Doctor warns that excessive masturbation is the cause of an embarrassing health problem in men – but how much is too much?

Men who masturbate too often could become flops in the bedroom, a leading GP has warned.

In moderation, self-soothing helps reduce stress and improve sleep quality and mood, but it can become an “unhealthy habit” and cause a form of erectile dysfunction.

‘Generally speaking, there is no strict rule or guideline about how much people should masturbate,’ says Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical adviser at The Independent Pharmacy.

‘But when masturbation gets out of hand, there are several ways it can affect sexual and physical health.’

A major concern is the rise of porn use: half of adults in Britain now access graphic material online, according to a recent survey by media watchdog Ofcom – and Dr. Grant links this to the rise in porn-induced erectile dysfunction, or PIED.

According to the British Association of Urological Surgeons, up to 50 percent of adult men experience some degree of erectile dysfunction.

It is often associated with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, but may also have no apparent cause.

A lesser-known culprit could be PIED, claims Dr. Grant.

‘PIED is a form of erectile dysfunction that results from unhealthy consumption of pornography.

‘This unhealthy porn use can lead to desensitization, making it harder for men to get and maintain an erection as they are used to more intense on-screen sexual activity.

‘It can lead to reduced interest in sex with real partners, as men prioritize porn and masturbation instead.’

More worryingly, Dr. Grant warns that compulsive masturbation can cause physical changes that affect intimacy.

Experts warn that too much ‘self-pleasure’ can reduce sensitivity in the genital region

‘Compulsive masturbation can lead to reduced sensitivity in the genital area, making it more difficult to achieve sexual pleasure or stimulation.

‘It can occur when nerve endings are damaged by too much activity, causing a loss of sensitivity.

‘This can also have consequences for people who masturbate too roughly, causing possible friction damage.

‘Fortunately, this is a short-term problem and factors such as taking breaks or using lubricants can help restore sensitivity.

‘And fortunately, there are a range of treatments available for men struggling with erectile dysfunction, allowing them to lead a healthy sex life and achieve erections with ease.’

The demand for this is also increasing. NHS prescriptions for the erection-boosting drugs in England have risen to record levels, according to recent official data.

In 2023, a total of 4.57 million prescriptions for sildenafil, better known by the brand name Viagra, and other types of impotence drugs sold under the brand names Cialis and Levitra, were distributed by the health care system.

This is an increase of 130,000 prescriptions compared to the previous year (of 4.44 million) and an additional 20,000 compared to 2019 figures.

Dr. Grant added that “excessive masturbation” can be harmful in other ways.

According to the British Association of Urological Surgeons, up to 50 percent of adult men experience some degree of erectile dysfunction.

It can cause men and women to become ‘hyper’-focused on their own pleasure, meaning that when it comes time for intercourse with a partner, individuals may experience performance anxiety, which directly impacts sex drive.”

The question of how much is too much is subjective, he admitted.

‘Masturbation habits can largely vary from person to person, with some people doing it daily, weekly or not at all.

‘IIt is important to monitor sexual activity to ensure it does not interfere with social life, work or relationships.

‘Additionally, discomfort or injury is usually a telltale sign that the masturbation sessions are becoming too much and damaging health.

‘It is important to maintain a healthy but sensible sex life through masturbation, ensuring that this does not come at the expense of daily activities.

‘Some people may even experience mental problems due to feelings of guilt or shame related to their masturbation. This can stem from porn use or other factors, but can have a major effect on people’s mental well-being.

‘Overall, common sense is needed to ensure that it remains a recreational activity, without interfering with other aspects of daily life.’

Dr. Grant advises those affected to ‘speak openly’ about what they suffer from PIED the situation with your partner’ to help alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding the issues.

‘Although masturbation has several health benefits, I think it is also important to manage the activity to avoid short- and long-term health risks.’