"Good" arguments against masturbation???

[Bree]

Do any "good" arguements against masturbation exist?

A question was breached on another message board I frequent (namely, a young adult woman was asking if it was normal to feel the urge to masturbate) and one of the responses ran thusly:

"Compulsive masturbation, like all other compulsive behaviors, is a sign of an emotional problem and needs to be addressed by a mental health specialist."

"Over-masturbation can cause serious problems that aren’t limited to the bedroom. Frequent masturbation should be addressed."

"Over-masturbation or over-ejaculation drains the body of Human Growth Hormones, DHEA, and testosterone, which are used for recharging the CNS and the parasympathetic (bio-energy restoring) function of each organ. As a result, the endocrine-associated organs slow down hormone production. The eyes become very sensitive to sunlight due to the deficiency of the bio-energy in the visual nerves (the erectile drug Viagr* (trademarked name not allowed here) produces the similar side effect - blue vision).

"The ears buzz due to the deficiency of bio-energy in the hearing nerves. The heart beats irregularly due to insufficient bio-energy in the auto-rhythmic and contractile fibers. Blood pressure becomes too high or too low due to insufficient levels of bio-energy in the kidneys to regulate the kidney renin-release mechanism. A higher volume of sweat and bouts of fatigue occur due to the insufficient bio-energy in the adrenal cortexes, which produce DHEA to pacify the sympathetic nervous function. The patient also experiences pains and spastic cramps in the muscles and joints (in particular, in the lower back area due to the lack of DHEA and testosterone to feed the local cells and neurons) and his waist becomes very weak."

"When the CNS bioelectricity runs low, the endocrine function can not produce sufficient HGH, DHEA, and testosterone to charge the parasympathetic sexual nerve, which is responsible for powering the erection and keeping the ejaculation control valve tight. This will result in a weak erection and premature ejaculation. In particular, during a sexual encounter, it can produce a burst of DHEA/testosterone and 5-alpha reductase enzyme to power the erection for a longer period to finish sexual intercourse. If a man can’t erect by any means, he is impotent. If he can erect with hand jobs or oral sex, he has a weak erection and will experience premature ejaculation. That is why porn stars in adult movies can never make the porn actresses achieve an orgasm with a weak erection."

"It is apparent excessive masturbation/sex can damage a person’s body and produce negative side effects hazardous to your health."

NEGATIVE EFFECTS:

"Fatigue.
Feeling tired all the time
Lower back pain
Stress / Anxiety
Thinning hair / Hair Loss
Soft / Weak Erection
Premature Ejaculation
Eye floaters or fuzzy vision
Groin / Testicular Pain
Pain or cramp in the pelvic cavity or/and tail bone."
Of course, the enlightened being who posted this clap-trap didn't provide any sources - apparently putting one's words in quotes means you actually did some research.

At any rate - is there a moral arguement to be made? Or are all naysayers reduced to this?

[meritocrat]

I 'don't dislike masturbation (on the contrary I think it is beneficial) but I think the article raises some interesting points.

If one is addicted to masturbation wouldn't you say they had a problem?

[MortalWombat]

Thinning hair / Hair LossIt really isn't lost, it just migrates to the palms.

[trillian]

Most other addictions, even of healthy activities, will cause adverse health affects as well.

Exercise addicts and food addicts are just two I can think of where something healthy is taken beyond the bodily needs. But of course no one would suggest that people stop exercising and eating!!

Masturbation should only be stopped if it affects his homework or if tissues and lotion get too expensive. ;)

trillian

[99Percent]

I can think of masturbation to be bad if it detracts from healthy relationships with a sex partner. It can be a symptom that something is not working right. For example if a man would rather jerk of all or most of the time, instead of having sex with his wife, then something is amiss.

Also if you are continually masturbate going against social norms and conventions to the detriment of your work and relationships then it could be another symptom of psychological problems. For example if you get caught masturbating while at work, and get fired and you still do it at another job, then there must be something wrong and I would suggest getting psychological help.

That it drains testerone and DHEA, makes your ears buzz, etc, sounds like pure BS to me.

