10 Reasons to Masturbate

Even now, female masturbation is considered to be a taboo subject, which is very bizarre. This is particularly galling when you consider the many advantages of female masturbation are taken into consideration. It would be one thing if masturbation were simply something you did for no reason and received no benefit from, but in fact, masturbation—and the orgasms it may cause—can bring a great deal of positive energy into your life and help you achieve your goals. These advantages aren’t merely restricted to improving your sexual wellness.

 

 

 

 

In an interview with SELF, Kelley Kitely, L.C.S.W., a women’s mental health specialist based in Chicago, says she recommends masturbation to the women she treats. “However, it makes a lot of women feel uncomfortable. As Kitely explains, “my aim is that we can mainstream the practice for women as well, since it is such a natural function.” In my opinion, it is on the same level of significance as eating, sleeping, and cleaning one’s teeth, among other things. Please sign us up.

 

 

 

Despite the fact that there isn’t a lot of scientific evidence on the issue (could researchers possibly explore it with a little more zeal? ), many experts feel that masturbation can be beneficial in a variety of ways to your health. If you stick with the most basic form, you’ll also benefit from the fact that “masturbation is safe, simple, and completely free,” according to Wendie Trubow, M.D., president of Five Journeys Integrative Medicine. You still don’t think it’s enough to convince you? Continue reading to find out why you should get off the train. No matter if you’re a seasoned pro or a self-esteem novice, consider this a primer or reminder of why you should touch yourself, play with your toys, or otherwise pursue your desires in whichever method you find most enjoyable and fulfilling. According to Dr. Trubow, who spoke to SELF, “it’s basically a question of personal taste” how you do it. However, we believe that the fact that you do it at all is a question of personal responsibility.

 

 

 

 

Before we get into the meat of our argument, a short remark on terminology: We recognize that being a woman does not need the presence of organs such as a uterus or a vagina. For the sake of this essay, we’ll refer to the behavior as “female masturbation” to portray it in persons who have vaginal organs in line with scientific research on the subject—but many of these advantages apply regardless of your gender or sexual and reproductive organs.

Now, let’s talk about the advantages:

1. The concentration required for an orgasm might assist in removing tension from your thoughts.

Consider the most mind-blowing orgasm you’ve ever experienced—or even the most fantastic non-orgasmic sexual encounter you’ve ever had in your lifetime. If it happened when you were worrying about a huge work presentation or mentally going through your never-ending to-do list, it’s likely that you weren’t thinking about it.

 

 

 

Getting to orgasm often requires clearing your mind of any stressful ideas, and then the wave of pleasure amplifies the influence of the previous wave of pleasure. According to Kitely, orgasm “distracts the attention” away from whatever that is causing you worry. While we are unable to provide you with a groundbreaking piece of scientific evidence to support this, consider how stress may frequently be alleviated when you immerse yourself in something you really like. Essentially, the situation is the same as it was before.

 

 

 

We’d be negligent if we didn’t note that some individuals have a difficult time attaining orgasm and that orgasm is not a requirement for a rewarding experience. So let’s be very clear: orgasm is not a must for a fulfilling experience. Any kind of sexual pleasure, whether orgasmic or not, may be beneficial in diverting your attention away from the unpleasant reality of everyday life. Even if it is just temporary, it is still a victory!

 

 

 

2. An orgasm-induced endorphin release may also be beneficial for stress alleviation and putting you in a good mood.

So here’s the second installment of masturbation’s stress-relieving abilities: The act of having an orgasm generates endorphins, which, according to Dr. Trubow, may assist to alleviate tension, at least briefly.

 

 

Endorphins are neurotransmitters that have the ability to provide pleasant sensations. To be honest, there aren’t any significant studies that have been shown to be scientifically sound that demonstrate a definite correlation between masturbation, endorphin release, and happy sensations. Regardless of the cause, it is a well known medical truth that physical exercise may aid in the production of endorphins, as reported by the Mayo Clinic. For what else can masturbation be described as other than an extraordinarily delightful sort of physical activity? Consider the aftermath of an orgasm: you’re probably all like, “V is for victory,” aren’t you? (And this is just before you go ahead and sigh, grin, and take a sleep, which we’ll get to in a second.)

