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Does Female Masturbation Cause Pimples & Acne ~ Research-Backed

Adrija Chakraborty -
Table of Contents +


Pimples are a part of every woman’s life. At some point or the other, they creep up on your face due to myriad reasons. But fear not because you don’t have to live with this reality. Often, masturbation practices are blamed for pimple and acne formation among women. Is this true? Does female masturbation lead to pimples? Can masturbation cause acne? What are some masturbation effects on your skin? Read on to discover the truth and put this question to rest, once and for all.

Does Masturbation Cause Pimples?

No, masturbation does not cause pimples. You might have heard these myths surrounding the act of masturbation since your high school days. Some people may also believe that engaging in female masturbation will lower their hormone levels leading to a new pimple outbreak.
However, that's far from true. These kinds of myths stem from a lack of research and the related stigma surrounding the act of female masturbation.

Does Masturbation Cause Acne?

No, masturbation does not cause acne. Puberty and the resultant changes that the body goes through can be scary for teenagers. The fear of developing new pimples overnight just because you masturbated can cause extra stress and unnecessary guilt.

During puberty, the body undergoes several hormonal changes, which are necessary for developing secondary sexual characteristics. The fluctuations in your hormone levels lead to the production of excess sebum that can contribute to the occurrence of pimples.

Also read: Does masturbation cause hair loss?

Where Did This Myth Come From?

The hormones that your body produces during puberty lead to an increase in the levels of sebum, an oily substance that is secreted from sebum glands. The primary role of sebum is to protect your skin, but excess sebum can also lead to clogging of pores which can cause acne.

Puberty is also a time when females may start exploring their bodies and masturbate. Though this has affected the hormones, it does not influence the levels of sebum that your body produces. This may explain the association of pimples with female masturbation.


The fear of developing pimples just because you masturbate may prevent people from engaging in the act of masturbation altogether. This also leads to the pertinent question of whether masturbation causes pimples or not. However, these myths are not true, and masturbation does not cause pimples. You can experience pimples at any age regardless of how many times you masturbate or don't.

Benefits of Masturbation

Masturbation contributes to improved health in various ways, as outlined below:

1. Masturbation Can Help You Sleep Better

The stress relief from good sex or masturbation might help with sleep because it brings you a happy mood—a less-stressed state.

2. It Helps Your Brain Get More Oxygen

Many brain regions are highly active during an orgasm, which indicates that a lot of oxygen is entering the brain. The increased blood flow and oxygen that comes with arousal results in a higher flow of blood and oxygen.

3. Masturbation Can Help You Relax

Additionally, going solo can be highly therapeutic. Stress-relieving chemicals, primarily oxytocin, are released during pleasurable activities like vaginal stimulation and orgasm.

4. Masturbation Can Be a Painkiller

According to a study, giving yourself a little self-love can help minimize discomfort. Researchers discovered that sexual activity helped relieve migraine symptoms in 60% of patients in a survey of over 800 patients published in Cephalalgia.

5. Masturbation is Like Popping a Happy Pill

Your solo time sets off a complex hormone ballet in your brain. Serotonin and dopamine are released during that process intricately, mimicking the hormonal balance associated with "happy".

Side Effects of Masturbation

Masturbation has no dire effects. Some people may feel guilty about masturbating or suffer from chronic masturbation. Other side effects include:

1. Guilt

Some people may feel guilty if they fear that masturbating would go against their moral or religious principles. Conversely, sharing these feelings with someone can help one overcome them. Self-pleasure is not harmful, and masturbation is neither sinful nor immoral.

2. Reduced Sexual Sensitivity

Some women tend to feel less sexual sensitivity when they masturbate aggressively. You could alter this side effect by using a vibrator to achieve an orgasm.

3. Prostate Cancer

It is still debatable if masturbating raises or decreases your risk of prostate cancer. A 2003 study found that aggressive prostate cancer was less likely to affect males in their 20s who ejaculated more frequently than five times per week. Researchers also discovered that males who ejaculated at least 20 times each month had a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.

