Men’s Health

Masturbating is normal for every man, instead, it is considered healthy. It is absolutely humane to do it because it boosts sexual pleasure and maintains a healthy sex life. However, this must not become an addiction. A fun activity that boosts sex drive should not turn out to be an uncontrollable affair to deal with. So, how to stop masturbating and why do you have to is what this article will look at.

Are You Masturbating a Lot?

How do you know that you’re overdoing it? It can affect the way you think, act and feel in society. You will witness behavioural changes that can affect your surroundings. You wouldn’t want to get into such a situation, would you? The first step to stop it by accepting the fact that you have this problem and then move ahead to finding solutions to curtail it. Here are some pointers that could indicate the very fact that you are excessively masturbating.

• Skipping work, school and social gatherings to masturbate.
• An uncontrollable urge to do it.
• Plan to do it wherever needed.

NOTE: Everyone masturbates and it is a healthy phenomenon to do so. People who have a satisfied as well as unsatisfied sex life masturbate. All you need to keep in mind is that you do not overdo it.

Interesting Facts About Masturbation

Here are some interesting facts that will give you an insight into this topic and its other facets.

• Men who ejaculate five times each week have fewer risks of developing prostate cancer.
• Masturbation does not cause shrinking of the penis, decreased sex drives, infertility or blindness.
• Women in their late 20’s masturbate a lot.
• Masturbation improves your sex life.
• Men masturbate more than women.

Why Do People Masturbate?

It is absolutely normal to masturbate and there are a lot of reasons why people do it. Here is why most individuals do it.

• Release stress
• Lack of sex
• Understanding their body better
• Relationship issues

How to Stop Masturbating?

If masturbation becomes difficult to handle it means that you have a problem and here are simple tricks that will help you control it.

1. Say ‘NO’ to Pornography

Pornography is a mental driving agent for people who masturbate a lot. This affects a person mentally such that it shapes the way they think and act in society as a whole. Avoid pornographic images, videos and searching for websites that can get you back in that thinking.

2. Do Something New

Diverting your mind and doing something else is one way that will help you. Consider picking up a new hobby and this can replace the time spent on masturbating. Begin working on your personal goals and write them down in a personal diary. Tell yourself that you will achieve it and it does keep you strong. This will help you place your energy on other things and never leave you thinking of masturbating.

3. Consult a Doctor

You need to talk your problem out. You also need to understand that you cannot fight it alone. A healthcare specialist will provide you with a set of guidelines that will help you go about the problem. This can affect you mentally and leave you suffering from an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that can make things worse for you. Make it a point to talk to a psychologist or a therapist.

4. Socialise a Lot

Did you know that few people socialise because they feel lonely? Yes, an ideal mind can do a lot more harm than you can ever think of. Socialising keeps your mind focused and diverted. So make it a point to socialise with family, friends or hit the gym to keep your body more productive.

5. Regular Exercise

Regular exercising can keep you mentally strong. Simple exercises such as running, swimming, walking and jogging can increase positivity and keep your focus straight. It beats stress levels and keeps your head calm. Simple exercises for 30 minutes every day will do you good.

Psychology Behind Excessive Masturbation

Excessive masturbating is a sign of a prevailing mental condition that can cause behavioural disorders. An intense feeling of guilt after masturbation is one sign of masturbation being an addiction. This can lead to increased levels of alcohol consumption. Thus masturbation becomes a problem if it is compulsive or you tend to force yourself to do it. It is fine to do it, but don’t let it consume you.

Does Masturbation Have Side Effects?

Yes, excessive masturbation does come with a lot of side effects both physical and mental.

• Physical side effects: Physically speaking, excessive masturbation can result in Oedema, guilt feeling and skin irritation. Oedema refers to body parts swelling due to infection or inflammation. Gripping the penis tightly can cause swelling that can be dangerous. It can cause skin tears and skin irritation. It can also lead to extreme feelings of guilt that can make the person feel sad or feel negative about themselves. This could lead to depression, phobia and also affects the way he/she behaves in society.
• Mental side effects: Psychologically speaking, excessive masturbation is the fight on the inside. Your perception of certain phenomena begin to change and you would witness behavioural changes such as religious views being deferred, poor sexual communication, unnecessary sexual conflicts with your partner and relationship issues.

NOTE: Consult a doctor before this sickness consumes you. Remember that doing it is healthy and good for every human, but excessively doing it can cause further complications.

