Many people masturbate. Statistics from studies that have attempted to find out the masturbatory frequency of people show that many men and some women masturbate. However, I dare to assert that the numbers of men and women who masturbate are higher than reported. For those who oppose masturbation or that have never tried it, there are many reasons to self-love. Contrary to old tales about masturbation, in which it was promoted as an activity for the perverse and the cause of many illnesses and even death, masturbation has a lot of health benefits. Here are some:

·         Natural Infection Fighter: Masturbation helps prevent cervical infections and relieves urinary tract infections. During masturbation, the cervix opens and acidity increases and also new fluid goes up, sending good bacteria to the cervix as old fluid comes out, flushing bad organisms out. During a urinary tract infection, masturbation relieves pain while the extra lubrication brings in good bacteria which helps mitigate the infection.

§  Good for Our Heart: Masturbation improves cardiovascular health and lowers the risk of Type-2 diabetes.

§  Sleep Aid: Masturbation helps with insomnia by releasing dopamine (the “feel good hormone”), followed by the release of oxytocin and endorphins, which have a calming effect.

§  Good Pelvic Exercise: Masturbation strengthens the pelvic floor. The spasms produced during an orgasm lift the pelvic floor. As the pelvic muscles get tighter, orgasms become stronger and more enjoyable for both men and women.

§  Improves Our Mood: Dopamine and epinephrine, which rush through our bodies during sexual arousal, boost our moods.

§  Stress Reliever: Masturbation is pleasurable and relieves emotional stress.

§  More Love for Ourselves: Masturbation nurtures our emotional and physical needs and increases our self-awareness.

§  Stronger Relationships: Masturbation can also help us to strengthen our relationship with our partners. Sharing masturbation, teaching our partners how to satisfy us, or asking them to assist us to reach an orgasm through masturbation after coitus can help keep the communication lines open and maintain arousal.

§  For prostate health: Frequent masturbation among men decrease the risk of prostate cancer in men over 50.

Like sex in general, masturbation has gotten an ill reputation which leads to secrecy, shame and guilt around something so perfectly healthy and fun. But with education, people will feel empowered to come out of the masturbation closet and enjoy more self-love. Be healthier, live happier, touch yourself more!

Connect with me on Facebook,Twitter (@TheSexDoctorRx) y G+. 


Photo: Copyright of Dr. Tanginika Cuascud

Sex is really 99% imagination and creativity. The mere sexual act can be mechanical and get quite boring after a few times. Innovation is the key to a satisfying sex life that will last and keep lovers satisfied. Of course we all have things we like to have done onto us frequently or always during lovemaking and that all varies from person to person (like lots of kissing, nibbling of the ears and stimulation of erogenous zones) but even those things, when done over and over again, in the same order, in the same place, the same way can make lovemaking very predictable. And predictability kills “the mood”. In fact, predictability does not even allow for the mood to get started.

Many people find themselves in a sexual rut not realizing how they got there. Predictability and familiarity, routine, schedules, the demands of everyday life and always doing the same thing without variation are factors that got them in that rut. Therefore, to get out of the sexual rut imagination has to be allowed to flourish and roam free. However, we are humans and follow routines but expect different results-the results we envision and not the ones we get each time.

The problem is that many people have not developed the sexual imagination and creativity. When confronted with the idea of being creative they have no clue on how to turn the switch on to do different things, to create excitement, to view sex in a different way, to add spice to their love lives and to have sex be fresh and new each time. And many people live in fear that, if they display their imagination to their partner their partner will turn around and scold them and reprimand them for their audacity. That fear keeps the imagination locked in and sexual partners unhappy and unfulfilled.

How to turn this around?

1.       Change the sexual map: Do something unexpected, change the time to have sex at least every once in a while and change the setting in which sex is done. Add surprise to the occasion!

2.       Communicate: If you are afraid of telling your partner your sexual fantasies and desires, there is a compatibility issue that needs to be resolved. Seek help.

3.       Learn! Be willing to expand your sexual repertoire, improve your sex skills and become innovative by reading educational and erotic material, watching instructional videos and erotica, attending events such as sex lectures, orgasmic mediations, cuddle parties and tantra workshops, among many others; and visiting places that can provide you with learning opportunities such as couples retreats, dungeons, swingers clubs, fetish parties, etc. Even if you don’t go to participate you can observe and learn something new.

