Does Female Masturbation Affect Fertility?
Discussions on fertility often revolve around anything (diet, lifestyle, medical conditions) but masturbation. Of course! Society has frowned upon sexual desires and masturbation for ages especially by women. While talking about female masturbation remains such a taboo, lots of myths are overflowing around it.
One such myth is that female masturbation disrupts hormonal levels and leads to infertility. But, is there any truth linking to the most debated question: Does female masturbation affect getting pregnant? Through this article, let's separate fact from fiction, shedding light on authentic findings.
Understanding Female Masturbation and Hormones
Female masturbation is a sexual habit where self-stimulation in the genitals arouses sexual excitement in women. It mainly activates a healthy amount of hormones like testosterone, regulating their physical and mental well-being (mood, metabolism and reproduction). Some of the most activated hormones include,
- Dopamine: A feel-good hormone that elevates pleasure.
- Endorphins: A natural painkiller and mood lifter.
- Prolactin: Helps with relaxation and impacts the immune system
- Oxytocin: Popular as the love hormone, it enhances relationships and relieves stress.
Having mentioned that, there’s this common question among people: Does female masturbation affect testosterone? Well! It’s a big NO on masturbation lowering testosterone levels. In fact, there's a temporary increase in testosterone during arousal, which may enhance libido and sexual stamina. Levels naturally return to baseline afterwards without causing any long-term hormonal imbalance.
Addressing Myths on Masturbation and Infertility
Despite being a taboo subject in society, several discussions are taking place to create awareness of female masturbation. Let’s uncover the most common myths around female masturbation and infertility.
Myth 1: Masturbation weakens the uterus, affecting sperm movement
During female masturbation, you experience uterine contractions due to the secretion of hormones like dopamine and oxytocin. However, these are gentle contractions that don't affect the uterus or sperm movement. The best part is that contractions actually guide the sperm to reach the fallopian tube, where fertilisation takes place.
Myth 2: Masturbation reduces the egg count
People think that touching oneself for self-pleasure would diminish the ability to conceive. Women produce eggs throughout fetal development, and get diminish after a certain age. Hence, it doesn't impact the quantity or quality of eggs.
Myth 3: Masturbation leads to blindness or insanity
A lot of myths related to health issues revolve around female masturbation. Surprisingly, it comes with a range of health benefits. From reducing stress to improving heart health and self-esteem, it has lots of good outcomes. Moreover, your doctor may recommend you to masturbate around menopause as it protects against getting vaginal walls thinner, dryer or inflamed.
Myth 4: Masturbation affects menstruation
People believe that menstruation is affected by masturbation because the former includes bleeding. Women need to remember that menstruation is just a natural process of shedding uterine lining, irrespective of masturbation. It is also a way to release endorphins that reduce muscle tension and menstrual cramps. Hence, female masturbation boosts overall well-being during the menstrual cycle.
Does Female Masturbation Affect Implantation IVF?
Being a woman trying to conceive involves understanding the delicate process of implantation. After fertilisation, the embryo travels to the uterus and attempts to embed itself into the uterine lining, a process known as implantation. It usually occurs 5–6 days after ovulation.
At times, implantation may not occur correctly, and in rare cases, the embryo may attach outside the uterus, such as in the fallopian tube. This is called an ectopic pregnancy and requires immediate medical intervention.
It is natural to have concerns about activities that might interfere with this process. However, there is no medical evidence that female masturbation affects embryo implantation during IVF. As long as there is no penetration or intense uterine contractions, it is considered safe.
Does Female Masturbation Affect Ovulation? Let’s Break It Down
Does female masturbation affect getting pregnant? Let us understand the science behind it! During ovulation, eggs are released from the ovaries. These eggs require sperm to get fertilised. While men need orgasm to ejaculate sperm, women don't need orgasm to push out their egg cells. Hence, women's ovulation is not dependent on orgasm in females.
So, now, if you think female masturbation causes infertility, the answer is NO.
If you still have doubts about the relationship between masturbation and ovulation, then here are some tips to track your ovulation accurately:
- Understand your menstrual cycle well
- Monitor your basal body temperature (BBT) daily. When ovulation approaches, your body temperature will rise. By measuring the temperature you can create a baseline and easily identify when you are fertile the most.
- Get ovulation tests done to assess your hormone levels, indicating the incoming of your ovulation.
- Observing cervical mucus as it becomes stretchy and thin during ovulation.
You must remember that masturbation doesn't negatively impact your ability to conceive. If you are facing difficulty in getting pregnant, there may be other reasons like semen problems, endometriosis, fibroids, PCOD or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). So, take a consultation at Apollo Fertility and get recommendations from the experts.
While it is okay to masturbate during pregnancy, there may be exceptions in certain circumstances. Your doctor will refrain from practising sexual activities if:
- You have a history of preterm labour or showing symptoms of it.
- You have underlying conditions like placenta previa or an incompetent cervix.
- You experience vaginal bleeding.
Can Masturbation Benefit Fertility?
Over the years, several studies have revealed the benefits of masturbation with respect to fertility. So, now, if you may wonder what are the effects of masturbation in females daily, here are some essential claims:
- A 2018 systematic review found that masturbation reduces the chances of sexual dysfunction in developed countries like the US.
- In a survey of 2000 women, it was found those who used vibrators were more likely to get examined regularly by gynaecologists.
Female masturbation does not directly increase fertility, but it may offer some indirect benefits that support reproductive health.
- Keeping The Reproductive System Healthy: Masturbation helps you to take care of gynaecological health. It keeps the vagina lubricated, removes bacteria from the cervix and relieves pain.
- Improving Reproductive Health: Engaging in masturbation balances hormones, improves blood circulation and lets you feel better
- Getting Better Sleep: Masturbation de-stresses you by releasing hormones like dopamine, endorphins and oxytocin. These hormones give a sense of well-being, enhancing sleep quality.
Stop Guessing and See a Specialist Today!
Scientific research shows that female masturbation doesn’t harm fertility, and in some ways, it may even support sexual wellness. But if you are facing issues like pain during sex or masturbation, irregular or heavy periods, difficulty reaching orgasm, or have been trying to conceive for over a year without success, it’s time to move beyond assumptions.
These signs could point to deeper reproductive concerns. Don’t ignore them. Book a consultation with a gynaecologist or fertility expert at Apollo Fertility and get clarity on your body withpersonalisedd care designed to support your path to parenthood.