FAQs

Masturbation side effects can affect you both mentally and physically. You wouldn’t want to get consumed with it. Masturbating twice every day is good and healthy, but anything more than 15 to 20 times a week has to be addressed. Here are some frequently asked questions that will give you an insight into this topic.

1. Do women masturbate?

Yes, women masturbate using their fingers. Also known as an orgasm, this process involves inserting 2 fingers inside the vagina that stimulates sexual pleasure. Just as men use their hand, women use their fingers and it’s always good to discover you and your wildest fantasies.

2. Does masturbation cause pimples?

No, it is a myth that masturbation causes pimples. It is hormonal changes that actually make your skin produce more oil thereby leading to acne. This phenomenon can be observed when a person attains puberty.

3. How is masturbation good for your health?

Masturbation helps you both mentally and physically. It relieves you from stress and physically speaking it prevents your risks of erectile dysfunction. It is the safest way to have sex such that you are away from the risks of getting pregnant and prevents you from sexually transmitted infections (STDs). It’s good doing it.

4. What are the myths surrounding masturbation?

Well, there would be many who told you that masturbation is bad and leads to many sexual health complications. Here are some myths that you need to know.

• Blindness
• Penis curving
• Erectile dysfunction
• Shrinking penis
• Hairy body
• Infertility
• Low sperm count

You need to understand that excessive masturbation can cause skin tears, depression and change in behaviour and not any of the above-listed myths.

5. Can a woman get pregnant after drinking sperm?

No, a woman cannot get pregnant by simply swallowing semen. The only way for pregnancy to take place is when sperm gets in direct contact with the vagina. But, swallowing semen can get you caught with a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

6. What is the colour of a woman’s sperm?

A woman’s sperm colour appears to be slightly grey, white and yellow. If there is blood in the semen it could appear to be pink or red in colour. A healthy sperm colour could appear greyish white. Sometimes if you feel that your semen colour is yellow, it is absolutely normal but sometimes it could be a sign of a medical condition.

7. What are the health benefits of male sperm for women?

Male sperm is good for women’s health because of its mood-altering capabilities. It provides women with good skin, healthy sleep, increases affection and keeps women happy. So if your lady love is stressed, the solution is good sex. Sperm contains loads of vitamins and is a natural antidepressant.

Masturbation is absolutely normal for everyone and it plays an important role in boosting sex drive. Need a healthy sex life? Masturbation before sexual intercourse is the key. It helps bring out your wildest fantasies and yes your lady love would want you to give her an orgasm. So, live healthily and stay safe.

Exercise doesn’t just give you muscular arms and chiseled abs. It may also boost your sperm count—and therefore your chances of conception if you’re trying to have a baby.

According to a study out of Harvard, men who exercise for seven or more hours a week (an hour a day) had a 48 percent higher concentration of sperm than those who work out less than an hour a week. But that’s not all. Men who spent more than an hour and a half a week exercising outside had a 42 percent higher sperm concentration than those who spent no time outside. And men who spent two or more hours a week pumping iron had a 25 percent increase in sperm count compared to men who didn’t lift weights.

Researchers speculate that outdoor activity increases men’s levels of vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin,” which other research has shown helps sperm swim better and faster. Also, weightlifting has been shown to increase testosterone levels and improve insulin sensitivity, both factors related to higher sperm concentration.

Avoid This Sperm Count Zapper
Though physical activity boosts sperm count, one exercise in particular can actually have negative effects: cycling. In this study, men who rode a bicycle for more than an hour and a half a week had 34 percent lower sperm concentrations than men who didn’t bike. That might be due to the pressure the bike seat puts on the scrotum.

Why Sperm Count Matters
While men release millions of sperm during an ejaculation, only a handful of them make it past the cervix and travel far enough to reach (and fertilize) an eligible egg.The healthier the sperm and the more robust the sperm count, the more likely a single sperm will survive the marathon-like journey.

In addition to hitting the gym, take these steps to maximize your sperm count:

• Bag the bacon. Eating lots of saturated fat (found in processed meats, full-fat dairy products and junky food) can reduce sperm count by 38% and slow down the remaining sperm’s swimming ability. Getting more omega-3 fatty acids, however, means higher sperm counts.
• Stock up on fruits and veggies. Filling up on fruits and vegetables protects sperm quality and quantity by revving up the body’s defenses that keep them healthy. Get the most out of your fruits and veggies.
• Stay slim. Being overweight subtracts from your sperm count and ups the number of abnormal sperm in your arsenal. 
• Pass on cigarettes. Smoking tobacco can cut your sperm count by up to 17 percent. There’s evidence that marijuana is also bad news, too.
• Keep it cool. Sperm production needs temperatures cooler than the rest of your body, which is why hot tubs, a fever and even a desk job can decrease sperm count. And resting a laptop computer on your lap for just 10 to 15 minutes is enough to reduce potency and sperm count.

