Five reasons to masturbate this month

 

As if you needed a reason to masturbate – May is all about masturbation education! There is a lot of negative talk and stigma surrounding masturbation – but there are a lot of reasons we should talk about it more, and really a lot of reasons that we should maybe DO IT more! Here are five reasons you should masturbate this month. 

 

    1. Masturbation can help with pain management: Have a headache? Sore from a workout or an injury? Masturbation can actually help you relieve pain! “Masturbation can have pain-relieving benefits because orgasming releases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, the bodies feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters, into the body,” Shweta Pai, M.D., urogynecologist says. 
  • Masturbation can improve your sleep: Having a hard time settling in for the night? Spend some time touching yourself and exploring what feels good. It’s a great way to relax and get your mind off of the stress of the day. 
    1. Masturbation can improve your sex life: Masturbation is a great way to help you get familiar with your own body, and your likes and dislikes. Taking time to explore what feels good, and what ultimately leads to your orgasm can help you feel more confident when having sex with a partner. Think of masturbation as an education on the topic of YOU. It can be far less stressful to learn about your body when you are alone and there is no stress of another person (or people) being involved. 
  • It can improve your immune system: One study of males found that masturbation leading to orgasm led to higher white blood cell count and an increase in the number of inflammatory components in the body. There has not been a ton of research into this, but what we have currently points to benefits for the immune system. Less sick days? Yes please!
  • Masturbation can make you stronger: Masturbation can help tone and strengthen pelvic floor and other muscles, specifically through orgasm, that wouldn’t otherwise be strengthened. This can lead to a better sex life in general, as well as benefits to your overall health and wellness.

 

And no – in case you were worried, there are no significant studies proving that masturbation can become an addiction. You aren’t going to become addicted to pleasuring yourself if you enjoy it (hello, toxic religious upbringings). So go enjoy it this month, explore your likes and dislikes, and create a healthy relationship with your body and sexuality through masturbation!

 

SOURCES

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/benefits-of-masturbation

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24332-masturbation

https://www.healthline.com/health/masturbation-addiction

https://blog.mindvalley.com/benefits-of-masturbation/