Yes, masturbation is normal, safe, and common across all age groups and genders. It has no known harmful physical effects and carries several well-documented health benefits. Most medical and sexual health organizations consider it a healthy part of human sexuality.
If you’re asking this question, you’re likely wondering whether there’s something wrong with it, whether you’re doing it too much, or whether it could cause some kind of harm. The short answer to all three: for the vast majority of people, no. The longer answer is worth reading.
Physical Health Benefits
Orgasm triggers your body to release dopamine (tied to pleasure and reward) and oxytocin (associated with relaxation and bonding). These hormones counteract cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone. The result is a measurable reduction in stress and tension, which is why many people find it easier to fall asleep afterward.
For people who menstruate, masturbation can provide temporary relief from period cramps. The endorphins released during orgasm help block pain signals, and the increased blood flow to the pelvic area along with the muscle contractions of orgasm may ease discomfort further. During pregnancy, it can help with lower back pain and general sexual tension without any risk to the pregnancy.
For older women, regular masturbation may reduce vaginal dryness and decrease pain during intercourse. In a study of women aged 40 to 65, participants reported reaching orgasm about 81% of the times they masturbated, regardless of menopausal status.
For men, the data on prostate health is striking. A Harvard Health analysis found that men who ejaculated 21 or more times per month had a 31% lower risk of prostate cancer compared to those who ejaculated 4 to 7 times per month. A separate analysis found that men averaging roughly 5 to 7 ejaculations per week were 36% less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 70. The mechanism isn’t fully understood, but frequent ejaculation may prevent the buildup of potentially harmful substances in the prostate gland.
Mental Health and Sleep
The oxytocin released during orgasm doesn’t just make you feel good in the moment. It actively lowers cortisol by suppressing the hormonal chain reaction that produces stress hormones in the first place. This is why masturbation can genuinely help with anxiety, not just as a distraction but through a direct biological mechanism. Your body also releases prolactin after orgasm, a hormone linked to relaxation and sleepiness, which explains why it’s so effective as a sleep aid.
The psychological picture has one important nuance: guilt changes the equation. Research on women found that those who felt high levels of guilt about masturbation experienced more emotional distress in general, not because of the act itself but because of the shame surrounding it. In other words, masturbation doesn’t cause psychological harm, but believing it’s wrong can.
Common Myths That Aren’t True
There is no scientific evidence that masturbation causes hair loss, blindness, infertility, impotence, or hair growth on your palms. These claims have been repeated for centuries, but none have held up to modern study.
The hair loss myth sometimes circulates with a pseudo-scientific explanation: that semen is high in protein, so ejaculating depletes the body’s resources for hair growth. While semen does contain about 5 grams of protein per 100 milliliters, a typical ejaculation is only 3.3 to 3.7 milliliters. That’s a negligible amount of protein. Another version of the myth claims masturbation raises testosterone, which raises a hair-loss-related hormone called DHT. But research actually shows testosterone levels increase after three weeks of abstinence, meaning masturbation doesn’t raise testosterone at all.
How It Affects Your Sex Life With a Partner
Masturbation generally helps rather than hinders partnered sex. Research on women consistently finds that those who masturbate are less sexually inhibited, more likely to reach orgasm during sex with a partner, and report better overall sexual experiences. Women who use similar types of stimulation during masturbation and partnered sex show the strongest benefits, with better orgasmic response and higher sexual satisfaction in their relationships.
The one scenario where masturbation habits can create problems is when technique becomes very narrow and intense. For men, what’s informally called “death grip syndrome” refers to desensitization that develops from frequently masturbating with very high pressure, aggressive speed, or an unusual position like lying face down and pressing against a surface. Over time, this can condition the body to respond only to that specific type of stimulation, making partnered sex less satisfying.
This isn’t a reason to avoid masturbation. It’s a reason to vary your approach. If you notice decreased sensitivity, reducing frequency, lightening your grip, and introducing different types of stimulation typically resolves the issue over weeks to months. Pelvic floor exercises can also help restore normal sensation.
When Frequency Becomes a Concern
There’s no medical threshold for “too much” masturbation measured in times per day or week. The question isn’t how often, but whether it’s interfering with your life. If masturbation is replacing activities you want to be doing, causing you to skip work or social obligations, creating physical soreness from friction or pressure, or if you feel unable to stop despite wanting to, those are signs worth paying attention to.
For most people, though, frequency is simply a matter of personal variation. Some people masturbate daily, others a few times a month, others rarely or never. In surveys of women across four European countries aged 60 to 75, between 27% and 40% reported masturbating in the previous month. Among younger adults, rates are higher. None of these frequencies are abnormal.
The discomfort many people feel about masturbation is cultural, not medical. If you enjoy it and it fits comfortably into your life, the evidence is clear that it’s not only harmless but actively good for your body and your mood.