Hope you enjoyed – pun intended – your Masturbation May. At ONE® Condoms, we’re all about encouraging people to explore what turns them, what kind of touch they like, and where they like to be touched. To celebrate Masturbation May, we did a survey to find out how people play with themselves – and 1,124 people came to the call!
People reported many reasons why they masturbate, including stress relief, pleasure, and pure enjoyment. Masturbation can boost your mood through endorphin release, carries no risk of STIs or pregnancy, and can be incorporated into partner play, too!
In the ONE® Condoms Masturbation May 2025 survey, 46% of participants reported they watch porn, 58% use their imagination, 18% use sex toys, 16% tune into audio porn, 6% flip through magazines, and 5% tune into sexy music.
Out of those stats, 85% of men and 59% of women said they watch porn when they masturbate. Everyone has their own perspectives when it comes to watching porn—but like anything, moderation matters. For some people, porn can become the only way they’re able to feel turned on or reach orgasm, and that’s when it’s helpful to take a step back and explore other sources of pleasure. Taking a break from porn can help you reconnect with your body, imagination, and desires. It can also open the door to discovering new sensations or turn-ons that don’t rely on visual stimulation. In addition, it’s important to remember that porn does not reflect sex is real life.
Visual stimulation is in fact powerful, but it’s not the only sense worth engaging. Incorporating sensory aids can stimulate more than just physical sensations, creating a more holistic and arousing experience. As one participant commented, “Approach masturbation / solo play the way you would a hook up. Set up the lighting, your toys, your lube, your sexy content…and take your time. It should be enjoyable to build towards your climax and drive yourself over the edge.”
Here’s some suggestions to enhance your solo play:
Touch – Your skin is a powerful pleasure receptor! Try silk sheets, sexy pajamas, or even lying on a textured rug to give your body new sensations to enjoy. Try slowly rubbing your hands up your thighs, arms, behind your neck, and across your chest. Explore how your mind and body responds to touch that’s not directly on your genitals. Try that sensation of touch with an ice cube, a feather, or even a vibrator. It’s a great way to start discovering where all your erogenous zones are.
Sound – Sexy music, erotic audio stories, moaning out loud, or even just intentional breathwork can help you stay present and heighten physical awareness. In our survey, 9% of people reported listening to audio erotica. Erotic fiction and steamy stories are like a secret stash of pleasure. Check out Dipssea and find a track that speaks to your fantasies. In addition, 4% of male participants in our survey reported listening to sexy music during masturbation, compared to 24% of female participants.
Smell – Scented candles or incense can instantly set the mood. Even if you're flying solo, set the vibe like you would for a partner. Your nose will thank you.
Lubricant – Using lubricant enhances your natural lubrication, reduces friction (especially when using a toy), and increases comfort and pleasure overall. Just make sure you are using a lubricant that is compatible with any toys or condoms you may be using.
When asked if people use personal lubricant for masturbation, our survey participants said they use it:
- Rarely – 40% of people.
- Most of the time – 25% of people.
- Always – 16% of people.
- Never – don’t like to – 10% of people
- Have not tried lube during masturbation but curious to try – 7% of people.
For those curious to add lubricant to their solo play adventures, ONE® Condoms makes incredible lubricants that are non-GMO, vegan-friendly, FDA-cleared and formulated for specific needs. Our Move® silicone lubricant is silky smooth and super long-lasting - but does not always play well with silicone toys. Our Oasis® water-based lubricant is lightweight, mess-free and plays well with all toys. The Oasis Silk® hybrid lubricant is super moisturizing, toy-friendly, and pH-friendly.
Toys – Sex toys can be an awesome addition to your masturbation routine. In our survey, 49% of women said they like using toys when they masturbate—and 15% of men said the same. On the other hand, 79% of men preferred to use their hands, compared to 38% of women.
These days, there’s truly something for everyone, no matter your gender or experience level. Think vibrating rings, sleeves, dildos, vibrators—there are so many options out there to explore. If you're new to it all, try starting with something beginner-friendly and not too intimidating. If you’re interested in checking out sex toys, we’re big fans of SheVibe—they make shopping for toys super approachable with their fun comic-style art and sex-ed content. Plus, brands like Lelo luxury pleasure toys for women, Cute Little Fuckers, and so many more!
Location – Try new places! As one survey participant recommended, “Shower! Solo in the shower is the best. You have access to good products to slick things up, and clean up afterward is a breeze. Plus, you are all warm, wet and in an enclosed space, making the whole process very intimate.” Others in the survey shared some quite unique places where they’ve masturbated including: a janitor’s closet in a college dorm, at a wedding with a maid of honor, over the Atlantic Ocean, in a tree, underwater, in traffic, Taco Bell, in front of an audience watching, and “handsfree with anal toys on my lawn tractor while mowing the back yard.” Many people also commented about solo playtime in the woods, including: “Many years ago I was out camping, got the urge in the middle of the night and stepped out of the RV and a few feet into the woods, dropped my shorts and let it rip in the forest.” Just please be mindful of your surroundings, any people that might be around, and where it’s illegal (and inappropriate) to boogie by yourself.
Bring a friend – A study published by the International Journal of Sexual Health reported that people who engage in mutual masturbation also exhibit higher levels of sexual satisfaction in their romantic relationships. In the ONE® Condoms survey, 68% of people had tried mutual masturbation with a partner. Watching a partner masturbate can be visually stimulating – and can help you learn how they like to be touched and what turns them on.
And remember: there's no finish line here. You don’t have to orgasm for it to be “successful.” The whole point is to feel good—so relax, tune in to your body, and explore what feels right for you.
A final comment from one of our survey participants: “Masturbation is an amazing way to explore yourself and get to know what you like in the sexual sense. Without masturbation, we then fall into the extreme expectations of ourselves and the future sexual encounters we have and therefore end up sexually frustrated because we don't know what we personally like. Thus, the more we explore with the person we trust the most (which is ourselves), the better we know what we like and what we don't like.”
A note about the survey participants: ONE® Condoms conducted this survey from April 29th-May 7th, 2025 and received 1,124 responses. 94% (n=1,061) identified as male, 6% (n=63) identified as female, with less than 1% identifying as non-binary. 40% (n=454) were married, 25% (n=284), were in relationship, 34% (n=386) were single, and 1% were other. The majority, 96% (N=1,082) were based in the USA, with the rest from Canada, UK, Hong Kong, Ukraine, or France.
