British doctors have warned that excessive masturbation is the cause of an increase in men’s health problems.
In moderation, masturbation can help reduce stress and improve sleep quality and mood, but it can become an “unhealthy habit” and cause a type of erectile dysfunction, says Dr. Donald Grant, general practitioner and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy.
“Overall, there are no hard and fast rules or guidelines about how much you should masturbate.” “But when masturbation gets out of control, it can affect your sexual and physical health in a variety of ways.” The main concern is the increase in pornography consumption.
According to a recent survey by media regulator Ofcom and Dr. Grant, half of British adults now access graphic content online. Grant links this to an increase in pornography-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED). According to the British Association of Urological Surgeons, up to 50% of adult men suffer from some form of erectile dysfunction. It is often linked to obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, but sometimes there is no obvious cause. There could be a lesser known culprit called PIED, says Dr. Grant
“PIED is a type of erectile dysfunction caused by unhealthy pornography consumption. “This unhealthy pornography consumption can cause a dulling of sensations in men who are accustomed to more intense sexual acts on screen, making it more difficult to get and maintain an erection.
“Men may lose interest in sex with real partners, preferring pornography and masturbation instead.” More disturbingly, Dr. Grant warns that compulsive masturbation can cause physical changes that interfere with intimate relationships.
“Compulsive masturbation can lead to decreased sensitivity in the genital area, making it more difficult to obtain sexual pleasure and stimulation. “This can happen when excessive activity damages nerve endings and reduces sensitivity. “This can also affect men who masturbate too vigorously, which can cause friction damage. “Fortunately, this is a short-term problem, and factors such as taking breaks and using lubricants can help restore sensitivity. “And fortunately, there are a number of treatments available to help men with ED have a healthy sex life and make erections easier.
Dr. Grant added that “excessive masturbation” can be harmful in other ways too. This can lead men and women to “become overly focused on their own pleasure, which means that when it comes time to have sex with their partner, they can experience performance anxiety, which can directly impact their libido.” The question of how much is too much is subjective, he acknowledged.
Masturbation habits vary greatly from person to person. Some people do it daily, weekly, and some never. “It is important to monitor sexual activity to ensure it does not interfere with social life, work, or relationships.
Moreover, discomfort or injury are usually clear signs that masturbation is being overdone and negatively affecting health. “It is important to maintain a healthy and sensible sex life through masturbation and to ensure that it does not come to the expense of daily life activities. “Some people may even experience mental distress due to feelings of guilt or shame associated with masturbation. This may be due to pornography consumption or other factors, but it can have a significant impact on people’s psychological health.”
Overall, common sense is needed to ensure it remains a leisure activity without interfering with other aspects of daily life.”