These herbs reduce sperm count and affects fertility in men.

Infertility and low sperm count are a great concern for men these days. While smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity, hormonal imbalance, stress, medications for blood pressure, anti-psychotic drugs and more, certain antibiotics, exposure to radiations, high levels of pesticides, toxins and illegal drug abuse play conventional roles in reducing fertility and sperm count among men, there are certain herbs which are natural sterility inducers. Let us go through some of the plants that can potentially reduce fertility in men and keep them away from the thrill and happiness of parenthood. While experts say intaking these herbs in smaller quantity do not affect male fertility much, consumption of the same in large amount can certainly affect your fertility. 

Garlic: Men should absolutely avoid having raw garlic as it reduces testosterone secretion and production of new sperms, revealed a study. 

Many medicinal plants are designed to improve health but their mechanism of action remains not clear. Among these plants, garlic (Allium sativum) has attracted particular attention of modern medicine because of its widespread use for the prevention and treatment of some human diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, the impact of garlic on the male reproductive system has not been clearly defined. Some studies have reported that garlic improves male sexual function and has beneficial effect in the recovery of testicular functions. However, other authors have shown that this plant impairs testicular functions (such as inhibition of testosterone production) and has spermicidal effect on spermatozoa. In this review, we attempt to clarify the current ambiguity regarding the effects of garlic and its preparations on the male reproductive system.

Neem: While Neem is known to be the king of herbs in Ayurveda with an array of health benefits, it, in excessive quantity, is not good for male fertility and is anti-fertile for males

Papaya seeds: While raw papaya is a big no-no for would be mums since days, papaya seeds having ability to induce sterility among men is less heard of. But it is true. Papaya seeds act as natural contraceptive for men, studies have shown.

Bitter Gourd: While it is a bliss for diabetic patients, bitter gourds have severe impact on male fertility. These are active sterility inducers among men and adversely affect sperm count in men.

Mint: When tested on rats, peppermint has been found to curb the key male reproductive hormone, testosterone and enhance female reproductive hormones like Folice Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Leutinising Hormone (LH). Studies show that spearmint can reduce serum testosterone, sperm count and sperm mobility but increasing female reproduction hormones in women. Hence, men should avoid regular mint consumption, although their partners can very well go for it.

Bilva Leaf or Bel Leaf: They curb testosterone levels and reduce density and mobility of sperms in male rats.

Clove: When consumed in whopping quantity, clove can reduce sperm production in men.

01. Ways to increase sperm count naturally

Infertility is a common problem and is rapidly increasing worldwide. As of now, it is affecting approximately one in every six couples and experts estimate that 40 to 50 per cent cases of infertility are due to the male partner alone. Though infertility is not always treatable, it can be improved with a healthy diet and lifestyle changes.

When it comes to men, sperm count is an important aspect of male fertility. The concentration or number of sperm cells is what can help determine the quality of sperm.

So, if low sperm quality is the hindrance that is not letting your partner conceive, here are 11 natural ways to increase it.

02. Exercise and sleep

Multiple studies have shown that exercising and weight loss can lead to increased sperm count in obese men. A study conducted in 2017 found that 16 weeks of aerobic exercise for 50 minutes every day, increased sperm concentration and volume in 45 obese and sedentary men.

03. Reduce stress

Stress causes your body to take defensive action and conserve energy. The body becomes less concerned with reproduction and focuses more on surviving, in times of distress. Have a healthy diet, exercise regularly and do something that you enjoy doing. All of this will help in managing stress. For men who are suffering from severe stress or anxiety, doctors may prescribe anti-anxiety pills.

04. Say no to smoking

Smoking reduces sperm count consistently. A study conducted in 2016 reviewed the result of 20 other studies including 6,000 people. It was found that men smoking consistently had reduced sperm count.

05. Avoid alcohol and drugs

Consumption of drugs such as marijuana and cocaine is directly related to decreased sperm count. Even excessive alcohol lowers the testosterone levels and sperm quality and quantity in men. It can even cause low libido and even impotency.

