what is masturbation and how can it be fantastic for your sexual health?

Masturbation. Self-love. Tickle your pickle. Diddle yourself. Feelin' myself. Jerking off. So many names for masturbation—also known as touching your body (particularly your sexual organs) for pleasure. Luckily we have been able to debunk a lot of myths that used to circulate about feelin' yourself. We know that masturbation, for example, does not cause blindness. Whew!

And unless you can't function as a human being (like go to class or work or the grocery store) because you just can't stop masturbating, there's no such thing as masturbating too much.

Key Takeaways (TL;DR) Masturbation and Sexual Health 

• Masturbation is a form of sexual pleasure where someone will touch, rub, use sex toys, etc. on their own body parts (typically their sex organs or erogenous zones.)
• It is perfectly normal to masturbate and there is no right way to do it (or not do it!) 
• Mutual masturbation is the act of pleasuring yourself alongside or in front of a partner, which can help you to educate each other on what may feel best for you. 
• Experiment, experiment, experiment. Masturbating allows you to figure out what types of touch and sex products you do and don't like. 
• While masturbating you can try out different lubes, toys, and condoms to see what makes you tingle. 

What is Masturbation? 

Masturbation is a completely normal part of life that includes touching your sexual organs or other erogenous zones of your body for sexual pleasure. It can be used for self exploration, stress relief, or even incorporated into your sex life if you masturbate with or in front of a partner, this is often called mutual masturbation. 

Is Masturbating Bad for You? 

No, in short, masturbation is not bad for you. Actually, it is one of the safest forms of sex as it doesn’t pose the risk of unintended pregnancy or STI transmission.

Note: This does not always include mutual masturbation. When sharing toys, like dildos, you can place a condom on them and replace the condom between uses to protect yourself and your partner(s) from STIs. 

And while there are a lot of myths about masturbation, we will tell you that masturbating is not the cause of blindness, infertility, or erectile dysfunction.

How Often Should You Masturbate? 

As much as you want! Unless masturbation gets in the way of your daily life and relationships, it’s up to you how much or how little you get to feeling yourself. This can also be dictated by your sex drive, so don’t worry if you feel as though you masturbate way more or way less than anyone else in your life. Sex drive is different for everyone and can even fluctuate throughout your life for various reasons like stress and age, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. 

11 Reasons Why Masturbation is Amazing

1. It helps you explore and know your body better.

Get to know yourself! Masturbation helps you figure out what types of touch you like—where touch feels nice, and where it feels not-so-nice.

2. Understand your body so you can better communicate your needs and desires to your partner.

Knowing what feels good to you also helps you communicate those needs when you are with your sexual partner(s). The people you are intimate with are not mind readers. A louder moan or deeper sigh may be enough to let your partner(s) know they're doing a good job, but often a hard line of communication is the best way to let your partner(s) know what makes you tingle and what makes you tick.

3. And you can do it with a partner.

While it's always nice to get some sexy alone time, masturbation is not strictly a solo activity. Consider masturbating with your partner(s), aka mutual masturbation. Watching your partner(s) masturbate or having them watch you masturbate can be equally titillating and educational.

4. Masturbation can't get you pregnant or give you a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Masturbation is a surefire way to avoid unintended pregnancy. Just sayin'. To avoid transmitting STIs, make sure you do not share sex toys (or put a condom on it first if you do).

5. It helps your mental health, too.

From cramming for a test to preparing for a major presentation and anything in between, life is full of stressors. Sometimes, clearing your head and taking a deep breath is the best medicine. Sometimes, that just isn't enough. While it's not a permanent end to all stress in life, of course, masturbation can help you relax. Masturbation releases endorphins throughout your body, just like when you exercise.

6. Masturbation can help relieve period cramps.

Chocolate? Check. Favorite romance novel? Yes please. Heating pad? Yep. Hand and/or sex toy for masturbation? GOT IT. Masturbation can help relax the muscles that are cramping, and the hormones that are released during masturbation help relieve the cramping sensation.

7. You can practice using a condom.

If you have a penis, masturbation is also a great way to figure out which condom works for you. You can make sure the size and fit of the condom feel good to you first, before engaging in sexual activity with a partner. Perhaps you need a larger condom, want to try a thinner condom, or want to see if that glow-in-the-dark condom really works. Masturbating with a condom can also be helpful for those who feel that wearing condoms diminishes their sexual capabilities, by allowing you to practice wearing a condom and make sure the condom is the size and fit.

8. You can become a lube researcher.

Masturbation is also a wonderful time to test out some lubes. Perhaps you want to try a water-based or silicone-based lube—or perhaps flavored or warming? Not all lubricants are the same. They may differ in base (silicone, water or oil), viscosity (thickness), and resilience (the length of time it remains slick). You really can't know what you do and do not like if you don't give them all a shot. Don't forget, oil-based lubricants cannot be used with latex condoms, and not all silicone-based lubricants can be used with silicone sex toys.

9. And learn a lot about toys...

Dildos, vibes and beads! Oh, my! The world of toys is abundant, and the only way to know what you like is to give them a try. Toys can enhance your personal pleasure during masturbation or can be fun to add to the mix with a partner(s). There are many wonderful places with knowledgeable people that can help you. Just make sure the toys you purchase do not contain toxic chemicals (such as phthalates) and that you use compatible lubricant. Look for boutiques like Good Vibes or online retailers like SheVibe. There's also great resources like the Sex Toy Collective, which has advice and how-to guides for toys. Let the exploration begin. Wink Wink.

10. Celebrate that we've debunked so many myths.

Luckily, we've been able to debunk a lot of taboos and myths surrounding masturbation. Masturbation will not cause you to go blind nor grow hair on your palms. It does not change your genitalia or affect your sexual orientation. You cannot run out of sperm, and it won't affect your ability to procreate. You may experience some mild skin irritation if you like it a little rough, but this can be avoided with proper lubrication.

11. Because it just feels good!

Pleasure is a reward itself! Rainbows, magic, happiness, butterflies, fireworks—or something like that. As long as you are not hurting yourself or others, masturbation can help you learn about yourself. So lay back, reach down, and just enjoy yourself.

Conclusion

In summary, masturbation is a great way to explore your own body and discover what kind of touch you enjoy without the risk of STIs or pregnancy. Whether you are new to masturbation or are a seasoned pro, it can be fun and pleasurable to experiment by yourself, maybe with a new toy or different type of sensory pleasure ;) 

FAQs 

Is it bad to masturbate everyday? 
No, it is not bad to masturbate everyday. Depending on your sex drive you may be interested in masturbating multiple times a day, week, year, or even never. All of this is okay, as long as masturbation does not get in the way of other activities you enjoy doing, like seeing your friends, going to work, or grocery shopping.
Can you masturbate on your period? 
Yes! Masturbating on your period can be a great way to relieve period cramps and relax. If you are worried about making a mess, you can lay down a towel or masturbate in the shower. 
How to make masturbation better? 
Experimenting is a great way to make masturbation better. Touch different erogenous zones, find a new toy, try mutual masturbation, test out a new lube, etc. You might just discover your new favorite way to pleasure yourself ;)