Men who masturbate too frequently could end up failing in the bedroom, a leading GP has warned.
In moderation, self-pleasure helps reduce stress, improve sleep quality and mood, but it can become “an unhealthy habit” and trigger a form of erectile dysfunction.
“In general, there is no hard and fast rule or guideline for how much people should masturbate,” says Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy.
“But when masturbation gets out of control, there are a variety of ways it can affect physical and sexual health.”
A key concern is the rise in pornography use: half of adults in the UK now access graphic material online, according to a recent survey by media watchdog Ofcom, and Dr Grant links this with the rise of porn-induced erectile dysfunction, or PIED.
Half of adults in the UK now access graphic material online, according to a recent survey by media watchdog Ofcom.
According to the British Association of Urological Surgeons, up to 50 percent of adult men suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction.
It is often associated with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, but it also may not have an obvious cause.
A lesser-known culprit could be PIED, says Dr. Grant.
‘PIED is a type of erectile dysfunction that arises from unhealthy pornography consumption.
“This unhealthy use of pornography can lead to desensitization, making it more difficult for men to achieve and maintain an erection as they are accustomed to more intense sexual activity seen on screen.
“It can lead to reduced interest in sex with real partners as men prioritize pornography and masturbation.”
More worryingly, Dr. Grant warns that compulsive masturbation could trigger physical changes that affect intimacy.
Experts warn that too much ‘self-pleasure’ can reduce sensitivity in the genital region
‘Compulsive masturbation can cause a reduction in sensitivity in the genital area, making it difficult to achieve sexual pleasure or stimulation.
‘It can occur when nerve endings are damaged due to too much activity, creating a loss of sensation.
“This can also affect people who masturbate too roughly, causing possible friction damage.
‘Fortunately, this is a short-term problem and factors such as taking breaks or using lubricants can help restore sensitivity.
“And fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available for men struggling with erectile dysfunction, which help them lead a healthy sex life and achieve erections with ease.”
Demand for these is also booming. National Health Service (NHS) prescriptions for erection-stimulating drugs have risen to a record level in England, recent official data suggests.
In 2023, the health service distributed a total of 4.57 million prescriptions for sildenafil, better known under the brand name Viagra, and other types of impotence medications sold under the brand names Cialis and Levitra.
This is an increase of 130,000 prescriptions compared to the previous year from 4.44 million and 20,000 more compared to 2019 figures.
Dr. Grant added that “overmasturbating” can be harmful in other ways.
According to the British Association of Urological Surgeons, up to 50 percent of adult men suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction.
It can cause men and women to become “hyperactive.”-focused on their own pleasure, that is, when it comes time to have sex with a partner, individuals may experience performance anxiety, which directly affects sexual desire.’
The question of how much is too much is subjective, he admitted.
‘Masturbation habits can differ greatly from person to person, with some people doing it daily, weekly or not at all.
‘YOIt is important to monitor sexual activity to ensure that it does not interfere with social life, work, or relationships.
“In addition, discomfort or injuries are often a telltale sign that masturbation sessions are becoming excessive and harmful to health.
‘It is important to maintain a healthy but sensible sex life through masturbation, making sure it is not at the expense of daily activities.
‘Some people may even experience mental distress due to guilt or shame related to their masturbation; This may be due to porn use or other factors, but it can have a huge effect on people’s mental well-being.
“In general, common sense is required to ensure that it remains a recreational activity without interfering with other aspects of daily life.”
Dr. Grant advises those concerned about PIED to “talk openly about the situation with your partner” to help alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding problems.
“Overall, while masturbation carries a variety of health benefits, I think it is also important to monitor the activity to avoid some short- and long-term health risks.”
