How to Stop Masturbation? 12 Effective Ways

Table of Content

• What Is Masturbation Addiction?

• Why Do People Masturbate?

• Why Should You Stop Masturbating?

• How to stop masturbating?

• Psychology Behind Excessive Masturbation

• What are the side effects of excessive masturbation?

• When is masturbation a problem?

• Take-Home Points

• FAQ on How to Stop Masturbation?

Introduction

Masturbation is the attainment of sexual gratification by stimulation(rubbing) of genitalia. Although there are several health benefits of masturbation like relieving stress and better sleep, there can be several negative effects of masturbation. Compulsive masturbation is always bad when you cannot control the urge to masturbate or it starts affecting your daily activities, emotions, relations etc.

If you’re finding yourself in a similar situation or a loved one you’re at the right place. In this blog, we’ll cover How to Stop

Masturbation Addiction? How to Stop Thinking About Masturbation? Symptoms of masturbation and Why do people masturbate in the first place?

What Is Masturbation Addiction?

Masturbation is a healthy sexual activity in which a male or female stimulates their genital organs either by themselves or through a partner to get sexual pleasure. What Is Masturbation Addiction?

Although Masturbation addiction is not a diagnosable disease, because of limited research available due to social stigma. Masturbation addiction occurs when there is compulsive behaviour to masturbate or When there is psychological, physical or emotional dependence to get sexual gratification through masturbation.

Masturbation is not a problem unless it becomes compulsive or starts interfering with day-to-day activities.

Why Do People Masturbate?

Masturbation is healthy unless it becomes a compulsive or masturbation addiction. Apart from relieving sexual tension, there can be several other reasons for Why Do People Masturbate?:

1. Unavailability of sexual partner.

2. Relieving stress

3.  To avoid risk of Sexually transmitted disease 

4. To avoid getting pregnant 

5.  Exploring sexuality

Why Should You Stop Masturbating?

Masturbation in most cases doesn't interfere with daily activities unless it becomes compulsive. Are there any reasons Why you should stop masturbating? There can be several negative effects of masturbation Here are some of them:

1. Feeling of guilt or stigma: Either because of religious reasons or social stigma, it is better to stop if you can't convince yourself that it is wrong.

2. Social Isolation

3. Difficulty in sexual intercourse or bonding with your partner.

4. Masturbation can cause Low self-esteem

5. Fatigue 

6. Frequent masturbation can cause skin irritation or skin injuries.

How to stop masturbating?

There can be several negative effects of masturbation if you're finding yourself struggling with How to Stop?

Masturbation Addiction?, How to Control the Urge to Masturbate? Here are 10 Tips to Stop Masturbating:

1. Avoid pornography: Pornography is common among people who masturbate a lot. If you are asking about How to Control the Urge to Masturbate? This can be the first and most essential step to take.

2. Keep yourself engaged: Engaging in leisure activities like opting for a hobby that you love and spending time with loved ones. These all 

3. Exercise: Exercise releases natural endorphins which relieve stress, which further reduces the urge to masturbate.

4. Change your routine: Masturbation can occur spontaneously at the same time of the day, you may start feeling like you are masturbating. Therefore, it is advisable to change routine and do something else at that time. 

5. Meditation: Meditation nurtures soul and body, it helps in relieving stress. It can be helpful in masturbation, as your mind focuses on deep breaths. After meditation, it becomes easy for the mind to focus on something else while subsiding the feeling of masturbation.

6. Avoid sex toys: If you are using sex toys and find compulsive behaviours with them, it is better to avoid sex toys as they can trigger feelings of masturbation.

7. Track your progress: Tracking your progress while avoiding masturbation can be motivating.  Set SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely) goals start with small goals like limiting frequencies per day followed by reducing frequencies per week.

8. Talk with your partner: Talk with your loved ones or romantic partner they can provide emotional support and can help in tracking progress. It is also essential to talk with your romantic partner about masturbation because your compulsive behaviour can be due to a lack of physical intimacy or performance anxiety.

9. Maintain Physical intimacy with your partner: Physical intimacy with your partner is important, talk openly about your preferences and likes with your partner, negotiating and coming same page would help establish a happy fun relationship. This can help prevent the negative effects of masturbation.

10. Seek professional help: Talking with professionals can help as they are trained professionals on topics like addiction and compulsive behaviour. They maintain confidentiality and help in dealing with negative emotions and anxiety surrounding masturbation. 

Psychology Behind Excessive Masturbation

However, there is no clear-cut definition or clear reasons for excessive masturbation or compulsive masturbation because of limited research in this area. There can be several reasons behind excessive masturbation:

1. Porn addiction

2. Sex addiction

3. Underlying behavioural mental disorder

4. The feeling of guilt after excessive masturbation can be a masturbation addiction.

5. To escape guilt feeling, indulging oneself in alcohol consumption is common.

6. It becomes a vicious cycle, of masturbation unless it is compulsive because there is no set frequency for a “healthy masturbation or normal masturbation”. 

What are the side effects of excessive masturbation?

There can be several negative effects of masturbation, which can be physical or mental side effects.

Physical side effects:

1. Irritation or injury to genitalia: One of the common side effects of excessive masturbation, there injury due to excessive friction.

2. Oedema: Swelling or oedema can be present due to repeated friction or infection in case of excessive masturbation.

3. Skin irritation

Mental Side effects:

1. Social isolation

2. Feeling of guilt

3. Depression

4.  Sexual conflicts with partner

5. Changing religious behaviour

6. Fatigue

When is masturbation a problem?

There are no guidelines for excessive masturbation or when masturbation is a problem. Due to limited research. It becomes a problem when:

• It starts affecting day-to-day life.

• Negatively impacting your life

• Interference with social life

• Physical injuries to private parts due to excessive masturbation 

• Masturbation becomes compulsive

Take-Home Points

1. Masturbation is a healthy sexual activity in which a male or female stimulates their genital organs either by themselves or through a partner to get sexual pleasure.

2. Masturbation addiction occurs when there is compulsive behaviour to masturbate or When there is psychological, physical or emotional dependence to get sexual gratification through masturbation

3. You should stop masturbation because there is a feeling of guilt, excessive masturbation can cause physical injuries, social isolation etc.

4. You can stop masturbation by quitting pornography, engaging in Hobbies, increasing social interaction, discussing problems with loved ones, meditating, exercising etc.

5. Excessive masturbation can be because of sex addiction, porn addiction, underlying mental disorder etc.

6. Physical side effects of excessive masturbation include oedema, skin irritation, skin injuries, infection etc.

7. Mental side effects of excessive masturbation include social isolation, behavioural changes, changes in religious beliefs, depression etc.

8. Masturbation becomes a problem when it starts affecting daily activities, interfering with social life, physical injuries to private parts, masturbation becomes compulsive.