BUSTED: Seven masturbation myths!

Image: Have sex on your mind... Masturbation isn't uncommon

Masturbation is more common than you might want to believe. Lifemojo.com lists out myths associated with it.

Masturbation means self-stimulation to derive sexual excitement.

The term masturbation indicates that a person is manually stimulating his or her private parts in order to get sexual pleasure and orgasm.

Studies say that 95 percent males and 85 percent females masturbate. This is increasingly common in teens as well. However let us assure you that this is a normal phenomenon.

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Myth: Only frustrated people masturbate

Image: It's a myth that only frustrated peopel masturbate

Myth: Masturbation is not actual sex. Only frustrated people masturbate.

Reality: Sexual pleasure during masturbation is similar to that experienced during 'actual sex', ie sex with a partner. Sexual health experts say that people who masturbate are more likely to enjoy a good sex life with a partner.

Myth: Masturbation makes you go bald

Image: You DON'T go bald if you masturbate

Myth: Masturbation can make you blind, bald, cause hair growth on your palm, or give you acne and many other diseases.

Reality: Absolutely baseless. Masturbation has nothing to do with any of these diseases.

Masturbating wastes semen

Image: Don't spend sleepless nights wondering if you'll waste semen by masturbating. You won't!

Myth: The stock of semen in the body is limited. If you waste it by masturbating, you will soon run out of it.

Reality: This is not true. Semen is not stocked but produced in the body throughout a man's life. It will continue be produced as long as the reproductive organs are healthy.

Myth: Masturbate and you won't have children

Image: Masturbation doesn't mean you won't have children

Myth: Those who masturbate will never have children.

Reality: This is ridiculous. If this had any element of truth in it, most couples would be childless and population explosion wouldn't have happened. Probably, I and you wouldn't be born either.

Myth: Those who have a partner don't masturbate

Image: It is a myth that if you have a partner you don't masturbate

Myth: Those who have a partner, or those who are married, do not masturbate.

Reality: You are mistaken. Many couples masturbate mutually. Some masturbate when their partner is away for some time.

Masturbation can stunt your growth

Image: Being short doesn't have anything to do with masturbation

Myth: Masturbation can stunt your growth.

Reality: No, it cannot. If you feel there is something wrong with your growth, consult a doctor as there may be a treatable underlying cause. Stopping masturbation will not help.

Myth: Masturbation leads to psychological problems

Image: Masturbation doesn't lead to psychological problems

Myth: Masturbation leads to psychological problems.

Reality: Masturbation does not cause any physical or psychological problems. Anxiety and fear caused by myths about masturbation can cause psychological problems.

Some people tend to confuse masturbation with orgasm. An orgasm or climax is the final stage of sexual intercourse when a man or a woman reaches a very high level of excitement. Genital muscles undergo a series of quick contractions that cause an intensely pleasurable sensation. In men, orgasm generally culminates in ejaculation.

Benefits of masturbation

Image: Masturbation can help people with insomnia

Benefits of masturbation:

Can help relieve stress
Causes the release of mood lifting chemicals
Induces sleep and therefore helps people with insomnia
Reduces the frequency of spontaneous erections in teenage males
Reduces the occurrence of nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) in young men
May provide relief from menstrual cramps
Boosts immunity by stimulating the immune system

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