If someone feels they’re masturbating excessively and wants to know how to stop, there’s a solution. Many people, regardless of age or gender, struggle with porn addiction and excessive masturbation. It’s common for people to wonder how to quit when they feel guilty about it.
Masturbation is a natural urge, especially during adolescence, as it’s a sign of sexual interest before adult relationships.
But when it becomes an obsession leading to self-loathing, it’s time to learn how to overcome this addiction. In this article, we’ll explore how to stop excessive masturbation, the medications and therapies that can help, and how to seek professional assistance.
What is Masturbation Addiction?
Masturbation addiction refers to an intense and compulsive desire to engage in masturbation. While it may not be classified as an official mental health condition, it can have a substantial impact on a person’s daily life when their sexual behavior becomes overwhelming.
Masturbation is a normal and healthy activity that many individuals engage in, whether they are in a relationship or not. It can be a way to satisfy sexual needs when not in a sexual relationship.
However, for some people, the urge to masturbate can become excessive and uncontrollable. This means that it interferes with their regular responsibilities and can lead to emotional distress.
Why Should You Stop Masturbating?
One sign of a masturbation addiction is feeling a deep sense of guilt and regret afterward. In some cases, masturbation can lead to negative emotions or disrupt various aspects of a person’s life.
In more severe situations, excessive masturbation can contribute to increased distress and may even lead some individuals to turn to alcohol or substance abuse.
If a person finds themselves avoiding social interactions or missing work to engage in masturbation, it may be a sign that they need to consider how to stop this behavior.
Also, frequent masturbation, although not common, can result in skin irritation and genital swelling. In such cases, it may be necessary to quit masturbating to alleviate these physical symptoms.
How to Stop Masturbation
When masturbation becomes a problem, there are ways to stop it. Here are some simple methods:
- Control Porn Access
It’s easy to find porn online. You can use device filters to block explicit content and reduce your exposure to it.
- Use Your Energy Differently
Replace masturbation with other activities that release energy. Try physical activities or pick up a new hobby like playing a musical instrument or a sport.
- Get Moving
Exercise, like running, swimming, or weightlifting, is great for your body and can make you feel good by releasing endorphins. Feeling happier and calmer may reduce the urge to masturbate frequently.
- Be Patient
Don’t give up if you’re finding it tough. Seek help to regain control of your sexual health. Stay focused and consult a healthcare expert with experience in sexuality if needed.
Tips to Stop Masturbating
Dealing with compulsive or addictive behavior like excessive masturbation involves accepting the issue, committing to healthy changes, and seeking help. Here are some straightforward tips to help stop excessive masturbation:
- Seek Professional Help
Masturbation can be a sensitive topic for many, and it might lead to feelings of shame. Reach out to a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist who specializes in sexual health. These professionals are non-judgmental and can offer guidance for overcoming excessive masturbation.
- Address Underlying Emotions
Many people try to quit without addressing the emotions and patterns that lead to excessive masturbation. Build a trusting, long-term relationship with a therapist and be patient with yourself during the process of behavior change. Therapies like trauma treatment methods can help with managing emotions and nervous system reactions.
- Wear More Layers at Night
Sleeping naked or wearing minimal clothing can make it easy to engage in unwanted touching without realizing it. Adding extra layers can help resist temptation and reduce discomfort if you accidentally touch yourself.
- Prioritize Self-Care
Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine is essential for self-care and can assist in curbing excessive masturbation. These activities recharge your energy and boost your self-esteem, making it easier to focus on behavior change.
- Stay Engaged in Other Activities
Engaging in enjoyable and rewarding activities can help reduce the time spent masturbating while combating feelings of loneliness and despair. Find activities you enjoy, like exercise, mindfulness, yoga, learning a new hobby, socializing with friends, or exploring new places, to keep your mind occupied and fulfilled.
How to Stop Thinking About Masturbation?
Trying to stop thinking about something can make it harder to stop. You might believe that if you dwell on a thought long enough, you’ll give in to it. So, when it comes to trying to stop thinking about masturbation, you need to understand that there are two types of thinking: natural thoughts and thoughts we consciously create.
While you’re masturbating, you might naturally start imagining scenarios and act on them. This becomes a habit, and these thoughts pop up unintentionally due to this habit. To overcome this, it’s important to distract yourself from these thoughts.
If you’re used to pairing porn with sleep and masturbation, it might take a few nights of not doing anything to establish new habits. One effective strategy is to develop an interest in simply “doing nothing.”
This can be a powerful way to break many habits. You can also try diverting your attention in various ways, although this may be less effective and could bring challenges.
Take it one step at a time. Don’t think about quitting forever; just focus on today, or even the next 10 minutes. By paying attention to how these urges function, you’ll realize that they are relatively short-lived and easier to manage.
Side effects of too much masturbation
Masturbation is usually harmless, but when done excessively or aggressively, it can lead to some negative effects, such as:
- Swelling: If a man grips his penis too tightly during masturbation, it can cause slight swelling or oedema due to friction.
- Chafing and Skin Irritation: Forceful masturbation can lead to chafing and skin irritation. Fortunately, these irritations are usually minor and go away in a few days.
- Guilt: While masturbation itself is not inherently bad or unhealthy, some people may feel guilty or ashamed about it.
- Worsening Mental Health: In certain cases, excessive masturbation can contribute to increased anxiety, sadness, low self-esteem, and other mental health issues.
Conclusion
Masturbation is quite natural, but sometimes it can become a problem. It might lead to negative feelings or start interfering with different aspects of life. For instance, if someone starts avoiding work or social interactions to masturbate, it’s a sign they should think about how to cut down on it.
Frequent masturbation can also cause skin irritation and genital swelling, and in some cases, stopping can help relieve these symptoms.
The frequency of masturbation varies from person to person, and there’s no “normal” amount. But if it’s starting to disrupt your life or make you unhappy, it’s a good idea to reduce or stop.
It’s important to realize how your masturbation habit affects your overall quality of life and make changes. Two ways to stop or reduce masturbation are avoiding pornography and focusing on other activities. If it’s tough to do on your own, you can seek professional help or join a support group.
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