10 facts, taboos and myths about masturbation
Throughout history and our not so distant past, masturbation has been one of the most prohibited sexual acts, and the harmful myths are still present in today’s society. However, the Kinsey Institute acknowledges that masturbation IT IS the most common form of sexual play and between 62% of women and 92% of men regularly cum through solo sex. Long live the majority. But it makes you wonder why some people are still afraid of their own pleasure.
Learn 10 facts, taboos, and myths about masturbation that you probably don’t know, so you can make an informed decision about whether masturbation is right for you.
1. Many cultures have condemned masturbation for various reasons. The oldest were the ancient Taoists who believed that “seed spilling” endangered the survival of mankind. This is because they thought that men only had a limited amount of sperm and that sperm contained the life force or “chi”. However, today we know that men produce 50,000 sperm per minute, so those old stigmas no longer make sense.
2. Masturbation is associated with “onanism” in Christianity (Genesis 38:9) when Onan refuses to have intercourse with his brother’s widow and spills “his semen on the ground so as not to have offspring.” However, it was “coitus interruptus” or premature withdrawal that was the actual sin committed and not masturbation.
3. Over the centuries, masturbation was thought to be an epidemic and was blamed for all sorts of physical and mental ailments, from back pain to blindness, hysteria and madness, epilepsy and death. Terrible “cures” included shock therapy, chastity belts, male and female circumcision, physical restraints, and much more sinister devices built to “discourage” erections. Today, sexologists agree that masturbation is a normal and natural act that promotes vitality and health. In fact, most believe “that the lack of masturbatory experience may be related to psychopathology, rather than the practice of autoeroticism”, which is in sharp contrast to previous views.
4. Oddly enough, two food manufacturers supported more negative attitudes about masturbation in the early 20th century. Graham (Graham cracker) and cereal developer John Harvey Kellogg are leading a health food crusade against sexual excesses, including masturbation. Think about that the next time you eat your morning cereal.
5. Some of the top ridiculous myths about masturbation include that it is addictive, it will reduce your arousal over time, it will make you infertile or impotent, it will make you blind, it will cause insanity, it will grow hair on your palms, it will stunt your growth, it will make you have acne and it will make you lose your virginity. The truth is that masturbation is pleasurable, healthy and sane. And no, you won’t turn into a werewolf either.
6. Masturbation is not just a pleasurable pastime; It can actually improve your dating relationship. Instead of destroying that “special” aspect of sexuality, masturbation actually enhances it by creating intimacy, allowing sexual exploration, and increasing communication. It can also stimulate the imagination and be an erotic activity that partners can share together. In fact, sexologists say that masturbation establishes a healthy philosophy about sex and helps you lose sexual inhibitions that can prevent you from having a satisfying sex life with your partners by gaining confidence and self-esteem.
7. Unlike many “feel good” things like drugs and food, masturbation has no negative side effects. Masturbation is really healthy for your body. Research shows that masturbation has numerous health benefits and improves prostate health in men, reduces premenstrual cramps in women, provides a healthy release of sexual tension, and is the ultimate in safe sex. Masturbation also improves the function of the immune system; helps reduce signs of aging, menopausal symptoms, obesity, and may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis in older women by increasing bone mass.
8. Guilt is the number one reason most people avoid masturbation and have trouble reaching orgasm. The biggest barrier to successful sexual pleasure is mental distraction from guilty thoughts, taking you out of the moment, away from the sensations of the body, and not allowing the pleasure to transpire. But our negative views about masturbation and sex – that it’s dirty or immoral – are simply false.
9. Many sexologists agree that masturbation is natural, and censoring or repressing it can be harmful, resulting in destructive obsessions, low self-esteem, and can even lead to intimacy problems.
10. Masturbating is natural. Did you know that animals masturbate? Birds do it, bees do it, and even chimpanzees do it. And, cats, and rats, elephants as sure as you were born, the only one that isn’t the unicorn.
