I am 69 and masturbate three times a day after wife dead four years ago

DEAR DEIDRE: I’M ashamed to admit that I need to masturbate three times a day to get to sleep.

I’m 69. My wife died four years ago. Since then I’ve rediscovered the pleasure of masturbation. It’s like I’ve become a teenager again.

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I started doing it once a week but I do it at least three times a day now.

As much as I enjoy my secret pastime, I can’t help but feel guilty.

I’m getting on a bit and I’m meant to be a pillar of the community.

I sing in the church choir and am a governor at my grand-children’s school. I can’t be acting like this.

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Besides, there must be health risks of masturbating so often at my age.

I’ve tried to give up the habit but I can’t fall asleep unless I give in to the temptation of self-pleasure.

DEIDRE'S STORIES

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DEAR DEIDRE

TONE IT DOWN

GOLDEN TEARS

DEIDRE SAYS: Don’t feel guilty. It’s absolutely normal to masturbate regularly.

Many feel uncomfortable with self-pleasure because of conservative childhoods.

Masturbation can help you sleep by releasing hormones that relax you.

You won’t cause any harm to your body.

On the contrary, masturbating can prevent prostate problems and alleviate stress.

If masturbating feels more of a compulsion then it might be time to speak to your GP. But if not, there’s no need for concern.

My support pack, Worried About Masturbation? will reassure you.