4.       Be open-minded: If you have limited notions of what is acceptable in sex, chances are your paradigm is going to cut your imagination and creativity short. Let go of the judgment and open up your mind to new horizons and experiences. Especially with your partner, have confidence and be free to explore, do and grow sexually.

5.       Rediscover yourself: Usually people masturbate the same way they have sex: doing it the same way every time. Instead, try new ways of touching yourself, new masturbation aids and touch yourself in places you usually don’t touch. You can be surprised by what you’ll discover.

The lack of imagination is one of the main problems that lead to sexual boredom, dissatisfaction and therefore having less sex than wanted. Turning the imagination and creativity switch on can lead to a more fulfilling sex life that all can enjoy. If you lack imagination, there are many sources of information for you to learn from. The only thing you need to be creative is to want to be. 

I recently received this email from a reader of my article "Are you sexually frustrated?":
 
"I am 23, and I've been in a relationship with a girl for almost 4 years now, we're both virgins. I love her and I intend to marry her. I feel the need to be physically intimate with her (which, but of course, is very natural), whereas she is not interested, even for a make out. (It's been almost 8 months when we last made out.) I feel really very frustrated. We talked it out, yes, and found out that we just have very different physical needs. She does not feel the need to have sex right now, however, she understands that I might have urges, and encourages me to do it with a prostitute. She tells me that she's cool about it. However, I hate the idea of paying for sex. As evil as I may sound, I have thought about doing it with a friend of mine, who has the hots for me (I am an attractive guy, and I know it.) We even made a date of it at her place last week, but I ended up cancelling because of all the guilt involved. I really love my girl, but I am tired of being sexually inactive. Please advise."
 
When sexual needs don’t match
 
Dear friend:

Thanks so much for reading my article and for writing. I can see why you are in such distress. Touching, kissing, hugging and physical demonstrations of love are not only necessary, especially between two people in love; it is something very natural for humans. Your sexual cravings are perfectly natural as well (the unhealthy thing would be not to have them). 
 
Regarding your girlfriend: Her attitude towards sex and intimacy now is reflective of what your relationship will be after you get married, unless she starts doing something now to change her attitudes and behavior towards intimacy and sex. In other words, expect a sexless marriage and a relationship without physical demonstrations of love once you get married if that is what you are experiencing now. It would be interesting to know if your girlfriend was she always like that, even at the beginning of the relationship. I can understand that, maybe for cultural and religious reasons, she would not want to have sex "right now". Does she envision that her sexual appetite will change once you get married? These are topics you need to thoroughly discuss before jumping into a long term commitment such as marriage. 
  
You, in the other hand, have a decision to make and basically have three options: 1) either you wait to have sex when you marry your girlfriend (you say you are "intend to", whatever that means) and pleasure yourself with masturbation while you wait; 2) wait to have sex with your girlfriend after you marry her but have sexual experiences outside your relationship while you wait (which I gather the mere thought makes you feel too guilty to act upon this option); 3) try to get your girlfriend to open up to the idea of having sex in the near future or at the very least, be intimate, which may or may not include sex but definitely includes touching, hugging, kissing, cuddling, caressing, holding hands, looking into each other's eyes, massaging, being romantic, etc. Regardless of your decision and the outcome, you need to have a more in depth conversation about this topic with her and keep that communication open and ongoing until you both meet your needs. Otherwise, the relationship is doomed and you will lead a life of continuous sexual dissatisfaction within the context of your relationship with her, which will not hold in the long term. 
  
I am concerned because your girlfriend is not even interested in basic intimacy, like kissing, which is a fundamental part of any sentimental relationship. She may be emotionally shut down to the idea of sex and intimacy due to past emotional or sexual trauma or the pressures of religion and culture. It is worth finding out what the causes of her aversion to sex and intimacy are so you are better equipped to deal with them and make decisions based on facts, not conjectures. 
  
Good luck!

If you are sexually frustrated, read: http://www.mamiverse.com/are-you-sexually-frustrated-10820/

Photo: www.photopin.com