Masturbation and Sexual Satisfaction: Psychological Adjustment from Distress to Correct Understanding

**Part 2**

Why is it that only masturbation can bring satisfaction and pleasure?

**Case Study**

**Name: Lin Xin (pseudonym), 22 years old**

**Region: Tianjin**

**Occupation: University Student**

Lin Xin is 22 years old and is preparing for the postgraduate entrance examination early next year. However, he has been in poor mental condition recently, with great academic pressure, poor sleep, and a habit of masturbation.

He had his first experience with masturbation in high school, which he found very stimulating. After that, he would occasionally masturbate as a way to relax. It wasn't until he went to university that he and his classmates paid attention to knowledge about sex and learned that frequent masturbation was bad and would affect his health.

During college, he had a girlfriend, but he was always afraid to have sex. The only time he did, he didn't experience sexual pleasure due to premature ejaculation, which led to his breakup with his girlfriend. After all this, he still felt that masturbation brought him more satisfaction.

He's currently preparing for his postgraduate entrance exam, and despite trying his best to control himself, he still masturbates at least twice a week; otherwise, he has difficulty falling asleep. He searched online and learned that long-term reliance on masturbation for satisfaction is not only harmful to his health but may also affect his future sex life. He's very worried now but doesn't know what to do.

Liu Yu, Chief Physician of Urology at the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University: Masturbation is a standard sexual behavior. The reason it's considered problematic is simply because it evokes feelings of guilt and anxiety. For unmarried men and women, masturbating 1-2 times a month can relieve psychological stress or provide physiological satisfaction and does not affect health. For couples living apart for extended periods or if one partner is unwell, masturbation is a practical method to prevent extramarital affairs.

Masturbation is also a way to relieve sexual tension, just like sexual intercourse. It only lacks a sexual partner, and therefore lacks the most direct sexual stimulation. One can only achieve sexual arousal by directly stimulating one's own sexual organs to relieve sexual tension. Moderate masturbation is not bad.

However, if masturbation is too frequent or becomes a habit, it will have adverse effects on both the body and mind, just as overeating can cause indigestion or excessive exercise can cause muscle strain.

Teenagers with a masturbation habit often have their thoughts excessively focused on sexual stimulation. Many teenagers are in a state of inner conflict, wanting to quit masturbation but unable to break free, experiencing feelings of regret, self-blame, and shame. Influenced by the "harmful effects of masturbation" theory, they may even develop fear and guilt. On the one hand, masturbation provides pleasure and novelty; on the other hand, it carries a heavy mental burden, creating an inescapable mental shackle for teenagers with a masturbation habit. This keeps them in a vicious cycle of self-blame, worry, and the pain and anxiety of wanting to change but being unable to break free. This can manifest as physical symptoms such as insomnia, vivid dreams, fatigue, poor concentration, and memory loss.

Teenagers must control the frequency of masturbation, develop good hygiene habits, and never worry or regret it because of masturbation. They must have a correct view of it. Only by getting rid of the inner anxiety caused by masturbation will the intense stimulation caused by masturbation gradually decrease, thus getting rid of this embarrassing situation.

At the same time, you should avoid spicy foods, participate in regular physical exercise and recreational activities, develop good habits of resting and waking up on time, and focus your attention on other interests. Gradually, you will feel better.

In this case, Lin Xin, due to immense academic pressure, resorted to masturbation instead of seeking other ways to relieve stress. If this isn't corrected promptly, it will indeed affect his health and studies. A more feasible approach is to shift his focus. At school, the best methods are to interact more with classmates, engage in more physical activity, or go on outings to release stress, and then fully immerse himself in his studies. As for his concern about its future impact on his marital sex life, it's too early to worry. Many young people have a masturbation habit during their student years, but after marriage, they experience the stimulation and pleasure of sex and adapt to normal sexual relationships. There's no need to worry too much. However, if severe resistance develops, it's recommended to consult a psychologist.