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Can Excessive Masturbation Cause Insomnia?

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Posted on Wed, 24 Jun 2015
Question: I am addicted to masturbation. 56 years old. Have to do 3/4 times a day. Being away from family ,alone being in Army, cannot do without it. Does excessive masturbation affect sleep? I cannot sleep properly and consequently, i masturbate. No sperm is left for ejaculation now.PLEASE help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
you need counseling, provide more detail about your problem

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

Masturbation is natural and normal thing.It is done by 95% of the males in the world,mostly before marriage as well as when wife is away, in menses or pregnant after marriage. It is not at all harmful. Frequency of masturbation done by an individual varies from once a day to once a week. It depends upon individual libido, wish and timing. It neither causes any weakness nor any problem in sexual activity.

However when masturbation becomes compulsive or used as cope of behavior to relieve stress and person feels uncomfortable when he cannot do it, it is problematic.
Addiction to masturbation is common problem.

Treatment depends upon its etiology. Means how habit developed over the time and became compulsion and what are the symptoms of over masturbation and withdrawal features if one avoids the same.
Over masturbation can cause fatigue and affect sleep as well as when person avoids the same he feels distress and sleep disturbance.

Your sentence,"I cannot sleep properly and consequently, i masturbate."suggests you have insomnia itself and to escape from that stress you do the masturbation.

3-4 time masturbation per day of course evacuates seminal vesicles and no semen would be there for ejaculation. But this is not a problem. Semen production will be continued.

Please provide some information

- Since when you are facing this problem? How did this problem develop?

- Specifically when do you masturbate? During stress? at specific time ?

- Is there any stress(social,economical,occupational,emotional) in your life?

- What happens if you do not masturbate for a day or two? How much maximum time have you spent without masturbation in recent period?

- Since when are you suffering from sleep disturbance?

I will be happy to help further.

Regards,

Dr.Chintan Solanki.



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (23 hours later)
Duration of problem. about 6 years . it developed slowly. I am 56 YEARs old. whenever I am alone and in a mood to do, I masturbate. I stay alone most of the time.. I have no social ,economical, emotional, or occupational problem. with lot of willpower, i can stay without masturbation for a day or two. SLEEP DISTURBANCE IS THERE FOR A LONG TIME PERHAPS 6 YEARS OR SO.
can u suggest some medication for sleep and avoid masturbation.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
medicines are there, you need prescription for the same

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for follow up.

Your history suggests that your masturbation is not related to your sleep disturbance.You do masturbation when you are in mood, so probably it is not a compulsion also.Your masturbation is excessive or not that need to be evaluated with detail history and problem of that can be solved with counseling and behavior therapy. I do not think that for that you may need medicines.

For sleep disturbance benzodiazpeine group of drugs are used. Clonazepam or lorazepam is good option. This is a strict prescription medicine and you need to consult doctor for the prescription.
Apart from that I would like to tell that there are some measures called 'Sleep Hygiene' which may help in good sleep.
You can find the same in below link:

sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene

In my opinion you should consult a psychiatrist. He/she can help in both problems of yours sleep problem and masturbation related problem.

Feel free to ask if any query is there.

Take care.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (6 days later)
I tried clonozepam but stopped as I was very energy less after having it .. Sleep problem still persists . Please help,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
other option is zolpidem

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for follow up.

Low dose of clonazepam (0.25 mg) is used when it is prescribed for first time. If you have been prescribed this dose and feeling energy less then we have to think of other option.
Zolpidem is good drug without significant long sedation. It helps in sleep induction and you can wake up without problem of sedation and loss of energy.This is also prescription drug and you need to consult doctor to get the prescription.

Take one cup of warm milk before 15 minutes of going to bed. It helps in 30-40% of patients with insomnia.

Wish you good health.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Chintan Solanki

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

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Can Excessive Masturbation Cause Insomnia?

Brief Answer: you need counseling, provide more detail about your problem Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. Masturbation is natural and normal thing.It is done by 95% of the males in the world,mostly before marriage as well as when wife is away, in menses or pregnant after marriage. It is not at all harmful. Frequency of masturbation done by an individual varies from once a day to once a week. It depends upon individual libido, wish and timing. It neither causes any weakness nor any problem in sexual activity. However when masturbation becomes compulsive or used as cope of behavior to relieve stress and person feels uncomfortable when he cannot do it, it is problematic. Addiction to masturbation is common problem. Treatment depends upon its etiology. Means how habit developed over the time and became compulsion and what are the symptoms of over masturbation and withdrawal features if one avoids the same. Over masturbation can cause fatigue and affect sleep as well as when person avoids the same he feels distress and sleep disturbance. Your sentence,"I cannot sleep properly and consequently, i masturbate."suggests you have insomnia itself and to escape from that stress you do the masturbation. 3-4 time masturbation per day of course evacuates seminal vesicles and no semen would be there for ejaculation. But this is not a problem. Semen production will be continued. Please provide some information - Since when you are facing this problem? How did this problem develop? - Specifically when do you masturbate? During stress? at specific time ? - Is there any stress(social,economical,occupational,emotional) in your life? - What happens if you do not masturbate for a day or two? How much maximum time have you spent without masturbation in recent period? - Since when are you suffering from sleep disturbance? I will be happy to help further. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki.