The week this question ran, MTV's Loveline had a relevant segment. "Matthew," an 18-year-old from California, called and said he was masturbating eight times per day. He asked if this could be stunting the growth of his penis. Here's a transcript from the show:
Adam Carolla: I don't think you're going to stunt your growth — but if you're doing it eight times a day, when do you have time to eat? I mean, you may not be getting enough calories!
Dr. Drew: (to Adam) You've been sort of a marathon participant ....
Adam: I'm so glad you brought that up! All right, listen ... I can't say I've made it into double digits, but I've made a few assaults at the double-digit record. These were sick days — home-from-school, junior-high kinds of things — very limited. Possibly only 100, 150 times did I do this, Drew, so I'm certainly not an expert on it. But anything excessive — even something as fun as masturbation, is bad — right, Drew?
Drew: Right. You cannot hurt yourself from the standpoint of your development — your puberty is going to develop independently of this habit — but you can certainly traumatize yourself, and it doesn't make you feel good after a certain point. It's uncomfortable, and you should avoid things that hurt you. Obviously, your body is telling you something.
Adam: But he's obsessing, and it's manifesting itself this way.
Drew: Right. The preoccupation, the aggression that goes on in this kind of behavior, is more the problem. As you said, you don't even have time to eat.
Adam: Well, I like to keep some snacks by the side of the bed.
Drew: I understand you have wonderful techniques. But Matthew, if you have some trouble where you cannot cease this behavior, you really ought to think about talking to someone about this.
Adam: All right, so the key here is moderation, Matthew. Cut back — perhaps to five, six, seven times a day.]
I suppose it would be possible to masturbate too much, but most people who worry they are masturbating too much are not. I don't think it's a matter of quantity, like five times a day or ten times a day. Instead, a person is masturbating too much if it affects them negatively in some way, like keeping them from pursuing real-life relationships or causing them physical pain, or draining their energy. For most healthy people, however, the question "Am I masturbating too much?" is irrelevant. Your body will let you know when you're doing it too much!
- age 26, South Carolina
Like all things in life, moderation is the answer. If you damage yourself by irritating the skin on your penis, then you've overdone. Likewise, if you sit around all day and do nothing but masturbate, get a life!
- age 48, New York
I think that it's possible to masturbate too much, especially if you are doing it just to beat a record and not for pleasure. I think the point where you don't want to masturbate anymore is where you should draw the line — not where your personal record draws it.
- age 13, Pennsylvania
Masturbation, like sex, can be a wonderful form of release in this stressful world. However, if it is used to escape life instead of facing it, then this can become a problem — everything in good measure. I wouldn't make a habit out of doing it more then twice a day. (Although, going for a record might not be a bad goal.)
- age 22, California
Yes! Everything enjoyable is proportional to its scarcity. Just do it — when you've had enough, its too much!
- age 35, Germany
If masturbation takes up all of your time and thoughts, it could be interfering with your "normal" life — in which case, it might be too much. If it isn't hampering your "normal" life, then there can't be too much. One might get too much sugar and not want anymore — but I don't believe too much masturbation has ever made me not want anymore!
- age 62, Texas
Yes, If you get painful sores that scab over, then it is too much. Otherwise it is impossible to achieve "too many orgasms." That would be like having too much relaxation or too much stress relief!
- age 40, Arizona
The only way you could masturbate too much is if you reach the point where it becomes an addiction that keeps you from common tasks, such as showing up for work on time, getting the laundry done, paying bills, and eating properly. Furthermore, if your penis becomes raw, or you start having dry ejaculations, it might be time to cut back. But if none of the above occurs, masturbate as much as you want!
- age 27, Texas
I think it is an individual matter. For me, more than three times a day would be very high — but I suppose if one has the sex drive and the necessary privacy (something I unfortunately lack much of the time), why not do it as much as you can? After all, you can never get too much of a great thing!
- age 17, New Hampshire
If masturbation becomes an obsession, then I would consider it to be excessive. Example: If you are often late for work or school because you take the time to masturbate — then it is probably excessive. Too much of a good thing can be bad for you.
