By ASTROGLIDE Team
Sexual health
5 myths about masturbation that need to be banished
Before embarking on a business, it is important that you clear up the myths about masturbation. We’ve covered myths about sex that you should stop believing. Now it’s time to dig into the inaccuracies surrounding masturbation. There are some persistent myths surrounding the topic of masturbation – and we’re not just talking about cryptic warnings about blindness or hairy palms. (Both are untrue, by the way.)
Sex therapists and human sex experts say that many myths about masturbation persist because they sound like they really are. In other cases, people cling to incorrect information because their parents discouraged them from exploring their own bodies as children. However, myths about masturbation arise, which can prevent people from engaging in a normal, healthy act.
Myth: Masturbation is not about men/women
Good news, lady. Masturbation isn’t just for guys. According to Michael J. Salas, a sex therapist in Dallas, masturbation is an equal opportunity activity. “For both men and women, [masturbation] can help them explore their bodies and understand what leads to the most pleasure. It can also help women understand what leads to orgasm.”
Salas says that social norms – not nature – have led some women to believe that masturbation is something exclusive to men. Fortunately, this attitude is changing. “Men and women are socialized about masturbation in very different ways. Things have changed, and people are more accepting of women’s sexuality, but there are still barriers. It is only assumed that men masturbate. Some sections of society consider it unhealthy, but overall, we consider it normal and healthy.”
Many also believe that men are simply more likely to masturbate than women, which explains why men masturbate more often. Not so fast, the researchers say. In a 2016 study published in the Journal of Sexual Research, data showed similar masturbation rates among young men and women in Sweden. Among women, 85.5 percent said they had masturbated. For men, the figure is 98.9%. So there is a gap, yes, but not as wide as many people think.
Myth: Masturbation leads to sex addiction
You don’t have to search hard for warnings about the alleged link between self-love and sex addiction. The problem with this pillow warning, however, is that sex is an extremely personal concept. Likewise, different people have different levels of sexual needs and desires. What one individual considers excessive may be quite normal for another.
Dr. Michael Ashworth at Psychology Today explains that sex drive is different from person to person, meaning that how often one person masturbates can also be different from another. “Individuals vary greatly in how much they masturbate. Some people won’t dream about it, while others masturbate two or three times in their life, and others two or three times a day. (And those aren’t the only options!) Masturbation itself has no side effects, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re single or in a relationship. “
However, like anything else, too much of a good thing can be bad for you. If you’re concerned that your masturbation habit is getting out of control, Dr. Ashworth says it’s important to look for signs that it’s interfering with other parts of your life.
For example, do you have less sex with your partner because you prefer masturbation? This could be a warning that something is wrong in your relationship or sex life. Do you use masturbation as a way to get rid of problems? Masturbation may feel good, but it won’t solve your financial difficulties or help you overcome career challenges. If you rely on it too much, you may be using it as a way to avoid real problems in your life.
Myth: Masturbation depletes your sperm count
Masturbating too often makes guys exhausted, right? Not exactly exactly. Sara SDx at Don’t Cook Your Balls explains that masturbation doesn’t hurt your fertility or lower a man’s sperm count.
In fact, it’s best to get rid of old sperm if you’re looking to have children with your partner. This is because older sperm can become less mobile, which means they don’t swim either. And if you’re trying to conceive, problems with peristalsis can reduce your chances of getting pregnant. If the sperm can’t swim fast enough to reach their goal, you may try harder than anticipated.
However, if you know you have a low sperm count, you may want to tweak your ejaculation frequency a bit. According to Sara, healthy men who want to conceive should have sex every two to seven days. For those with a low sperm count, it’s probably better to do it every three to four days. So if you’re masturbating – and you’re also trying to conceive – it’s just something to keep in mind.
Myth: Masturbation means you are not satisfied with your sex life
Another myth is that masturbation is something you do when you can’t stop being in love with your partner. However, according to sex therapists, this is simply not true.
