8 Unexpected Ways Masturbation Can Be Good For You

Self-love is the best love!

Research shows that around 95 percent of men and 72 percent of women masturbate on a regular basis. But despite the huge number of people who masturbate, few people know all the positive health benefits of self-love. (We do it mostly  because it "feels good.")

While that's definitely reason enough, here are eight more scientific reasons (backed by research!) as to why you should masturbate consistently! 

1. Most people still masturbate during relationships

Let’s first look more at the numbers. I know there’s some question as to whether or not it’s healthy or beneficial to masturbate while you’re in a relationship. In a recent study, 40 percent of women and 70 percent of men masturbated in the past month, while in a relationship. So yes, it is quite normal to do so.

2. Dopamine is released during masturbation

The neurotransmitter dopamine, which helps control your reward and pleasure center, is released in the brain during masturbation. This is why masturbating feels so good. But on top of feeling good, dopamine decreases stress, so masturbating can help you relax when you're feeling overwhelmed.

3. Various other endorphins are released during masturbation

Which actually helps diminish feeling pain. For women, this is particularly helpful because it can help alleviate some of the pain that comes from menstrual cramps.

4. Prolactin is released

Think of the hormone prolactin as the roll-over-and-sleep hormone. You know how after sex, you feel exhausted and sleep like a baby? That’s because of prolactin. Prolactin helps tire you out so you can catch some sleep. It can actually help with insomnia.

5. For men, it helps you get over a cold

Research has shown that for men, masturbation increases the number of white blood cells in your bloodstream, strengthening your immune system.

6. For men, it helps you decrease the chances of getting prostate cancer

So while it’s unclear why, there seems to be a relationship between increased ejaculation and decrease of prostate cancer.

7. It can improve your sexual performance

People of all genders have pubic floor muscles that stretch from your pubic bone to your tailbone. As we get older, the pubic floor muscles naturally atrophy and get weaker, which can cause erectile dysfunction in men and sexual dysfunction in women. Masturbating regularly, forces contractions of these muscles. In essence, exercising the muscles you need for sex.

8. You have autonomy over your body because you’re a grown-ass person

Okay, you caught me, this has nothing to do with science, but you are a grown-ass person who has the right to choose what you do with your body. This extends to self-love. There is power and self-autonomy, which is undoubtedly beneficial, by having control of your nether regions.