Two Australian researchers confirmed what many men already know, but would surely anger some religious groups. Anthony Santella and Spring Chenoa Cooper from the University of Sydney said masturbation helps prevent several ailments, including cystitis, diabetes and prostate cancer.

They added this sexual practice, of which 94 per cent of males and 84 per cent of females admit, is sometimes done even by babies from inside the womb.

For women, jacking off has the additional benefit of preventing cervical infections and urinary tract infections through opening of the cervix that happens when arousal takes place.

Mr Santella, a public health scientist, explained in the Web site, the Conversation, "Tenting stretches the cervix, and thus the cervical mucous. This enables fluid circulation, allowing cervical fluids full of bacteria to be flushed out."

Wanking, as masturbation is often called in Australia, helps lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by reducing insomnia through hormonal and tension release. It likewise helps prevent depression due to the release of endorphins and partly boosts levels of hormone cortisol that improve the immune system.

It also increases pelvic floor strength through contractions which take place during an orgasm.

Masturbating also helps prevent prostate cancer because it helps release toxins from the prostate gland, which could also be achieved when having sex with a partner.

Jacking off also protects women from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases that could cause infertility.

The Aussie academics, however, did not touch on the moral issues that some religions, like the Roman Catholic church, bring up why they thumb down self-pleasuring. Among religion's objection is that masturbation often involves sexual fantasy about another person which falls under the sin of lust.

There had been numerous studies before that had cited the various benefits of masturbation, such as this one.

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