"Do I masturbate too much?” It’s a question you may have asked yourself without ever daring to discuss it openly with anyone... Yet, it's a subject that’s at the top of many people’s mind. That’s why the LOVE Team felt it was important to challenge the myths that too often surround solo play and to reveal the health benefits, both mental and physical, of self-pleasure.
A few figures to consider
How common is solo play in the general population? Are you masturbating too much? The following data will give you an overview of the trends, for both men and women, so that you can compare the statistics with your individual habits.
- Frequency for men: 3 times a week (exactly 2.96 times). Of course, this frequency changes according to different criteria (age, cultural background, personal desires).
- Frequency for women: less than 2 times a week (exactly 1.5 times). The same variables mentioned above also apply.
- How much is too much?: Masturbation is considered compulsive, and therefore problematic, when you partake in solo play between 5 and 15 times a day (or more). You may even be addicted to masturbation.
What is “normal” differs greatly from one individual to another, and if you masturbate a lot yet maintain a normal social and sex life, there's no need to worry!
The drawbacks of masturbation
In certain cases, excessive masturbation can be detrimental to your personal life and well-being. Let's start by looking at the negative effects of excessive masturbation.
- Addiction: Some people can become addicted to masturbation.So don't let masturbation become a cure-all for your personal and/or psychological problems.The danger is that you'll start to avoid all social interaction, to the point of isolating yourself completely. Pay attention to your behaviour and don't hesitate to seek help if you feel you need it.
- Negative impact on your personal life: Solo play should not interfere with the time you spend with your loved ones, nor should it affect the quality of your relationships.
- Chafing: Beware of any irritation that too much friction can have on your skin. Opt for gentler methods of masturbation.
The benefits of masturbation
Masturbation is a normal and healthy thing to do. Here are some of the benefits:
- Self-awareness: Regular solo play will help you stay in tune with your body's needs.
- Reduced stress and pain: By reducing your sexual tension, masturbation also helps to reduce stress, improve sleep and maintain good general health.
- Knowledge of your own body: Masturbation is the best way to get to know your body and discover the erogenous zones that give you the most pleasure. There's no doubt that masturbation helps to improve your sex life and sensual satisfaction.