 

 

 

According to Kitely, those endorphins are the same ones that you receive after a good exercise, thus your runner’s high has now been transformed into your orgasm high. This suggests that there may be validity to the belief that masturbating before walking into the workplace might leave you with a clearer brain, similar to how exercise can do the same thing. According to Kitely, some individuals have even reported feeling greater energy after a masturbation orgasm, much as people sometimes experience an increase in energy following physical activity. Everything is good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Having an orgasm may also cause you to become very fatigued, which may assist you in falling asleep more quickly.

Let’s talk about what occurs as you go through the stages of orgasm. As part of what is known as the sexual response cycle, this process is one of the primary reasons why orgasmic release feels so good once it has occurred.

When you masturbate or have sex, your body goes through a series of phases, each of which is accompanied by very real physiological changes. According to the Cleveland Clinic, during the initial phase of desire, your heart and breathing rates begin to increase, and your clitoris gets engorged with blood, causing you to have a small erection for a brief period of time. Your muscles stiffen up as well, as if they were about to be released. As you get closer to climax, these types of changes become more noticeable.

 

 

 

 

 

As soon as you attain orgasm, all of the pent-up energy and anxiety is let out into the world. Your muscles begin to spasm. According to the Cleveland Clinic, your blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiration are all at their highest, most frantic levels. Is it any surprise that all of this may be demanding, and that you may suffer some weariness during the post-orgasm resolution portion of the process?

But it isn’t simply that all of this effort and release might be exhausting. One idea maintains that orgasm (whether experienced via masturbation or intercourse) seems to cause the release of increased prolactin, a hormone that has been connected to sexual satisfaction and has also been involved in the regulation of sleep.

 

 

 

 

As you might imagine, having an orgasm isn’t a foolproof sleep aid, particularly if you suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia. However, for some individuals, the relaxation that masturbation brings might be a fantastic way to get really exhausted very fast (or really slowly, depending on how you go about your masturbatory business). In an interview with SELF, Kitely says, “It’s fantastic to do right before bed, in the bath, or during other calming evening rituals.” According to her, “It simply naturally puts individuals into a contemplative state.”

 

 

 

 

 

4. Investigating what it is that gets you off the best will make you feel more confident about your sexuality.

When it comes to female masturbation, there is some outmoded, but still prevalent, cultural stigmatization that exists. According to Kitely, persons who have vaginal protrusions frequently feel embarrassed of their own bodies and sexuality as a result of this. One of the most significant advantages of female masturbation is the elimination of feelings of shame. It is one of the most lasting and unchangeable aspects of our nature that we are sexual creatures. Absolutely nothing is wrong with what you’re saying. In fact, it’s just great.

 

 

 

 

“I definitely feel that [masturbation] may help women gain confidence and self-esteem by getting to know their own bodies and what they prefer,” Kitely asserts. Masturbation is one of the most effective methods to learn about your sexuality, to understand your preferences, and to learn how to achieve orgasm [if that is something your body is capable of doing]. Moreover, when you’re routinely, and sometimes very literally, tapping into this incredibly unique part of yourself, you’re most likely experiencing some pretty positive emotions. If you listen closely, you may hear Larry David repeating it in the background of your mind:

 

 

 

5. It may be beneficial in increasing your libido. (Yes, it is possible to have your cake and eat it too.)

This is the ideal form of vicious cycle since it isn’t really vicious in the traditional sense.

In Dr. Trubow’s words, it’s a “feed-forward” process, which implies that the more you excite yourself, the more you desire to be stimulated by others. Another advantage of female masturbation stems from the fact that when you taste something delicious and wonderful, whether it’s a delicious piece of carrot cake or an exhilarating orgasm, you’re more than likely to desire more of the good things in the future.

This would be fantastic regardless of the circumstances, but there is one reason why it is extra fantastic: Many persons who have vaginal prolapse have reduced libido at some time in their lives. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a plethora of possible reasons, including sadness, discomfort during intercourse, excessive alcohol use, chronic sickness, and weariness. It may be quite distressing to have the impression that you are losing touch with your sexuality, regardless of the cause. For others, masturbation serves as a means of coping with this situation.

