A medical professional has outlined the potential side effects of excessive masturbation, while another expert offers insights on recognizing personal limits.
Dr. Surya Bhagwati, serving as the chief in-house practitioner at Dr. Vaidya’s in India, has clarified some misconceptions about the effects of frequent masturbation. Posting on a blog, she stated: “Masturbation itself is not bad. It is perfectly innocuous and has many positive effects in moderation, for example, reducing stress or helping one get a good night’s sleep.”
She noted, however, that “sometimes some amount of masturbation can cause problems” and proceeded to detail possible adverse effects.
Additionally, intimacy educator Leeza Mangaldas has addressed how to determine the appropriate frequency of self-stimulation. On her YouTube channel, she remarked: “There is no single one-size-fits-all answer for this, you get to decide.”
Dr. Bhagwati points out that “excessive masturbation may bring feelings of guilt, often socially, culturally, or even personally.” She emphasized that, despite the lack of necessity to feel ashamed, individuals might experience guilt if such habits interfere with daily life.
The doctor explained that if someone feels discomfort about their masturbation habits, they might berate themselves or suffer from low self-esteem. In such cases, she advised consulting with a mental health professional to help alleviate these feelings.
Dr. Bhagwati also mentioned that one negative effect of over-masturbation could be a decreased ability to concentrate and be productive, as it can disrupt work, study, or personal activities. She highlighted the importance of setting personal boundaries to maintain focus.
She further explained that excessive masturbation might lead to fatigue, especially if it results in inadequate sleep.
Dr. Bhagwati added: “It can also become tiring when done excessively without recovery time. Generally, it varies with rest and moderation.”
The doctor noted that excessive masturbation might cause some individuals to become very shy socially due to the potential guilt or shame regarding their actions, which could ultimately impact their self-confidence and self-esteem.
Dr. Bhagwati advised that if masturbation interferes significantly with everyday responsibilities, relationships, or personal life, it might negatively affect one’s quality of life—a point Mangaldas also touched upon in her video.
Mangaldas emphasized that as long as masturbation does not hinder activities such as school, work, or family obligations, it should not be problematic.
Dr. Bhagwati explained on the blog that “excessive masturbation might sometimes cause temporary swelling of the genital area because of the increased blood supply to that region,” but she reassured that this is “harmless” and typically resolves on its own.
She also noted that too much masturbation might temporarily reduce sensitivity, making it difficult to derive pleasure from actual sexual intercourse. However, this condition can be mitigated by controlling frequency and altering habits.
Dr. Bhagwati explained that premature ejaculation might occur due to excessive masturbation, as it may establish patterns of quick arousal and ejaculation that could transfer to sexual relationships.
She debunked several myths about masturbation, clarifying that there is no scientific evidence to support claims that it leads to hair loss, penis shrinkage, low sperm count, lower back pain, or prostate cancer.
Regarding prostate cancer, she wrote: “There are no clear conclusions involving masturbation and the risks of prostate cancer. On the contrary, increased frequency of ejaculation – be it from masturbation or any sexual activity-is believed to offer protection by helping flush out unhealthy substances in the prostate.”
Dr. Bhagwati also pointed out that lower back pain is generally due to poor posture, although certain positions during masturbation might contribute to it.
She concluded: “One should know what side effects of excessive masturbation can do to you. It’s good to make informed choices about your sexual health and overall well-being.” She recommended natural remedies for erectile dysfunction, emphasizing that moderation is key.
Thus, as commonly known, the essence is moderation in all things.