How much masturbation is healthy?

[freedomclub]

I have a hard time finding a balance in masturbation. Either I'll masturbate every day or I'll end up doing what I'm doing now and not masturbate at all. It's been like 5 weeks and it's just terrible. I can't figure out what the right amount is. I really do find that not masturbating gives me a lot of energy but then I just get all twisted into knots and that energy goes to waste. But if I do it all the time then I have no energy. Finding that balance is very hard.

This is pretty personal but perhaps someone knows what I'm talking about.

[Zane]

hi,
as i know when reading magazines and newspaper, once/day is the right amount to stop some "uncontrolled emotions", when masturbate is losing some kind of minerals or vitamins in yours body, magnesium, aluminum, ...... so u lose your energy by spreading out those. in order to recover your energy, i suggest supply some multivitamin pills after masturbating. That's all i know. good luck.

[Stu]

I think everyone will be different. Personally, I just do it when I have the urge.

[lightthecandle]

honestly, i do it at least once a day...and sometimes even 3-4 times if i really feel like it..btw, i'm a girl and in my 20s..and a virgin. lol

[paeterus]

wowo i didn't know girls masturbated much...

Anyway, I think you think about it too much... If you have the urge you should masturbate, if you don't have the urge then don't worry about it. You're over rationalizing it mate. I doubt masturbating has an effect on your mineral levels...
Masturbation is meant to be a fun release of your sexual energy, and it seems your making it into a routine chore that must be fulfilled. Good luck with figuring it all out though.

[chiffonade]

That's funny, I found this forum through a Google search on the mental effects of not masturbating for long periods of time, like weeks on end. This is my first post. It's about jerking off. Go figure.

Several changes have happened recently in my life, including getting a new job, finally becoming serious about getting back into shape after gaining weight through college and partying WAY too much, and a move to a new city. I'm actually staying with my parents while I coordinate finding a new apartment, so I've gone several days without masturbating (it weirds me out to do this in my parents' place, even though I used to do this constantly before I left for school).

I'm getting a little older (about to turn 25 now) and have started to become more in control of my body and mind and more aware of how each of them react to stress and stimulus. I guess the best way of describing how one feels during this phase of life is "I'm definitely not a teenager anymore".

Anyway, after several days of not jerking it, I've noticed a type of restless energy that I never really had before (Or if I did have it, I would have immediately jerked it to get back to "baseline"). I've been doing some research/browsing on the net and really want to cultivate this extra energy and expend it toward productive purposes after I have spent so much of the last few years doing unproductive and/or destructive things. It seems like every forum that focuses on self-improvement (whether body building, general fitness, or this one) has a thread like this, but many of them end abruptly (hmm wonder why LOL).

For example, yesterday I did a bunch of financial management I've been putting off for weeks, and had a great workout as well. Also my diet record-keeping and self-control for my fitness goals has improved markedly in the last few days.

So already after a few days of abstinence (I guess you could call it that) I'm already feeling more motivated, energized, smarter (!), and I'm definitely (finally) going to be calling that cute girl back to schedule a date for next week. This new job has been kicking my ass, but I think I've just been using that as an excuse to be a lame-ass...

Anyone have any thoughts on this issue?

[lightthecandle]

Originally Posted by chiffonade

That's funny, I found this forum through a Google search on the mental effects of not masturbating for long periods of time, like weeks on end. This is my first post. It's about jerking off. Go figure.

Several changes have happened recently in my life, including getting a new job, finally becoming serious about getting back into shape after gaining weight through college and partying WAY too much, and a move to a new city. I'm actually staying with my parents while I coordinate finding a new apartment, so I've gone several days without masturbating (it weirds me out to do this in my parents' place, even though I used to do this constantly before I left for school).

I'm getting a little older (about to turn 25 now) and have started to become more in control of my body and mind and more aware of how each of them react to stress and stimulus. I guess the best way of describing how one feels during this phase of life is "I'm definitely not a teenager anymore".

Anyway, after several days of not jerking it, I've noticed a type of restless energy that I never really had before (Or if I did have it, I would have immediately jerked it to get back to "baseline"). I've been doing some research/browsing on the net and really want to cultivate this extra energy and expend it toward productive purposes after I have spent so much of the last few years doing unproductive and/or destructive things. It seems like every forum that focuses on self-improvement (whether body building, general fitness, or this one) has a thread like this, but many of them end abruptly (hmm wonder why LOL).

For example, yesterday I did a bunch of financial management I've been putting off for weeks, and had a great workout as well. Also my diet record-keeping and self-control for my fitness goals has improved markedly in the last few days.

