Masturbation Addiction: Signs, Symptoms & Treatments

 Masturbation Addiction: Signs, Symptoms & Treatments

Masturbation addiction is a complex condition in which someone develops a psychological, emotional, and physiological dependence on self-gratification. It is a chronic and progressive condition where people continue to masturbate despite personal and social consequences. Though chronic masturbation is treatable, many individuals are reluctant to seek treatment due to social stigma and personal shame.

What Is Masturbation Addiction?

Masturbation addiction happens when someone can no longer suppress their urges to masturbate and, consequently, compulsively engage in the behavior. Using the term “masturbation addiction” is controversial, as there is not significant enough research to support it being a standalone diagnosable condition.3 Many professionals refer to it as “compulsive masturbation,” which may occur as a symptom of other diagnosable disorders.3 Unfortunately, research is limited due to social stigma and personal shame.

Although masturbation is a healthy practice in moderation, excessive masturbation may bring with it many negative consequences.4 In either case, healthy or unhealthy, it is considered a relatively taboo topic often due to familial, societal, or religious shame associated with masturbation.2 One large survey revealed that 78% of adults masturbate.5 Regardless, the stigma has led toward those struggling with the condition to experience internalized messages of shame and sin surrounding masturbation.2

What Is Considered Excessive Masturbation?

Masturbation is considered to be a problem when it starts to mirror other forms of behavioral addictions.

Signs of a masturbation problem might include:3

1. Masturbating takes up a lot of your time and energy

2. Your home, work, or personal life is suffering because of masturbation

3. You might be late to meetings, cancel events, or leave social appointments early to masturbate

4. You masturbate in public or in uncomfortable places because you can’t wait to get home

5. You masturbate even when you don’t feel aroused, sexual, or “horny”

6. When you feel negative emotions—such as anger, anxiety, stress, or sadness—your go-to response is to masturbate for comfort

7. You feel guilty, distressed, or upset after masturbating

8. You masturbate even if you don’t want to

9. You find it difficult to stop thinking about masturbation

10. When not masturbating, you experience craving or withdrawal symptoms

Is Chronic Masturbation Bad for You?

Masturbation is a natural behavior, and in moderation can even have positive mental and physical health effects. However, overdoing it can be bad for you.

Excessive masturbation side effects might include:

1. Low self-esteem

2. Low sexual satisfaction with partners

3. Inhibits other healthy coping mechanisms

4. Interferes with interpersonal connections

Chronic Masturbation Symptoms

Because masturbation addiction is not a formally recognized diagnosable disorder, it is important to note that the term “symptoms” in this case more so refers to a classifying set of criteria for said condition. Symptoms will vary in number and intensity depending on the individual and severity of the addiction. Generally, the more severe the addiction, the more severe the symptoms. Such symptoms do impact the individual among all domains including physical, cognitive, emotional, and social.

Common symptoms of masturbation addiction include:1

1. Loss of sensitivity

2. Lack of impulse control

3. Shame about masturbation

4. Guilt about masturbation

5. Overstimulation from excess masturbation

6. Sexual dysfunction

If any of these symptoms are experienced, it is important to take pause and speak to someone.

Causes of Masturbation Addiction

Here are several causes and risk factors for compulsive sexual behavior:

An imbalance of natural brain chemicals

Changes in brain pathways

Conditions that affect the brain

Ease of access to sexual content

Alcohol or drug abuse problems

Another mental health condition

Family conflicts or family members with problems such as addiction

A history of physical or sexual abuse

Note that these causes and risk factors need not be initially present for someone to develop masturbation addiction. The addiction may begin out of an intense enjoyment of self-gratification that progressively leads toward changes in brain pathways, an imbalance of brain chemicals, and other problems and conditions.

How to Stop a Masturbation Addiction

With a proper recovery and maintenance process, it’s possible to stop compulsive masturbating. Though there is no cure—and again, you must remain consistent and intentional—the rewards of recovery may lead toward a fulfilling, successful life without the constant associated urges and behaviors.

Here are five tips for stopping compulsive masturbating:

1. Identify & Remove Your Triggers

If there are specific times, or situations, which trigger masturbation compulsions, figuring out what those are is a good first step. If you can identify your triggers, you can plan ahead to learn how to cope with the trigger or find ways to avoid it altogether.

2. Join a Support Group

Having a support system of other people going through the same situation can be very helpful. Groups like Sexual Compulsives Anonymous offer validation and there are many others who could benefit from your validation as well.

3. Consider Reducing Any Stigmas You Feel About Masturbation

If you feel shame and guilt from these compulsions, it can help to remember that the behavior is natural and nothing to be ashamed of. It’s important to think about where these fears and insecurities come from and learn to heal from them in order for your relationship with sexual activities to be healthier.

4. Be Present in Your Personal Relationships

It’s important to continue trying to prioritize your friends, family, and partner if you have one. By planning fun activities or having quality time together, it gives you something else to do and provides a good way to lessen the compulsions.

5. Engage in Activities You Enjoy, Like Sports or Gaming

Taking time to participate in games or sports, or anything that gets your mind and body engaged, is a good way to get your mind off of masturbation. It’s important to find other things that can be fulfilling, keeping you engaged with activities and people you enjoy.

Masturbation Addiction Treatment

Treatment for masturbation addiction extends beyond just masturbation practices to get to the core of the problem.2 The more comprehensive the treatment, the better. Depending on severity of the condition and personal preference, treatment may entail any one or combination of outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient (IOP), residential treatment, and/or support groups.

Chronic Masturbation Therapy

It is important to address all underlying factors for treatment to be effective. If other mental health concerns are present, those should be addressed as well. Sometimes, a celibacy contract in which one refrains from masturbation and other sexual activity is a start to help abstain from the unwanted behavior entirely.2

Medication

At this time there is not a specific medication prescribed for masturbation addiction.3 It is important to note, however, that other conditions that require medication (e.g. major depressive disorder, alcoholism, substance use disorders, psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar, etc.) may have led to or have been developed alongside an excessive masturbation habit. In such cases, it is important that patients explore these factors with a prescribing physician and take any medications as prescribed.