[scigirl]

Originally posted by 99Percent
That it drains testerone and DHEA, makes your ears buzz, etc, sounds like pure BS to me.
Well my current research lab studies those hormones. . .should we do a study? My question is - what the hell would you do for a "control" group?? :D

scigirl

[nermal]

That excerpt sounds like a throwback to the old Kellog arguments against masterbation, the residual effects of which are one factor in the abberrantly high circumcision rates in the US (it was believed that circumcision curbed masturbation.)

I would be as worried about a young man who didn't masturbate as I would one who masturbated excessively.


Also, I seriously doubt that if someone ejaculates so frequently that he has a difficult time getting an erection, he will have problems with premature ejaculation. Quite the opposite, I'm sure.
Ed

[meritocrat]

B y the way what is defined as 'frequent' masturbation?

Once a day? Several times a day?

[MzNeko]

Interesting that it only mentioned male masturbation. I guess it just wouldn't occur to us nice girls to do such a nasty dirty thing… :rolleyes:

I'm inclined to think that just about anything a person gets "compulsive" about can be unhealthy - exercise, hand-washing, eating, etc.

But having an occasional wank? Sheesh.

[Veovis]

I'm no medical professional, but that article in the OP doesn't seem quite right. My response:

Over-masturbation or over-ejaculation drains the body of Human Growth Hormones,

I am 6'1" and weigh 200 pounds. I also masturbate about once or twice per day.

The ears buzz due to the deficiency of bio-energy in the hearing nerves

Your ears can buzz or even temporarily loose hearing during any activity which raises heart rate or blood pressure, sex/masturbation and strenuous exercise included.

The patient also experiences pains and spastic cramps in the muscles and joints (in particular, in the lower back area due to the lack of DHEA and testosterone to feed the local cells and neurons) and his waist becomes very weak.

I think this may have more to do with what position one masturbates in and for how long.

When the CNS bioelectricity runs low, the endocrine function can not produce sufficient HGH, DHEA, and testosterone to charge the parasympathetic sexual nerve, which is responsible for powering the erection and keeping the ejaculation control valve tight. This will result in a weak erection and premature ejaculation. In particular, during a sexual encounter, it can produce a burst of DHEA/testosterone and 5-alpha reductase enzyme to power the erection for a longer period to finish sexual intercourse. If a man can’t erect by any means, he is impotent. If he can erect with hand jobs or oral sex, he has a weak erection and will experience premature ejaculation. That is why porn stars in adult movies can never make the porn actresses achieve an orgasm with a weak erection.

I think what they're trying to say is that if one masturbates or has sex a lot durning the day, his sex drive lowers because he has to make more seed. It's why men don't have 'multiple orgasms'.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS:

Fatigue - This goes without saying

Feeling tired all the time - Only if you masturbate all the time.

Lower back pain - Depends on your position and how long you hold it.

Stress / Anxiety - Only if you don't want mom to find out.

Thinning hair / Hair Loss - I don't think so

Soft / Weak Erection - Lowered sex drive from frequent masturbation. Just wait a few hours.

Premature Ejaculation - I'm not sure on this one.

Eye floaters or fuzzy vision - High blood pressure may do that to you.

Groin / Testicular Pain - 'Blue Balls' maybe?

Pain or cramp in the pelvic cavity or/and tail bone - Again, position, or possibly a cramp of the pelvic floor muscles during ejaculation. I've done this before.

So there's my response. Don't take it too seriously though.

[tronvillain]

Well, I would probably agree with something similar to "compulsive masturbation, like all other compulsive behaviors, is a sign of an emotional problem and needs to be addressed by a mental health specialist." Virtually any activity can become a problem, but this is not an argument against masturbation in general any more than the existence of alcoholism is an argument against drinking in general. Anyway, where did this woman come up with that response? It is hilarious!

