There are millions of men around the world who keep their masturbation secret, whether it's out of shame, fear or old-school politeness.

While we don't recommend starting a conversation about masturbation with a stranger, it's important to be able to be honest with your partner or friend.

First, because being honest about sex helps break down the stigma surrounding it. Second, you'll feel more confident about the future of your bedroom by casually discussing what you like.

There may be an element of not wanting to be considered "weird" that makes men reluctant to talk about masturbation. What if you've been doing the wrong thing all these years? Do you masturbate more than your peers? No one wants to be an outsider.

The countless misconceptions and taboos associated with masturbation don't help either.

According to a global survey by sex toy brand Arcwave, 47% of men never talk about masturbation. This almost misses half of the learning and laughter you get from it.

So, to help you talk more easily about this often quiet topic, we've rounded up the top questions you've been wanting to know answered -- and answered them.

Can you go blind from masturbation?
This is one of the most common old lady stories, passed down from generation to generation, that scares them too far to admit they masturbate.

Thankfully, this is little more than an urban legend, and millions of people entertaining themselves with unaffected vision have been proven wrong.

There was a case in 2014 where a man's retina bleeds after "vigorous" sexual activity, but the damage isn't limited to sex and can be caused by anything that puts "excessive force" on the eye.

Take it easy on yourself to avoid any surprises, and keep your fingers off your eyes when you orgasm - stray splashes won't affect your long-term vision, but who wants to clear semen from their eyes? !

Are you addicted to masturbation?
While there are no hard and fast rules about how often a man should masturbate, like anything pleasurable, it can be addictive.

If masturbation is taking up a lot of your time, affecting your work or relationships, or you find yourself more interested in having sex alone than with a partner, you may be addicted to hands free masturbator.

Is there a "wrong" way to masturbate?
Maybe you like to wear something to make you feel alone for a while. Maybe you prefer to use toys instead of your hands. Maybe you like a well-timed finger.

As they say, it's a different stroke for different people, and there's no right or wrong way to feel happy.

As long as you stay safe (for example, not engaging in risky behaviors like self-suffocation) and make sure that others who may be involved (like an adult film actor or porn partner) agree, you don't need to worry.

Will my penis lose sensitivity if I masturbate a lot?
This is technically correct. But don't worry, your penis won't be completely numb and fall off every time you give yourself your hand.

They continued: "Overstimulation can reduce penis sensitivity and cause a person to increase the force they use when masturbating, which can make the problem worse."

Over time, this can lead to an inability to orgasm (anorgasmia) during intercourse as you adjust to the stress level that has been established.

Use sex toys, lube, or a looser grip to change the sensation and reduce the frequency of masturbation. This should bring your feelings back.

Can I use porn while masturbating?
Perceptions of pornography vary from person to person, influenced by religious and cultural norms, as well as personal preferences.

If you have a moral aversion to porn but continue to use it, this can lead to feelings of guilt or secret habits (further influencing your perception of masturbation as dirty or wrong).

There's nothing wrong with porn per se, but if you're struggling with misogynistic practices, you should seek out ethical content where creators are treated and paid fairly.

It should also always be kept in mind that porn is not real. Don't put unrealistic expectations on your sexual relationship, and remember to prioritize mutual pleasure over the act of looking good on camera.

If you find that you can’t be aroused or orgasm unless you’re watching porn, it could be a sign of addiction.

Is it okay to not want to masturbate?
Men are often stereotyped as nerds, but that's a lazy generalization.

In fact, men have the same wide range of desires and fears about sex, and there is no such thing as "normal."

Not wanting to masturbate can be a temporary or long-term thing. Questions about shame or prior trauma may arise, in which case it is a good idea to seek help from a therapist or counselor.

Other than that, you might just prefer cooperative sex over solo, be busy with other things, or be in the realm of asexuality. Trust your wishes and try to avoid doing anything just because you think you should.

Can I get an STD through masturbation?
If you don't have an STI, you can't get it while you're just having sex with yourself.

However, some STIs can be spread through skin-to-skin contact, so if you interact with someone else, you could get oral and genital herpes, HPV, and syphilis.

In rare cases, you can get chlamydia or gonococcal conjunctivitis through hand-to-eye contact. In fact, if you touch germs and then touch your eyes, you could be exposed to chlamydia and gonorrhea.

To avoid any accidents, wash your hands after masturbating - or go alone - and get regular checkups at your local GUM clinic.

By mymasturbators