06. Take your supplements

Taking Vitamin D and calcium supplements have shown to improve the sperm count, say studies. This is because lower levels of Vitamin D have been directly linked with low sperm count. You can ask your doctor and buy these from anywhere without even prescription.

07. ​Take more antioxidants rich foods

Antioxidants help in reducing the number of free radical in the body. These free radicals can cause inflammation, which in turn can lead to several diseases and problems. Increasing the number of antioxidant foods in your diet can help increase the sperm count, say several studies.

08. Have ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, also called Indian ginseng has been used as a traditional remedy for several forms of sexual dysfunction. A 2016 study found that 46 men with low sperm count who took 675 milligrams of ashwagandha daily for 90 days increased their sperm count by 167 per cent.

09. Increase Vitamin C intake

Vitamin C is not only necessary for boosting your immunity, but it is good for your health in many ways. One of them is to increase your sperm count. Increasing the intake of Vitamin C can help to improve blood flow in the body and the ability to maintain an erection. Have citric fruits like lemon, oranges, tomatoes to increase your sperm count.

10. ​Take fenugreek seeds

Fenugreek seeds are not only packed with healthy nutrients, studies suggest that the tiny seeds can also increase testosterone level and sperm count. The seeds can increase overall semen quality and sperm count. Add some fenugreek seeds in a glass of water and leave it overnight. Remove the seeds and drink the water first thing in the morning.

11. ​Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight can lead to several health concerns like diabetes, cardiovascular issues and even low sperm count. Fat accumulation in the body can reduce the testosterone level in the body and decrease sex drive. So, exercise and eat healthy to lose weight and increase your sperm count.

12. Ditch tight clothes

Ditch those tight briefs and skinny jeans if you want to increase your sperm count. Tight clothes can make your scrotum too warm, which can have a negative impact on the production of the sperm. As per a 2018 study, wearing boxers are much better than wearing briefs.

If you’ve been trying to have a baby and it’s just not happening, you might have a low sperm count. But don’t panic. It’s actually one of the most common causes of male infertility.

You’ll have to see your doctor to be sure. But there may be things you can do to boost your count naturally. And they’re actually pretty simple.

What Is Low Sperm?

A “normal” sperm count is at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. If you have less than that, you have what doctors consider “low” sperm count, called oligospermia.

When you don’t have enough sperm, there’s less of a chance they’ll reach and fertilize the egg, which can lead to fertility problems.

What Is Quality Sperm?

Even if you have a normal sperm count, they still have to be healthy enough to make the journey from your partner’s vagina to the cervix and uterus to the fallopian tubes. If they’re not, you’ll have a hard time getting them pregnant.

There are three ways your doctor can tell whether your sperm is healthy or “quality.”

Quantity. This measures how many sperm you have in your semen when you ejaculate. Remember, you need at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen to have a “normal” sperm count.

Movement. Doctors call this “motility.” It measures how fast or well your sperm move to their final destination — your partner’s egg. You want at least 50% of your sperm moving.

Structure. Normal sperm have egg-shaped heads and long tails. Sperm use these tails to “swim” to the egg. The more normal-shaped sperm you have, the easier it will be for them to reach your partner’s egg.

Causes of Low Sperm

Any number of things can lead to low sperm count, including previous medical problems, age, and your environment. Your lifestyle factors in, too, so if you smoke or use recreational drugs, they can affect your fertility.

How Can I Help My Sperm?

Fortunately, there could be a number of things you can do to increase the amount of healthy, quality sperm your body makes.

Exercise

We know that moderate exercise can boost your mood. But it turns out that it can boost your sperm count, too. Researchers found that men who exercise at least three times per week for 1 hour showed increases in their sperm count and the number of moving sperm, as well.

Stop stressing

 It’s easier than it sounds, but do it, especially if you’re trying to have a baby. In a study of 950 men, researchers found that males who had more than two stressful events before starting treatment for infertility were more likely to have low sperm count and motility.

If you smoke, quit

Men who smoke are more likely to have lower sperm count, density, and motility. They also produce less semen than men who don’t smoke.

Say no to drugs

Certain ones, like cocaine and heroin, can affect your ability to get or keep an erection. Other drugs, like marijuana, can make it hard for you to produce sperm. They can also reduce your sperm’s motility or prevent them from developing normally.

Eat right. Choosing a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables may boost your semen quality. Eating fewer fatty foods and a little less protein could also help.