Now, not that there is any point to responding to it, but it is entertaining:
Over-masturbation or over-ejaculation drains the body of Human Growth Hormones, DHEA, and testosterone, which are used for recharging the CNS and the parasympathetic (bio-energy restoring) function of each organ. As a result, the endocrine-associated organs slow down hormone production. The eyes become very sensitive to sunlight due to the deficiency of the bio-energy in the visual nerves (the erectile drug Viagr* (trademarked name not allowed here) produces the similar side effect - blue vision).
Now, even if one knows nothing else about biology, the use of a phrase such as "bio-energy restoring" and "the deficiency of the bio-energy in the visual nerves" should point straight to pseudoscience. While it is entirely possible Viagra might affect vision, it is not because of a deficiency in "bio-energy" in the optic nerve. It seems a little odd to assert that a decrease in hormone levels would turn cause hormone production to decrease, since it seems far more likely that hormone production would increase, though the point is moot since as far as I am aware there is no evidence for such decreased hormone levels.
The ears buzz due to the deficiency of bio-energy in the hearing nerves. The heart beats irregularly due to insufficient bio-energy in the auto-rhythmic and contractile fibers. Blood pressure becomes too high or too low due to insufficient levels of bio-energy in the kidneys to regulate the kidney renin-release mechanism. A higher volume of sweat and bouts of fatigue occur due to the insufficient bio-energy in the adrenal cortexes, which produce DHEA to pacify the sympathetic nervous function. The patient also experiences pains and spastic cramps in the muscles and joints (in particular, in the lower back area due to the lack of DHEA and testosterone to feed the local cells and neurons) and his waist becomes very weak.
There is no such thing as "bio-energy." Still, are these supposed to be symptoms which occur all of the time or symptoms which occur during sex or masturbation? In any case, despite masturbating three or four times a day, I have managed to avoid all of the above symptoms. Oh, I am sure my heart rate and blood pressure increase, urine production decreases, and sweat production increases during the act, but that is to be expected. :rolleyes:
When the CNS bioelectricity runs low, the endocrine function can not produce sufficient HGH, DHEA, and testosterone to charge the parasympathetic sexual nerve, which is responsible for powering the erection and keeping the ejaculation control valve tight. This will result in a weak erection and premature ejaculation. In particular, during a sexual encounter, it can produce a burst of DHEA/testosterone and 5-alpha reductase enzyme to power the erection for a longer period to finish sexual intercourse. If a man can’t erect by any means, he is impotent. If he can erect with hand jobs or oral sex, he has a weak erection and will experience premature ejaculation. That is why porn stars in adult movies can never make the porn actresses achieve an orgasm with a weak erection.
When the central nervous system bioelectricity runs low? Perhaps when you are dead, but not otherwise. No one with any understanding of how nerves work would say such a thing. So, masturbation results in a weak erection and a weak erection requires hand jobs or oral sex to achieve and results in premature ejaculation? Interesting. Apparently three to four times a day is not sufficient to achievea weak erection, since I have no problem with premature ejaculation and whether an erection requires direct contact depends entirely upon how sexually aroused I am. Oh, and how do you know that female porn stars never achieve orgasm? Even if they don't, male porn stars appear to have normal erections and to not ejaculate prematurely, so other factors such as emotional (they are having sex with someone who is potentially a complete stranger, in front of a camera, for money) and physical (they are having sex that looks good on camera, not necessarily sex that feels good). :rolleyes:

[Chiron]

"The eyes become very sensitive to sunlight due to the deficiency of the bio-energy in the visual nerves" says the guy.

Just thought I'd point out that it takes energy to do the seeing. In order to suppress vision, you would have to reduce this... "bio-energy" (perhaps this should be called "glucose"? Or maybe "ATP"?). Decreasing the amount of energy that's going to the eyes will cause everything to go black (hence the claim"Everything's going dark!" in Bugs Bunny cartoons when someone plays dead, 'cos it's one of the first things to go as you start dying). It's a directly proportional equation: more energy = more sensitivity. 'Tain't inverse.

that is all
-Chiron

[Jamie_L]

Originally posted by Bree
[COLOR=indigo]Do any "good" arguements against masturbation exist?


I've read it's possible for men to inadvertently "train" themselves to have very low sexual stamina through masturbation. That is, if you only take a minute or so to do your business by yourself, and you do that over and over, you're likely to only last a minute or so when you do it with someone else.

Any male who likes lasting more than a minute or so might be well advised to take their time when they are by themselves. ;)

Jamie

[The Other Michael]

Solomon.

cheers,
Michael

[Bree]

Originally posted by The Other Michael
Solomon.

cheers,
Michael
You had to bring that up, didn't you?

