By no pretty much everyone knows that, back in the day, masturbation was blamed for a host of conditions. Medical experts at t the time claimed masturbation could lead to blindness, insanity acne, depression, infertility and even death. Of course today we know that simply isn’t true and that, in fact, there are a number of health benefits to masturbation. This greater understanding of masturbation is the result of years of research and clinical studies as well as a deeper examination of how sex in general impacts a person’s physical, emotional and mental well-being. But that deeper understanding has brought some belief right back to the beginning. A handful of studies have shown a possible correlation between excessive masturbation and chronic premature ejaculation. How much of these is simple correlation and how much could be cause and effect?

Why Masturbation is Healthy

First it’s important to state clearly and in no uncertain terms that masturbation is a part of a healthy and happy sex life. Masturbation has been found to be an effective treatment against depression, chronic pain and migraine headaches. It’s also helped millions of people develop a better understanding of their own sexuality and what turns them on as well as how better to please their sex partners. Masturbation is about connecting to your body and your mind in the most intimate way possible and study after study has found dozens of health benefits to the practice.

Masturbation can also be an effective form of sexual therapy for couples struggling to connect on a deeper level or who are dealing with individual or couple based performance problems including, ironically, premature ejaculation. So why is there this sudden shift in thinking when it comes to masturbation and problems with ejaculation?

The Role of Pornography, Masturbation and Sexual Performance

Recently there have been a number of studies and polls which have addressed the masturbatory habits of men dealing with chronic premature ejaculation. The results, by and large, have found a direct connection between poor masturbation habits and an increase in the condition both in frequency and intensity.

Overall, men reported having problems with performance when they watched several hours of pornography on a regular basis – usually daily – and reported masturbating often, usually very quickly over concerns of being caught. This combination – an influx in graphic porn and the need to masturbate and achieve that sensation quickly, has an obvious impact on how a man can perform in bed. The two actions are completely opposed in terms of their ultimate objective and so the longer and more often a man indulges in the quick-fixes of porn, the more likely he is to retrain his body to react to stimuli quicker and get the job done as quickly as possible.

So that’s the approach in terms of treatment? Initially, nothing. First it’s important to determine how much pornography a man is watching and how quickly he has trained his penis to achieve orgasm. At the same time, couples should begin to time how long sex tales so they can determine if premature ejaculation is really the issue.

Lastly, they can put this information together to find ways to dial back the frequency of the porn – or have your girlfriend choose something for a change – and rainstorm on new ways to increase foreplay and focus on your partner’s satisfaction before you et your own. This builds sexual tension and can improve the quality and quantity of your orgasm. Best of all, this more luxurious approach to sex means that even if premature ejaculation strikes, you’ll have plenty of time to regroup and try again.

The link between premature ejaculation and masturbation is something you can’t afford to ignore, but it also doesn’t meant the end of popping in your favourite DVD and engaging in a bit of self-love. It simply means that you’ll need to find a way to keep it in your life without it overshadowing the sex life that’s even more fun – the one you have with another person.