Masturbation addiction is a real problem, and it is one that can cause significant discomfort in a person’s life. That’s why it is so important to understand how to manage this troubling situation.
When Masturbation is a Problem
Masturbation is a problem if people can’t control their urge to engage in this act of self-pleasure. For example, they may find themselves compelled to pleasure themselves multiple times a day. Even worse, they may spend hours masturbating or finding ways to stimulate their sexual impulses.
It is most severe when people start using it as a form of escaping from reality. Just like any addiction, chronic masturbation can be used to avoid the problems that impact a person’s life. The pleasure it causes creates a temporary relief from stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, doing it too much will trap an individual in an addictive cycle that may last for years.
What Problems Can Excessive Masturbation Cause?
Excessive masturbation not only has a negative effect on the life of the person with the addiction, but it can also effect those close to him/her, such as their significant other. Those with a masturbation addiction may spend too much time trying to find a place to pleasure themselves. Even worse, they may be caught doing it in a public place, like a restroom, and end up being charged with a sex crime.
Beyond these problems, chronic masturbation can also cause many physical and mental health concerns. For example, it can cause fatigue, memory loss, stress, and even hair loss. In severe cases, impotence may occur. That’s why it is so important to take control of this problem as quickly as humanly possible.
Also, please don’t make the mistake of thinking that this issue can only affect men. While more men do masturbate regularly than women, studies found that at least 87 percent of all women pleasure themselves. They can just as easily fall into a masturbation addiction. Sadly, the effects can be just as extreme with them.
What may be surprising is that excessive masturbation can cause more severe problems in the body. It can cause an overproduction of certain neurotransmitters in the body. This production causes a chain reaction that can lead to men finding it impossible to achieve or maintain an erection. Shockingly, it can even cause semen to leak out of the penis without stimulation. For women, this issue can make it hard for them to get enjoyment out of sexual acts at all.
Help is Available
Those who are worried about their chronic masturbation need to understand that help is available. Most addiction treatment centers have likely seen many cases of this problem. Often, chronic masturbation is linked to an addiction to pornography. Those who can only become aroused or stimulated when watching pornography have a dual problem that must be assessed.
In an addiction treatment center, you will receive specialized care that will identify the source of your masturbation compulsion. You will also get help identifying adverse psychological problems that inspire you to commit this act.
However, you can also get access to a support group of people who are going through the same addiction. You are not alone: millions of people around the world are addicted to masturbation and are struggling to stop. By working with them and treatment professionals, you can manage your masturbation and bring it to a more acceptable level.
In some instances, it may be necessary to take dietary supplements to decrease your sex drive slightly. Typically, a high sex drive is not the primary reason for excessive self-pleasuring. Usually, there is a mental health concern that forces you to engage in this act. However, a temporarily decreased libido can help you learn to live without the need to masturbate excessively.
As a substance does not cause masturbation addiction, treating it requires behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can teach you ways to cope in healthy ways with your need to masturbate.
Final Thoughts
Specialists believe that masturbation addiction works on the brain in the same way as any other addiction. This fact indicates that you have to take control of the problem and get the help you need right away. Professional addiction treatment is the most important step you can take in this direction.