Specialists and people who have chosen to give up masturbation have shared a range of personal and scientific perspectives on what can change over time
The discussion resurfaced after former The Bachelor contestant Madison Prewett revealed she had abstained from masturbation for a decade.
Masturbation is often associated with potential health benefits, including claims that it may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, Prewett has said her decision was rooted in faith and personal conviction rather than physical health concerns. Speaking on her Stay True podcast in 2025, she reflected on what she described as a long battle with pornography.
“This has been a struggle,” she said. “This has been a huge part of my testimony, something I’ve struggled with since middle school.”
“And thankfully, by the grace of God, and by the power of the Godly community and people around me, I have been free from porn and masturbation for…I don’t even know, 10 years?”
Her comments have prompted broader questions: what actually happens when someone stops masturbating permanently? Experts point to several areas where changes may occur.
Physical effects
One of the most immediate areas of impact can be the body. According to Dr. Sharon Stills, writing for Women’s Health Network, orgasm in women causes the uterus to “lifts” off the pelvic floor, temporarily increasing muscle tension and strengthening that region. Research published in 2015 suggested that women who reported more frequent sexual activity often demonstrated stronger pelvic floor muscles.
That said, pelvic strength can also be improved through targeted exercises, without sexual activity.
For men, extended periods without ejaculation may increase the likelihood of nocturnal emissions, commonly known as wet dreams.
Mental and emotional shifts
Masturbation triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Removing that stimulus may alter mood and energy levels.
A 2022 study conducted at the University of Innsbruck found that men who abstained from masturbation and pornography for three weeks reported reduced fatigue and shyness, along with greater activity and self-control.
Experiences are not uniform. One writer for InStyle described negative side effects after quitting, saying she “developed a low-grade headache, felt an increase in my stress levels, and was so irritable that after a week of snapping at my co-workers, one of them finally yelled, “WHY are you in such a BAD mood?””.
Impact on relationships
Interestingly, the same InStyle contributor noted improvements in her partnered sex life during abstinence. She explained: “Because I was hornier, I was genuinely excited from the get-go during partner sex, instead of taking my usual 20 minutes to warm up and decide this was more fun than watching Project Runway after all.”
On the other hand, sex therapist Melinda DeSeta argued in Psychology Today: “Masturbation can help embrace body positivity. The more a person has a healthy experience exploring their erotic zones, and learning their pleasure principles, the healthier and sexier they will feel and appear to a partner.”
In practical terms, abstinence may heighten desire for some individuals, while others may benefit from continued self-exploration to build confidence and intimacy.
Focus and discipline
Supporters of long-term abstinence sometimes claim improvements in focus and productivity. A journalist writing for Vice described a 21-day break by saying it “turned my life around; I got work done, I kept my house clean, I finished off personal projects that procrastination had always forbid me from finishing”.
However, outlets such as Healthline note there is limited scientific evidence directly linking abstinence from masturbation to measurable gains in concentration or sleep quality.
Changing perceptions of sex
Finally, abstaining can shift how a person views intimacy and desire. Some individuals report feeling more in control of impulses, while others describe a sense of emotional or sexual disconnection.
Not all academics endorse abstinence as beneficial. Professor Jim Pfaus told Vice: “[Masturbation] is a great stress reducer—there’s evidence that having sex or masturbating can reduce our resting heart rate for up to 12 hours. Plus, it does our sex lives the world of good to learn our sexual rhythms.”
He added: “We connect [through masturbation] to the types of action that we see in erotic or pornographic visual stimuli. This feeds our sexual fantasies, which is an enrichment of our creative process.”
Ultimately, research and personal accounts show that responses vary widely. The effects of quitting masturbation appear to depend on individual biology, psychology, relationship context, and personal beliefs.
