Over masturbation side effects on eyes, such as blindness and weak vision, are one of the most common myths. Even though researchers have strongly debunked these myths, the link between masturbation and eyesight continues to be a topic of interest.
Let’s take a closer look at these myths and understand the link between over masturbation and vision health.
What is Over Masturbation?
Medically speaking, most people can masturbate without any side effects. However, for some individuals, masturbation can become problematic and interfere with their lives. The term over-masturbation refers to the act of self-pleasuring so frequently that it becomes a compulsive habit and causes psychological distress.
No prescribed quantity or frequency defines over-masturbation. Whether your masturbation habit is getting out of hand is determined by how it affects your well-being and quality of life.
Some common symptoms of over-masturbation are –
- Genital soreness or ache in the testicles
- Low energy or exhaustion
- Intense shame or guilt about the masturbation habit
- Skipping work or social events to masturbate
- Neglect of self-care and personal hygiene
- Persistent craving or urge to masturbate
- Masturbating in inappropriate situations (eg, at work)
Effects of Over Masturbation on Eyes
Among the myths about masturbation, over masturbation side effects on eyes and effect of masturbation on eye health are the most popular. Let us examine the source of the beliefs about masturbation effect on eyesight.
1. The Science Behind the Myth
The roots of over masturbation side effects on eyes lie in a very rare condition known as Valsalva Retinopathy.
Specifically in a 2014 case report recorded that a patient had burst a blood vessel in his retina after vigorous sexual intercourse. Scientists have noted that, during intense orgasm, holding or straining the breath can spike the blood pressure in the eye and cause a bleed.
Fortunately, such cases are not only extremely rare but also resolve on their own. So the chances of vigorous or over masturbation side effects on eyes such as popping an eye vessel are very low.
The indirect ways frequent masturbation can bother your eyes
Does masturbation affect eyesight, or can masturbation cause eye defects indirectly?
The over masturbation side effects on eyes are mostly caused by lifestyle factors associated with the habit rather than the act of masturbation itself.
- Dry, irritated eyes – If someone stays up late at night watching porn and masturbating, it might result in reduced blinking of the eyes. So, the eyes can become dry and irritated, affecting your vision.
- Gritty eyes – Similarly, sleep loss from staying up to frequently masturbate can cause redness, gritty eyes, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.
- Psychological symptoms – Anxiety and excessive focus on your body’s sensations can make you more aware of eye discomfort or pain.
- Headaches or vision aura – In rare cases, intense orgasms can trigger neurological responses, which are not caused by masturbation itself.
Physical Effects of Over-Masturbation
Masturbation is not only a physical release. Sexual stimulation, orgasm, and ejaculation result in a cascade of neurochemical responses. So, apart from masturbation effect on eye, over-masturbation can lead to temporary physical symptoms.
1. Temporary Fatigue and Weakness
The neurochemical cocktail of endorphins, dopamine, and prolactin post-masturbation is designed to relax you and make you feel sleepy. Masturbation, especially when done frequently, can be physically demanding and energy-intensive. As a result, over masturbation can lead to temporary fatigue or a feeling of weakness.
2. Hormonal Imbalance
Some people worry that frequent masturbation and ejaculation might affect testosterone levels and cause a hormonal imbalance. However, research has found that any fluctuation in testosterone post masturbation is only temporary and minor. So, overall hormone levels remain unchanged.
3. Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation
While the frequency of masturbation itself does not cause sexual performance issues, certain techniques or habits of masturbation can. For instance, aggressively masturbating by gripping too tightly can result in needing intense and specific stimulation during partnered sex, also. Guilt or anxiety related to masturbation can cause ED or PE.
Psychological Effects of Over-Masturbation
Masturbation is considered a private and relaxing activity. However, over-masturbation can have the opposite effect and cause psychological distress.
1. Anxiety and Depression
Excessive and compulsive masturbation habits can lead to depression and anxiety. Particularly, if an individual is struggling with these mental health challenges and using masturbation as an escape. Over masturbation can worsen psychological distress and disrupt the mood cycle.
