Masturbation is a normal and healthy sexual activity that includes the stimulation of one's own genitals for sexual excitement and pleasure. It is a universal practice, conducted by both men and women, sometimes with the use of sex toys or mutual stimulation with a partner. One common question most people would like to know: Can frequent masturbation lead to the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases?
01 October 2024
5 min read
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A Look at Masturbation: Techniques and Preferences
Masturbation techniques are diverse and personalized, differing among individuals based on what they find sexually stimulating.
Masturbation and Men
Normally, men stimulate their penis, testicles, shaft, and perineum during masturbation. However, erogenous zones differ for everyone. Some like stimulating nipples, lips, or ears, while others may require prostate massage to climax.
Women and Masturbation
In masturbation, most of the attention for a female is focused on the clitoris. The spectrum of female orgasms is wider, though: some females prefer vaginal orgasm and thus use fingering or sexual toys. Some enjoy combinations of clitoral and vaginal stimulation, while others include anal stimulation or playing with other erogenous zones in their repertoire.
The Acceptance of Masturbation
Masturbation is normal and healthy. It is one of the ways people get to know themselves, to learn about their sexual preferences. For women, it might be a way for them to figure out what they need to orgasm-clitoral, vaginal, or both types of stimulation. Through regular masturbation, men can learn to control their orgasm and ejaculation. Other than the pleasure, possible health benefits of masturbation include stress release.
The Health Benefits of Masturbation
Masturbation can have a positive effect on most areas of your life:
Improved sleep quality
Improved concentration and focus
Elevated mood
Reduction of menstrual cramps
Pain relief
Masturbation: Safety Concerns and STDs
While solitary masturbation poses no risks, mutual masturbation can come with certain potential issues. Risks of pregnancy and STDs can arise if precautions aren't taken, like ensuring cleanliness of fingers or sex toys used during the act.
It may spread STDs in case you're touching the genitals of another person, especially if they have an STD and then touching your own body without cleaning your hands. The spread happens through infected genital fluids with the disease. In the same manner, the sharing of sex toys if not properly cleaned and using a condom may lead to the transmission of STDs. Also, the injuries caused during masturbation may facilitate the spread of the diseases.
Masturbation During STD Treatment
There is usually no need to refrain from masturbation during your treatment for a bacterial STD. If you use sex toys, make sure they are thoroughly cleaned or protected with a condom against re-infection. In the case of an STD caused by skin-to-skin contact, such as herpes, much caution must be taken not to spread the disease to other parts of your body.
Masturbating with HIV or Hepatitis
Masturbation is safe for people with HIV or hepatitis; no viruses can reinfect the body. Still, considering the risk of these viruses' infectivity through genital fluids, one should be very conscious about personal hygiene after masturbation to avoid spreading viruses to other individuals.
To enhance the safety of your masturbation routine, it's advisable to regularly get tested for STDs, as many can be asymptomatic. At-home STD rapid kit tests for common diseases like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, Hepatitis B and C, and HIV are readily available. Regularly cleaning your hands, keeping your nails short, and cleaning sex toys before and after use can greatly decrease the risk of STD transmission during masturbation.
The Do's and Don'ts of Masturbation
While doing this close act, allow your hands to be on your genitals or erogenous zones and try to avoid the eyes, which are likely to be an entry point for pathogens.
Never share sex toys without thorough cleaning or with a condom on them.
Similarly, ensure that you do not masturbate with filthy hands or reuse a sex toy without proper disinfection.
The Consequences of Excessive Masturbation
While masturbation is generally safe, excessive stimulation can lead to local edema or soreness in your genitals. If masturbation becomes uncomfortable or painful, it's best to pause and consult a healthcare professional. Painful masturbation could potentially be a sign of an STD, which would necessitate getting tested.
Masturbation and STDs
Basically, it is a normal healthy sexual activity; for its manifold benefits, precautions must be taken in its practice regarding the considerations of STDs. Regular testing of STD, observing personal hygiene, and practicing the same with safe measures can keep your self-pleasuring with no risk. Moreover, a balance between pleasure and health maintains your body and mind in tune and well-being.
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