Sex educator Bianca Alba, a sex educator and former editor of Kinsey Confidential, says that masturbation does not mean that an individual is unhappy with their partner. “A big myth is that people won’t choose to masturbate if they have a partner or regular sex partners. As a sex educator, I believe that masturbation is a healthy aspect of self-love and understanding one’s own sexuality, regardless of other sexual opportunities. Masturbation is also a great tool for relaxation and for alleviating stress, anxiety, and insomnia.”
When it comes to sex and masturbation, it turns out you can actually eat cake and eat it.
Myth: Masturbation is cheating
Perhaps one of the most common masturbation myths is that masturbation is a form of cheating on your partner. Not so, sexologists say.
According to Rachael Rose, a sex educator and founder of the Hedonish sex and sex education website, masturbation is a normal, healthy part of a relationship. “Some people believe that masturbation while in a relationship is cheating or that it means you are not satisfied with your sex life… The truth is that masturbation is healthy and normal regardless of gender. your gender, relationship status or level of sexual relationship” are. ”
Rose says masturbation can actually help you by teaching you what you like about sex and sex. “In fact, masturbation can be an important part of your self-care arsenal! It’s a great way to help yourself relax, relieve stress, and also a great way to learn what feels good for your body.”
6 masturbation tips you need to know
Now that we’ve cleared up the myths, it’s time to talk about masturbation techniques. Here are six masturbation tips to help you take your masturbation game to the next level.
- Experiment with lubricants – Alba says lubricants are a great way to make masturbation more enjoyable. “Adding lubricant is the simplest trick to enhance masturbation for both men and women. For men, silicone lubricants can provide a more enjoyable experience and don’t dry out as quickly. It prevents the skin of the penis from cracking, drying and desensitizing due to strong friction. For women, I recommend using a water-based or water/silicone hybrid lubricant as it more closely resembles natural vaginal discharge.”
- Engage partners Masturbation does not have to be a single event. Rose says you can spice things up by inviting your partner to join. “Masturbation can also be great for your partner’s sex life! Finding out what feels good and sharing that information with your partner can make sex more enjoyable or make a mix of mutual masturbation (masturbation in front of each other) a plus. new and extremely sexy for your partner sex life. “
- Practice in front of the mirror – We know, we know. However, sex therapists say many adults do not have a complete understanding of their own anatomy. In a British survey, 44% of women could not indicate a vagina on a medical illustration of the female reproductive system. If you don’t know what all the different parts are for, chances are you’ll miss out on some luscious orgasms. A mirror allows you to get a close-up and personal look at what’s underneath – and helps you feel more comfortable masturbating. If you’re feeling particularly daring, you can even let your partner watch while you explore in front of a mirror. If you’re not ready to face the mirror, that’s okay. Here are 8 things you might not know about the clitoris to get you started.
- Try out some new toys – There is no right or wrong way to masturbate. In fact, you don’t even need to limit your hands. Rose says you can try sex toys if you’re feeling adventurous or just looking for something different. “… Consider trying some of the fun toys out there (there are great options no matter what part you have) if you’re uncomfortable with using your hands or if that just doesn’t work for you or if you want to mix things up. Curious what toys you should have in your toolbox? Check out our guide to toys for two.
- Make time for it Scheduling masturbation time may sound a bit odd, but a busy schedule often means taking care of yourself gets pushed back and can be pushed out of schedule altogether. While you don’t necessarily need to add masturbation to your calendar, there are plenty of reasons to make it a priority. Research shows that masturbation can reduce stress, improve orgasm, and even help you sleep better.
- Bring it to the edge – There is so much to say for taking your time. This is true of sex as well as masturbation. In fact, more than 65 percent of women say they prefer prolonged intercourse with a steady build-up that takes them right to the climax. Called “rimming,” this technique can also make masturbation more enjoyable. Instead of racing to the finish line, don’t be afraid to linger on masturbation – whether you’re alone or with others.
The bottom line is that masturbation is a normal part of a healthy sex life. Do it more or less. Alone or with a partner. There is no wrong way to enjoy this personal and fulfilling side of sex.
