Masturbation Myths

10/17/2012

In my conversations with non-Christians, and many Christians, I get the response that masturbation is not harmful. Interestingly, I came upon some secular research that discusses the potential harm masturbation brings.

Myth #1 - Frequent masturbation prevents prostate cancer

This is simply untrue. Research from Dr. Brody in the Journal of Sexual Medicine reports that heterosexual (penile-vaginal) intercourse (PVI) brings health benefits. The myth of frequent masturbation as healthy was incorrectly reported by a study of poor design, with the assumption that ejaculation, rather than how the ejaculation was produced, was the important finding. A meta-analysis of nine studies that supported this myth concluded that ejaculation frequency was related to a decrease in prostate cancer. However, a more recent study that was designed better and distinguished between the different ways an ejaculation was produced, found that PVI was actually protective of prostate health in older men and neutral in younger men. Other forms of ejaculation were not protective.

Myth #2 - Frequent masturbation benefits your sex life

A recent (2012) report from the Archives of Sexual Behavior demonstrate that greater masturbation frequency is associated with impaired sexual function, greater dissatisfaction with relationships and love for one's spouse. Greater masturbation frequency is also associated with more depressive symptoms and several other indicators of poorer physical and mental health, including greater blood pressure reactivity to stress, anxious attachment and immature psychological defense mechanisms. Dr Costa concludes, "The only sexual behavior that is consistently related to better psychological and physical health is PVI (p.539)." More research has also shown that masturbating to porn makes for less than satisfying relationships.

Myth #3 - Orgasm is orgasm

PVI releases four times the prolactin that masturbation produces. This study (2006) demonstrates PVI is more physiologically satisfying than masturbation and produces more physiological and psychological benefits than any other sexual activity. Masturbating to porn has also be found to decrease sexual satisfaction.

#4 There is no such thing as too much masturbation

Research is indicating that with the accessibility of high speed online pornography, excessive masturbation is causing problems:

Dry ejaculation and painful climaxes
Sores, blisters, swelling, bruising of the penis from excessive friction
Inability to feel intercourse and/or derive pleasure from intercourse
Loss of interest in sex and/or increase in uncharacteristic sexual activity
Edging for hours to defer climax often because it is less pleasurable
Addiction related symptoms: depression, social anxiety, brain fog, withdrawal symptoms, etc.

The problem today is easy access to ever-novel sexual stimuli that can override our innate sexual behavior and throw our brains into addiction. This is such a new area of research that there is a dearth of information about porn and masturbation addiction.

#5 You can't cut back on masturbation without hurting yourself

Anecdotal accounts of men slowing down their masturbation actually has had surprisingly positive effects: more awareness, more social, more optimism and feelings of more stability. Reports of an increase in seeing humor in situations, as well as feelings of calm and creativity. The ability to see women as friends instead of sexual objects also increased.

So there you have it.
Information from secular sources.
No interjection of "religion."

It certainly is apparent that God does know what is best for us.

This post is an adaptation from an article found in Psychology Today.

BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.

9 Comments

Anthony

10/17/2012 10:17:08

Interesting studies. Of course there's always the question of correlation vs. causation. Masturbation will never be a better way to feel connected to other people, its only benefits are physical satisfaction, or use for sexual conditioning (quite different than the chronic masturbation studies).While excess in anything is obviously a bad idea. I only have anecdotes from my life, friends, and the generations above me that masturbation can exist in a healthy lifestyle.

drwayman link

10/17/2012 11:21:59

Anthony - True, correlation does not always mean causation. However, when scientists perform a study, they have employed p values and statistical power to back up their conclusions.

That's why your anecdotal insight is tenuous at best. Interesting that on another thread, you state that you think "some" of God's ideas are OK but when God says something with which you disagree, you throw the baby out with the bathwater.

So, this post is totally devoid of God's ideas. Pure science. Yet, you don't accept that as well.

You seem to espouse solipsism. Your view is the only accurate view, don't confuse you with the facts. Your reality is the only reality.

Like you said, masturbation has "physical benefits" True. These "physical benefits" focus on personal sensuality with an eventual inability to delay gratification and to live from one sensual activity to another. King Solomon calls that "chasing after the wind."

BTW - Thanks for accepting me as a FB friend. I appreciate it.