[echidna]

OK, I’ll have a go. In some circumstances I imagine that masturbation can hinder relationships, in that sex with one’s partner may end up unsatisfying in comparison with one’s personal masturbation experience. As such it can serve to distance a relationship.

Potentially over-sexualisation can lead an individual to viewing real-world relationships unrealistically and in ways which do not fit into regular social patterns.

[pmurray]

If one is [i]addicted to masturbation wouldn't you say they had a problem? [/B]

That's rather begging the question: addiction is bad - by definition. No one uses the word in the context of being "addicted to breathing".

[pmurray]

But it does make you blind and mad - side-effects that can be avoided with a proper intake of Zinc. (of course, this is males only).

The hair on the palms is confusing cause and effect, of course. Naturally high-testosterone males would tend to masturbate more.

Songs about masturbation:

"Turning Japanese" - The Vapours
Refers to the facial expression of one close to the edge.

"She Bob" - Cindi Lauper
All about girls who "can't stop messing with their danger-zone".

Ahhh. The memories of those sermons about the evils of pop music.

[Dr Rick]

Originally posted by Bree
Do any "good" arguements against masturbation exist?

Don't ever touch yourself; here's "proof" from the literature that masturbation is a lethal disorder:

A case of atypical autoerotic death is described. An 18-year-old white man clad in two brassieres was found dead in his bedroom by his brother. Two wet green terry cloths were under the brassiere cups, connected to the house current via two metal washers and a bifid electrical cord...The author has reported what appears to be a clearly defined [autoerotic] masochistic hanging in the female...The authors report the case of a young man, 18 years of age, who died as a result of autoerotic asphyxia...Four previously unpublished cases of female asphyxiophilia are presented. All women were found immobilised by obviously self-tied ropes, string or handcuffs. The women, who were alone at the time of death, died of a lethal paraphilia...The case of an adult male who died from autoerotic asphyxiation shortly after watching a television show that discussed sexual asphyxiation is reported.['proof' that televison kills, too]

Seriously, the litany of physiologic harms alleged by the message board to be associated with masturbation is unsubstantiated. One does not deplete the body of vital energies or juices with it, and visual changes associated with masturbation are long-term or serious only if you poke yourself in the eye.

As for the endocrine effects, your body doesn't know (or care) if the source of stimulation is from your ownself or someone else.
Men have been found to have increased levels of testosterone during sustained periods of abstinence, and both men and women have temporary increases in serum prolactin following orgasm, but there are no deliterious endocrine or neurologic effects associated with masturbation:

World J Urol. 2001 Nov;19(5):377-82. Endocrine response to masturbation-induced orgasm in healthy men following a 3-week sexual abstinence.

Exton MS, Kruger TH, Bursch N, Haake P, Knapp W, Schedlowski M, Hartmann U.

Institut fur Medizinische Psychologie, Universitatsklinikum Essen, Germany.

This current study examined the effect of a 3-week period of sexual abstinence on the neuroendocrine response to masturbation-induced orgasm. Hormonal and cardiovascular parameters were examined in ten healthy adult men during sexual arousal and masturbation-induced orgasm. Blood was drawn continuously and cardiovascular parameters were constantly monitored. This procedure was conducted for each participant twice, both before and after a 3-week period of sexual abstinence. Plasma was subsequently analysed for concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, prolactin, luteinizing hormone and testosterone concentrations. Orgasm increased blood pressure, heart rate, plasma catecholamines and prolactin. These effects were observed both before and after sexual abstinence. In contrast, although plasma testosterone was unaltered by orgasm, higher testosterone concentrations were observed following the period of abstinence. These data demonstrate that acute abstinence does not change the neuroendocrine response to orgasm but does produce elevated levels of testosterone in males.

Psychosom Med. 1999 May-Jun;61(3):280-9.
Cardiovascular and endocrine alterations after masturbation-induced orgasm in women.

