Does Masturbation Really Burn Calories? - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeDoes Masturbation Really Burn Calories?

Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST-S — Written by Annamarya Scaccia — Updated on October 10, 2019

How does it work?
How to burn more calories
Other health benefits
Takeaway

Is it possible?

It’s no secret that masturbation can relieve stress, help you sleep better, and boost your overall mood. But did you know that masturbation can burn calories, too?

Anecdotal reports suggest that one solo session can burn, at a minimum, between five and six calories. It all depends on how long, hard, and fast you’re going at it, and if you climax.

But don’t cancel your gym membership just yet. Even if you ramp up the heat, what you burn won’t be enough to replace your regular workout.

Read on to find out why this sexploration can knock out a few calories and how you can kick things into overdrive.

What’s the theory behind this?

Think of masturbation as a workout. When you indulge in a little solo play, you’re getting your blood pumping and your heart rate up. The longer and more intense the session, the more calories you’re likely to burn. You expend the most energy when you climax, which means you may burn more calories during orgasm.

But — and this is a big but — masturbation isn’t as vigorous an activity as, say, partner sex or running on a treadmill. You’re unlikely to burn the same number of calories as you would by enjoying some foreplay with another person. For comparison, research shows that a 175-pound person can burn up to 200 calories during a 40-minute sex session.

What can you do to burn more calories?

The key to burning more calories while masturbating is to stay an active participant. That means really turning up the heat so you can get your blood pumping.

Duration, intensity, position, activity, and length of orgasm all affect how many calories you burn during masturbation.

Although slowly building up to an orgasm may seem like the way to go, being passive won’t get your heart rate up, no matter how long you take to masturbate.

Instead, focus on what you’re doing. Some techniques likely to burn more calories include:

moving your fingers faster and harder
vigorously using a toy on your clitoris and in your vagina
trying different positions, such as the pretend lover or squatting, while using toys
exploring your erogenous zones while you stimulate your clitoris and vagina

Are there other health benefits?

Burning calories isn’t the only potential physical benefit to masturbating. Studies and anecdotal reports suggest that a solo session may help you:

strengthen pelvic muscle tone
strength muscle tone in your anal area
relieve cramps and muscle tension
ease lower back pain in pregnancy
boost your immune system
induce sleep
enjoy better sex
lower prostate cancer risk

Not only that, but research has also shown that self-pleasure can also benefit your mental health. Masturbating may help you:

relieve built-up stress
improve your mood
calm down and relax
feel pleasure
release sexual tension
understand your wants and needs
explore different desires

And don’t forget: Masturbation offers sexual release without the risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

The bottom line

Solo play is a fun, natural, and safe way to learn about your body, practice self-love, and get a better sense of what turns you on between the sheets. The fact that masturbation can also burn calories is an added bonus.

Sure, you won’t lose five pounds from indulging in a little “you” time a few nights a week but getting your blood pumping and your heart rate up during a solo romp is good for your health. Plus, there are so many other benefits to self-pleasuring that there’s no reason for you not to enjoy it as often as you’d like.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Benefits of masturbation. (2013).http://www.pamf.org/teen/sex/masturbation/#Health%20Benefits%20of%20Masturbation
Frapper J, et. al. (2013). Energy expenditure duringsexual activity in young healthy couples. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0079342
How much physical activity do adults need? (2015).https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
Rerkpattanapipat P, et. al. (2001). Sex and the heart: Whatis the role of the cardiologist? DOI:https://doi.org/10.1053/euhj.1999.2010
Will sex-ercise shed those extra pounds? (2013).http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/will-sex-ercise-shed-those-extra-pounds

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Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST-S — Written by Annamarya Scaccia — Updated on October 10, 2019

Does Masturbation Really Burn Calories? - Healthline

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What’s the theory behind this?

What can you do to burn more calories?

Are there other health benefits?

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

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