A large number of people on the internet are confused with a similar question- “How different is masturbation from having sex in real life?” A big reason for the lack of awareness on such essential subjects is little to no sex education provided.

Both masturbation and sex with a partner lead to an orgasm, so does that make them interchangeable? Let’s take a look at how similar or different masturbating to porn is compared to having sex with a partner in real life. 

But of course there are a lot more different experiences recorded by those who have experienced both.

So, why do people masturbate? Plenty of research have shown about benefits of masturbation :

Listed below are a few :

• Sexual tension release Reduces stress
• Makes you sleep better
• helps to improve body image and self-esteem
• A few sexual problems can be treated
• Relives menstrual cramps and muscle tension
• Strengthens muscle tone in pelvic and anal areas

Having mentioned the above things people masturbate for different reasons. But most opt for that as it makes them feel good. Many are of the belief that one has to be single in relationship without partners, but there are many couple who believe that even if they have sexual partners that have high tendency to masturbate.

Also masturbating when you are in a relationship doesn’t mean one of the couple is not sexually satisfied. Masturbation can be good for your mental health and physical health.

Masturbation refers to when an individual stimulates their genitals for their own sexual pleasure, often resulting in an orgasm. In such a situation one often seeks help from pornographic content to induce an arousal. The practice of masturbation is common among men and women of all ages and plays an important role in the healthy sexual development of an individual. 

Some Facts to Put Things in Perspective 

Surveys show that roughly 83 percent of adult men and 52 percent of adult women between the age of 25-55 masturbate. While among teens in the age group of 14-17, round 74 percent of males and 48 percent of females masturbate.

If we look further into this, masturbation presents an interesting contradiction. While a large percentage of people, the ones in relationships especially, do continue to masturbate often. Many are not comfortable talking about it openly. 

Masturbation is the most common form of sex anyone has. It is very different from relationship sex. People choose masturbation for different reasons than they choose relationship sex. Masturbation and relationship sex is definitely not interchangeable but can often complement one another, depending upon the relationship and level of understanding between the two individuals. 

Watching porn, and then masturbating will also compomise your attention span, leading to a whole host of other problems. From not being able to direct concentration towards your vocation, to not being attentive to your partner. So, as you can see that not only is masturbation different, but is likely to affect the latter adversely.

Sex in real life, specifically between couples, requires cooperation with another person. Unlike masturbation, where you just need to ask yourself, sex in real life requires you to get many more things coordinated for it to work and occur. With how fluid human beings are, sex has no single universal truth meaning. It varies highly for each person and sometimes each time a person engages in sex.

Here are the Five Main Ways in which Masturbating to Porn is Completely Different from Sex in Real Life:

1. Masturbation lacks intimacy and affection

While masturbation can get the job done and make you feel content and sexually satisfied. It fails to fill up a certain void. As human beings, we are inherently social animals, as a result of which we often crave affection and intimacy from another social being. For many sex with another individual is the main source of taking care of these cravings. When you take sex out of the equation, you also take away the intimacy and affection that come along with it. 

While we are still figuring it out if masturbation is a supplement for sex or will it stimulate sex , many individuals have confessed that it lacks intimacy that is experienced during sex. People have experienced lack of love and affection when compared to sex.

While one can try to replace sex with masturbation to fulfil their sexual needs, they cannot use it to fulfil their emotional needs. 

2. Excessive masturbation can cause health care problems

To some degree, excessive masturbation could injure and hurt you. Though the injury can be mild like skin chaffing of the vagina and penis and in certain severe scenarios can even cause Peyronie’s disease, which means a build-up of plaque in the shaft of the penis due to excess stroking. If this becomes a frequent occurrence, experts advise to limit the frequency of masturbation.

3. People often experience negative feelings after masturbating

While sex can make one feel accomplished and satisfied, masturbation can often have the opposite effect. Many religions consider masturbation a sinful activity, plus the social stigma and countless myths surrounding this activity does not help the case. As the society penetrates these stigmas into our brains from a young age, many consider the act of masturbation to be immoral. The negative atmosphere surrounding masturbation can often lead to feelings of guilt, anxiety, shame, or self-loathing after doing the act.

Study shows that 67% of men washed over by a wave of sadness soon after masturbating and watching porn. This is something that should be stopped at once, and BlockerX can help do that.

4. Masturbation is easily addictive

We are all aware that sexual activities and behaviours can be highly addictive. However, the most addictive among these activities is the act of masturbation. While most other sexual activities require you to sync up your schedules with a partner. Masturbation only requires you, your time, and some privacy, which makes it easily accessible. 

Although it’s great how easily one can derive sexual pleasure from the act of masturbation. This easy accessibility, plus the excess amount of pornographic content available online can make this activity highly addictive. As for the urges you feel, that push you to masturbate time and again, they are just going to increase if you keep doin that. Here a perspective to consider that’ll help you cope with that the best you can.

Such an addiction can often have major effects on one’s mental and physical health.

5. Masturbation reduces the risk of STDs

The absence of a sexual partner means lower ate the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases. When engaging in sexual activities with a partner, one needs to ensure they take all the necessary precautions to ensure protection from sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Herpes, AIDS, and many more.

However, this does not mean one is safe from sexual problems/ genital infections while masturbating. For many, the act of masturbation involves the usage of adult toys. If these toys are unclean and not sanitizes often, it can cause bacterial infections. This may increase the risk of sexual infections and will cause more harm than pleasure.

Let us look into the Most Frequently Asked Questions !  

To Wrap Up..

Some people may feel embarrassed, guilty, or ashamed when talking about masturbation. But masturbation is normal, with several health benefits, and not something to feel guilty about. It will not cause blindness like what you might’ve been told as a child, and neither will it cause any other physical or mental problems if it is done in moderation. Often, the effects of masturbation can be positive on one’s life and relationships as well. 

However, this does not mean that masturbation and sex with a partner are the same. They are both completely different sexual activities that can be used to satisfy one’s sexual needs and desires. But, they are not interchangeable.