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Many men masturbate regularly. But how often do gay men masturbate—more often, less often, or just as often? According to various international studies conducted between 2012 and 2018, it appears that the masturbation habits of gay men do indeed differ from those of heterosexual men, at least in terms of frequency. Find out what we discovered on this topic in this article.
First ever study on masturbation by Kinsey
It was zoologist Alfred C. Kinsey who, thanks to his own wedding night, realized that he knew everything there was to know about the mating habits of gall wasps, but had no idea what went on below the belt in Homo sapiens. This realization drove him to conduct detailed research into human sexuality. As part of a study in the 1940s, he surveyed 10,000 Americans about their sexuality. He published his findings in 1948 under the title “Sexual Behavior in the Human Male.” His work shocked the world before changing it. Time magazine called the study a “social atomic bomb.”
The studies, also known as the Kinsey Reports, remain the most extensive project in the history of sexology. As part of his study, Kinsey was able to statistically prove how many men masturbate (92%) and how many men have had sexual experiences with other men (37% of men reported having homosexual experiences). Kinsey’s findings were a social atomic bomb primarily because homosexuality was a criminal offense in many places at the time and masturbation was considered a mortal sin.
Do gay Americans masturbate often?
This question was already explored in a representative survey in the US in 2012. In the “National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior,” 96% of homosexual men surveyed said they had masturbated at least once. 80% of participants also said they had masturbated in the past 30 days. Such results indicate that masturbation is widespread among gay men and that masturbation is practiced.
Figures on masturbation frequency
A study called The GAy MEn Sex StudieS was conducted in Belgium. This study examined 1,752 Belgian men who have sex with men (MSM). The results showed that 42.5% of the men surveyed masturbated 1–3 times a week. 37.7% said they masturbated daily and 10.3% masturbated several times a day. It was noticeable that younger men under the age of 26 in particular reported masturbating almost daily. So if you are young and often touch yourself, that is perfectly fine.
Apparently, gay men masturbate more often than straight men
It’s always an interesting question whether gay men do things differently than straight men. That’s why a Japanese company specializing in men’s sex toys investigated how often gay men masturbate in 2018 and conducted an international study (Tenga Global Self-Pleasure Report).
This international survey had more than 13,000 participants from 18 countries and found, among other things, that 95% of gay and bisexual men masturbate. According to their own statements, only 83% of the heterosexual men surveyed did so. The surveys also showed that gay and bisexual men masturbate on average 23% more often per week than heterosexual men. These figures indicate a significantly higher level of openness and frequency in the LGBTQIA+ community when it comes to masturbation.
Study on HIV-positive MSM in Belgium
In a study also conducted in Belgium with 72 HIV-positive MSM,
42% of respondents reported masturbating daily and 88% of participants masturbated at least once a week. It is believed that this frequency of masturbation among participants could be related to the specific living conditions and health aspects of this group.
Why do gay men masturbate more often?
There are several possible explanations for the higher masturbation frequency among homosexual men. One factor that may influence this is a more open sexual culture. In the LGBTQIA+ community, masturbation is probably much less stigmatized and is seen as a normal part of sexuality.
Another factor could be the ease of access to sexual content today. Nowadays, it is relatively easy to access all kinds of pornographic content specifically tailored to gay men. This could influence the frequency of masturbation among gay men.
In addition to those already mentioned, there are also social and psychological factors. Perhaps gay men masturbate to relieve stress. So-called self-exploration and dealing with social norms may also play a role.
How often do gay men masturbate – is masturbation even healthy?
To this day, many men are unsure about masturbation. They ask themselves questions such as: “How often do men masturbate on average?” and “How often is it okay to masturbate?” The good news is that such uncertainties are completely unnecessary, as they stem from a time when masturbation was considered a sin and jerking off was frowned upon as something that would make you sick (jerking off was supposedly linked to blindness and bone loss).
It has now been proven that masturbation is in no way harmful to your health. On the contrary: when you give yourself sexual pleasure, you release new energy and also find sex with your partner much more fulfilling. So there is no limit to how often you can masturbate. You can masturbate as often as you want. Some men masturbate up to ten times a day, others don’t masturbate at all. Your need to masturbate can vary greatly and depends on factors such as your age, your mood, any medical conditions you may have and, of course, your individual life situation.
How often do gay men masturbate in old age?
Masturbation in old age is an exciting yet taboo topic among homosexuals. Although your body changes with age, this does not mean that you cannot or should not feel sexual desire as an older man. Personal accounts and conversations with more mature men make it clear that even men over 70 or 80 still feel their sexuality and want to live it out.
There are various articles on this topic that shed light on different aspects of sexuality in old age, such as aids necessary for arousal, and show that sexuality also plays an important role in old age. An American study showed that half of men in the last third of their lives still masturbate. Among men in a marriage or partnership, the figure was as high as 52%. So you see that the question “Do gay men masturbate in old age?” can definitely be answered with a yes. Basically, everyone is allowed to masturbate as often and to whatever age they want. That’s why there is no age limit for masturbation. Masturbation is always associated with self-confident, loving treatment of one’s own body. This is precisely what helps older people maintain their autonomy and live the life they want in old age.
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