Factors Affecting Libido and the Truth About Masturbation

(6) Sensory stimulation: Through the use of senses such as sight, taste, hearing, smell, and touch, the nerves of both men and women can be excited, thereby arousing sexual desire. For example, regarding odor, some studies have found that when a substance with the same odor as the uterus is made using chemical synthesis and applied to the bodies of men and women, the frequency of sexual intercourse increases. Experts believe that the excitation of the sexual center is not only caused by the stimulation of the sensory nerve endings of the reproductive organs and other sexually sensitive areas (breasts, lips, etc.), but is mainly caused by the stimulation of the emotional center of the brain and higher sensory organs (eyes, ears, nose, etc.).

(7) Environmental factors: such as the atmosphere, temperature, season, amount of food, etc. Taking eating habits as an example, people who are overly picky about food are less energetic and have a lower sex drive compared to people who eat whatever they want; on the contrary, people who are not picky about food are energetic, have less guilt, and may have a stronger sex drive.

(8) Drugs can affect libido: Drugs that can enhance libido include dopamine agonists (such as levodopa), androgens, yohimbine, etc. Drugs that can suppress libido include antihypertensive drugs (spironolactone; propranolol, also known as Inderal; oxenolol, also known as Inderal), antipsychotic drugs (thioridazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, etc.), cimetidine, etc. There are also some drugs that can enhance libido when used in moderation, but can lead to decreased libido if abused, such as cocaine, marijuana, amyl nitrite, heroin, and hallucinogens. Withdrawal symptoms of drug addiction often include hypersexuality, weight loss, and intense drug-seeking behavior.

(9) Cultural influence: the binding force of ethics, law and other laws on people.

Parkinson's syndrome refers to a condition other than primary Parkinson's disease, characterized by symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease caused by various factors. These symptoms include resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural reflex disorders. It can be secondary to cerebrovascular diseases, poisoning, infection, drug toxicity, or caused by multiple system atrophy or genetic factors.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects the elderly and is the most common type of dementia. Clinical manifestations include memory loss, persistent cognitive decline, and motor impairments, accompanied by a range of psychiatric symptoms. In my country, the prevalence rate among people aged 60 and above is approximately 1.6%, and it is becoming increasingly pronounced with the aging of the population.

Pick's disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder, accounting for about 1/15 of primary dementia cases. Familial cases may be related to mutations in the chromosome 17 gene. It typically begins in middle or old age, with a peak incidence around age 60. Early symptoms include personality changes and impaired judgment, with personality changes being the earliest and most prominent. In the middle stage, speech impairment becomes significant, with disordered speech gradually progressing to mutism. In the late stage, memory further declines, and cognitive function is severely impaired.

Do you know about masturbation?

Masturbation refers to the act of satisfying sexual desire in the absence of a sexual partner, and generally takes three forms: sexual fantasies, sexual dreams, and masturbation. We often equate masturbation with masturbation. Masturbation refers to the act of achieving sexual arousal or orgasm through self-stimulation of the genitals, typically requiring self-stimulation of the external genitalia to reach orgasm. This stimulation can be produced by the hand or some other object, commonly known as "handjob."

Masturbation is a form of self-gratification, a way to release sexual energy and relieve sexual tension, and is a private act. However, due to cultural and historical background, from ancient times to the present, both domestically and internationally, masturbation has often been viewed as a harmful and unhealthy behavior. Views such as masturbation being a vulgar act; affecting development; impacting sexual function and fertility; and causing the body to lose a large amount of nutrients and deplete vital energy have led many teenagers with masturbation habits to feel guilty and ashamed after the initial excitement subsides, often experiencing feelings of remorse, and some even developing psychological burdens. In recent years, with in-depth research in psychology, physiology, and andrology, medical experts have classified masturbation as a normal sexual behavior. It is actually a healthy way to express sexual feelings and release sexual tension in the absence of sexual intercourse. Therefore, appropriate masturbation is a physiological phenomenon, and moderate masturbation is a means of resolving sexual urges, helping to relieve sexual tension and stress, and is beneficial to physical and mental health. In fact, masturbation is common in both boys and girls during puberty, but is more prevalent in boys. According to the authoritative Kinsey Reports from the 1960s in the United States, more than 80% of men and more than 50% of women have masturbated.

Many people have questions about masturbation. Below, we'll look at some common questions about masturbation.

How does masturbation originate?

"Food and sex are human nature," and normal appetite and libido are signs of good health. Childhood masturbation often stems from unconscious, occasional manipulation of the genitals, or from stimulation and pleasure caused by friction during activities like wearing tight pants or riding, but generally does not involve orgasm. As adolescents reach a certain age, their sex organs develop rapidly, and the increase in sex hormones in the blood inevitably leads to sexual urges and desires, resulting in sexual awareness, fantasies, and a state of sexual longing and hunger. The saying "when the semen is full, it overflows" refers to the feeling of fullness caused by the accumulation of fluid in the gonads, which must be released to relieve pressure within the glands, just like urine and feces accumulated in the rectum and bladder-the problem cannot be solved without expelling them.

Due to adequate and balanced nutrition and environmental influences, the age of sexual maturity for adolescents in modern society has significantly advanced. Simultaneously, for people living in civilized societies, the age of marriage and childbearing is increasingly being postponed. This results in an unavoidable contradiction: after reaching sexual maturity, it typically takes a relatively long period before adolescents can legally or socially acceptedly have a regular sexual partner. This sexual "gap period" represents the highest level of sexual energy in one's life. Thus, both men and women may unintentionally achieve orgasm through occasional stimulation of the genitals, or learn masturbation under the guidance or assistance of others. Masturbation, as the simplest, most convenient, and safest form of release, can relieve physiological fullness and the restlessness caused by sexual tension; it is the most natural and reasonable method, a human instinct. After experiencing the benefits, masturbation becomes a habit.

What are the benefits of masturbation?

First, for adolescents without regular sexual partners, masturbation is reasonable, and sometimes the only way to release sexual urges. Appropriate masturbation is a necessary form of stimulation to maintain a normal reproductive system. Studies of older men who still possess strong sexual capabilities show that they all had normal frequencies of sexual activity (including masturbation) in their youth. The biological principle of "use it or lose it" also applies to this.

Secondly, masturbation is a means of treating sexual dysfunction and chronic prostatitis. For the elderly, those with weaker sexual abilities, or some disabled individuals, masturbation is also a suitable method for releasing sexual tension.

Furthermore, masturbation can be used to collect semen samples for clinical examination, and healthy men can also donate their semen through masturbation.

Finally, masturbation can improve sleep (especially when suffering from insomnia due to anxiety); stimulate the immune system and enhance resistance; relieve emotional tension and increase sex hormone secretion levels; alleviate the embarrassment caused by spontaneous erections in adolescents; reduce the frequency of nocturnal emissions in adolescent males; and maintain sexual and reproductive health. Therefore, moderate masturbation should be encouraged, not prohibited.