10 Health Benefits Of Masturbation For Men

Although some cultures still consider it taboo, masturbation is a natural part of life and offers a way for men to explore their own bodies. Regular masturbation is part of a healthy sex life and offers numerous physical and mental health benefits. Here are 10 incredible benefits of masturbation that you may not know about.

1. Increased Sexual Stamina

If it’s been a while since you last ejaculated, you may find that you don’t have as much stamina during sexual intercourse. Masturbating before sex can help you last longer in bed by releasing built-up tension. By having more stamina during sex, you’re also less likely to develop anxiety that’s associated with premature ejaculation. 

In order to improve your stamina, you can also train yourself to last longer by timing how long it takes you to orgasm while masturbating. Depending on how long it takes you, try to aim for longer next time and increase this over time. By increasing the time it takes you to orgasm, it also allows you to experience multiple orgasms and gives you more control over your ejaculation. 

2. It can reduce your risk for prostate cancer

According to a 2004 study, men that ejaculated more than 21 times a month reduced their risk of getting prostate cancer by about 33%, compared to men who only ejaculated four to seven times a month. 

A follow-up study conducted in 2016 on the same group of men also found that those that orgasmed eight to 12 times a month reduced their risk of prostate cancer by 10 percent. This may be due to the fact that masturbating flushes toxins out of the prostate gland, thus reducing one’s risk of developing cancerous cells there.

3. Improved sleep quality

Having an orgasm before bed can help you get to sleep quicker and enjoy better quality sleep. In fact, a study found that 65% of participants who had an orgasm before bed reported having better quality sleep. This is partly due to the fact that having an orgasm relaxes the muscles and can clear away any stress and anxiety from the day’s events. But there’s also more of a biological reason. When an organism takes place, the body releases a number of different hormones, including oxytocin and prolactin. These hormones could aid in a good night’s sleep due to their calming effects on the body. 

Additionally, the male sex hormone, testosterone is an important factor in libido. If men don’t have enough testosterone, they won’t have the sexual desire to seek out a release. Having low levels of testosterone is also linked to more instances of nighttime awakenings which in turn leads to lower sleep quality because of interrupted sleep cycles. There are a few things you can do to boost your testosterone levels, and in turn, your libido, including:

• Minimising your stress levels by adopting coping mechanisms like breathing techniques
• Getting enough vitamin D by taking a supplement or ensuring that you get an adequate amount of sunlight each day 
• Getting regular exercise and that at least some of that exercise incorporates weightlifting
• Making sure your diet is rich in protein, carbohydrates, and magnesium

 

4. Improved mental health

Masturbation releases endorphins and oxytocin into the bloodstream, which have a calming effect on the mind. It also allows you to explore your own body without feeling self-conscious or embarrassed, which can boost your self-confidence and self-esteem. 

Due to the calming and mood-boosting effects of some of the hormones released during an orgasm, masturbation may help people suffering from poor mental health. Additionally, because of the link between depression and poor sleep, masturbation before bed could alleviate some of the irritability that comes with a lack of quality sleep. 

Masturbation has also been shown to lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, which, along with oxytocin and endorphins, can lead to feelings of relaxation and calm. This can make masturbation helpful in managing anxiety.

5. It burns energy and increases circulation

There currently isn’t any research on how many calories masturbation in particular can burn off but a 2013 study found that men burn 2.4 calories per minute during sex. 

Obviously the longer you spend masturbating and the more “rigorous” you are, the more calories you’ll end up burning. This is because masturbation can be thought of as a form of cardio as it raises your heart rate, circulates oxygen-rich blood around the body, and regulates the nervous system.

6. It boosts immunity

According to a study published in Frontiers in Immunity, masturbation can increase your body’s ability to fight off diseases. The study found that during masturbation, certain components of the immune system, namely leukocytes (white blood cells), lymphocytes, lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, were present in the bloodstream of male participants before and after they achieved orgasm. 

7. Better understand your sexual wants and needs

Because masturbation is a solo activity it allows you to explore your body freely, without unwanted judgment or pressure from another person. It also gives you the time and space to find out what you enjoy. This information can then be incorporated into sex with a partner if you choose. ‘Practicing’ what you like beforehand can make you more confident to try asking for what you want during partnered sex.