Masturbation is a common sexual activity carried out by both men and women. Although classified as normal, too often do it can be bad for the physical and mental, you know. So, what are the side effects of masturbation?
Masturbation is the act of stimulating the body by touching, touching, or massaging its own genital organs. The purpose of masturbation is to fulfill sexual desire and satisfaction, usually until reaching a climax or orgasm.
This sexual activity can increase mood and sleep quality, relieve stress, relieve abdominal cramps during menstruation, help understand yourself how to achieve orgasm, and become a means of channeling sexual desire that will not cause pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
Various Side Effects of Masturbation
Although it can bring various benefits, masturbation is no longer a positive activity if it is done excessively. The side effects of frequent masturbation are:
1. Disruption of daily activities
Too often masturbation can make a person addicted to masturbation. If you have this, the desire to masturbate can overshadow the mind to hinder daily activities.
Masturbation addiction can make a person:
- Does not concentrate in carrying out activities, even until he is protested by his superiors at work or has decreased achievement at school
- Withdraw from social circles
- Having unhealthy relationships with other people
- Not interested in taking part in important events
If you do it more often than having sex, masturbation can also disrupt household harmony.
2. Irritation of the genitals
Excessive masturbation can cause irritation of the genitals. When the skin in the genital area is irritated, itching will appear, the skin looks scaly, and is reddish in color, and feels sore or painful.
In mild conditions, irritation to the genitals is harmless and will go away on its own. However, severe irritation can cause genital skin infections.
3. Risk of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that is still the biggest scourge for men. Apart from heredity, age, and obesity, the risk of prostate cancer can also increase due to frequent masturbation.
There are studies which state that men in the age range of 20–30 years who frequently masturbate have a higher risk of prostate cancer. However, further research is still needed to ascertain the side effects of masturbation on this one.
4. Feelings of guilt
Although initially it may be satisfying and fun, masturbating often triggers feelings of guilt in a person. This is because in some beliefs and cultures, masturbation is considered a bad and immoral thing.
However, if a person continues to masturbate and harbors inner conflict and guilt that he feels every time he does it, over time he can be depressed and experience mental health problems.
In addition to the side effects mentioned above, masturbation can also cause premature birth in pregnant women who have high-risk pregnancies. As with sex, masturbation that reaches orgasm can trigger contractions in pregnant women.
Giving pleasure to yourself by masturbating is a normal activity and is actually safe to do. However, you need to be careful, because the side effects of masturbation can appear if you do it too often.
In addition, if not controlled properly, masturbation can become a habit and eventually turn into an addiction. If you feel that you often masturbate or have even experienced the side effects above, don't hesitate to consult a psychologist or doctor, OK?