A 2021 survey from Womanizer found that globally, men masturbate 140 times a year, while women touch themselves 53 times a year. That works out as 2.6 times a week and around once a week respectively.
Well, health experts have found stopping all solo activities can have a mix of both positive and negative impacts.
This, er, comes…(sorry) as ex Bachelor star Madison Prewett recently opened up about her decade-long journey to break free from what she calls ‘sexual sin’.
Madison, who appeared on the 2020 edition of the reality TV show, spoke out in the latest episode of her Stay True podcast and reflected on how rekindling her faith empowered her to quit both watching adult content and masturbation.
The mom-of-one shared that for years she felt trapped in shame, hiding her struggles from everyone around her.
Ultimately, it was the support of a faith-centered community – and her own spiritual beliefs – that helped her overcome what she describes as an addiction.
“This has been a struggle,” Prewett said on her podcast. “This has been a huge part of my testimony, something I’ve struggled with since middle school.
“And thankfully, by the grace of God, and by the power of the Godly community and people around me, I have been free from porn and masturbation for…I don’t even know, 10 years?”
So, what actually goes on when you give up touching yourself for good?
The experts at popular YouTube channel Psych2Go have broken it down – from the downright embarrassing to the curiously fascinating.
Our bodies
The first place you might notice the effects of abstinence is in your body – and not necessarily in a good way.
Women might feel slightly more tense and notice more pelvic tension, Psych2Go says, as ‘regular sexual activity increases blood flow to the pelvic region, which helps with relaxation and overall pelvic health’.
But this shouldn’t be too serious, and different ways to relax can be implemented instead, like gentle exercises.
Sure, that might not be as exciting as an orgasm, but still good for the body…
As for men, the body could fight back in the form of wet dreams, as a study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found. Men who go without ejaculation for a long time are more likely to experience them.
Our brains
You’re likely to notice a difference in your mind too, which, again, could go either way. And that’s because masturbating – and finishing – gives us a dopamine hit. But giving it a break can help give us a temporary boost, Psych2Go says.
One study found men who gave it up for a week had a spike in testosterone, boosting energy levels and confidence.
But if you go too long without any release, you might start feeling more stressed, irritable and… sexually charged, shall we say?
Dating and relationships
Psych2Go notes that some people find pausing self-pleasure helps them direct more energy toward their relationship and/or dating life, making emotional and physical intimacy feel more intense.
Some claim it boosts attraction and deepens connection, though most of this is anecdotal.
On the flip side, a study in Sexual Medicine Reviews shows that regular solo sessions can increase self-awareness and reduce performance anxiety, which often leads to smoother, more satisfying partnered sex.
In short, skipping masturbation might heighten the thrill for some, but sticking with it can actually improve your sexual confidence and experience with a partner.
Focus or frustration?
Some advocates of NoFap say that giving up masturbation sharpens focus, boosts motivation and strengthens willpower.
However, research is mixed: while some studies report improved concentration, others show that trying to suppress sexual thoughts can actually make you obsess over them more.
The bottom line is that self-control is a skill you can build without completely foregoing pleasure.
Our view on sex
Abstaining from masturbation can shift how we relate to sex and intimacy.
Some people report feeling more in control of their desires, while others experience a sense of disconnection, as if part of their identity is muted.
A study in the Journal of Sex Research found that extended periods without self-pleasure can reshape how people experience intimacy – sparking a deeper appreciation for emotional bonds in some, but leading to frustration or guilt in others.