Exton MS, Bindert A, Kruger T, Scheller F, Hartmann U, Schedlowski M.
Department of Medical Psychology, University Clinic Essen, Germany.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the cardiovascular, genital, and endocrine changes in women after masturbation-induced orgasm because the neuroendocrine response to sexual arousal in humans is equivocal. METHODS: Healthy women (N = 10) completed an experimental session, in which a documentary film was observed for 20 minutes, followed by a pornographic film for 20 minutes, and...were asked to masturbate until orgasm. Cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure) and genital (vaginal pulse amplitude) parameters were monitored continuously throughout testing...RESULTS: Orgasm induced elevations in cardiovascular parameters and levels of plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline. Plasma prolactin substantially increased after orgasm, remained elevated over the remainder of the session, and was still raised 60 minutes after sexual arousal. In addition, sexual arousal also produced small increases in plasma LH and testosterone concentrations. In contrast, plasma concentrations of cortisol, FSH, beta-endorphin, progesterone, and estradiol were unaffected by orgasm.

[Calzaer]

deficiency of bio-energy

Oh for Pete's sake... that sounds worse than anything I would say to my priestess. If you want us to believe it's science (rather than magic), it had better actually be science. Someone ask this dork how this bio-energy is measured and with what equipment.

[JerryM]

This is not exactly on the topic of the OP, but someone should mention the POSITIVE effects of masturbation. Like it being a perfectly normal and valid sexual outlet for individuals who are not in relationships. And Masters and Johnson also described a technique using controlled masturbation, either by oneself or with a partner, that can effectively treat premature ejaculation.

[Loren Pechtel]

Originally posted by echidna
OK, I’ll have a go. In some circumstances I imagine that masturbation can hinder relationships, in that sex with one’s partner may end up unsatisfying in comparison with one’s personal masturbation experience. As such it can serve to distance a relationship.

Potentially over-sexualisation can lead an individual to viewing real-world relationships unrealistically and in ways which do not fit into regular social patterns.

I don't see how this could happen unless something is already seriously wrong in the relationship.

[echidna]

Well that was kinda the OP question wasn’t it ? I don’t believe that stable relationships need to be exclusively masturbation-free, but there is likely a risk that somewhere the masturbation will begin to have negative effects.

[xsquid]

Originally posted by pmurray
But it does make you blind and mad - side-effects that can be avoided with a proper intake of Zinc. (of course, this is males only).

The hair on the palms is confusing cause and effect, of course. Naturally high-testosterone males would tend to masturbate more.

Songs about masturbation:

"Turning Japanese" - The Vapours
Refers to the facial expression of one close to the edge.

"She Bob" - Cindi Lauper
All about girls who "can't stop messing with their danger-zone".

Ahhh. The memories of those sermons about the evils of pop music.

You didn't mention "Pictures of Lily" by The Who: An ode to girls who inspire.

Yes, I'm bored!

[sentinel00]

I'm masterbating right now. Is that wrong?

[MzNeko]

Only if you get it all over the keyboard... those things cost money! ;)

[mecca777]

Originally posted by sentinel00
I'm masterbating right now. Is that wrong? Yep, you're applying too much torque. Go slow, use more hand cream and don't twist so much - you'll notice the difference immediately.

[Alludium Fozdex]

Originally posted by mecca777
Yep, you're applying too much torque. Go slow, use more hand cream and don't twist so much - you'll notice the difference immediately. :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy

[Ovazor]

Originally posted by sentinel00
I'm masterbating right now. Is that wrong?

Yes.. If you had spelt it "masturbating", it would not have been wrong.

[sentinel00]

D'oh!

[Taffer]

Originally posted by JerryM
This is not exactly on the topic of the OP, but someone should mention the POSITIVE effects of masturbation. Like it being a perfectly normal and valid sexual outlet for individuals who are not in relationships. And Masters and Johnson also described a technique using controlled masturbation, either by oneself or with a partner, that can effectively treat premature ejaculation.
Or turn it around and list the effects of not masturbating over a long time with no other way to sexual relief. I frankly don't buy the stories of christian teens who pray to God and promptly have all desire to wank removed, no really, why don't you try it as well, it really works!

In fact, you can start with the list above. I imagine masturbating too little can easily lead to Stress / Anxiety, Premature Ejaculation and Groin / Testicular Pain.