4. Affects Day-to-day Life

Some people tend to masturbate more than they want, which can have the following effects:

  • Missing their jobs or significant occasions
  • Interfere with a person's ability to go about their everyday business
  • Interfere with their relationships
  • Escaping from reality

If you believe that masturbating is affecting you, you should consult a healthcare practitioner. The doctor might advise talk therapy to figure out how to handle the sexual activity.

Does Female Masturabation Cause Hormonal Imbalance

A rise in testosterone levels takes place when women wish to masturbate. Interestingly, the increase in T levels does not lead to having sex with a partner but indulging in self-sex.

A rise in testosterone among women implies a hormonal imbalance. Furthermore, a hormonal imbalance is one of the primary reasons for pimples. However, these hormonal alterations during female masturbation are minimal and disappear after the female orgasm. Hence, they cannot contribute to pimples.

Side Effects Of Female Masturbation On The Face And Skin

There are no scientifically recorded side effects of female masturbation on the face and skin. However, excessive or incorrect masturbation could have a few side effects that are mentioned below:

#1 Masturbation and Guilt

What? Yes! Masturbation guilt is real. Society conditions women not to take control over their bodies. Sometimes, religious, spiritual and moral inclinations do not sit well with individual desires. Hence, women feel guilt or doom if they masturbate or think about the same.

#2 Excessive Masturbation and Decreased Sensitivity

Masturbating excessively may cause a steady decrease in clitoral sensitivity. If you masturbate vigorously, it could also cause skin inflammation along your sensitive private parts.

#3 Masturbation Addiction

Masturbating too often may cause a masturbation dependency alone for women to feel sexual arousal at all. Too much self-sex can lead to damaged social relationships, missing appointments and important events, and ignoring loved ones. Hence, learning how to control masturbation habits is extremely important.

What Really Causes Acne & Pimple?

The main culprit behind that persistent occurrence of pimples is clogged pores. You tend to shed dead skin cells regularly. However, sometimes dead skin cells may get trapped in your pores, along with dirt and pollutants. This can lead to the development of blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and pimples.

This may come as a surprise, but your skin hosts several bacteria. Your face touches several things throughout the day. Small acts like keeping your phone near your face, putting your head down on a bench or table, touching your face after touching different surfaces, or just forgetting to remove makeup cause bacteria to accumulate on the skin.

Sometimes the bacteria may get into a pore and cause the pores to swell and redden. This can be severe for some people and lead to the development of cysts. You can also experience acne on other body parts such as your shoulders, arms, chest, back, etc., for the same reasons.

#1 Hormones

An imbalance in hormones causes the sebaceous gland in the female body to produce excess sebum or oil. What is sebum? It is a waxy substance forming a coating over your skin. While some sebum is vital to lubricate and protect your skin, an excess can clog skin pores resulting in pimples. Masturbation does not affect the amount of sebum the body produces and hence, is not linked to pimple formation.

#2 Dairy intolerance

Numerous women may have an intolerance to milk products and sugary foods that cause frequent breakouts on their skin and may not even be aware of it. Milk and foods like chocolates have been associated with acne among adults.

How To Get Rid Of Pimples?

#1 Kumkumadi Tailam for Pimples

This is one of the Ayurvedic remedies for pimples on the face. Suitable for oily skin, this Ayurvedic oil for pimples moisturizes your face, keeping excess oil or sebum at bay.

#2 CBD Oil for Pimples

CBD oil is an excellent natural remedy for curing acne. Its Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are just what you need for a healthy glow and collagen production. Moreover, CBD oil can also leave acne scars and an uneven skin tone behind.

