The history of masturbation dates back to pre-historic times as indicated by cave paintings and artifacts. Depictions of male masturbation are common in the ancient world.

Condemnation of masturbation dates back to the days of fertility-worship. Judeo-Christian tradition used Genesis 38 to show that God frowned upon masturbation. Onan of Judah was having sex with his brother's widow and "prematurely withdrew" in an attempt to not impregnate her. This is where the word "onanism" came from, and is the only mention of "seed spilling" in the Bible.

Between 1856 and 1919 the U.S. Patent Office granted patents for forty-nine anti-masturbation devices. Thirty-five were for horses and fourteen for humans.

In 1994, former United States Surgeon General, Dr. Joycelyn Elders, recommended that masturbation be included in sex education in schools. The recommendation was met with outrage and led to Dr. Elders' resignation.

The medical community later reiterated that safe-sex education could be the only ammunition against the spread of AIDS. Today, data shows that masturbation is among the most common of sexual activities, second only to intercourse.

• Orgasms release physical tension and emotional stress.
• Orgasms increase circulation and release "feel good" endorphins.
• Adolescents can use masturbation to delay the loss of their virginity.
• Masturbation is an alternative to engaging in extra-marital affairs.
• Regular ejaculations decrease the risk of prostate cancer in men.
• Masturbation can help a person with a difficulty in reaching an orgasm.
• Masturbation is recommended to men who suffer from premature ejaculation enabling them to learn to delay their orgasms.

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