There’s no shame in the game when it comes to self-pleasure. While many act on those intimate desires to let off some steam, conversations surrounding masturbation continue to carry negative undertones. To lean away from constituting masturbation as a taboo topic, we must recognize some of the major benefits and encourage society to feel more comfortable talking about getting one’s rocks off.  

Self-Stimulation

Masturbation is defined as the self-stimulation of one’s genitals for sexual pleasure. Adjunct faculty at the University of Miami and sex therapist Dr. Paz said that masturbation encompasses any form of intentional self-touching that ideally feels good. 

Most of the time, the intent of masturbation is bodily exploration, resulting in orgasmic relief. Whether done solo, with a partner or with props, is personal preference. 

Although not always a solo activity, masturbation commonly occurs in solitude as part of an effort to release dopamine. Dopamine is a rewarding neurotransmitter that can grant someone all the feel-good bodily and neurological reactions. 

Few cases exist where exercising masturbation tactics can lead to adverse effects. 

Dr. Porter, Associate Professor of Public Health in the School of Nursing and Health Studies at UM, explains how some masturbation reactions can be harmful.

“In a very small number of people, masturbation creates a pleasure-reward loop that can lead to compulsive behavior,” said Dr. Porter. “When masturbation starts to interfere with important aspects of life, it’s a signal that help may be needed.”

Why So Selfish? 

Masturbation remains a taboo topic partly due to information spread from outside influences like religious groups, family dynamics and a lack of sexual education. 

For example, the Catholic Church views masturbation as a sin, teaching Catholics that it is inexcusable to seek sexual pleasure outside of the marital act, including taking care of business on one’s own. In Islam, active debates exist over whether masturbation should be condemned. The majority of Islamic scholars argue that self-pleasure is impermissible to practice except when there is a necessity due to possible physical harm. 

Negative connotations with masturbation can also be attributed to how previous generations feel uncomfortable in their own skin and avoid discussing the topic, especially with children. 

“Messaging around masturbation is generationally passed down because masturbation starts in adolescence, and we are uncomfortable with the idea of sexualizing children,” said Dr. Paz. 

Senior psychology major and public health minor at UM, Lauren Prenaveau said she thinks there should be more proper sexual education for children. 

“We must teach kids from a young age about sexual health because kids are curious.They are naturally going to explore their bodies,” said Prenaveau.

The cloak of secrecy that shields masturbation from occurring more naturally in conversation also adds to why the subject isn’t talked about enough, or appropriately, for that matter. Associating masturbation with secrecy causes the topic to be ignored, and therefore, not enough people receive proper sex education. Just because the act might be done alone doesn’t mean self-pleasure conversations must also be kept under the quilt.

Finish Strong

Practicing masturbation poses health benefits that can increase sexual harmony and invite someone to turn inward. Masturbation assists with understanding one’s own pleasure spots better. Without performance anxiety in the equation, one can focus on what feels rewarding instead of how to reward someone else.

Having healthy sexual pleasure practices can also improve physical relationships with sexual partners. 

“It’s one of the healthiest things you can do to develop and maintain your own personal sexuality,” said Dr. Paz in support of self-pleasure practices. To put it simply, masturbation shows you what you like, so that you can translate it to shared experiences. 

“[Masturbation] can help if sexual partners have mismatched libidos, allowing partners to balance their desires,” said Prenaveau.

Masturbation also creates psychological benefits that can cause temporary, as well as long-term, positive mental health effects. First is endorphin release. As natural pain relievers, when endorphins are released through sexual pleasure, de-stressing and mood-boosting results follow. Orgasms can also relieve headaches and provide menstrual cramp relief for female-identifying individuals. Lastly, masturbation can open escape routes for stress relief. 

Just Some Tips 

Welcoming sexually-related topics like masturbation into casual conversations can destigmatize societal views. To foster more of a positive connotation surrounding masturbation, we must initiate change universally and inclusively. 

Shameful discussions around masturbation are damaging to society’s perception of sexual health, and can be particularly harmful to the queer community.

Prenaveau explains how conversations about masturbation are often gendered and heteronormative. 

“There’s so much specific language surrounding male masturbation. This causes people who aren’t cisgender men to be more uncomfortable speaking on the topic,” said Prenaveau. 

Besides the queer community, majorly female-identifying individuals also find that masturbation doesn’t belong in their category of sexual health discussion. 

Dr. Porter said she suggests that instead, we discuss pleasure universally. “We need to move away from gendered narratives — ditch the memes and stereotypes that suggest only boys masturbate or that women should feel shame,” said Dr. Porter. 

Be mindful of the media when it comes to masturbation. Replace masturbation as the punchline to internet jokes with using social platforms to empower the topic and leverage opportunities for sexual education. Cracking laughs during serious, sexually related topics is immature and continues a cycle of more awkwardness and less acceptance.

Making these progressive steps in terms of sexual chatter during one’s college experience is the perfect opportunity to do so. Most students explore their sexuality and naturally expand their knowledge on sexual topics during their college years. Why not chat about sexual topics or experiences with your roommates or close friends during your next calm hang out, and together, beat the stigma? 

words_remi turner. design_sal puma.

This article was published in Distraction’s Spring 2025 print issue.

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