Masturbation: Myth Or Fact?
Q: When I was younger, I remember someone telling me that if I jerked off too much, my penis or balls would shrink. I didn’t know what they meant by “too much”, but it’s always stuck with me. I never really figured this one out but it stuck with me and I still wonder if it’s true. Someone else also said that it causes bald patches. But here I also heard it was good for your health! What do you think?
A: Oh my! These are definitely myths. Your penis or testicles do not shrink from regular masturbation, nor do you lose hair (or grow hair on your palms for that matter). “Too much” would be you doing it so often that you have no time or energy for other things like work, school, or socializing. It’s also a problem if you are constantly thinking/planning your next solo sex session or if it keeps you from dating. It is healthy to masturbate for many reasons (as long as it’s not done compulsively, or you are not hurting/causing pain to your penis from rigorous stroking). In fact, research has shown that men who regularly masturbate may have a reduced risk of prostate cancer in their later years. It’s also a good outlet if you don’t have a partner, and it helps you discover your body.
Masturbation, Religion And Relationships
Q: I grew up in a religion that looks down on premarital sex and masturbation and I’m still trying to figure out where I stand on some things and trying to figure out what’s normal. For one thing, I still don’t believe in premarital sex and I want my future wife to be a virgin when we wed. But if she masturbates and damages her hymen, is she still a virgin? Also, after we marry, am I supposed to stop masturbating myself? I do it now because I have no outlet for it, but once we’re having sex, do I stop? Please help, thanks.
A: These are some good questions and bring up the dilemmas many people face who are part of a religion that has man restrictions when it comes to sex. Many religions that adhere to strict codes of conduct, prohibit premarital sex and some prohibit the “spilling of seed” aka as masturbation. So it’s not really about what is normal or not, but more about what you believe and the morals and values you adhere to which would lead you to make certain choices like waiting for marriage to have sex. Virginity is not based on whether a woman has a hymen or not. Technically, one loses one’s virginity when they have penetrative sex. Women don’t “damage” their hymen via masturbation. However, a hymen can be stretched with different activities like sports such as cycling, horseback riding, gymnastics etc. A woman who does not bleed with first intercourse is not necessarily a woman who is not a virgin. I suggest you make it clear when you are dating, that you don’t believe in premarital sex and that you find a partner who feels the same as you. As for masturbation, generally speaking, this is a perfectly “normal” activity, however, the rules for this may be different based on your religion. It is your decision whether you want to follow these rules. For couples who don’t ascribe to such rules, masturbation does not stop just because you are married. Married sex and solo sex are different, and masturbation is a good outlet when your partner is not available (for whatever reason) for sex.