Is masturbation healthy?

Friday, May 24th 2013By Jennifer Karina
Masturbation is the process of self-stimulation of the genitals to achieve sexual arousal and pleasure.
 It is achieved by massaging, touching or stroking the penis or clitoris several times. Sometimes stimulation is achieved by using various sex toys. This habit can begin in early years of childhood and, if not discouraged, continue into adulthood. 

Psychosexual development theorist, Sigmund Freud, well known for his works on early childhood development, suggests that a child’s behaviour is oriented towards certain parts of his or her body. According to him, adult behaviours are manifestations of childhood sexual fantasy and desire when the child begins to fondle their private parts.  It is important to discourage this habit because it can result to masturbation in adulthood.

Some people argue that masturbation is healthy because it provides the same benefits as sex does and boosts self-esteem and confidence. Some say it keeps you away from promiscuity.
Consequences
Masturbation may bring pleasure for the moment but, it does come with some consequences. The habit often comes with the long-term cost of addiction and other sexual problems. It is no different from being addicted to drugs and alcohol. As with drug addiction, masturbation requires an increasing amount of stimulus to achieve consistent levels of pleasure.  This habit needs to be nabbed at the bud before it gets out of hand, failure to which it may result to high levels of addiction. It is should, therefore, be discouraged from the very beginning.
Let’s look at a case in point. Joyce is in a dilemma because her husband masturbates on a daily basis. She complains: “He even leaves me in bed to go to the bathroom to do his ritual. Can he change?”
Her partner is addicted to it.  He is ashamed, feels guilty, dirty and bad about it, but has been unable to stop. Many people assume it is only men who have this addiction, but surprisingly women do too.
Mary is a case in point. She confesses that she enjoys it so much because she has been in a long distant relationship, and this is the only mode of killing sexual urges. She says it has helped her stay faithful to the relationship. Now that the partner is back home, she is not deriving as much pleasure as she achieves while on her own.
Yes, masturbation may provide immediate gratification, but it has negative sides.
Masturbation may begin as a habit that is enjoyed occasionally, but may eventually become addictive. Sex is a relational, wonderful experience, where we give in to a partner’s needs. If one has been serving their desires habitually, they may find it difficult to give attention to their partner. Masturbation destroys the ability to relate to another person sexually and conditions one’s body to respond to self-stimulation seeking self-satisfaction.