increased sex drive

[blahaj78]

I’ve been on testosterone HRT for a while now, and just very recently I figured out how to jack off in a way that works for me. And I am really feeling the increased sex drive that comes from t. I feel like masturbating every day, sometimes even twice a day. I’ve started consuming more porn in various forms. And it feels great.
But I wonder if I should at all. Because when I was younger, I would see a lot of messages about the dangers of getting addicted to porn, and guys being praised for stopping. And that it was a weak thing to do, and that you should build self discipline. But I don’t want to stop. And I don’t know if that’s a bad thing or not. I like it too much. And I’m scared of if masturbating will become intrusive to my daily life.

And also, I really have been craving a sexual partner. Desperately. And I don’t know what to do about it, because I will not be getting one any time soon. I feel lonely.

[char]

Hi blahaj78, welcome to the boards! I don't have a Blahaj plush myself, but I sure love how it's become a source of comfort and inside joke among trans folks! I'm also happy that you've figured a masturbating method for yourself.

To answer your first question: we can't get "addicted" to masturbating and pornography. It's not the framework we (and many other sex educators out there) use to approach people who might feel conflicted about their engagement with porn. Coincidentally, one of our recent articles on the site is about this topic, since you're not the first person to ask us about it: The Facts on Porn and Sex "Addiction". After reading the piece, does it answer any of your concerns?

I don't think you need to stop masturbating if you don't want to. Especially when you seem to be at a point in your transitioning journey where you are comfortable with exploring your sexuality, in a body that's more aligned with your gender identity. You're not "weak" for not refusing yourself out of sexual pleasure. If anything, there are many other ways you can prove your self-discipline that doesn't take away masturbation from you. Exercising/working out, learning a new skill, and even being helpful to those around you can be your outlets for channeling your passion and commitment. Do you get what I mean?

I (or another volunteer) will get to your second question later!