Masturbation is normal, healthy, and enjoyable, but it's also possible to masturbate too much. While some men may enjoy masturbating several times a day, others may find that they're masturbating too frequently if it's interfering with their work or daily activities, or if they're experiencing negative consequences, such as difficulty concentrating or masturbating to the point of physical discomfort.

There is also the possibility of an addiction to masturbation. If you find yourself masturbating to the point of compulsively seeking out sexual stimulation, experiencing negative consequences as a result, and being unable to control your behavior, you may be addicted to masturbation.

Some men who masturbate frequently become less sensitive over time, and become used to more intense stimulation in order to achieve the same level of pleasure. This can lead to problems in sexual encounters with partners and is known as death grip syndrome.

If you are concerned that you may be masturbating too much or have an addiction to masturbation, speak with a healthcare professional. The following signs and symptoms may suggest that you are masturbating too much.

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1. You Think About Masturbation Incessantly

You find yourself thinking about masturbating even when you're not experiencing sexual arousal, or when you're not even aroused. Men who masturbate frequently often find themselves thinking about it, feeling excited, and anticipating the next time they'll masturbate, even if they're already enjoying the other activity they're participating in.

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2. You Struggle To Concentrate Or Sleep Because Of Thoughts About Masturbation

You find it difficult to focus on anything else when thoughts of masturbation occur. You may find that you're constantly thinking about how you would masturbate, how you would feel if you were doing it right now, or what other people are doing in their masturbation sessions.

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3. You Feel An Unbearable Sexual Urge To Masturbate

You find that you cannot resist the urge to masturbate, even if you don't feel sexually aroused. This may be even if you've only been thinking about masturbation for a short amount of time, or if you haven't masturbated in a while.

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4. You Use Masturbation as a Distraction or an Escape

You use masturbation as a way to avoid paying attention to your feelings, or as an escape from other problems in your life. You may find that you're masturbating even when there's no opportunity for sexual activity, or when you would rather be doing something else.

Many people use masturbation as a way to relieve stress and anxiety or to connect with their body in a non-sexual way. If you find that masturbation is routinely providing the only relief from your stressors, or if it's becoming more important than other aspects of your life, you may be addicted to masturbation.

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5. You Feel Like Your Personal Life is Suffering

You feel like your personal life is suffering because you're not able to focus on anything else other than thoughts of masturbation. You may find that you're neglecting your social and relationship responsibilities, or that you're avoiding activities that are important to you because of the temptation to masturbate.

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6. You Think About Masturbation at Inappropriate Times

You find yourself thinking about masturbation at inappropriate times, such as when you're with someone you want to be romantic with, or when you're around family or friends. This suggests that masturbation is becoming considerably more important to you than the person or situation you're trying to prioritize.

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7. You Have Death Grip Syndrome

If you find that your sensitivity to normal stimulation has dramatically decreased, you may be masturbating so often that it requires even more additional stimulation to feel good enough to reach climax. This is known as "death grip syndrome." If you experience this, it's important to talk to a doctor about your condition, and determine if there is anything that can be done to relieve the excessive masturbation, or your sex life may suffer.

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8. You Are Experiencing Pain When Touching Your Genitals

If you're having pain when you're touching your genitals, it suggests that you're masturbating too harshly. You may be gripping your genitals too tightly, using too much pressure, or doing something else that's adding pain to the experience. If this is the case, you need to take a break.

Friction is a necessary part of the masturbation process, and excessive friction can lead to pain. However, if you're experiencing pain when touching your genitals, it's likely that you're masturbating too harshly. In this case, you need to take a break from masturbating.

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The Bottom Line

If you notice any of the signs above in your own life, it's important to think about how masturbation is impacting your lifestyle.

If you're struggling with compulsive masturbation, seeking professional help may be a good approach. There are many treatment options available, and finding the right one for you can be very helpful.

Treatment options for compulsive masturbation include behavioral treatments and cognitive-behavioral treatments. Behavioral therapies involve setting goals and trying to eliminate the sources of stress that lead to frequent masturbation. Cognitive-behavioral therapies focus on changing thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are associated with increased masturbation.

While these may sound intense, they are very effective treatments. If you are interested in finding out more about treatment options for compulsive masturbation, or if you're worried that your masturbation habits might be impacting your life negatively, it's important to reach out for help.