History of Masturbation Around the World

Today dear reader, we're talking about something we all do. Some of us from a very young age, some started later, but ultimately, we all do it and most of us love it. Yes, I'm talking about masturbation. What is masturbation? Silly question, right? Well, according to the urban dictionary, masturbation is “when a man or woman touches themselves on their fun parts to create an amazing sensation similar to sex”. Now, let's get to business.

FACT: Masturbation is the most common form of sexual expression.

FACT: Male and female masturbation is depicted in prehistoric cave paintings worldwide. This suggests there was a connection between human sexuality and abundance.

Source: Book (Abundance of Life: Etruscan Wall Painting, Stephan Steingräber)

Masturbation has a long history, dating back to ancient times. There is no clear record of when we first discovered this magical method of pleasuring ourselves, but there are references to it in literature and art throughout history. I have already told you about how different cultures since prehistoric times have used objects that we can safely assume were meant for masturbation. One of the first civilizations that is thought to have carried out these practices was the ancient Sumerians. There are references in their texts and artwork that suggest this. The Sumerians widely believed that masturbation enhanced sexual potency for both men and women. And guess what? Like the Egyptians, this civilization practiced polytheism and had a god associated with sexual desire and fertility, the goddess Inanna.

FACT: According to ancient Sumerians, the rivers Tigris and Euphrates were created and made fertile by the god Enki masturbating into them.

FACT: The Egyptians believed that the entire universe was created by the masturbation and ejaculation of the god Atum. They believed (as do I, dear reader) that masturbation is a magical, even divine, act.

Image Source: https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/ancient-egypt-masturbation-nile

Another ancient civilization that was very open about masturbation was ancient Greece. Some texts said that masturbation was seen as fit only for slaves, and others said they saw it as a normal and healthy substitute for other forms of sexual pleasure, but in any case, what is true, is that this civilization has a long history with masturbation. For example, the Greek philosopher Diogenes is said to have openly masturbated in public, and many Greek texts describe the practice in detail.

FACT: Ancient Greek myths and legends often picture satyrs, male nature spirits with ears and a tail resembling those of a horse, as well as a permanent, exaggerated erection- drinking wine and masturbating.

Image Source: https://www.theoi.com/Georgikos/Satyroi.html

Going back to the Egyptians, the ancient Egyptians venerated masturbation. This goes for men and women. Jonathan Margolis, in his book "O: The Intimate History of the Orgasm," wrote, "One of the Pharaohs' most onerous ceremonial duties in Egypt was to bring fertility to the Nile by masturbating annually into its waters." After reading this, I will always never drink water from any river if I ever visit Egypt... I prefer to avoid ancient watered-down oral creampies when possible. Regarding women's masturbation, people say that Queen Cleopatra used to enjoy a hollow gourd filled with bees, who pleasured her with their angry buzzing. She has gotten a very bad reputation throughout history for being a sexual woman (how dare she!?) but her story serves to illustrate what ancient Egyptians might have considered taboo… masturbation with live bees.

Image Source: https://www.amusingplanet.com/2020/11/the-turin-erotic-papyrus.html

I want to mention a fascinating aspect of masturbation, and this is the common belief that the Church historically prohibited the "wasting" of sperm, either through masturbation or other means. Can you imagine, dear male reader, not being able to masturbate and cum because the Church won't allow it? Jewish and Christian traditions, for example, have always been seriously concerned about the loss of semen. In medieval penitential literature, there were often harsh penalties for the masturbator, almost as harsh as for the fornicator. And even worst, in the eighteenth century, Tissot, a physician and theologian, convinced the medical community that masturbation was not just a sin but a significant factor in disease and death. I can't imagine coming home, sitting down to read the news, and finding a headline that says, "Masturbation Causes Disease and Death." I think I would sit back, relive each moment at its best, and remember that it was good while it lasted. But it was worst for men.

FACT: These are some of the alleged "dangers" of wasting semen: weakness, cloudiness of ideas, madness, decay of bodily powers, headache, rheumatic pains, aching numbness, pimples, blisters, itching, impotence, premature ejaculation, gonorrhea, priapism, tumors, and hemorrhoids. This belief was based mainly on the now-discredited idea that masturbation depleted the body's vital fluids, such as semen or blood.

Thankfully, today we know that this -in my humble opinion- delicious practice that makes us feel so relaxed and happy is an entirely healthy and normal part of human sexuality. It’s a scientific fact that there are a bunch of hormones and neurotransmitters that are released during sex and masturbation that make your body and brain happy and healthy. It honestly makes me sad for people who still see masturbation as taboo or even slightly negative. I grew up in a very sex-positive household, even my 83-year-old grandmother has a vibrator, and I write about sex, so I might be biased- but science agrees with the benefits of masturbation. On that note, because masturbating releases "feel good" chemicals in the brain, like other addictive substances and behaviors, compulsive masturbation is an addiction. So, at that point, it is not something healthy or pleasant. As I always say, my dear reader, unfortunately, everything in excess is bad. But please, keep masturbating and exploring your body responsibly. Learn what feels good and what can be a valuable tool for you and your partner and for new solo sexual experiences. Enjoy your sexuality in a HEALTHY way!