Male masturbation and sexual well-being

Masturbation is a prevalent sexual behaviour, particularly in cisgender men. There are conflicting results in terms of outcomes associated with masturbation and the frequency of masturbation. Sexual well-being has not been explored comprehensively in association with masturbation frequency. The current study aimed to assess sexual and non-sexual motivations for masturbation, differences in masturbation frequency and sexual well-being in single men compared to those in partnered relationships, differences in sexual well-being across masturbation frequency, and whether masturbation frequency is predicted by sexual well-being. An online survey collected detailed information on masturbation habits and sexual well-being. Data from 1,578 cisgender men were analyzed using descriptives, t-tests, multivariate analyses of variances, and multiple regression analyses. Participants endorsed a variety of motivations for masturbating, sexual and non-sexual in nature. Men in (as compared to those not in) relationships had significantly higher genital image, positive feelings toward masturbation, and pleasure during masturbation, as well as lower negative feelings toward masturbation, discomfort/pain during masturbation, and subjective genital arousal sensation discrepancy. Positive and negative feelings toward masturbation, solitary desire, and pain/discomfort during masturbation differed based on levels of masturbation frequency, and masturbation frequency was positively predicted by sexual well-being—specifically by genital image, positive feelings toward masturbation, solitary desire, and pain/discomfort. Masturbation should not be regarded solely as a sexual activity that occurs in response to sexual motivation, and clinicians and researchers should consider these nuances. There may be aspects of being in a relationship that increase one’s solitary sexual well-being that should be further explored. There may be an “optimal” level of masturbation frequency—neither too high nor low, which has implications for clinicians focusing on sexual well-being.