Masturbation Myths, Mysteries, and Facts

We’ve all been warned about the dangers of masturbation. Some cultures believe it brings significant health problems; others swear by its spiritual degradation. However, science says something else. According to research, self-love is not blasphemous or dangerous if you do it right.

There are countless bizarre claims about what happens when you masturbate. Many think it wastes sexual energy, decreases intimacy, and causes sex addiction. A few assume it feels worse than intercourse, but that’s sometimes because of the tools and techniques. Masturbating can be fun and satisfying. It also offers several health benefits you might not know about.

This article will explain what masturbation is and then review the pros and cons. It will clarify the myths and unravel the mysteries behind personal pleasure. You won’t go blind, your palms won’t turn hairy, and you won’t lose your lover. We promise.

What Is Masturbation?

Masturbation is a private experience that you can share with someone else. It’s part of balanced love life and provides multiple advantages for the human body. Masturbating is natural, healthy, and gratifying regardless of a person’s age, background, or relationship status.

Often referred to as “jerking off,” masturbation involves touching or stroking the genitals for sexual pleasure. It’s a safe and significant way to explore your body or your lover’s body while providing enjoyable stimulation. This practice is also suitable despite the person’s race, gender, religious affiliation, or ethnicity.

You don’t need much to masturbate correctly. Many people use their fingers or hands to reach orgasm or ejaculate. Some also integrate sex toys to experience intense sensations, prolong sexual stamina, or practice new moves. However, you must use the best male masturbator or female vibrator to avoid uncomfortable mishaps.

Masturbation Health Benefits

There are several benefits to safe and careful masturbation. Many medical professionals, relationship therapists, and sex coaches recommend it. In fact, some experts suggest masturbating at least twice per month to ensure optimal body functioning and mental health. It can help “clean out” various systems and clarify thoughts or feelings.

DID YOU KNOW: Some men reportedly experience “post-nut clarity,” where they finalize complex mental or emotional processes moments after ejaculation.

Unfortunately, the studies about masturbation health benefits are relatively limited. However, research shows a direct correlation between frequent self-pleasure and these exciting advantages:

  • Cope with stress more efficiently.
  • Relieve pent-up frustrations.
  • Enjoy more restful sleep.
  • Boost your mood without drugs.
  • Prevent or treat depression and anxiety.
  • Relax tired muscles and nerves.
  • Release sexual tensions.
  • Improve your self-esteem.
  • Feel more intense physical pleasure.
  • Relieve general body pains and cramps.

Masturbation also helps you learn more about yourself and your partner. Imagine living your entire life without knowing about a specific sweet spot. The genitals are filled with sensitive nerve endings just waiting for your touch.

A Closer Look at Loving Yourself

Self-love is an essential survival tool. It increases your confidence and resilience while helping you see situations more clearly. Being kind to yourself is also a surefire way to decrease the stress and anxiety in your life. Fortunately, masturbating is one of the most profound forms of self-love.

Masturbation demonstrates a good relationship with your core being. It shows you’re comfortable in your skin and aware of sexual boundaries. Healthy jerk-off habits can help you avoid people-pleasing, perfectionism, and pride. Studies show that those who pleasure themselves are less likely to tolerate abusive behaviors from others.

Further, couples who masturbate together can enjoy more intimacy and freedom in their relationships. Experiencing orgasms without intercourse can help prevent unwanted pregnancies. It also allows partners to reach climax while avoiding sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Learning more about masturbation and self-love makes talking about it easier. The more people realize how beneficial masturbating can be, the less stigma our society will put on it. Let’s celebrate personal pleasure by loving ourselves first and removing the shame.

Masturbation Myths: Debunked

People touch themselves for sexual pleasure all the time. They also do it for multiple reasons, not just to reach an orgasm. Some folks enjoy masturbating to relieve stress, relax before bed, prepare for dates, and work on endurance. People who jerk off are not sexual deviants, predators, or perverts. Despite the myths, masturbating doesn’t change who you are on the inside.

Playing pocket pool or double-clicking your mouse means you have a healthy sexual appetite and understand ordinary human body functions. Most of the masturbation myths have already been debunked by science. However, the following falsehoods seem to stick around regardless of what science says. Let’s have a closer look.

MYTH: Masturbating Can Make You Impotent

Some men believe orgasm without intercourse can cause erectile dysfunction. However, that’s not the case. If having sex frequently doesn’t lead to ED, doing it to yourself won’t either.

FACT: Ejaculation Helps Improve Reproductive Function

Studies show that men who ejaculate often enjoy a lowered risk of prostate and other cancers. Spilling your load not only feels good but can also help you live longer and feel stronger.

