Masturbation is Associated With Orgasm Satisfaction in Sexual Relationships

What is it about?

Masturbation is a healthy sexual behavior. Its positive aspects include its usefulness in the context of sex therapy to improve sexual functioning. Two models have been proposed to explain the relationship between solitary masturbation and sexual relationships: compensatory vs. complementary. The first hypothesizes that masturbation would be practiced to substitute desired but unfulfilled sexual relationships. On the other hand, the complementary model proposes a positive association between solitary masturbation and sexual relationships. Currently, it is known that the practice of masturbation favors different dimensions of sexual functioning such as orgasm in sexual relationships, however, very little is known about the role of different parameters of solitary masturbation in the orgasm satisfaction experienced in sexual relationships. Therefore, this study analize different parameters of masturbation (first experience, current frequency, negative attitude toward this behavior, solitary sexual desire and subjective orgasm experience in the context of solitary masturbation) in men and women, and examining their relationship with orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationships, for which 738 men and 597 women were evaluated. First, the results indicate that men, compared to women, start masturbating at an earlier age, report engaging in this behavior more frequently, and experience more solitary sexual desire. Women, on the other hand, have more intense subjective orgasm experiences through masturbation than men. Some parameters of solitary masturbation were also found to be associated with orgasm satisfaction in the context of sexual relationships. Specifically, the affective dimension of the subjective orgasm experience in masturbation is a common variable in both men and women in explaining orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationships. Moreover, in men, higher frequency of masturbation is associated with lower orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationships, which would support the compensatory model. In women, in addition to the affective dimension of orgasm, a more positive attitude toward masturbation and higher solitary sexual desire are associated with more orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationships.

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Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Why is it important?

These findings show the importance of solitary masturbation to deal with orgasm difficulties from sex therapy and research, considering different parameters involved in men and women.

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