For an activity enjoyed by basically all men, the number of myths about masturbation is nothing short of amazing. Since masturbation often contributes to better penis health, it’s important that men feel comfortable pleasuring themselves when moved to do so. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the myths that have proliferated about masturbation and get to the truth about them.

Masturbation causes blindness. Or hairy palms. Seriously now? If this one were true, there wouldn’t be an adult male getting around without a seeing eye dog and barbers would spend much more time cutting the hair on hands than on heads. These popular myths developed because of parental desire to keep boys from masturbating. Didn’t work now, did it?

Masturbation causes impotence. Quite the opposite for many men. Guys who spend a lot of time gratifying themselves often make much better lovers. They know what their penis likes and so are able to better position themselves during sex to take advantage of that information. They also typically learn more about stamina and so can often delay their ejaculations longer than they would otherwise. Yes, there are some men who masturbate a lot and have trouble engaging in partner sex; but usually this has less to do with masturbation than with other physical or psychological factors.

Cereal dampens the desire to masturbate. This myth came about because John Harvey Kellogg (founder of Kellogg’s cereals) was very vocally against sex and masturbation. He believed that cereals had a de-stimulating effect on people and could be used to control a young man’s lust. So, corn flakes versus orgasm - which is really likely to win?

Men who masturbate daily can’t father a child. Very definitely not true - and something any man needs to know before using masturbation as a form of birth control! Studies have demonstrated that even men who masturbate daily still produce more than enough sperm to score a date with a waiting egg.

Only single men masturbate. Solo-based sex continues to be a big part of people’s lives even when they are in committed, long-term relationships with frequent partner-based sex. One survey indicates that 70% of married men still masturbate regularly.

Young boys who masturbate become sex addicts. Again, if this were true, the world would be overrun with sex addicts. Masturbation is a normal part of most people’s childhoods and a valuable way for a young person to learn what his body likes and doesn’t like.

Men who masturbate frequently get embarrassing public erections. Many men walk around with big bulges at inopportune moments - but unless a guy has just been feeling himself up, this has nothing to do with self-pleasuring. (Besides, a lot of guys enjoy sporting an obvious erection.)

Masturbation will give a guy a lower voice. It’s hard to trace the logic behind this, except that when an adolescent boy is able to ejaculate semen, it is likely that his voice soon will be (or has been) undergoing a change. But there’s no reason to assume that a man with a basso profundo voice masturbates more than a man who can hit a high C.

Most masturbation myths have no validity to them, but there is one masturbation tale that is true: Too much rough handling can create a sore penis. Using a first-class penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) is one way to address that issue. When the penis is sore, the skin is often dry, cracked or otherwise distressed. Adding a crème with a combination of moisturizers (such as Shea butter and vitamin E) is essential to providing penis skin relief and soothing the sore penis. When that rough handling has actually caused a loss of sensation, a crème with neuroprotective acetyl L-carnitine can help restore lost sensitivity. This ingredient battles the peripheral nerve damage that can cause a penis to experience sensation in a diminished manner. With Man1 Man Oil as part of the daily regimen, a penis is in much better shape to withstand serious masturbation.