How Often Do Men Masturbate? [Male Masturbation Statistics 2023]

We reveal ALL the facts and stats on how often men masturbate. We also dive deep into the benefits of male self-pleasure and whether it can replace sex.

Men masturbate. We all know it, but we never talk about it. And that’s a shame because there’s so much to talk about.

Masturbation can meet sexual needs in all kinds of situations, reduce the risk of prostate cancer, and relieve stress – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. 

In our research, we dove into the numbers on how many men masturbate, how frequently they do it, how it affects their bodies, and much more. There are even some tips on how to take the euphoria of your self-pleasure to the next level. 

Here are some highlights from our deep dive into male pleasure:

• Americans think that only 83% of men masturbate, but in reality, 92% of men do. 
• Masturbation does not lower testosterone levels, except in cases of extreme excess. 
• Nearly all men masturbate, regardless of their relationship satisfaction; it has nothing to do with their partners. 
• Masturbation won’t raise or lower your sperm count. Your body is always producing sperm, whether you let it out or not. 
• Men masturbate an average of 14.8 times per month. 
• Male masturbation can help a man relax, sleep, and reduce stress.
• On average, homosexuals masturbate over 2 times more per month than heterosexuals. 

How Experts View Male Masturbation

People will say all sorts of things about masturbation, but at the end of the day, that’s why we trust the experts. So here’s what they have to say:

The intent of masturbation is typically to achieve orgasm – the peak sexual excitement that delivers physical and emotional sensation.

Sources: Practo Care Surgeries, Web MD

The Male Sexual Response Cycle

What exactly happens to a man’s body from the moment of arousal to the post-climax tranquility? Here’s a scientific breakdown of the process:

These are the steps that take place in a man’s body during sexual response:

Source: Body Talk

Male Masturbation Statistics

Masturbation statistics can vary, as they often rely on self-reporting. That being said, here are some of the more prominent statistics on the general state of male masturbation: 

Only 53% of Americans think that sex toys are useful for men, but 80% of men who have used sex toys say that they improve the masturbation experience. 

Around a quarter of men aged 18 to 59 masturbate a few times per month to weekly:

Older men were more likely to report no masturbation in the past year.

For men ages 25 to 29 who masturbate:

Men masturbate an average of 4 times a week for an average duration of 14 minutes.

Sources: PR Newswire, International Society for Sexual Medicine, FiveThirtyEight, Online Doctor

How Many Men Masturbate?

Almost all men masturbate, and that’s just counting those willing to admit it on a survey. Here’s a breakdown of masturbation by age:

When asked, “Have you ever masturbated?” these percentages of men said yes:

When asked, “How often do you masturbate?” the following percentages of men reported the following frequencies:

2 to 3 times per week:

More than 4 times per week:

Source: FiveThirtyEight

How Often Do American Men Masturbate?

A LOT. Almost 15 times per month, to be specific. These data points also show an analysis of how many people fantasize about which things, how they enjoy porn, whether or not they use toys, and more. 

Take a look at the numbers:

The average frequency of masturbation per month:

Here’s a list of common American sexual fantasies and the percentages of people who report masturbating to them:

Americans view masturbation in different ways, both as they grow up and after reaching climax. Here’s a breakdown:

Americans’ perceptions of masturbation while growing up:

How Americans feel after masturbating:

During masturbation, some people use sex toys, and some don’t. Here are the numbers:

The following percentages of Americans admit to doing these things while masturbating:

Everyone enjoys porn differently, and these stats show how: 

Source: Bespoke Surgical

Do Married Men Masturbate?

Yes, but it’s not because they aren’t sexually satisfied. These data points explain why married men still take time to pleasure themselves:

Masturbation does increase as sexual activity decreases. 60% of men who’ve had sex recently still report high rates of masturbation, but 79% of those who haven’t had recent sex or are sexually discontent report high rates.

Sources: Web MD, Archives of Sexual Behavior

Can Masturbation Replace Sex for Men?

Masturbation can be useful for men who are between sexual partners or whose partners can’t be with them physically for whatever reason. 

While it doesn’t make sex obsolete, it can fill the void for a time. 

At times, masturbation can be a legitimate replacement for sex. For example:

• If your partner has a lower sex drive, masturbation can help balance out your own. 
• If your partner is sick
• If your partner is pregnant
• If your partner is not available (long-distance, travel, etc.)

Source: Practo Care Surgeries

Male Masturbation and Prostate Cancer Risk

Simply put, pleasuring oneself early often helps prevent prostate cancer in men. Here’s the science to prove it:

Men who ejaculated over five times per week in their 20s were a third less likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer.

Sources: European Urology, British Journal of Urology International

How Can Men Maximize Pleasure During Masturbation?

For men, masturbation isn’t usually seen as an emotional or explorative self-pleasure experience. 

And for that, we’re missing out. These tips can help make your solo session more meaningful, heighten stimulation, increase sensitivity, and intensify your orgasms. 

Here are a few ways that men can make masturbation even better:

Source: Healthline

Is It Healthy to Hold in Semen?

When it comes to sexual satisfaction, every person is unique. Some men can’t wait to ejaculate, and others can’t stand to do it. 

Whatever your thing happens to be, it’s important to separate science from pleasure. Semen retention might feel good, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s doing anything for you. Take a look at these data points to see why:

Sources: Mind Body Green, Tower Urology

Benefits of Masturbation

A good self-love session can help you relax and make you feel, well, good. 

Here’s what the research has to say about the benefits of masturbation:

Several studies show that self-pleasure provides mental, social, and physical health benefits:

• Masturbation is a healthy sexual outlet for people who abstain from sex or do not currently have sexual partners. 
• It can provide a safer alternative to sex, helping prevent pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. 
• Masturbation can help people relax and sleep.
• It helps an individual become comfortable and familiar with their body. 
• It can reduce stress.
• It’s a healthy source of pleasurable sexual arousal. 

Source: Sutter Health

FAQs About Male Masturbation

All right, here’s where we cover the most frequently asked questions about male masturbation. If you heard or read something somewhere that made you terrified to masturbate, it’s most likely an unfounded rumor. 

With that in mind, here are some masturbation FAQs: 

Can masturbation cause premature ejaculation?

Excessive masturbation may cause nerve damage, leading to premature ejaculation or ejaculation during sleep. 

Can masturbation affect your sperm count?

Your body is always producing sperm, and masturbation does not change that.

Can masturbation make you thin?

Technically, it is a form of exercise, but it’s not significant. At most, excessive masturbation can cause very little weight loss. 

Will masturbation lower a man’s testosterone level?

No. Research shows that masturbation only has a small effect on circulating testosterone. However, moderation is important. Excessive masturbation will definitely lower testosterone.

Source: Practo Care Surgeries

Conclusion

Male masturbation is a healthy and natural way to relieve stress, let sexual tension loose, and simply relax with a bit of pleasure. Nearly everyone in the world does it, regardless of race, religion, creed, or relationship status. 

While it’s widely regarded as taboo or embarrassing, it shouldn’t be. Masturbation is one of the few ways a man can truly connect with himself and his body, tend to his own desires, and explore pleasures without outside pressure. 

As with any habit, there are risks from excess and addictive behavior. That’s why it’s so critical for men to have this conversation. Opening up about masturbation can both identify risky behaviors and teach new ways to nurture and strengthen a man’s connection to his body and sexuality.