MASTURBATION: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY OUTCOMES OF MASTURBATION.

“Before one must learn to love others, he/she must learn to love self.”…….. Eze Victor Obinna.

Masturbation also known as onanism is a controversial issue that has caused disagreement between various school of thought including disagreement between religious groups. Many school of thought say it’s a personally developed habit just like smoking and drinking and not an evidence of any mental or psychological disorder. Medical experts states that masturbation is not a mental disorder but is a response to sexual stimulation and over secretion of hormones which may have some health benefits and at the same time cause disease, health and social disorders. Most religious leaders holds it as a Sin against God and one’s body, biblical view states that the body is the temple of God as the habit is punishable by eternal condemnation, while a few subscribes to masturbation as just a habit and not a sin, proven by the controversial statement made in Ghana by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, President of Believers Love world, a. k. a Christ embassy, which increased arguments and drew different reactions from various religious leaders, including Pastor E.A. Adebayo  of Redeemed Christian church and  Apostle Alfred of Ghana in responds to the re-affirmation of masturbation as a habit  and not a sin by Pastor Chris.

This article does not subscribe to or oppose any of the above schools of thought but will enlighten you to know the good, the bad and the really ugly outcome of masturbation, which will put your conscience as a judge over your own actions and habits with respect to masturbation which just like smoking and alcoholism is a gradually developed habit, (Personally, am strictly against the habit) which one can be addicted to.  Don’t just read this article half way, because the good may give you reasons to embark or continue with a habit you’ll wish you never started, also look at the bad and really ugly outcome of masturbation.

Masturbation is the sexual stimulation of one's own genitals to achieve sexual arousal and pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed using the hands, fingers, everyday objects, teddy bears or sex toys.  It is achieved by massaging, touching or stroking the penis or clitoris several times..This habit can begin in early years of childhood and, if not discouraged, continue into adulthood.  

THE GOOD ABOUT MASTURBATION

• REPRODUCTIVE PURPOSE;

Male masturbation may be used as a method to obtain semen for third party reproductive procedures such as artificial insemination and In vitro fertilization which may involve the use of either partner or donor sperm. At a sperm bank or fertility clinic, a special room or cabin may be set aside so that semen may be produced by male masturbation for use in fertility treatments such as artificial insemination. Most semen used for sperm donation, and all semen donated through a sperm bank by sperm donors, is produced in this way.

• PROMOTES MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS;

Apart from the pleasure it gives, masturbating can help you learn what you and your partner like and don't like sexually. Men can also use masturbation to learn how to control their orgasms, while women can find out what helps them to achieve an orgasm. Many couples masturbate together and find it a very enjoyable part of their relationship. Other people don't and that's fine. It’s a personal choice. Masturbation can also be particularly useful in relationships where one partner wants more sex than the other – in which case masturbation provides a balancing effect and thus a more harmonious relationship.

• PSYCHOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP;

No causal relationship is known between masturbation and any form of mental or physical disorder. The medical consensus is that masturbation is a medically healthy and psychologically normal habit.  It is held in many mental health circles that masturbation can relieve depression and lead to a higher sense of self-esteem.

• CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION;

Some professionals consider masturbation to function as a cardiovascular workout. Though research is still as yet scant, those suffering from cardiovascular disorders (particularly those recovering from myocardial infarction, or heart attacks) should resume physical activity (including sexual intercourse and masturbation) gradually and with the frequency and rigor which their physical status will allow. Sexual climax, from masturbation  leaves one in a relaxed and contented state. This is frequently followed closely by drowsiness and sleep – particularly when one masturbates in bed. In general, real sex slightly increases energy consumption, according a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

• MISCONCEPTIONS

Masturbation won't make you go blind or insane, give you spots, stunt your growth, or turn you into a slag either! .In fact, it can help relieve stress and causes your body to release endorphins (pleasure hormones) which make you more relaxed. It can help us sleep. It may even help our genitals keep in top working order.