 

 

 

 

“A woman who wants to get back into being sexual is encouraged to masturbate because it can lead to more sexual thoughts and a better sexual response,” says Dr. Trubow. “A woman who wants to get back into being sexual is encouraged to masturbate because it can lead to more sexual thoughts and a better sexual response.”

Having said that, sometimes masturbation alone isn’t enough to restore a sagging libido. If this is your first time experiencing anything like this, you shouldn’t feel like you’re failing in any way. This simply indicates that you may benefit from consulting a medical specialist who can determine the cause of your low libido and provide appropriate treatment options for the condition.

 

 

 

6.Masturbation may make you more interested in having sex with your significant other, if you’re in a relationship with him or her.

This is a result of the same feed-forward process as before. Dr. Trubow provides the following explanation: Once you’ve satisfied your libido, it’s likely that it will want more. That might result in even more masturbation, in which case you should be ashamed of yourself. If you are in a relationship, it might also imply more sex with your spouse. It’s not just about the amount; your masturbation may also have a positive effect on the quality of your sleep.

 

 

 

 

So, let’s be honest for a minute: masturbation did indeed benefit my relationship. Increased sexual awareness allows me to be more cognizant of what I want and to direct my husband’s attention to those precise locations or sensations. Discovering what you enjoy with a partner is a great experience. However, allowing yourself the flexibility to investigate your sexual preferences and dislikes on your own and then incorporating that information into your relationship is another method of achieving a more fulfilling sex life as a couple.

 

 

 

It is common for more sexual activity to be a completely positive and exciting development in a relationship. The only exception, according to Kitely, is if masturbation is genuinely interfering with your ability to connect with your significant other. You can be totally content with your spouse if you masturbate more often than you have intercourse with him or her, and you’re both perfectly OK with it. However, if you feel that your masturbatory habits are interfering with your relationship or other aspects of your life, consulting with a sex therapist may be a good choice. Here’s how to go about finding one.

 

 

 

 

 

7. If you engage in vigorous physical activity, you may give your heart a good workout.

Please understand that we are not suggesting that masturbation is a sufficient workout to substitute for your regular exercise routines. Nonetheless, remember how we discussed the sexual response cycle, and in particular how it is characterized by an increase in your heart and breathing rates? It goes to reason that if you have a particularly lengthy and intense period of masturbation, you may raise your heart rate to a level that is sufficient to give it a good exercise.

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, research has not yet reached a definitive conclusion on how much of a cardiovascular exercise masturbation, intercourse, and orgasms really provide. However, researchers believe that over time, masturbation may be able to contribute, although in a little way, to enhanced cardiovascular health and endurance. As Dr. Trubow explains, “the effectiveness [of this] is dependent on how violently a lady masturbates.” “If she can keep her heart rate up and work up a sweat, it is fantastic for her cardiovascular health!”

 

 

 

8. While masturbating, you may also give your pelvic floor a good workout.

It’s difficult to speak about the advantages of female masturbation without bringing up the subject of the pelvic floor. In accordance with the Mayo Clinic, the pelvic floor is a set of muscles that provide support for important internal organs such as your bladder and uterus. In order to prevent or minimize difficulties such as leaking urine while sneezing, laughing, or coughing, it is essential to have a firm pelvic floor. If you have a baby, for example, you may experience this kind of situation.

 

 

 

 

In fact, having a pelvic floor is similar to having other muscles in your body in that it reacts to activities that help you strengthen it. Kegels are a kind of strengthening exercise that is often used in this situation. It is necessary to identify your pelvic floor muscles before beginning Kegels. You may accomplish this by halting your stream of urine (or imagining you are doing so even if you are not urinating). Do you have an internal clench like that? Your pelvic floor muscles are hard at work in this position.

 

 

 

 

There are several Kegel training routines, such as squeezing and holding the muscles for five seconds, then releasing, and repeating the procedure three times for a total of 15 repetitions. However, you may also work out your Kegels while masturbating using toys such as tiny, heavy Ben Wa balls that you place into your vaginal opening. An added plus is that strengthening your pelvic floor may result in more powerful orgasms.

