma. Some religious, cultural and spiritual traditions associate masturbation with immorality or sin.
Masturbation can become an addiction, which can affect relationships, cause physiological effects, and lead to other consequences.
Below are the adverse effects of masturbation;
Sexual Dysfunction: Some studies suggest that overindulgence in pornography and subsequent masturbation can lead to sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, and decreased sexual satisfaction.
Genital Health: In some cases, excessive or vigorous masturbation can lead to temporary skin irritation or chafing of the genital area. When you get to a point where you inflict self-injury on yourself due to this habit, it can lead to other challenges.
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Hormonal Imbalance: There is limited evidence suggesting that excessive masturbation may affect testosterone levels. A study found that testosterone levels may increase after a week of abstinence from masturbation but do not significantly change with regular masturbation.
The relationship between testosterone levels and sexual behaviour is complex and requires further research.
Addiction: Some individuals may develop a compulsion to masturbate, which can lead to excessive and time-consuming behaviour. This can negatively impact daily functioning, relationships, and mental well-being.
Unrealistic Expectations: Extensive exposure to pornography while masturbating may lead to unrealistic expectations of sexual encounters, potentially affecting intimacy and satisfaction in romantic relationships.
Religious Beliefs: Many religious traditions view masturbation as sinful or morally unacceptable. Individuals who engage in masturbation while holding these beliefs may experience guilt, shame, and a sense of moral conflict.
Marital issues: If your spouse uses masturbation to cope when they are under stress, especially when work pressure increases and next step is to quickly get a private place to “handle” themselves, then this is a big issue because apart from leading your partner to other stress management behaviour it can quickly escalate into a big problem, imagine having to get to the toilet anytime you are under duress.
This can create a feeling of rejection if one’s partner finds solace in masturbating rather than sexually connecting with their partner. If your partner finds it very easy to replace physical contact with you, even when you are available.
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Is it possible to stop masturbation, especially when it is affecting your relationship? Yes, definitely you can stop it.
Learning to stop masturbating is a process and this process takes time. To overcome this behaviour you’ve practised for months and sometimes even years, you personally need several coping strategies in order to save your relationship and cause less damage to show them you really want to stop.
Keeping a full schedule will cut down on the opportunities you have for masturbation. Find activities that are self-soothing, engaging, or exciting.
Joining a gym, start running or jogging, exert yourself physically can help in curtailing masturbation habit.
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You will also need a healthy diet for your body, caring for yourself may reduce urges or provide motivation to resist. It can also provide a new focus for your energy and efforts. You also need to be accountable to someone you trust, if you can find a support group.
That would be excellent and the right path to recovery. It can also help you develop new behaviour.
You need to limit your lone time, wear extra clothes at night to cover everywhere as much as possible, make it difficult for the temptation to be successful.
Stop everything that triggers the urge, like porn, sex magazines and so on.