The Hazards of Masturbation

Masturbation refers to the self-induced resolution of sexual tension, release of sexual energy, fulfillment of one’s sexual needs, and attainment of sexual pleasure and psychological comfort. Excessive masturbation may lead to sexual neurasthenia, urogenital system disorders, and impaired cognitive function.

① Sexual Neurasthenia

This condition manifests as abnormalities in the central nervous system and generalized symptoms, including low mood, diminished memory, poor concentration, reduced comprehension, insomnia, frequent dreaming, dizziness, and palpitations.

② Urogenital System Disorders

These disorders may cause urinary frequency, post-micturition dribbling, discomfort in the lower abdomen and perineum, lumbago with fatigue, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and anejaculation. Chronic, frequent masturbation often imposes a significant psychological burden. Due to repeated ejaculation, semen quality may deteriorate and libido decline. In some patients, the ejaculatory threshold increases, resulting in an inability to ejaculate during normal sexual intercourse—potentially impairing fertility.

③ Impaired Cognitive Function

Prolonged masturbation can significantly impair memory and cognitive capacity—particularly in adolescents, whose most apparent symptoms include declining academic performance and diminished learning ability. This results from depletion of essence (jing), which fails to transform into vital energy (qi), and subsequent deficiency of qi, which fails to nourish the spirit (shen).