So already after a few days of abstinence (I guess you could call it that) I'm already feeling more motivated, energized, smarter (!), and I'm definitely (finally) going to be calling that cute girl back to schedule a date for next week. This new job has been kicking my ass, but I think I've just been using that as an excuse to be a lame-ass...

Anyone have any thoughts on this issue?

hmmmm...i'm not sure if thats true for me at least. the most i've gone without doing it (since 13) was 2 weeks...and i did not feel any more productive or motivated, or smarter, or energized...it just made me more angry, annoyed, easily frustrated if i haven't done it that day. i don't want to seen vulgar or anything..but why wouldn't you want to do something when it feels sooo good?

and to answer your question..i don't think there is a limit or a set number of times that you can or can't do it. just depends on yourself. i mean just as long as you're not doing it every second...or letting it affect other areas of your life negatively than its not bad at all. embrace it

[Peyem]

The only physical danger is if you don't use lube or enough of it, then you're gonna be in for a painful couple of days. If you're not rubbing yourself raw, then you're not harming anything. As for losing minerals, water, etc, as long as you are healthy and hydrated enough for other physical activities this is no more draining than anything else. Your body will continually make and re-make semen regardless of whether you ejaculate it regularly or not. It's not like you have a warehouse in there where it sits boxed up with a 5-year expiration date. It's continually being re-made and already using vitamins and energy.

The only real harm is if it is affecting other areas of your life. For example, if you get addicted and spend 4 hours a day looking at porn and stop completing your duties (you may laugh but it happens). If you're in that situation you should reconsider your priorities. If it's causing an issue in a relationship you are in, then that is something you need to talk it through with your partner and there really is no generalized advice to be given there.

Physically and mentally, however, it's quite beneficial to masturbate regularly. It's nature's built in all-in-one stress relief system, home gym, and insomnia cure. Ok, I made up the insomnia part, but it sure puts me to sleep.

I don't know where all the bad hype originated from (religion I suppose), but it's completely normal to masturbate daily. The right amount for you is whenever you feel like it and it wont interrupt the rest of your life, and there's no reason to ever feel bad about it. Those who would make fun of you are the ones who are the most insecure about it.

[hkalchemy]

I agree that it's all perfectly healthy and normal. Being worried about it and over analyzing and asking questions like 'how many times is enough' doesn't seem very productive to me.

Such questions probably don't have definitive answers. Personally, I've got better things to think about. And so have you I suspect.

[ThoughtAddict]

One thing to consider is that a lack of sexual stimulation for a long enough period of time can cause a loss of libido. While this is not quite the issue under consideration, it is an important thing to keep in mind.

More on point, I think masturbation is generally normal. The only time I would be concerned is if it was interfering with other aspects of life. If so, then there are probably underlying issues which should be confronted. Like with most things, it is only a problem if it is a problem to you.

[freedomclub]

This thread got some good replies. Masturbation has never interfered with my life in the ways that you all have discussed. I think I just have so little to think about that I start pondering things that don't need pondering. I can do better and this has helped me get on the right track. Thanks everyone.

[Barcs]

Originally Posted by lightthecandle

honestly, i do it at least once a day...and sometimes even 3-4 times if i really feel like it..btw, i'm a girl and in my 20s..and a virgin. lol

Ya know, I've always thought most women weren't into it as much as guys are, but I'm probably wrong. I'm the same way. At least twice, sometimes more. I'm a male in late 20s btw.

[Vantage72]

Originally Posted by chiffonade

So already after a few days of abstinence (I guess you could call it that) I'm already feeling more motivated, energized, smarter (!),

Anyone have any thoughts on this issue?

My experience is similar to yours. We've had quite some interesting threads about masturbation and sex transmutation. If you want to read them you can use the search function.

[ming]

Originally Posted by lightthecandle

honestly, i do it at least once a day...and sometimes even 3-4 times if i really feel like it..btw, i'm a girl and in my 20s..and a virgin. lol

So unusual for girls that I am going to think you are bragging... When I was your age I mostly indulged on girly things like make-up, clothes, having fun, pubbing and clubbing, friends ... but sex, sex mostly came along with boyfriends.

[lightthecandle]

Originally Posted by ming

So unusual for girls that I am going to think you are bragging... When I was your age I mostly indulged on girly things like make-up, clothes, having fun, pubbing and clubbing, friends ... but sex, sex mostly came along with boyfriends.

well, to a certain extent, i think i came off a bit exaggerating. what i meant was that i do it at least once a day..but maybe every two weeks i do it 3 times in a day sometimes...but definitely not 3times a day often or even frequently. i would have sex with a bf for sure..but i want to wait off until i'm married (at most 2 years down the line)