A new study by University of Sydney claims that masturbation has a host of health benefits. It can apparently prevent serious health conditions such as cystitis, diabetes and prostate cancer.

"For women, masturbation can help prevent cervical infections and urinary tract infections through the process of 'tenting,' or the opening of the cervix that occurs as part of the arousal process. Tenting stretches the cervix, and thus the cervical mucous. This enables fluid circulation, allowing cervical fluids full of bacteria to be flushed out," the researcher said in The Conversation, a website where academics write opinion pieces.

The researchers claim that 'touching of own genitals' prevents prostate cancer in men as it ejects potential cancer-causing agents.

According to a nationally representative US sample, about 94 per cent of men and 85 percent of women have admitted to masturbating. Touching one's own genitals for pleasure is considered a natural part of healthy sexual development.

Prior to this finding, it is believed that masturbation causes blindness, insanity and infertility, and can even make sexual organs fall off.

In fact, it protects people from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that normally lead to infertility.

The act of self-pleasuring also lowers the risk of developing type-2 diabetes; through the release of hormones and tension, it reduces insomnia; increases pelvic strength through the contractions that occur during orgasm and prevents depression by increasing the amount of endorphins in the bloodstream.

People who orgasm regularly has reduced stress, blood pressure and pain, and increased self-esteem.