A study by researchers at University College London, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, suggests that masturbation can help fight genital infections.
The researchers used data on the history of masturbation in primates for the survey. Information was collected from hundreds of publications, as well as questionnaire responses and personal notes from primatologists and zoo keepers.
Through studies, research has shown that masturbation is an evolutionarily acquired strategy to drive out diseasecausing microorganisms in the genital area. The scientists found “strong evidence for a coevolution between masturbation and the emergence of pathogens in men”.
The act has been observed to be more common in males of larger primates, who cannot bend down to clean their genitals orally.
By looking at history, the researchers also concluded that masturbation rates were lower in species that lacked the presence of pathogens in the genital tract. This led to the fact that the individual act of pleasure disappeared over time.
The study also showed that masturbation was used for reproduction by many more sensitive primates, who used just enough intercourse to increase arousal before having sex with the female. This technique accelerated fertilization, prevented the arrival of another stronger male, and prevented the completion of the act.
Another theory holds that masturbation would help eliminate aging sperm, renewing production and increasing the chances of fertilization.
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