By: Rica Cruz
Hi Ms. Rica,
Is “spanking the monkey” healthy? I do it almost every week. Mali po ba ‘to? How can I know if it’s wrong na po?
Thank you,
M
Dear M,
For your frist question: Scientifically speaking, “spanking the monkey,” “stroking the snake,” “pleasure down there” (or whatever else you want to call masturbation) is a healthy sexual activity. In fact, it is the most common sexual activity that people enjoy. Experts say that there’s nothing wrong with self-pleasure, and that it’s actually good for you. How?
• It feels really good;
• It can relieve stress and release tension;
• It can help you fall asleep;
• It can help you have a better body image;
• It can help you feel good about yourself;
• It can provide a sexual outlet when you don’t have a sexual partner;
• It can also increase your sexual satisfaction when you’re with a partner;
• It can provide treatment to common sexual dysfunctions;
• It is a safe way of reaching the big O;
• It puts you at a lower risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs);
• It does not get anyone pregnant (especially when you’re not ready to take care of a baby).
When you play with yourself, you get to know yourself better. You discover your own body: your own sexual likes and those that you do not like, without hurting anyone. Aside from this, studies show that regular masturbation is associated with lower risks of prostate cancer for men and a way to relieve pre-menstrual cramps in women.
Now to your second question: Mali ba ito? Well, the answer would depend on how you would look at it. Because of our culture, some of us have put a stigma on masturbation because of the guilt and shame associated with it. Sabi ng iba, kasalanan daw ito because of religious teachings. So if you would look at it that way, may ibang interpretation ang masturbation that’s different from how Scientific research would put it.
Then to your third question: Although Science has given us the benefits of masturbation and say that it is completely risk free, there are people who have the compulsion to “spank the monkey” so frequently that it becomes problematic because it disrupts their regular functioning. Kapag hindi mo nagagawa ng maayos ang mga kailangan mong gawin – may it be at work, in school, or even in your relationships – then pwede nating sabihin na may maling nangyayari. And thus, maybe it’s time for you to re-evaluate your self-pleasure behaviors. Pero, kung OK ka pa, at wala namang naaapektuhan sa relationships mo at sa trabaho mo, then go lang ng go! Pleasure yourself regularly because you deserve it! #takeitfromthesexymind
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If you have questions on love and sex that you want me to answer, you may message me at www.facebook.com/TheSexyMind or DM me on Twitter or Instagram: @_ricacruz.
Biography: Rica Cruz is a Licensed Psychologist and Sex Therapist. She comes out as the Resident Sex Therapist on Boys’ Night Out every Thursday night on Magic 89.9.