2. Guilt and Shame
Masturbation is stigmatized as an undesirable and even immoral act in many religions. If a person has strong beliefs about masturbation as a sin, then the clash of their behavior with values can cause psychological distress. The self-judgement can cause intense guilt, irrespective of the frequency of masturbation.
3. Impact on Relationships and Social Life
Compulsive masturbation can make an individual choose masturbation along with porn over partnered sex. A secretive masturbation habit creates emotional distance and strains real-life relationships. Shame of masturbation can affect self-confidence and result in withdrawal from social life.
Does masturbation cause blindness?
There is no research to link the effect of masturbation on eye. Specifically, the link between masturbation and blindness is a persisting myth.
The medical experts have ruled out any connection between masturbation and health conditions such as blindness, hair loss, and acne. There is one noted case of eye injury linked to orgasm, as noted above. However, even that was temporary and did not cause long-term eye damage. .
Common Misconceptions About Masturbation
You can find many myths associated with masturbation both in cultural discourse and in emerging online forums. Here are such common myths shared by members of Reddit communities –
- “Regular masturbation causes lower back pain, early greying of hair and hairfall, weak eyesight, higher-pitched voice… lethargy…”
- “I know it went around my school that if you masturbated… people could tell the next day just from looking at you.”
- “Masturbation makes you weak; it drains protein and calcium content in the body. Semen released contains vital nutrients for your body to use, and it is very taxing on your body to reproduce said nutrients.”
- “At a school I was at, the soccer coach told his players that if they masturbated in the days before a game, it would make them less aggressive and make them perform worse.”
- “When I was growing up, the common myths around masturbation were that it would make you go blind or that it would ‘wear out’ your genitals.”
Where Do False Beliefs About Masturbation Come From?
The myths around masturbation are rooted in the historical and cultural taboos surrounding sexual activity. When there is no access to proper sex education, these myths are carried forward from generation to generation.
How to Maintain a Healthy Masturbation Habit?
Experts note that a healthy masturbation habit helps to regulate mood and supports healthy sexuality. However, if the masturbation habit is used to cope with emotional distress or accompanied by porn, there is always a risk of escalation into unhealthy territory. Here is how to maintain a healthy masturbation habit –
Recognizing the Signs of Over-Masturbation
Keep an eye on how masturbation is affecting you physically and emotionally. If you are experiencing genital soreness or skipping work to masturbate, then it’s a red flag. If your masturbation affects your daily schedule or relationships, it’s time to reassess.
Setting Boundaries and Limits
Healthy limits are essential to avoid developing a compulsive masturbation habit. Practical strategies like installing a porn blocker and not staying up late at night can help you stay in control of your triggers.
Seeking Professional Help if Necessary
Talking to a sex therapist or joining a support group (online or offline) can help you with recovery. Remember that therapy or professional help is not only for extreme cases, or not something to be ashamed of.
How to Stop Watching Porn: Practical Tools and Boundaries
- Use a porn blocker or content filter such as BlockP to make your devices free of content that triggers the urge to masturbate.
- Replace screen time with healthy activities and hobbies. Try to exercise or go for a walk when the urge to watch porn hits you.
- Build a supportive routine by creating porn-free blocks of time, such as going porn free while going to bed or at work.
- Get an accountability partner to support your recovery and help you stay disciplined as you navigate the cravings.
- Try Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) or other professional support if you find that you are not able to quit porn on your own.
FAQ on over masturbation side effects on the eyes
1. What are the side effects of masturbation in males twice daily?
Masturbating twice a day might cause slight genital soreness and temporary fatigue if you are very vigorous.
2. What is the reason for weak eyesight?
Weak vision or eye conditions such as nearsightedness or farsightedness result from genetic factors, your eye structure, time spent on screens, nutrition, injuries, and other health conditions such as diabetes.
3. What are the effects of masturbation on the brain?
Masturbation and orgasm trigger feel-good hormones such as oxytocin, endorphins, and dopamine in your brain. These neurochemicals can have a calming and soothing effect.
