Listen to this note:
May is National Masturbation Month, a topic that, for many, is still taboo. However, this can be a great opportunity to make time for yourself, get to know your body and prioritize your sexual pleasure, learning in an excellent way what you like or don't like without putting yourself at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, one of the best ways to learn about your sexuality.
International Masturbation Month, celebrated in May, emerges as an initiative to promote positive sexual education and destigmatize a fundamental aspect of human sexuality.
Originated in 1995 as a response to the dismissal of the sexologist Joycelyn Elders for its statement in favor of the inclusion of masturbation in sexual education programs, this month seeks to encourage healthy sexual self-exploration and free people from the shame and taboo surrounding this topic.
According to a 2023 survey, on average, women masturbate 49 times a year and men 154, meaning men masturbate 68 percent more than women (three times as much). Meanwhile, 5 percent of people masturbate almost every day.
Most women who masturbate (91.5 percent) still do so, even if they are married or in a relationship, while 67 percent of heterosexual men in a relationship still masturbate.
However, 72 percent of women and 84 percent of men ages 25 to 29 masturbate, more than any other age group.
On average, men and women spend almost the same amount of time masturbating. It takes women 13 minutes to masturbate and men 14 minutes.
That being said, there are some pretty wild masturbation records:
The world record for masturbation orgasms is 134 orgasms in one hour. It is held by a woman in California. Masanobu Sato holds the record for the longest masturbation session: 9 hours and 58 minutes.
It is common for people to masturbate, and several factors affect frequency. Unless you're hurting yourself, masturbation poses no real health risks.
Additionally, masturbation has benefits such as: increased confidence and sleep; stress relief; reduced risk of prostate cancer; relief of menstrual cramps; can help men last longer in bed; can increase happiness by releasing dopamine and oxytocin; can increase estrogen, leading to healthier skin and hair; can increase libido; It can improve cognitive function and can teach you about your sexuality and what turns you on.
However, excessive masturbation can cause problems such as: desensitization, problems with your partner, and problems with work and relationships.
It is also normal not to masturbate often or at all. Nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men have been victims of physical or sexual violence, and sexual trauma can cause someone to avoid sexual activity.
Additionally, some women believe they are supposed to be less sexual than men, adding to the sexual stigma and shame. Likewise, some men choose not to masturbate to improve their testosterone.
Most men start masturbating between the ages of 12 and 13, while most women start masturbating between the ages of 13 and 14. 20 percent of women say they didn't start masturbating until they were in their twenties. Meanwhile, most people masturbate less as they age.
Masturbation in marriage
Masturbation satisfies different sexual needs than partnered sex, so it's no surprise that married people masturbate as often as anyone else.
Research suggests that masturbation complements sex for women. This means that women masturbate when they are satisfied with their sex life. Happily married women are more likely to masturbate than women who are dissatisfied with their relationships.
91.5 percent of women who masturbate still do so when they have a partner or spouse. Up to 76 percent of married women masturbate.
For men, masturbation is usually compensatory, meaning that men masturbate more when they have less sex.
67 percent of heterosexual men in relationships masturbate at least once a week; and men who have more partnered sex are less likely to masturbate, which doesn't necessarily mean that a man who masturbates is unhappy with his sex life; On the other hand, he is likely to masturbate more if he is not satisfied with it.
But why do people masturbate?
Most people masturbate for pleasure, but there are also many other reasons, for the most part, men and women masturbate for the same reasons: pleasure, arousal, stress relief, etc.
Men, however, are much more likely than women to masturbate if they want more sex (31.6 percent vs. 19.8 percent). They are also more likely to masturbate for sexual fantasies that they cannot fulfill in real life.
Women (12.5 percent) are more likely than men (7.4 percent) to masturbate to explore their sexuality.
Psychological factors also influence masturbation. ADHD can cause an increase in sexual desire and frequency of masturbation.
Masturbation releases dopamine; This can make you want to masturbate even if you're not aroused. Some conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, or Pick's disease, make people more likely to engage in compulsive sexual behaviors, including masturbation.
Masturbation is healthy, but it is important not to get carried away. Here's what experts say about frequency:
The average man should masturbate 21 times a month to reduce his risk of prostate cancer by 31 percent. On average, women should masturbate at least once a week and around their menstrual cycle.
Alternatively, some men retain semen to increase their testosterone. Many follow the following ancient Taoist masturbation equation:
(Age ? 7)/4 = X days between ejaculations.
This means, for example, that a 17-year-old should masturbate approximately every 2.5 days.
Masturbation is common for both men and women, although most people are uncomfortable admitting it. Despite the taboo, it is a healthy and normal sexual activity for adolescents and adults.
You may be interested in: The art of Orgasm, a pleasure for everyone
