masturbation can help your health
When you think of sexual satisfaction, you probably think of being
happily coupled. But not every aspect of your sexual life requires a
partner. Masturbation, a generally solo experience, isn't just for
teenage boys."Self-love" is an important part of a healthy sexual life
and it's also good for you. Judith Golden, a registered sex therapist
in Toronto, explains how a little alone time can go a long way.
1. Masturbation relieves stress
If stress is starting to pile up, it might be smart to take a
time-out.Masturbation allows you to focus on one thing, Golden says,
which can help you relax."As we think about sex in any form, dopamine,
a chemical released by the brain that gives us a sense of pleasure, is
released," she explains. "As we engage in sexual activity, another
chemical, endorphins, is released. Endorphins give us a sense of
well-being." Just be careful not to rely on masturbation as an escape
from stress, Golden adds, because it's through that reliance that an
addiction can form. But the occasional solo roll in the hay can help
make a bad day a little (or a lot) better.
2. Masturbation eases menstrual cramps
That particular time of the month is not usually associated with
feeling good, but masturbation can actually help make the worst of it
more endurable. "The strength and intensity of an orgasm can relieve
cramps," says Golden. "And the hormones released during sexual
excitement can also help." But remember that it's not necessarily the
same for everyone. "Sometimes the muscle contractions can also
intensify the cramping feeling," Golden warns. Experiment, listen to
your body and do what feels right for you.
3. Masturbation puts you in touch with your sexuality
If you've never understood why everyone makes such a big deal about
sex, this might be a good place to start. "Sex therapists strongly
recommend that women who have not had an orgasm begin by pleasuring
themselves," says Golden. "This puts them in touch with the genital
pleasure that they like." The safe, controlled situation allows women
to determine not only what they enjoy, but also what they may have
feared.
4. Masturbation can help you achieve orgasm during intercourse If you
find it difficult to achieve sexual satisfaction with a partner, you
should first work on finding it on your own. "Regular masturbation
will teach you how your body responds sexually," explains Golden.
Being able to communicate your findings to a partner will allow him or
her to please you in the way that works for you. However, Golden does
warn that the way you masturbate can work against this goal. "If there
is excessive reliance on pornography, or if masturbation is done with
rough materials or face down on a surface, it becomes harder to
duplicate this with a partner."
5. Masturbation keeps your motor running
Golden confirms our worst fear: "The old expression, 'if you don't use
it, you lose it,' is actually true." In the end, it comes down to a
simple bit of science. "In order to be able to function sexually we
need a supply of nitric oxide in our blood. Sexual activity in any
form maintains levels of this chemical," she explains. A prolonged dry
spell can make it more difficult to achieve erections or lubrication.
But if it's been a while, fear not! "It is possible, with some time,
to promote this chemical again and restore functioning," Golden says.
6. Masturbation can help with insomnia
If you find yourself stuck in bed watching the late night hours slowly
become the early morning, it could be time to try a new sleep aid.
"Just as people fall into a deep sleepafter sex with a partner,
because blood pressure is lowered and relaxation is increased through
the release of endorphins,masturbation is a good sleeping pill," says
Golden. "It is relied on by many as a nightly occurrence." Well,
there's no denying that it sounds more appealing than a glass of warm
milk. Sweet dreams.
By Tammy Sutherland