 

 

 

 

9. You may consider doing a mini-workout on your buttocks and inner thighs.

It would be quite nice to see increases in the gym as a result of masturbating, wouldn’t it? First and foremost, let’s talk about the (somewhat) terrible news: It’s not meant to be a downer, but just as masturbating is unlikely to stimulate your heart in the same way that a cycling class would, it’s also unlikely to provide any significant strengthening advantages to your thighs and glutes.

 

 

 

However, this does not rule out the possibility that masturbation will have some effect in this situation. As a result of your sexual response cycle, your muscles do tighten and spasm when you get sexually stimulated and experience orgasmic feelings (whether through masturbation or sex). Consequently, while you struggle to get off, you are likely to automatically activate muscles in places such as your inner thighs and buttocks as you try to get off. Getting some exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise is a rare discovery, which is just another reason why masturbation may be a godsend for many people.

 

 

 

 

10. Masturbating improves blood flow to the vaginal region, which may assist to alleviate the discomfort associated with menopause’s effects on the area.

You’re probably already aware of some of the common symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. But did you realize that menopause may have an impact on your vaginal health as well?

 

 

 

Accordin to the Mayo Clinic, menopause occurs when your ovaries begin to produce a low enough amount of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone that you no longer have a monthly menstrual period. It is considered official to be in menopause if you have gone a year without having a period, which commonly occurs in the late 40s or early 50s for women in the United States. (According to the Mayo Clinic, the average age is 51 years.) The effects of some medical procedures such as hysterectomy or chemotherapy might cause a woman to enter menopause sooner than expected.

 

 

 

According to the Mayo Clinic, estrogen not only helps to regulate your menstrual cycle, but it also helps to enhance vaginal lubrication. Vaginal atrophy is a condition that occurs as estrogen levels fall throughout the months and years leading up to (perimenopause) and during menopause itself. It is characterized by the fact that your vagina may be considerably drier than normal, which may cause pain and irritation (especially during penetrative sex and masturbation).

 

 

 

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a variety of therapies available for this condition, including vaginal lubricants and moisturizers. However, according to the organization, keeping sexually active may be beneficial since it stimulates blood flow to the vaginal area, which results in more lubricant being produced. However you include sexual activity into your routine, whether it is by masturbation or with a partner (or both), it may help alleviate some vaginal pain.

The doctor also advises women in their perimenopausal and menopausal stages to experiment with internal toys such as dildos in order to “keep vaginal resilience,” according to the article. In Dr. Trubow’s words, “[these toys] can teach the vaginal muscles to stretch and retain their flexibility.”

 

 

 

Having said that, you are under no need to attempt this procedure if it is unpleasant for you. If you’re experiencing symptoms such as vaginal dryness and pain, you should consult with your doctor to ensure that you get the most effective therapy available.

11. Masturbation may also be beneficial in the treatment of menstruation cramps.

In the event that you get cramps when you receive your period, you may find it difficult to move at all, much alone exert the effort necessary to achieve an orgasm. However, it may really be able to assist in the alleviation of cramps, at least in the short term.

 

 

A quick biology refresher: When you get your period, it implies that your uterus is shedding any endometrial lining that has developed in preparation for a possible pregnancy in your womb. It would be very beneficial if your uterus could do this function without causing you any discomfort, however this does not always happen without causing discomfort. Prostaglandins are to credit for this accomplishment.

 

 

 

 

Prostaglandins are hormone-like molecules that cause your uterus—which is a muscle, just so you know—to contract in order to remove the lining that has built up around your organs. Voilà: You’re experiencing cramps right now. Although you would think that masturbation has no chance in this situation, we have one word for you: endorphins.

 

 

 

 

Those feel-good neurotransmitters not only aid in the reduction of stress, but they also seem to be capable of alleviating pain. If you’re fortunate, you’ll notice a reduction in the severity of your cramps, if not a major reduction. (I put it to the test.) It seems to be effective for me.) The key caveat here is that, no matter how intense the orgasm, these endorphins aren’t always going to be able to combat period discomfort. If you experience period cramps that are severe enough to cause significant disruption in your life, don’t put your health in jeopardy by masturbating—see your doctor for assistance.