#3 Salicylic Acid for Pimples

Using the correct amount of Salicylic acid-based products is a wise option for pimple treatment. The fragrance-free, non-comedogenic AHA BHA Acne Clearinf Gel from Be Bodywise is an excellent choice. The formulation of Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Niacinamide in this acne clearing gel gently but effectively exfoliates the skin to prevent further acne. Moreover, The Salicylic Acid in this AHA BHA gel fights acne-causing bacteria dries out current pimples and reduces overall visible inflammation.

More Tip on How to Get of Rid of Acne & Pimples

The first step would be to give your body time to fight acne, depending on how severe your breakouts tend to be. There are several methods available through which you can get rid of acne and pimples. These include using over-the-counter medications that focus on reducing pimples and acne marks. You can also use prescription medications that contain salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, which help clear up acne.

You can also start your journey towards healthier skin by identifying your skin type or isolating the trigger factors or products that cause your acne breakout. If you have oily skin, you can adopt a night care regimen that clears your pores and removes extra oil before bedtime. Here are some tips that can help you in achieving acne-free skin:

  • Wash your face in the morning and before going to bed. This helps clear your skin of any substances that may lead to a buildup that can clog your pores. Invest in a gentle face wash that suits your skin type and effectively removes any dirt and oil that you may have picked up.

  • Clean your face after any outdoor or physical activity that may have caused you to sweat. Sweating can also cause acne on other body parts due to an overgrowth of yeast. Washing your face after a workout will ensure that your pores do not get inflamed.

  • Sometimes dirt buildup can occur deep in your pores and cause them to break out. To prevent the same, invest in an exfoliant that is not harsh on your skin. You can exfoliate your skin two times a week to remove excessive oil buildup and dead skin cells.

  • Avoid certain ingredients that can act as irritants. Ingredients such as silicone, fragrances, parabens, talc, and alcohol can cause your skin to get irritated and break out. Choose products labelled as "non-comedogenic," which would indicate that the product is less likely to clog your pores.

Home Remedies to Treat Acne & Pimple

There are several natural products available online that can help you in getting rid of acne. We have listed some of the most popular ones below.

1. Tea Tree Oil

It is famous for its ability to fight bacteria and decrease skin inflammation. This essential oil works by fighting P.acnes and S. epidermis that cause pimples. Studies have proven the efficacy of tea tree oil in reducing pimples. However, tea tree oil can be quite concentrated and cause skin irritation in some cases. Hence, always use one to two drops of tea tree oil and mix it with your lotion or face wash before applying it to your skin.

2. Green Tea

It contains compounds such as tannins and flavonoids that help combat bacteria and prevent inflammation. Studies show that applying 2-3% of green tea extract reduces sebum production and results in less acne.

3. Aloe Vera

It is a plant that produces a clear gel that can reduce inflammation, fight bacteria, and soothe irritated skin. It is used for psoriasis, rashes, and other skin problems. Aloe vera contains compounds that help fight bacteria and reduce the chance of pimples.

When to See a Doctor?

You can visit a doctor if your current treatment doesn't help clear up acne in six to eight weeks. If you have painful cysts or severe acne, visit a dermatologist who can prescribe you the right medication and help you identify the trigger behind your breakouts. Your doctor may drain and remove large acne cysts and prescribe other procedures that may help in reducing acne.


Summing Up on Does Masturbation Cause Pimples & Acne

Masturbation does not cause acne. There are several reasons you may be experiencing acne, including hormonal changes, allergens, sensitive skin, etc. Commonly people tend to experience masturbation and acne breakouts together for the first time, which has become the source of confusion. This has led to the myth that female masturbation causes acne.

If you are experiencing persistent acne, there are several ways to combat the same. You can try using over-the-counter medications that reduce acne or go for natural products that contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Acne is a widespread condition and is experienced by people worldwide. It is important to remember that acne may not clear up overnight, and it may take some time to identify the right skin care regimen for you. In cases of severe acne, visit a doctor.

Also read: Masturbation effects on kidney and back pain

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