Does masturbation cause weight loss?
THOUGH most people partake in self-pleasuring at some point or other, you might feel too embarrassed to raise the subject with other people.
And when a seemingly silly question pops into your head about this perfectly natural act, you might feel like you have nowhere to go to to ask it.
Masturbation can actually in a number of ways, from boosting your immunity to benefiting your self image.
When you're sweaty and have your heart pumping after a particularly lively solo sesh, it can even sometimes feel like exercise.
So, you might find yourself wondering if you can actually lose weight while masturbating?
The answer is: not exactly, but you can burn some calories.
Here, we break down everything you might have wondered about masturbation, health and how to get the most out of your self love bout.
Does masturbation burn calories?
While have a solo sesh burns some calories - certainly more than you would burn if you were just lying down watching something or having a nap - it won't replace a trip to the gym or a walk outside.
Sex with a partner will often be more vigorous, but you'll still only burn about 4.2 calories per minute, , compared to the 9.2 calories you might burn during a high-intensity exercise session.
Another piece of research found that a 175-pound person can burn during a 40-minute sex session.
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But then you have to ask yourself: how often does a romp actually last 40 minutes?
According to scientists, sex on average only goes on for .
However, if you want to kill two birds with one stone and burn some calories while you self-pleasure, advises you turn up the heat and make it more active.
How long you masturbate for, how intense your session becomes, the position you assume and how long your orgasm lasts all affect how many calories you burn, the outlet added.
You might think the best way about it is to go low and slow, working your way up to an orgasm, but what you want to do is get your heart rate up and your blood pumping.
Techniques that could burn more calories as you heat things up solo include:
- moving more vigorously and use your fingers harder and faster
- adding in a toy - and don't be afraid to use it actively
- getting into different positions
- exploring different erogenous zones as well as your genitals
Does masturbation cause weight gain?
There's no evidence to suggest that masturbation causes weight gain.
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Does masturbation decrease strength?
Some athletes believe that masturbation has a negative impact on their performance.
Masturbation has little to no direct effect on people's workout performance, according to .