10/18/2012 03:52:25

On the contrary, if my view of reality is superior it's because it accepts that it could be wrong. My view accepts that anything can have flaws and should be questioned. Which is actually what science is about. They may employ scientific methods, but at no point is that accepted as the answer for all time, it's not a sacred text, it welcomes scrutiny. These studies were about human behavior, I have enough authority in that to say "well maybe it means this" as opposed to something like quantum physics.

I admitted I personally only have anecdotes, which aren't as valuable. I can look up studies to back up my claims but I don't want to clutter things too much with links.

Masturbation can actually also be used to learn how to delay gratification. Just because something can cause a problem doesn't mean every form of it will. Throwing the baby out with the bath water is an apt description.

10/18/2012 04:30:24

And thanks for friending me in the first place! I like having lots of different people to talk to. I get bored otherwise.

10/18/2012 04:57:16

Anthony - Thanks for writing again.

"Just because something can cause a problem doesn't mean every form of it will."

Then you don't get what I am saying. You keep trying to move the goal posts.

Masturbation is the problem, not the frequency or the form. Masturbation is only about self-pleasure.

10/18/2012 05:30:38

I recognize you are saying "Masturbation is the problem, not the frequency or the form. Masturbation is only about self-pleasure." And I'm not disagreeing to antagonize, just to encourage discussion and even give a chance for you to further describe your message. Masturbation is certainly almost completely about self-pleasure, but for me, so is eating a chocolate. I'm certainly not eating chocolate for it's nutrition, just for a moment of pleasure. Then it's on to work, friends, and life beyond. Luckily I'm not addicted to chocolate, I think I got over my obsession with chocolate after gorging as a child. I learned, I moved on, but not everyone does.

I think I understand what you're saying, I'm just 'moving the goal posts' because it's required for showing another perspective. Your statements are absolute, so any question of mine will appear to miss the point, because they aren't supposed to really be questioned.

10/18/2012 05:55:49

Anthony - Thanks for replying again.

Chocolate and sexual behavior are quite different. "...he who sins sexually sins against his own body." I Cor 6:18

Paul, a writer of much of the New Testament, speaking on the authority of God's Holy Spirit, says, "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh (he is meaning sexual desires here), in regard to its lusts." Rom 13:14

I don't view your comments as antagonism. I know that you are trying to prove that it's OK for you to engage in masturbation as well as objectify women by looking at porn. That's a lifestyle in which you engage and you want to feel good about your decision.

You don't accept God's standards, nor do you accept scientific standards. Rather you just accept your own standards.

My statements are far from absolute. I am fallible. That's why I follow someone whose statements are absolute.

God states simply, thru the wisdom that He gave King Solomon, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Prov 16:25

God knows what's best for you. He is the only One who can set standards for us. When you go against God's standards, it breaks His heart because He loves you.

10/18/2012 06:18:40

Haha, the desire to feel good about our decisions, don't we all. Any media is inherently an object, and so, also 'objectified'. I'm sure that's part of the whole 'no graven images' idea. No idols, and no boiling Jesus down to a figurine. But I respect anyone who hasn't given me reason not to, even a naked woman in a picture. I have gratitude for her. But that's a personal feeling of course.

I distinctly accept scientific standards, which are scrutiny and critical thinking. Quoting from the Bible is valid and logical for your argument (it's what you're talking about), denying scientific findings in some cases and using the ones that agree with biblical values would not be an example of logic.

You're a mouth piece for God, so your words are absolute. God may be upset with me, but he will always have chances to win me back! (Of course I don't believe in God but in a conversation about it, it seems overly facetious to keep saying 'If there was")

I appreciate your willingness to support an open forum! I won't over burden this thread, but I'm glad the thread exists in the first place. Real conversations and ideas and respect.

10/18/2012 06:32:52

Anthony - Thanks for writing again and thanks for finally getting to the core of the matter: "Of course I don't believe in God..." That is the crux of our conversation. That's why you don't accept my reasoning because you don't believe that God's Word is authoritative, in fact, you don't believe in God.

You seem to be a god unto yourself. You set the standards for acceptable behavior for yourself. God does love you and He wants you to love Him back. Jesus put it this way, "If you love Me you will obey what I command" John 14:15 Following His standards are best.

In any event, I always have and will consider you a friend and am grateful for your conversations both in the past and in the present as well as the future, even here on this blog. Your comments are always welcome :-)

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