Masturbation: Myths, Facts, and Side Effects

Contents

• Myths
• Facts
• Side Effects
• Summary

Myths

1. Masturbation causes blindness or infertility.
This is one of the oldest myths and one of the most inaccurate. There is no scientific link between masturbation and losing your eyesight or becoming infertile. These claims were historically used to scare people from masturbating, in fear that sexual arousal “would cause out-of-control behaviors and the collapse of society.”

2. Only people who don’t have sex masturbate.
Also false. Masturbation is common among people of all sexual orientations, relationship statuses, and ages. Many people in healthy, satisfying sexual relationships still masturbate. It’s not a replacement for sex; it’s an addition to it. There are endless possibilities of sensations and experiences you can experience alone, especially when indulging in masturbators from TENGA.

3. It’s only something men do.
While it’s often more openly discussed among men, women masturbate too, and always have. While men may report masturbating more frequently, a large percentage of women do as well, as proven by the popularity of femcare brands such as iroha. Masturbation is not gender-specific.

4. It’s addictive.
Masturbation itself is not an addiction. However, like any behavior, if it starts interfering with daily life, relationships, or responsibilities, it could be a sign of compulsive sexual behavior, which is a separate issue and should be addressed with professional help.

Facts

1. Masturbation is safe and normal.
Masturbation is a normal part of human sexuality. Most people masturbate at some point in their lives, and there is no evidence that it causes physical or mental harm when done in moderation.

2. It has health benefits.
Masturbation can relieve stress, help you sleep, ease menstrual cramps, and even boost your mood through the release of endorphins. For men, it can promote prostate health, while for women, it can help with pelvic floor strength and sexual self-awareness. For more info, check out this TENGA Store blog: 8 Health Benefits to Masturbation You Might Not Know.

3. It’s a great way to learn about your body.
Masturbation allows you to explore what feels good to you without the pressure of pleasing someone else. This knowledge can improve communication and satisfaction in partnered sex.

4. There’s no “normal” frequency.
There’s no right or wrong number of times to masturbate. Some people do it daily, others rarely or never. What matters is that it doesn’t cause distress or interfere with your life. Read our blog for more info on excessive masturbation.

Side Effects

While masturbation is generally safe, there are a few things to be aware of:

1. Physical irritation.
Over-masturbation, especially with little lubrication or aggressive techniques, can cause temporary soreness, chafing, or swelling. These are typically harmless and heal quickly with rest. When using sex toys, be sure to properly lubricate with water-based lubricants such as TENGA Lotion.

2. Emotional discomfort.
Some people feel guilt or shame due to cultural or religious beliefs. These feelings aren’t caused by the act itself but by social conditioning. Talking to a therapist or sex educator can help unpack these emotions.

3. Impact on daily life.
In rare cases, excessive masturbation can interfere with productivity, relationships, or sexual performance. If it becomes compulsive or is used to avoid dealing with emotions or responsibilities, professional support may be helpful.

Summary

Masturbation is a normal, healthy part of human sexuality. It comes with a variety of physical and emotional benefits, and the myths surrounding it are just myths. Like most things, balance is key. As long as it’s done in a way that feels good and doesn’t interfere with your life, there’s no reason to feel ashamed or worried.

Embrace it as a form of self-care, self-discovery, and self-love — and don’t shy away from the assortment of experiences sex toys can bring by browsing the TENGA Store USA!