You may be aware that masturbation improves your mood and relieves accumulated stress. Ever wondered if masturbation harms kidney health? Or, whether it could damage your kidneys?

In case you’re looking for these answers, you’re not alone. There are a handful of myths associated with masturbation and kidney health, which need to be debunked.

It was once believed that your kidneys stored semen, and ejaculating and masturbating frequently could cause bodily imbalances that could result in illness.

This theory is unsupported by science, and there is no proof that frequent ejaculation or masturbation has any negative health effects, especially on kidneys.

What is Masturbation?

Before we dive into the connection between Masturbation and kidney health, we must understand what Masturbation is. As you may already know, Masturbation is the self-stimulation of your genitals or other sensitive areas of your body for sexual arousal or pleasure.

It’s a common behaviour among people of all sexes, genders and ages. Masturbation plays an important role in healthy sexual development. It’s a normal, natural way to explore your body, feel pleasure and reach the point of sexual release (orgasm).

Does Masturbation Affect Your Kidneys?

The belief that masturbation harms your kidneys is false. Simply put, no, masturbation does not affect your kidneys.

You may have heard that masturbation causes your body to lose nutrients, which could be detrimental for your kidneys.

But the fact is, expelling semen does not cause your body to lose nutrients, as semen contains minimal nutrients. The amount of protein you would lose when ejaculating is very minimal¹ and would not affect your kidneys.

You might associate pain in your lower back while masturbating, with your kidneys, but a kidney problem would rarely be the culprit. It could be down to kidney stones in some cases, but kidney stones are not linked to masturbation.

A small study carried out in 2021 had some interesting results. It showed masturbating at least three to four times per week could increase the spontaneous passage of small distal urethral stones (kidney stones that have gotten stuck) in men. It was found to be as effective as medication.

Kidney and ureteral stones are extremely painful, but masturbating could have a positive impact.

However, you should speak to your doctor about any health concerns rather than trying to fix the problem yourself.

The Reality of Masturbation Effect on Kidneys

Found on both sides, the kidneys are responsible for turning extra waste and water into urine. The tube through which the urine ultimately gets released is called the urethra.

When a man indulges in sexual intercourse or masturbates and gets an erection, the internal sex plumbing shuts off the bladder. The sphincter at the base of the bladder closes. This ensures no urine flows, contaminates, or kills the sperm cells of the individual. The kidneys, urethra, uterus, and bladder all work together.

So, there's no effect of masturbation on kidneys. They keep functioning in the usual manner.

Some people believe that a loss of nutrients and protein through semen can lead to kidney damage. However, there's no solid scientific backing behind this theory. There's only about 0.25gm of protein in one ejaculation of semen.

One can replenish this amount easily. So, all in all, nutrition loss isn't so severe and doesn't lead to kidney damage.

What Might Cause Pain in Your Kidneys After Masturbation?

It is unlikely that masturbation itself would cause pain in the kidneys.

However, if you are experiencing pain in the kidney area after masturbation, it could be due to an underlying medical condition that is unrelated to the act of masturbation.

• Some potential causes of kidney pain may include kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or other kidney-related conditions.

• It's important to speak with a healthcare provider if you are experiencing persistent or severe kidney pain, as prompt medical attention is often needed to address the underlying condition and prevent complications.

• Additionally, if you are experiencing pain in the lower back or abdominal area, it could be related to muscle strain or other medical conditions. So it's a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.

• If you don’t follow good hygiene practices when masturbating, it’s possible that you can develop a urinary tract infection (UTI). People with vaginas are much more likely than people with penises to get a UTI because they have a shorter urethra.

Symptoms of a UTI include:

• burning when urinating

• frequent urge to urinate

• abdominal pain

• foul-smelling urine

• cloudy urine

• blood in your urine

If left untreated, UTIs can spread to your kidneys. A kidney infection is a potentially serious condition that requires prompt medical treatment. Along with the symptoms of a bladder infection, it can cause:

• fever

• sharp pain in your lower back

• nausea

• vomiting

• chills

If you’re dealing with any type of concerning pain after masturbating, it’s a good idea to seek medical attention as soon as possible for proper examination and treatment.

Masturbation Consequences

1. Excess Masturbation Causes Weakness

Does masturbation cause weakness? No, it doesn't. However, masturbating in excess can lead to fatigue. Semen is known to contain vital minerals and vitamins, ejaculating in excess results in your body feeling weak.

2. Excessive Masturbation Causes Back Pain

If you're wondering if masturbation causes back pain, the answer is no, it doesn't. In most cases, back pain after masturbation results from your posture during the act. But as mentioned above, keeping it in check is vital as extreme masturbation is harmful to your entire body and can cause back pain. It can be relieved with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine and a heat pack.

3. Over Masturbation Side Effects on Eyes

Over masturbation can lead to blurry visions. Research suggests that blurry visions are caused by nitric oxide deficiency, which escalates from over masturbation. This deficiency can lead to diminishing vision and sunken eyes with dark circles.

Side Effects of Masturbation

Are there any downsides to masturbating regularly? Potentially, yes.

Physical side effects

Masturbating very often could cause:

• Chafing and tender skin

• Slight swelling of the penis

• Decreased sexual sensitivity

The physical side effects of masturbation are rare and usually go away on their own after a few days. You might want to avoid masturbating shortly before having sex to avoid sensitivity issues.

If these side effects continue or worsen, speak to your doctor.

Mental side effects

Masturbating can affect you mentally in these ways:

• Addiction

• Feelings of guilt

FAQs

1. Are there any nutrients in semen that could damage the kidneys? What is the composition of semen?

Protein makes up a very small portion of semen; its main constituents are water, fructose, and citric acid. There is no effect on kidney function from the small amount of protein lost during ejaculation.

2. Can urine stones be passed through masturbation?

Based on increased pelvic floor muscle contractions during ejaculation, some studies have suggested that masturbation may aid in the passage of small kidney stones (5–10 mm). To validate this, though, more investigation is required.

3. Are kidney pains caused by masturbation?

Although some people experience back pain following masturbation, the kidneys are not likely to be the cause of this pain. Muscle tenseness or irritation is more likely to be the source of this pain. It's crucial to see a doctor if you continue to feel pain after masturbating in order to rule out any underlying medical issues.

4. Is there a certain amount of time that masturbation should be done in order to prevent kidney damage?

When masturbating out of personal desire rather than coercion, there is no set frequency that is advised. Regardless of how often you participate, it is a safe and healthy activity.

5. When it comes to masturbation and kidney health, should I see a doctor?

It is usually preferable to speak with your doctor if you have any worries regarding the health of your kidneys or your sex. They are able to answer your particular inquiries and offer tailored counsel.