How Often Do Men Masturbate & When Is It Considered Too Much?

How Often Do Men Masturbate?

There is not a singular, magical answer to this question because while many studies have been done around the world, men’s willingness to report their masturbation frequency truthfully can affect the data’s accuracy.

Studies have found that 61% of American men have reported masturbating within the past year, while 66% of British men have done so within the past month.

This particular report analyzed multiple studies from around the world, with researchers noting that these numbers may be underreported due to men’s unwillingness to disclose this information.

Masturbation isn’t necessarily a “comfortable” topic for many — but it’s a global practice that deserves discussion, nonetheless.

Another study found that 35.9% of men reported masturbation at least once per week (compared to just 8.8% of women) during the previous year to counteract loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, and only 10.4% of men said they’d never masturbated — ever.

“There are many reasons why someone may report having never masturbated,” Dr. Susan Milstein, a human sexuality health educator on our medical review board, said. She continued:

“Some may be lying, which is often the joke, but there are others who just aren’t comfortable with the idea of masturbating. It may be that it goes against their morals, ethical or religious beliefs. They may feel that doing so is cheating on their partner.”

A study by The National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior at Indiana University collected data from almost 6,000 people between the ages of 14 to 94.

The data found that 42.9% of men had masturbated alone within the past month, while 3.6% reported doing the same with a partner present.

Additionally, 62.1% of men had reported masturbating alone within the past year, with 5.2% doing so with a partner.

A few factors at play here — such as age, libido, or a willingness to disclose such information honestly — can shift those percentages, but overall, the majority of men do masturbate with some regularity, alone and with a partner.

One global research study found that 92% of men in the United States have tried masturbating at some point in their life.

That same study also looked at the coverage of masturbation as part of sex education.

In the US, for instance, only 28% of respondents cited masturbation as being addressed in sex ed classes.

This is an important thing to note, considering that masturbation is a practice that often starts early in a male’s life.

Considering all age groups collectively, one study found that 73.8% of teenage boys report engaging in masturbation.

By the age of 14, 62.6% of males have masturbated at least once, with the number jumping to 80% by the age of 17.

What To Watch Out For

When masturbating feels more like a compulsion than a spike in horniness or sexual desire, that could be an early warning sign that frequent masturbation is becoming harmful.

There are physical signs, too.

Your penis can become chafed, irritated, or sore from too much friction — or even from using the wrong lube — like soap, for instance.

You might also experience numbness or pain if you beat your meat too hard and too often.

If you’re ignoring responsibilities or loved ones because you’re too busy masturbating, or you’re continuing to masturbate despite physical pain and/or a lack of pleasure, that might be a sign of compulsive sexual behavior disorder.

Speaking with a licensed professional and getting the help you need to stop the compulsion may be warranted in such cases.

FAQs About Male Masturbation

People have lots of questions regarding male masturbation, and we’ll cover some of the most popular.

Does Too Much Masturbation Lower Your Sperm Count?

It might — if you’re ejaculating every day.

One study examined daily semen samples over the course of two weeks and found that both sperm count and overall semen volume (per ejaculation) decreased — and stayed that way for the entire duration of the study.

Although daily ejaculation didn’t have a negative effect on sperm motility, vitality, or function, it did lower the total sperm count temporarily.

Another study discovered that despite the lower sperm count caused by daily ejaculation, other aspects of sperm (and semen) quality improved.

Does Masturbation Affect A Man’s Testosterone Level?

Yes and no.

There is a spike in free testosterone concentrations when you’re horny or masturbating, but there are no long-term effects on your overall testosterone levels or hormone ratios.

Will Frequent Masturbation Cause Premature Ejaculation?

No.

In fact, penis-root masturbation can be used as a form of therapy to counteract and treat premature ejaculation.

Instead of firing off a load as quickly as possible, you can take your time and practice delaying your orgasms during masturbation.

How Often Should A Man Ejaculate?

There are no studies that say how often a man should ejaculate.

As mentioned above, one study found that regular ejaculation can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

When it comes to masturbation (or even sex, for that matter), there is no “should” — go with the ejaculation frequency that feels right to you.

That said, daily ejaculation can decrease sperm count and volume so if you and your partner are trying to conceive, that might be a consideration.

Dr. Susan Milstein, the human sexuality health educator we spoke with earlier, said it’s important to note that frequent ejaculation to lower sperm count and volume is NOT an effective form of contraception.

Can A Man Ejaculate Twice?

Although it may not be considered common, yes — men are capable of ejaculating twice.

Is It Healthy To Not Ejaculate At All?

It is neither healthy nor unhealthy to not ejaculate.

Despite what some corners of the man-o-sphere online say, there are no verifiable health benefits to semen retention.

There is also no evidence that abstaining from ejaculation will cause bodily harm, either.

“Your body may ejaculate even if you decided not to, as is the case with wet dreams,” Dr. Milstein pointed out.

In Conclusion

Worrying about how often men masturbate is not something you should waste your mental energy on.

As long as you’re okay with it, masturbation is a normal, natural, and healthy way to enjoy yourself and there’s nothing wrong with having a tug o’ war with Cyclops, even if it is a daily event.

If you are struggling to balance your masturbation habits with your day-to-day life, however, that could be related to compulsive sexual behavior disorder — and worth seeking professional support from a licensed doctor or therapist.