Somehow in society, being a man and masturbation are intertwined. Does anyone really know why men masturbate, though? Is it biological, social, personal, or a little bit of everything? Spoiler Alert: it’s a little bit of everything! Here are seven of the most commonly cited reasons to masturbate and a little backup research on why.

Reason #1: High Sex Drive

Men with a high libido tend to masturbate more frequently. Ironically, frequent masturbation keeps that sexual pilot light burning, so the desire to masturbate increases. There’s no measure for too much masturbation, so long as it’s not disrupting life or desensitizing the penis. Men have different libidos and refractory periods so what’s a lot or a little to one man will vary wildly from the next. 

Reason #2: Stress Relief

Masturbation releases two very important hormones: dopamine and oxytocin. Dopamine is a chemical in our brains that is linked to reward and pleasure. Oxytocin is called the “love hormone” because it encourages feelings of bonding, empathy, and generosity. Together, they help the body relax and reduce stress.  This is an often-heard reason to masturbate.

Reason #3: It Feels Different from Sex

There’s a lot of reasons masturbation feels different from sex. Obviously, there’s the difference between a hand and a partner’s body. But masturbation also comes with the benefit of being able to change speed, grip, or location based on how things are feeling. Solo-love can also be a long or short episode depending on whether a man wants something more of the fast and hard variety or the slow and teasing flavor. 

Reason #4: To Enhance Partnered Sex

One of the number one reasons given for masturbation is to educate oneself on their own personal pleasure so when in a relationship, or just a sexual situation with another person, they will not only know and show the other person what is pleasurable to them, but also build sexual confidence. Having the confidence to say, “This feels good,” and knowing how to instruct someone is one of the biggest reasons to masturbate. 

Reason #5: Unmet Sexual Needs

Whether a man is single or coupled, sexual needs can go unmet. If single, it’s a case of “love the one you’re with.” If in a relationship, it’s not at all unusual for two partners to have completely different sex drives and needs. Sometimes masturbation is a way to bridge the difference. Masturbation is also a way for a part of a couple to fantasize and give himself sexual release thinking about something his partner might not be into. This offers a nice substitute for this reason as well. 

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Reason #6: To Fall Asleep

As discussed in Reason #2, masturbation promotes the release of dopamine and oxytocin. In addition to all the warm fuzzies the two chemicals provide, they also create a perfect bodily environment for sleep. Dopamine specifically tells the body to relax into sleep. Many men say they have to masturbate or have sex at night as a way to fall into restful sleep. 

Reason #7: They Saw Something that Excited Their Imagination

There are countless anecdotal stories from men about seeing another person on the subway, the gym, or even just as they were jogging by in the park that, for some reason, turned them on. Masturbation in this sense is a kind of fantasy fulfillment. A man can satisfy his sexual urge, in the exact way he desires it in his mind, by masturbating to whatever scenario his mind created around the person or people he saw. There’s no judgment, no infidelity, and it’s entirely private. 

Regardless of which of the reasons to masturbate a man cites as his reasons, keeping the penis in utmost health is critical in self-gratification. Be sure to wash the penis with a gentle cleanser daily, as well as after masturbating, to keep it clean and keep bacteria and infections at bay. Then use a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) to keep the penis well hydrated. Be sure to choose a cream that has a natural emollient like Shea butter or vitamin E to provide ultimate softness without chemicals or additives. Also, search out creams with additional amino acids and vitamins which keep the penis strong, sensitive, and protected for years of fun to come.