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Does masturbation cause arm numbness and pain?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have been masturbating for about 11 years, and for a few weeks, my right elbow started aching. Numbness had appeared recently. I am a software engineer, and I am working with computer for the past 11 years.

When I sleep on my back and have my forearms over my chest, they become numb sometimes. So during sleep, I have to switch poses. But in the side pose also, if I have my hands bent the forehands become numb after a while. So, consciously, I have to keep my hands straight.

Apart from this, I also get some pain in my right elbow. Coming to my habits, as I am a software engineer, I work about 14 hours on the system per day.

I also used to masturbate daily by watching porn on my mobile. For this, I would lie on my back and hold the mobile in front of me with my right hand. This, over time, started to cause pain in my right hand, especially at the elbow, due to mobile weight.

Also, during long drives, my right elbow pains and slight numbness are felt now and then. It is not so much intense that I am unable to work, but it is disturbing, and I do not know how to put them to rest.

I read on the internet that it could be due to the ulnar nerve, and I seem to have subclinical hypothyroid. I am going to start taking thyroid tablets in the morning.

Please help me with my pain.

Answered by Dr. J. Mariano Anto Bruno Mascarenhas

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. J. Mariano Anto Bruno Mascarenhas is a highly experienced Neurosurgeon specializing in the diagnosis and surgical management of complex neurological conditions. His expertise includes brain and spine surgeries, minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques, trauma management, and patient-focused care. He is dedicated to advanced treatment planning, precision surgery, and improving neurological outcomes for his patients.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your question with care and understand that you have numbness in your hands when you sleep.

First and foremost, masturbation is physiological, and it is a normal phenomenon. It does not cause any problems or any side effects. It does not interfere with your general health and with your sex life. It does not cause hand numbness or elbow pain.

So, there is no need to stop it and worry about this. Please do not believe non-medical articles or rumors. Coming to your job with computers, this is repetitive strain, and it can be a reason for hand numbness. You need to consult a neurosurgeon in person to undergo a clinical examination, measurement of muscle, reflexes, and sensory system examination to know if there is a nerve compression, which causes the numbness.

Also, to know whether the numbness is just postural due to reduced blood flow. We cannot determine the cause of numbness without clinical examination. About hypothyroidism, I suggest you get your thyroid profile done before taking any drugs.

I hope it helps.

Revert in case of any doubts.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At April 13, 2017
Reviewed At May 7, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. J. Mariano Anto Bruno Mascarenhas is a highly experienced Neurosurgeon specializing in the diagnosis and surgical management of complex neurological conditions. His expertise includes brain and spine surgeries, minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques, trauma management, and patient-focused care. He is dedicated to advanced treatment planning, precision surgery, and improving neurological outcomes for his patients.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. J. Mariano Anto Bruno Mascarenhas is a highly experienced Neurosurgeon specializing in the diagnosis and surgical management of complex neurological conditions. His expertise includes brain and spine surgeries, minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques, trauma management, and patient-focused care. He is dedicated to advanced treatment planning, precision surgery, and improving neurological outcomes for his patients.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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