Overview

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common in men at midlife. For many men, it may be possible to improve your erectile function and reverse ED.

Read on to learn what you can do to improve erectile function.

Lifestyle factors

Research suggests that lifestyle improvements can improve your erectile function. In a study of Australian men age 35 to 80, nearly a third reported erectile problems over a five-year period. These problems spontaneously improved in 29 percent of the men, suggesting that factors that can be controlled, like lifestyle, were behind the ED reversal.

Enhance heart health

Poor cardiovascular health reduces your body’s ability to deliver blood needed to produce erections. In a study published in 2004, researchers followed male participants for 25 years. The researchers found that heart disease risk factors predicted which men were most at risk of future ED. Numerous studies have strongly tied four major cardiovascular risk factors to ED:

• Smoking. Not smoking, or quitting if you do smoke, prevents ED.
• Alcohol. Reduce alcohol consumption. Heavy drinkers experience ED more often.
• Weight. One study found that in overweight men with ED, losing weight helped to improve erectile function in about a third of the study participants.
• Exercise. Studies show that physical activity, especially when combined with a healthy diet, can improve erectile function.

Avoiding these risk factors may help improve erectile function and reverse ED.

Boost testosterone

Taking steps to counteract low levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone, can improve erectile health. To naturally increase testosterone levels:

• lose weight
• reduce stress
• exercise

These tips can also improve heart health, which may further reduce your ED symptoms

Get to sleep

Lack of restful sleep substantially impacts your sexual performance. Studies show that men with interrupted breathing at night, or sleep apnea, improved their erectile function after using a CPAP breathing machine at night.

Replace your bike seat

Some studies have linked bicycling to ED, though more research is needed to confirm the connection. Bicycle seats put pressure on nerves and blood vessels in the pelvic region. If you’re a frequent or long-distance cyclist, consider buying a seat specially designed to reduce pressure on your perineum.

Increase sexual frequency

Frequent or regular sex can help you improve overall performance. One study found that men who had intercourse less than once a week were twice as likely to develop ED at least once a week.

Psychological factors

Psychological factors, such as performance anxiety, can lead to ED. Addressing psychological roots of ED can help reverse the condition. Relationship problems, anxiety, and depression lead the list.

Healthy relationships

Erections sufficient for sex depend on arousal and desire, whether you take ED medications or not. Strife and dissatisfaction in an intimate relationship can have a negative impact on libido, arousal, and ultimately, erectile function. Relationship counseling is an option.

Address mental health issues

Anxiety, stress, and depression can lead to ED. In a small study, 31 men newly diagnosed with ED either took tadalafil (Cialis) only, or took tadalafil while also following an eight-week stress management program. At the end of the study, the group who participated in the stress management program saw more improvement in erectile function than the group who took only tadalafil.

Mindfulness meditation, yoga, and exercise all reduce stress and anxiety. You may also want to see a therapist who can help you manage anxiety and depression. Medication may also help anxiety and depression, though some medications can suppress sexual function.

Medical causes

Some medical causes of ED are difficult to reverse, including:

• Low blood flow. For some people, ED is caused by blocked arteries to the pelvic area. That’s because once you’re aroused, you need sufficient blood flow to inflate the spongy erectile tissues in the penis that create an erection.
• Nerve damage. In men who have their prostate glands removed because of cancer, even careful “nerve sparing” surgery won’t entirely prevent ED. Even with gradual improvement after surgery, many men often need to use ED medications to have sex.
• Parkinson’s disease. Up to 70 to 80 percent of men with Parkinson’s have ED as well as low libido, premature or delayed ejaculation, and inability to have orgasms.
• Peyronie’s disease. This condition causes extreme curving of the penis that can make intercourse painful or impossible.

ED medications, like sildenafil (Viagra), can often help men with ED caused by medical conditions, but you won’t be able to reverse or cure the ED.

Check your meds

Drug side effects are one medical issue that can be tweaked to reverse ED. Common culprits include antidepressants and thiazide, a drug used to make your body shed water to lower blood pressure. If you think medication is causing ED, talk to your doctor. You may be able to substitute another drug or reduce the dosage.

Outlook

Men occasionally have trouble getting or keeping an erection that is firm and long-lasting enough for satisfying sex. In many cases, erectile problems come and go, and can be improved by improving your general health. In men with medical causes like nerve damage or insufficient blood supply to the penis, ED may require use of medications.