Doctor warns excessive masturbation is behind the rise of an embarrassing male health problem – but how much is too much?

Men who masturbate too frequently could find themselves becoming flops in the bedroom, a leading GP has warned.

In moderation self-pleasure helps to reduce stress, improve sleep quality and mood, but it can become ‘an unhealthy habit’ and trigger a form of erectile dysfunction.

‘Overall, there’s no strict rule or guideline on how much people should masturbate,’ says Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy.

‘But when masturbation gets out of hand, there’s a variety of ways it can impact sexual and physical health.’

A key concern is the rise of porn use: half of adults in the UK now access graphic material online, according to a recent survey by media watchdog Ofcom — and Dr Grant links this to the rise in porn-induced erectile dysfunction, or PIED.

Half of adults in the UK now access graphic material online, according to a recent survey by media watchdog Ofcom

Up to 50 per cent of adult men suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction, according to the British Association of Urological Surgeons.

It is often associated with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes — but can also have no obvious cause.

One lesser-known culprit could be PIED, claims Dr Grant. 

‘PIED is a type of erectile dysfunction that stems from an unhealthy consumption of pornography. 

‘This unhealthy porn usage can lead to desensitisation, making it more difficult for men to achieve and maintain an erection — as they’re used to more intense sexual activity seen on screen.

‘It can lead to reduced interest in sex with actual partners as men prioritise porn and masturbation instead.’

More worryingly, Dr Grant warns that compulsive masturbation could trigger physical changes that affect intimacy.

Experts warn that too much ‘self-pleasure’ can reduce sensitivity in the genital region 

 ‘Compulsive masturbation can lead to reduced sensitivity in the genital area, making it more difficult to achieve sexual pleasure or stimulation. 

‘It can occur when nerve endings become damaged from too much activity, creating a loss of sensitivity. 

‘This can also impact individuals who masturbate too roughly, causing potential friction damage.

‘Thankfully, this is a short-term issue and factors such as taking breaks or utilising lubricants can help restore sensitivity. 

‘And thankfully, there are a range of treatments available to men who are struggling with ED, helping them manage a healthy sex life and achieve erections with ease.’

Demand for these are also booming. NHS prescriptions for the erection boosting medications have risen to a record level in England, recent official data suggests.

A total of 4.57million prescriptions for sildenafil, more commonly known by the brand name Viagra, and other types of impotency drugs sold under the brand names Cialis and Levitra, were dished out by the health service in 2023.

This is an increase of 130,000 prescriptions compared to the previous year from 4.44million and an extra 20,000 compared to 2019’s figures.

Dr Grant added that ‘over-masturbating’ can be damaging in other ways. 

Up to 50 per cent of adult men suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction, according to the British Association of Urological Surgeons.

 It can cause men and women to become ‘hyper-focused on their own pleasure, meaning when the time comes for sexual intercourse with a partner, individuals could experience performance anxiety, which directly impacts sex drive.’

The question of how much is too much is subjective, he admitted.

‘Masturbation habits can differ largely from person to person with some people doing it daily, weekly or not at all.

‘It’s important to monitor the sexual activity to ensure it doesn’t interfere with social lives, work or relationships.

‘Additionally, discomfort or injury is usually a telltale sign that the masturbation sessions are becoming too much and harming health. 

‘It’s important to maintain a healthy but sensible sex life through masturbation, ensuring it’s not at the expense of daily activities.

‘Some people can even experience mental distress due to guilt or shame relating to their masturbation — this can stem from porn usage or other factors, but can have a big effect on people’s mental well-being.

‘Overall, common sense is required to ensure it remains a recreational activity without interfering with other aspects of daily life.’

Dr Grant advises those concerned they are suffering from PIED to  ‘speak openly about the situation with your partner’ to help alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding the issues.

‘Overall, while masturbation comes with a variety of health benefits, I believe it’s also important to manage activity to avoid some short and long-term health risks.’