Masturbation: Two Sides of The One Phenomenon

Information is presented on the dynamics of attitudes towards masturbation, due to a change in ideas about its possible pathogenicity. For many centuries it was believed that masturbation is extremely harmful and can lead to many diseases. Over time, the attitude to the severity of the possible consequences of masturbation softened. At first, the most severe ones were excluded from them, and then, over time, the opinion became dominant that, in addition to guilt, masturbation cannot lead to any negative results. The article presents a classification of masturbation according to G.S. Vasilchenko (1977). Analysis of this classification indicates that in most cases it does not have an adverse effect. Moreover, masturbation of the period of youthful hypersexuality promotes sexual development, while vicarious masturbation performs a substitution function. At the same time, perseverative-obsessive masturbation is carried out in a regime significantly exceeding the constitutional optimum. The author of this classification expresses the opinion that early pre-pubertal masturbation can have an adverse effect on the prostate. The author’s classification of possible adverse effects of masturbation is also presented (G.S. Kocharyan, 2006, 2007). According to our opinion, the joint use of these two classifications makes it possible to comprehensively assess the possibilities of its influence, including pathogenic, on the human body, since various types of masturbation (including of the period of youthful hypersexuality according to the classification G.S. Vasilchenko) in some cases can have a negative impact on the human body (at present, mainly through behavioral mechanisms). It is noted that masturbation, however, can have a positive effect (promotes sexual development, performs a compensatory function, has an antidepressant and anti-anxiety effect). It is used for therapeutic purposes in sexological practice. As a result of the analysis, the author comes to the conclusion that masturbation cannot be excluded from the list of phenomena that cause the occurrence of human health disorders. Attempts to fully rehabilitate her in this sense do not correspond to reality.