 

 

 

 

12. Experiment with having many orgasms at the same time.

This enormous advantage of female masturbation is a well-deserved reward for all of your efforts. That being said, after having one orgasm, you can almost certainly expect to have another one—and very soon. Thank you for visiting the fascinating realm of numerous orgasms, dear reader.

 

 

 

Rewind a second and think about that sexual response cycle once more: Following the conclusion of your orgasm, your body returns to its usual state of operation. Your heart rate and breathing rate slow down, your vagina and breasts shrink back to their pre-pregnancy swelling states, and your brain is able to form cogent ideas once more—you get the picture. From here, you may go back to doing whatever else you have planned for the rest of the day. Alternatively, if you so choose, you may go for another orgasm almost soon after the first.

 

 

 

 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is considerably simpler for individuals who have vaginal prolapse to have many orgasms because there is no requirement for a refractory phase, which is the recuperation time that people who have penises need before they can experience orgasm again. If your genitals are feeling particularly sensitive, you may find that you need to take a little pause regardless of how your body is configured in general. A vaginal delivery system allows you to get back on the orgasmic horse far faster than you would if you had a penis implanted in your body.

 

 

 

 

13. Sexual activity, including masturbation, has been shown to be associated with improved cognition as you get older.

Although it may appear that your brain and vagina are two completely separate entities, they may actually be more closely linked than you realize. A growing body of evidence suggests that sexual activity, including masturbation, is associated with improved cognition in older individuals.

 

 

 

According to a research published in The Journals of Gerontology in 2017, 73 persons between the ages of 50 and 83 who engaged in a variety of sexual behaviors (including masturbation) at varied frequency were observed and evaluated. The authors of the research discovered that greater levels of sexual activity were connected with better results on cognitive tests that examined things like memory and linguistic fluency, among other abilities.

 

 

 

 

 

The findings of this investigation corroborated those of a similar study conducted in 2016, which was published in the journal Age and Ageing. Earlier research used a significantly larger sample size, with 6,833 people ranging in age from 50 to 89 who engaged in different types and frequency of sexual activity, including masturbation, being evaluated. The authors of the research discovered that, generally, sexual activity was connected with a “moderate improvement” in several areas of cognitive performance in older individuals, with the strongest association being between sexual activity and memory recall in older women.

 

 

 

 

Researchers aren’t sure why this association exists, but they speculate that neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which are involved in sexual activity, may provide a protective effect to the brain.

None of this implies that masturbation is the secret to keeping your mind sharp no matter how old you are, or even that it is guaranteed to immediately boost your brain health for the time being, as some have suggested. However, what scientists have discovered so far in this location is rather interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

14. And, probably most astonishing of all, some researchers think that masturbation might really temporarily boost your immune system.

Okay, stick with us here for a minute. This is by no means conclusive evidence that masturbation will result in a significant increase in your immunity. Things like the common cold might sneak up on you no matter how much extremely joyful time you spend playing with yourself in bed or anywhere else your fancy takes you. It’s a fact of life.

 

 

 

 

However, there may be some truth to the notion that excellent sexual health is a predictor of good overall health. This is supported by one research, which is unfortunately little (one again, scientists, please pay more attention to this issue!) During a 2003 study published in the journal NeuroImmunoModulation, 11 enthusiastic volunteers volunteered to refrain from sex for 24 hours, view pornography, and then masturbate until they had orgasm. Also included in the study was a control session that consisted of viewing a documentary and without masturbating at all.

 

 

 

After five minutes had passed, the researchers discovered that the study subjects had an increased level of certain types of lymphocytes in their bloodstreams (white blood cells that help your immune system fend off illness). Scientists have found that sexual excitement and orgasm seem to trigger the activation of particular immune system components in the brain and body.

 

 

 

 

What evidence do you have that one 11-person research is sufficient to conclude that masturbation is totally beneficial in terms of reducing your risk of becoming sick? Nope. Take into consideration the fact that your immune system is at its finest when you’re practicing a number of good lifestyle behaviors, such as obtaining adequate sleep and lowering stress to the greatest extent possible. As you now know, masturbation may assist you in achieving success in these areas, and as a result, it may really improve your general health in certain ways.