Doctor Explains How Often You Should Masturbate If You Want To Stay Healthy

Contrary to what some people still believe, spending a little time “downstairs” can actually be good for your health. And no, this is not about heading to the kitchen for snacks in the middle of the night.

Masturbation used to be treated as a taboo subject that many people avoided discussing. It was often surrounded by embarrassment and secrecy. Today, especially in 2026, conversations around sexual health have become much more open.

For many people, masturbation is now considered a normal part of discussions about health, wellbeing, and understanding the body.

Although new rules have limited the age at which young people can access explicit material online, which could reduce exposure for some groups, masturbation itself remains very common among adults.

Health experts have also talked about the effects of watching too much pornography. Research suggests it can sometimes create unrealistic expectations or cause problems in intimate relationships.

At the same time, many specialists say that experiencing an orgasm from time to time can actually support physical and emotional wellbeing.

This raises a question that people often ask but rarely get a clear answer to: how much is too much?

A medical expert and online educator known as Dr. Jen Claude addressed this exact question in a recent video shared on her YouTube channel.

Is there such a thing as too much masturbation? Getty Stock Image

She began her explanation by saying: "Well, I've got some perhaps good news for you,"

"Before I give you the answer let me remind you that masturbation is perfectly fine, okay? Masturbation actually can be a very healthy part of overall life and fulfilment, so I don't want you to think that masturbation is not okay."

The doctor then explained that there is no strict upper limit when it comes to how often someone masturbates. In other words, there is no universal number that applies to everyone.

She described this point further and said: "It's nothing like 'oh you can't masturbate more than this amount of times,' there's not a lower threshold, there's not a number of times in a day, a week, a month."

According to Dr. Claude, the frequency can vary widely depending on the individual and their lifestyle.

"Certain people masturbate multiple times a day, some people masturbate only certain times every few months depending on whatever. Some people masturbate when they're in a certain mood, some people masturbate at other times, it just depends," the doctor explained.

Can you masturbate too much?

Dr. Claude also discussed the idea that while masturbation itself is normal, there are situations where it may become unhealthy.

She explained the key point clearly: "The only caveat [is] you can masturbate as much as you want so long as it doesn't interfere with your daily life; it doesn't interfere with your mental wellbeing, it does not interfere with your relationships; interfere with your ability to go to your job or lead a happy, healthy, productive."

In other words, there is no strict number that automatically makes the habit unhealthy. However, if it begins to affect someone’s daily responsibilities, emotional health, or relationships, it may be time to take a step back and look at the situation.

"In certain situations you can see how masturbation becomes compulsive, in which case we say that you need to be evaluated, you need to discuss this with a licensed professional, okay?"

There is no set number to aim for, or stay below - everyone has their own situation Getty Stock Images

What happens when you stop masturbating?

Some people choose to take breaks from masturbation altogether. One well-known example is the internet challenge often referred to as “No Nut November,” where participants attempt to avoid masturbation for a month.

Others have attempted similar personal challenges for longer periods. In one example, a man who completed both a month and later an entire year without masturbating reported noticing several changes during that time.

Many of the changes he described were positive. Because of stories like this, some people choose to experiment with short breaks to see how their body and mood respond.

A sex expert also discussed several possible effects that people may notice if they stop masturbating for a short period.

According to experts, stopping suddenly may lead to mood swings or strong sexual urges at first. Some people also report extended arousal or frustration while their body adjusts.

This means that the potential benefits are unlikely to appear immediately, and the first few days may feel uncomfortable for some individuals.

Patience can play an important role during this process. Some specialists believe that waiting for longer periods between orgasms may even lead to stronger sexual experiences in the future.