NHS urged to prescribe masturbation to boost people’s mental health

The health benefits of masturbation have been promoted before.

For example, doctors believe that for men it can help prevent prostate cancer.

But now the NHS is being urged to promote the world’s cheapest entertainment as a boost for mental health.

Sex to manufacturer LELO UK has penned an open letter to the Department of Health, urging medics to prescribe masturbation to patients as part of a wider wellness programme.

The letter comes shortly after the company's survey revealed that 78% of Brits say orgasms make them happier, whether they have them alone with a partner, or connected to a partner over the internet .

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The survey, of 2,000 Brits, also found that 66% said they feel more productive after having an orgasm, with 40% claiming they benefit from the happiness and productivity-boosting effects of an orgasm for up to five days afterwards.

Marcella Zanchi, a Marketing Specialist for LELO UK said: “We call on the Department of Health to act now and review and refresh the current practices when treating wellness issues, and to include the prescription of masturbation and self-pleasure to patients as and where needed as part of a wider wellness programme.”

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The idea isn’t entirely new. Vibrators were being prescribed as a treatment for ‘hysteria’ – a vague pseudo-mescal term covering everything from anxiety to sexual frustration – as far back as the 1890s.

Since then, several studies have shown the positive side-effects of masturbation, including reducing stress, improving sleep, and boosting endorphins.

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Kate Moyle, a sex therapist at LELO UK, said: “The function of pleasure is to make us feel good; and self-pleasure and masturbation can have positive benefits for our health in a variety of ways, including the release of the hormone oxytocin which can lower cortisol levels, getting to know our bodies better, and building sexual self-confidence."

So you can wait for your GP to write you a prescription, or you can just take matters in hand yourself. It’s up to you.

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