- age 26, Pennsylvania
Yeah, it's possible. It's not that there's a danger from masturbating a lot, it's just that it can take a lot of time out of your day. It's like watching four hours of TV a day or being online for six hours daily. You stop doing other things and concentrate on masturbating, letting chores, schoolwork, and time with friends be forgotten. That is the unhealthy part.
- age 17, Oregon (female)
No, I don't think you can masturbate too much as long as it isn't an escape that prevents you from having a healthy sexual life with another person (if that is what you want). Just don't become obsessed with it to the point of interfering with regular daily activity, or don't do physical damage to your penis. Otherwise, do it as much as you like!
- age 27, Texas
No way can you masturbate excessively! I have been masturbating for almost 40 years. I enjoy it, it is relaxing, and it feels great. I have never heard of anyone getting any kind of disease from masturbation. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a fantastic sensation, wants to improve their outlook on life, and feel great. After all, who needs drugs, alcohol, or other harmful habits when you can sit back, masturbate, and watch your own body explode in pure pleasure. Plus, you don't wake up the next morning with a hangover!
- age 51, Indiana
It's possible that you may be masturbating too much if you prefer it to real sex — if you're old enough to be comfortable with having real sex. If you always feel like you'd rather stay home and masturbate than have sex with someone, and that attitude never changes, maybe there's something psychological going on there. At some point, maybe you should actually go on a date!
- age 24, Texas
Physically, you cannot masturbate too much, because your body gradually loses interest until it has rested enough. While two to three times a day is generally enough for me, I will sometimes have between six and nine orgasms in an eight-hour period when I allow myself to "orgy." Frankly, I have more orgasms per week now (at age 58) than I used to when I was in my teens and felt somewhat guilty about it. When I am having frequent sex with a lover, my masturbation frequency goes down but does not diminish completely. Recently, while thinking about sex as an addiction, I went "cold turkey" and stopped masturbating for a week. It was a pleasant, serene experience. No withdrawal symptoms...just pleasant remembrances of things past, and a happy anticipation of when I would allow myself to orgasm again — and an even more wonderful awe about this human ability that's so pleasurable!
- age 58, Washington
I'd like to have a chance to try masturbating too much. I don't have any privacy and can't masturbate very often. How would I know?
- age 16, Texas
I am a student of human sexuality as well as psychology and anthropology. I can most clearly say there is a point at which one is masturbating too much. This isn't some set number of times a day or times a week as much as a reflection of the drive behind the behavior. If your masturbation causes you to feel physically sick (yes, it can happen, but it takes a great deal of work to get to that point), or if it becomes the dominant thought in your life, then it's an unhealthy obsession. I personally masturbate rather frequently, but never do I skip my college classes for it, miss a date for it, etc.
- age 18, Florida
Masturbation is great. I just fulfilled myself before I hit this site! I don't think a person can masturbate excessively unless it's like 20 times a day or something. If you are playing with yourself as much as 20 times a day (or even 15), I think you might have some a problem that needs attention. However, this much masturbation might just be okay if it's quick and you aren't sore! You should never stop engaging in auto-erotica, even if you have a spouse or significant other! Keep it up — and don't forget to have kinky fantasies!
- age 18, Arizona (female)
Yes, I think it is possible to masturbate too much, at least from a practical standpoint. If it starts to take away from other activities such as sports, family, or church, then you need to think seriously about cutting back. Or maybe you should just plan ahead so you have time. I mean, once you start, who wants to stop for soccer practice or dinner?
- age 15, Oklahoma
Yes. If masturbation becomes a major priority, you might need professional help. I don't think masturbating regularly is bad, but if you were to do it all day every day, it might be. Also, anytime you keep masturbating after it starts hurting, that's a bad sign. I'd say anything more than once or twice a day is a bit much.
- age 17, Washington
No, I don't really think you can do it too much — other forces will act to counterbalance your desire to masturbate: time, privacy, etc. Let's face it, there's little left after the third or fourth time in one day. Sure, it's fun when you first learn, but take it from me: it loses its charm as you get older. As Billy Joe (from Green Day) once mused: "When masturbation's lost its fun / you're f***in' breaking."
