7 QUESTIONS ABOUT MASTURBATION - Everything you wanted to know about self-pleasure but were afraid to ask

(NOTE:  We’ll be off the air for the next two weeks celebrating our wedding anniversary!

It’s lucky #12, bunnies! So you know we have to make it special. 

Yup, we take our romance quite seriously. We will be back as of Tuesday, April 26th where we will be taking on Shitty Love Songs.  )

Masturbation! Is it healthy? Is it harmful? 

IN THIS EPISODE, we talk about touching ourselves.

We answer 7 questions & address the changing attitudes toward this hard, slippery subject

We share why it’s good to engage in self-pleasure, and ways it might be bad so you need to cut it out.

& we give both vagina owners & penis owners some great hands-on techniques for making that alone time extra special!

Masturbation is a touchy subject (ahem), with opinions ranging from the religious, to the scientific, the psychological to the spiritual, and everything in between.

Some feel that it is cheating, some claim it a sin, and some just think it is unhealthy for our reproductive systems. Are they right? 

Or is it instead a healthy way to release some pressure, relieve tension, and stimulate a rush of happy chemicals all while enjoying some intimate time with our own bodies?

Cum with us as we answer 7 questions about masturbation!

1. Is it Healthy for men to masturbate? What about women? In short, yes. Masturbation has many many benefits for both men and women with the release of endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin that result in: * better quality of sleep * stress relief * mood booster * reduces sensation of pain * can improve quality of sex  * gain a better understanding of what works for you * mutual masturbation with a partner is a great way to be intimate without risk of pregnancy, STIs, etc. Or it could even be a fun alternative to mix things up and add more variety to your love life.

Specifically for men, masturbating 1-3 times a week (especially if not having sex to completion with a partner) has been shown to improve erectile function, maintain healthy sperm production, and it may even help lower the risks of prostate cancer. This study even says to ejaculate 21 times a month to decrease your risk   https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19520362/ejaculation-and-prostate-cancer-risk/

In regards to women flicking the bean, there are even more reasons for us to pleasure ourselves on the reg! It supports vaginal health due to increased blood flow, increases our base level of arousal, helps to relieve cramping, causes us be more sensitive to all the yummy sensations, and it can even mollify some of the more painful side effects of being pregnant, such as lower back pain or mild contractions.

2. Can it be harmful? Just like anything, if it is done to excess, of course it can be harmful to our well being. For example:

* If you are a man and have too strong of a grip while masturbating, it can decrease sensation sensitivity, especially with a partner. So it is recommended to adjust your grip when you spend some time alone, to allow your member to feel more sensations. * You could also cause your penis to swell if you whack it too often, so if that starts happening you might want to give it a bit of a break. * If you use toys and don’t clean them properly you could earn yourself a lovely bacterial infection, and same goes with hands! So if you have a vulva, make sure that anything you plan to stick or allow in to your vagina has recently been sanitized, with a high quality toy cleaner, or a plain old thorough washing with soap. * Masturbation addiction is real and can create a lasting harm. Chasing that dopamine and endorphin high has led to people losing their jobs, negatively affecting their relationships (both intimate & platonic), and dropping the ball on life’s assorted responsibilities. If you have found yourself canceling plans to stay home and have a wank, if you find yourself unable to refrain from rubbing one out in a public or generally frowned upon environment, if you aren’t able to enjoy sexual intimacy with your partner because you’re comparing it to your solo flights, you may be addicted to masturbating. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Ashera DeRosa says ”If you’re finding it hard to control where and when you masturbate or are feeling alarmed about your fantasies or the kind of porn you are seeking out, it would be helpful to unpack this with a sex-positive therapist”   There are resources for help, and plenty of healthy alternatives for relieving some pent up frustration if you are concerned things are getting out of balance. 

3. If I’m in a relationship, is it cheating on my partner? Of course it depends on your relationship agreements, some consider it cheating for their partners to experience sexual pleasure with anyone other than themselves. However, we are of the mind that that is generally shor