What is paraphilia?

“Para” means ‘beyond’, and “philia” means love. This includes Fetishism, Transvestism, Zoophilia, Podophilia, Exhibitionism, Voyeurism, Sexual Masochism, Sexual Sadism, and others. They are more common in males than among females.

Fetishism: the condition in which a person is dependent on a talisman or fetish object, substance, or part of the body in order to obtain erotic arousal and facilitate or achieve orgasm.

Transvestism: behaviorally, the act of dressing in the clothes of the opposite sex; psychically, the condition of feeling compelled to cross-dress, often in relation to sexual arousal and attainment of orgasm.

Zoophilia: the condition of being responsive to, or depending on, sexual activity with an animal in order to obtain erotic arousal and facilitate orgasm; also known as bestiality. Sexual contact (oral or genital) with an animal may occur sporadically in the course of human development without leading to long-term zoophilia.

Pedophilia: the condition in which an adult is responsive or dependent on the imagery or actuality of erotic/sexual activity with a pre-pubertal or early pubertal boy or girl, in order to obtain erotic arousal and facilitate or achieve orgasm. A pedophiliac may be a male or a female. Pedophilic activity may be replayed in fantasy during masturbation or copulation with an older partner.

Exhibitionism: the condition of being responsive to or dependent on the surprise, debasement, shock, or outcry of stranger (usually female) unexpectedly exposed to the sight of the genitals, in order to obtain one’s erotic arousal and facilitate or achieve orgasm. The actual event may be replayed in a masturbation or coital fantasy.

Voyeurism: It is also called as scoptophilia. The desire to observe the genital of others or to watch sexual intercourse becomes the condition of erotic excitement and gratification. A voyeur is also known as a “peeping Tom.” The actual event may be replayed in masturbation or a coital fantasy.

Masochism: the condition of being responsive to or being dependent on receiving punishment and humiliation in order to obtain erotic arousal and facilitate or achieve orgasm. As the partner of a sadist, a person may impersonate a masochist for commercial gain, within the limits set by the pain threshold.

Sadism: the condition of being responsive to or dependent on punishing or humiliating one’s partner in order to obtain erotic arousal and facilitates orgasm. A person, especially a woman, may impersonate a sadist to oblige masochistic partners for commercial gain.

Frottage: rubbing or pressing against some object, usually the buttocks of a fully clothed woman, in public places, becomes the condition for sexual excitement.

Gorontophilia: the condition in which one prefers to obtain sexual gratification from an elderly person.

Necrophilia: in this condition, gratification is obtained by indulging in sexual activity with a corpse.

How should parents react to their child’s masturbation ?

Parents are usually disturbed when they find out that their child indulges in masturbation. They should understand that this is a normal stage of psychosexual development and a normal expression of childhood sexuality for males and females. It is neither indicative of psychopathology nor of potentially preferential homosexuality in adulthood. They should be very careful not to arouse any fear in the child by scolding or punishing him or making a big issue out of it. In particular the child should not be told any anxiety provoking statements such as, masturbation will damage his sex life or make him insane or lead to genital dysfunction or deformity. Parents should realize that as the child develops it will continue to have strong sexual urges, he/she will be more expressive about his/her sexuality, and will need to find some manner of release. Parents should realize that any anxiety provoking statements at this crucial incipient developmental stage will be detrimental to the child’s psyche. They should provide their constructive support if and when the child solicits it, doing no more; otherwise antagonism and failure are likely. The wisdom of this should be apparent to anyone who reflects upon his personal childhood memories.

Does masturbation lead to curvature of the penis?

No. Just as intercourse does not lead to any curvature of the penis, so also masturbation does not lead to any curvature.

Is semen vital? Does dissipation of semen devitalize a man and promote aging?

Semen is being secreted day in and day out by the genital apparatus. Sperms constitute less than one. percent of seminal fluid, the rest of the fluid is the secretion of the accessory sexual glands, prostate & seminal vesicles. It is being formed for being excreted and cannot be stored even if one wants to do so. Barring conception, semen is not vital. That one drop of semen is equal to hundred drops of blood, which in turn requires a lot of nourishing food, is one of the most rampant sexual myths prevalent.

Is masturbation harmful ?

Is coitus harmful ? Then how can masturbation be harmful, because essentially masturbation mimics coitus. What the penis does in the vagina during intercourse is the same as what the penis in the hand or the finger does in the vagina during masturbation. It is a myth that masturbation causes acne, insanity, impotence, dark circles around the eyes etc. In fact, it trains the individual’s neurological system to respond. It also provides a pleasurable safety valve or outlet for the release of sexual tension, thus reducing the incidence of sexual crimes, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS.

Is excessive masturbation harmful ?

Firstly, there is no such thing as excessive masturbation. Besides, just as excess of coitus cannot lead to weakness so also an excess of masturbation cannot lead to weakness. The individual mechanics of masturbation and coitus are the same. In masturbation they occur singly and in coitus they occur conjugally. Further, physiologically, it is disuse which is abuse as it is dis-use and not use which leads to atrophy. Does the tongue become weak in a talkative person and strong if one observes silence ?

I have come across a person who used to masturbate three times a day, regularly for 12 years. When he was examined later, his general condition was good, his blood examination (metabolic profile), and hormonal assays did not reveal any abnormality. His semen analysis was normal, there were no signs suggestive of any disturbance in the genital function and his performance was good.

Is there any treatment for masturbation ?

Masturbation per se is not an illness and hence does not require any treatment whatsoever. It requires treatment, if and only if, it becomes obsessive or compulsive and the individual perceives it to be a problem, and not otherwise. In this case the basic problem is psychological and it is the underlying disorder which merits therapy and not masturbation.

What are the most common sexual myth you come across?

Sexual myths and misconceptions leading to anxiety are the most common sexual problem. Commonest myths are those related to masturbation or dissipation of semen. Other prevalent myths are about celibacy, virginity, passing ‘dhat’ or ‘veerya’ in the urine, aphrodisiacs etc. These myths are being handed down from one generation to the next and, as a result, many people imagine more problems than they actually have.

What is masturbation?

Masturbation is a deliberate stimulation of the genitals for pleasure, which may or may not be pursued to the point of orgasm.

How do men masturbate?

For men, the commonest method is to fold the palm and fingers over the penis, so as to encircle it and produce friction by to and fro movements, often till orgasm and ejaculation are reached. Variations such as making coital movements against bed clothes, a pillow, pressing against some obje0cts etc. are also reported.

Do women masturbate? How?

Yes, women do indulge in masturbation. The usual method is by rubbing a finger on the clitoris. The female anatomy permits considerable variations such as thigh rubbing, rubbing clothing between the thighs and making vulval movements, instrumental masturbation by inserting an object into the vagina, striking the clitoris with a water jet etc.