Is it a problem to never masturbate?

Questions and discussion about your sexual lives, choices, activities, ideas and experiences.
IrisEnfys
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Is it a problem to never masturbate?

Unread post by IrisEnfys »

I never masturbate because I never feel like it. Recently I've been having recurrent sexual thoughts and images that disgust me I believe are caused by OCD, but have also been told masturbating will help and I may have these thoughts because I'm sexually frustrated. Are there any mental or physical help problems caused or worsened by never masturbating?
Heather
scarleteen founder & director
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Re: Is it a problem to never masturbate?

Unread post by Heather »

Nope! It's one of those things where it can certainly benefit people who want to do it and enjoy it or otherwise find a benefit to doing it, but it doesn't hurt anyone who doesn't. And if it was something a person felt they had to do and did when they didn't want to, that could do emotional harm.

Your best bet is talking to whoever is treating your OCD, but in general, if you're having sexual thoughts that make you uncomfortable, that's probably not about sexual frustration. Masturbation also probably won't make those thoughts any less bothersome or frequent, and thinking about things that trouble you deeply while masturbating could instead cause you more distress.

What do YOU want to do (or not do)?
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
IrisEnfys
not a newbie
Posts: 24
Joined: Sat Feb 29, 2020 6:54 pm
Age: 21
Awesomeness Quotient: My altruism
Primary language: English
Pronouns: She/Her
Sexual identity: Lesbian
Location: California

Re: Is it a problem to never masturbate?

Unread post by IrisEnfys »

Thank you for the advice, Heather! I am seeing an OCD therapist, and we will enter a new stage of treatment for my OCD soon, so that is great for me.
Heather
scarleteen founder & director
Posts: 9533
Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2014 11:43 am
Age: 53
Awesomeness Quotient: I have been a sex educator for over 25 years!
Primary language: english
Pronouns: they/them
Sexual identity: queery-queer-queer
Location: Chicago

Re: Is it a problem to never masturbate?

Unread post by Heather »

Glad to be of help.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
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