- age 28, Kentucky
I think it is possible to masturbate too much — I was a prime example. When I discovered masturbation around age 14 or 15, I did it four or five times a day, which I think was way too often. I was sore by the time I went to bed. I would avoid my friends so I could come home and begin my "daily activities." I think more than twice a day would be too much.
- age 19, South Carolina
I don't think so, simply because (at least for me) after several orgasms, I just can't get an erection anymore. Of course, I guess you could also say that's proof you can masturbate too much. However, I see it more as your body telling you to just back off and rest. My body just sort of shuts down for a while if I've had several orgasms. If I can't get an erection, I'm not interested in sex, so I don't really care, either. Strangely enough, when I masturbate, I can usually manage eight or nine orgasms (in, say, one day) before that's it. However, when I'm with my girlfriend, the most times I've managed to orgasm is about five times in a 24-hour period. She can have innumerable orgasms, thanks to the gift of her female anatomy. I guess the reason why I can manage fewer orgasms with sex than with masturbation is that sex seems like such a more physical act than masturbation. I also think if someone believes it's possible to masturbate too much, it might be a sign of subconscious guilt. After all, you probably couldn't find many men who would say you can have too much sex.
- age 19, Vermont
I think it is possible. If you do it excessively, it could become so commonplace that you might enjoy it less and eventually stop. It's like eating ice cream. You love the taste, but if you were to eat five or six pounds every day, it would get old (not to mention it would cause a stomach ache!). For me, masturbating excessively would be two to three times a day, every day. When I do it, I like to enjoy it. So I often wait up to four days between sessions to make it more enjoyable.
- age 18, Florida
The only way masturbation would be excessive is if it took time away from important things, like school or work. But if you were just going to watch TV or something unproductive anyway, go for it — I know I do. And besides, masturbation is a productive activity: you learn what you like sexually, and that helps in future relationships. You can tell your partner what feels good; mutual masturbation is actually a great thing. My boyfriend and I do that sometimes, and the orgasms are intense. Besides, you can relieve stress, lull yourself to sleep, and keep your "equipment" in working condition.
- age 20, Pennsylvania (female)
Everything should be done in moderation. It usually equals out. Nowadays, my habit comes in spurts (pun intended)! I'll go a week or two without doing it, and then I'll do it every day (sometimes two to three times) for a week. Physically, it can become excessive. Once scabs start showing up on your shaft, a three-day rest can get you back into stroking action (personal experience from college days). Psychologically, as long as you're still doing your homework, eating your meals, and getting your work done, masturbate away!
- age 37, Texas
I think it gets excessive when you're doing it just to see how many times you can ejaculate, or when you've done it so much the orgasms hurt. I mean, masturbating should be fun and enjoyable! Do it when you're turned on, not to end up hurting yourself.
- age 15, Canada
I don't think so. Masturbation is better than going off and getting someone pregnant every time you have a sexual urge. However, constant masturbation can also be a sign of insecurity, loneliness, or depression.
- age 16, South Dakota
Yes. If you masturbate too much, it gets too routine, and you can't enjoy it as much. The pleasure is not as great when it is done too often. Too often depends on the person; when it gets to the point where it takes a really long time and doesn't feel as good when it happens, you're doing it too much.
- age 17, Alabama (female)
The only time you can masturbate too much is if you're drowning in your own sperm!
- age 13, Maryland
You can do it too much. If I've done it too much, I don't ejaculate a lot, and my penis starts to get really sore. I've also even cramped up my whole right arm because I went too hard for too long.
- age 14, Australia
I do not think there is an absolute limit, but it is one you know on your own. Perhaps when something starts to ache or hurt, you should stop. Excessive is a very subjective word, and it is really up to you. Some people do it up to 10 times a day, whereas some think once or twice is sufficient. It is really a personal decision, and no one should influence it.
- age 18, Malaysia
No, because there is no limit to feeling good!
- age 14, Illinois