【Masturbation and ED : Supervised by a medical doctor】

It goes without saying that sexual intercourse requires a partner. Broadly speaking, any case where insufficient erection leads to difficulty in sexual intercourse can potentially fall under the category of ED. Simply having an erection does not rule out ED.

In fact, many individuals are able to masturbate but experience unsatisfactory sexual intercourse with a partner. Considering the aforementioned criteria, such cases can be considered as a broader definition of ED.

Why does this phenomenon occur? The secret lies in the autonomic nervous system. As I mentioned in a previous column, the neural system necessary for achieving an erection is called the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system predominates during periods of relaxation, while the sympathetic nervous system takes over when one is under stress.

Since masturbation involves only oneself, it can be said that it occurs in the most relaxed state. In other words, there is a possibility that the parasympathetic nervous system is more dominant during masturbation compared to sexual intercourse.

Therefore, while masturbation may be possible, one may not achieve a sufficient erection during sexual intercourse. In such cases, the failure of sexual intercourse can become an additional source of stress, leading to a vicious cycle. To avoid falling into this cycle, early treatment with ED medication is recommended.

【Supervisor of this article】

Ken Takemori, MD. An anesthesiologist and Director of Shibuya 3rd Block Clinic.