• ALTERNATIVE TO SEX

Some people argue that masturbation is healthy because it provides the same benefits as sex does and boosts self-esteem and confidence. Some say it keeps you away from promiscuity and is an ultimate to save sex. Other researchers argue allowing masturbation could help prisoners restrict their sexual urges to their imaginations rather than engaging in prison rape or other non-masturbatory sexual activity that could pose sexually transmitted disease or other health risks.

• MINIMIZES RISK TO SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS;

 Masturbation is also seen as a sexual technique that protects individuals and minimizes the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases that is common with real sex. Masturbation disposes one to infections but minimizes risks of being infected by a partner.

THE BAD AND REALLY UGLY OUTCOME OF MASTURBATION;

 Masturbation may provide immediate gratification, but it has negative side sexual dysfunction, erodes family values, and is a top ten cause of disease. Masturbation may seem harmless because it is personal and no other party is involved. But it affects us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Your body is sacred; treat it with utmost respect and honor.

The bad and ugly outcomes of masturbation are;

• RELIGIOUS VIEWS;

Religions vary broadly in their views of masturbation, from considering it completely impermissible while just view encourages and refines it. Most of our actions are guided by our religion. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Judaism condemn the practice, as Hinduism has a mixed view about the habit. Most Christians believes masturbation is a sin against one’s own body and against God and is punishable by eternal condemnation as the body is biblically viewed as the temple of God and must be kept holy.

•  RISKS OF STI’S AND OTHER INJURIES.

There is a risk of infection if you use sex toys during masturbation and someone else with an STI has used them before you. Any object used in sex can be called a sex toy, whether it's designed for this use or not. Masturbation with a partner can also theoretically result in transmission of sexually transmitted diseases by contact with bodily fluids. Those who insert objects as aid to masturbation risk them becoming stuck (e.g. as rectal foreign bodies), there is a risk of soreness, cuts or bruising if you masturbate too roughly or too hard, or use an object that could hurt you or cause damage. Men and women can fall prey to this problem. A woman went into a German hospital with two pencils in her bladder. She had inserted them into her urethra during masturbation. A man whose penis has suffered a blunt trauma, severe bend or other injury during intercourse or masturbation may, rarely, sustain a penile fracture or suffer from Peyronie's disease

• A 2008 study concluded that frequent ejaculation between the ages of 20 and 40 may be correlated with higher risk of developing prostate cancer. On the other hand, frequent ejaculation in one's 50s was found to be correlated with a lower such risk in this same study.

• GUILT, SHAME AND STIGMA

Most men and women do not admit that they masturbate and always feel ashamed of themselves and guilty after the act. Just like smoking and drinking, masturbation is a habit people carry out in their enclosures, and any habit of such nature I must admit is not a good one. It stirs up our sexual emotions and many that practice this habit suffer guilt, shame and a poor self-esteem.

• DESTROYS MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIPS;

Masturbation may begin as a habit that is enjoyed occasionally, but may eventually become addictive and continue even during marriage relationships. If one has been serving their own desires habitually through masturbation, they may find it difficult to give attention to their partner. Masturbation destroys the ability to relate to another person sexually and conditions one’s body to respond to self-stimulation seeking self satisfaction, but real sex with your partner Sex is a relational, wonderful experience, where we give in to a partner’s needs.

Let’s look at a case in point. Joyce is in a dilemma because her husband masturbates on a daily basis. She complains: “He even leaves me in bed to go to the bathroom to do his ritual. Can he change?”Her partner is addicted to it.  He is ashamed, feels guilty, dirty and bad about it, but has been unable to stop. Many people assume it is only men who have this addiction, but surprisingly women do too.

• CARDIOVASCULAR DYSFUNCTION;

A study published in 1997 found an inverse association between death from coronary heart disease and frequency of orgasm even given the risk that myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction can be triggered by sexual activity such as masturbation which is a constant (sometimes daily) practice once addicted to. Masturbation also lowers one’s blood pressure.

If you are tired of this habit and want to stop, there is hope for you. Begin your journey of recovery by desiring to put an end to the habit. Replace the habit with some activity like exercises, socializing, change your routine and avoid being alone as much as possible. Stopping at the very beginning is very important as high level of addiction is possible.