MYTH: Touching Yourself Means You Don’t Want Your Partner

Many think personal gratification signifies a lack of interest in your significant other. Yet, many happily married couples report masturbating while also enjoying frequent sex in the relationship.

FACT: Personal Pleasure Doesn’t Indicate Attraction

You can masturbate and still be sexually attracted to your partner. Often, men and women use masturbation to manage uncontrollable urges, fight temptation, and alleviate stress.

MYTH: Masturbation Can Lead to Penis Shrinkage

Some fear stroking the penis or vagina with fingers and sex toys can damage the skin or cause tissue shrinkage. However, there is no evidence to support the myth.

FACT: Self-Touching Can Help Relax Muscles and Nerve Endings

Masturbation with high-quality personal lubricants can be nourishing to your genital skin. Frequent applications of moisturizers can also prevent irritation and help revive desensitized nerves.

MYTH: Masturbating Makes You a Sex Addict

Liking to pleasure yourself instead of relying solely on a sex partner doesn’t make you an addict. Many people think it does, but masturbation is a healthy way to cope with untimely urges.

FACT: Enjoying Personalized Ejaculation Doesn’t Make You a Weirdo

Customized sex experiences are a sign of a healthy mind and body. They demonstrate self-awareness and respect for your significant other, not forcing them to provide pleasure whenever you desire it.

Don’t believe the hype. Jerking off can be good for your health. Play in moderation to prevent accidents, injuries, and dependency. Then reach out to a medical or psychological professional if you need help with sex addiction.

Other Dispelled Myths About Masturbation

Let’s clear the air right now. Some of the masturbation myths are downright ridiculous. There is also little to no significant scientific evidence to support most of them. Jerking off, whether a man or a woman, does not cause tremendous risk to your health or love life.

Here are some common myths you can go ahead and erase from your mind:

  • It causes blindness. No, it doesn’t.
  • Your palms will get hairy. This doesn’t even make sense.
  • It leads to infertility. Research suggests the opposite effect.
  • Your penis will curve. Genitals are not made from Play-Doh, folks.
  • It makes you mentally ill. Being crazy about sex doesn’t make you a mental patient.
  • You’ll feel weaker. Maybe at first, but intense orgasms can increase your physical strength.
  • Your lover doesn’t want you. They actually want you so much they can’t wait.

Masturbation doesn’t indicate a problem in your relationship or psyche. Some studies even suggest masturbating leads to a happier bond. Research the latest news about jerking off before forming an opinion.

DID YOU KNOW: Many current beliefs and standards about masturbation were developed over a century ago.

10 Fun Facts About Masturbation

Mention touching yourself for sexual stimulation, and everyone goes nuts. They start spouting out facts and figures without ensuring they’re correct. Some even go so far as to ridicule you or assume negative things about your lifestyle and personality. Use these fun facts to help prove them wrong, steer the conversation, or just look interesting at parties:

  1. There are multiple alternative terms for masturbating, including “solitary sex,” “sex for one,” and “sex with someone you love.”
  2. Scientists have discovered several species of animals enjoying autoerotic bliss in the wild.
  3. You can look up a website that lists all the slang terms for masturbation, including “playing the organ” and “being your own best friend.”
  4. Kellogg’s Corn Flakes cereal was initially invented to help men stop masturbating. It didn’t work.
  5. The first dildos of the world were made from carved chalk, stone, and animal bone. The first male masturbators featured animal skins and hollowed-out internal organs.
  6. Artists have depicted personal pleasure in countless paintings and sculptures worldwide.
  7. Some doctors in the United States once believed circumcision could curtail the urge to touch yourself.
  8. According to Sigmund Freud, masturbating is a primary addiction. All other habits are secondary shadows of your desire for self-stimulation.
  9. Early medical professionals used to treat hysteria in women with assisted masturbating in the doctor’s office.
  10. Many people use jerking off to practice edging or increase sexual stamina before sex with a partner.

The history of masturbation is fascinating. It began as a primary human activity for personal pleasure. Then, it was relegated to sin or disease by the nineteenth century. The acceptance has finally come full circle, and now only a few niche groups think masturbating is unhealthy or abnormal.

Other Facts You Should Know

You might be viewing masturbating from an outdated lens. Before the mid-20th century, many experts blamed sexual perversion and homosexuality on touching yourself. However, recent data shows that masturbation is one of the most commonly practiced human sexual activities on the planet. Studies suggest that even children do it as they begin to enter puberty and explore their changing bodies.

The trend isn’t new or niche, either. There are temples in Asia, India, and other countries depicting male masturbation and female ejaculation. Some also host a plethora of erotic activities, including masturbation, group sex, and tailored orgies. A few cultures also use orgasm as a part of ritual magic.

Science has proven many things and debunked several others. For example, those who masturbate often are the ones who enjoy the healthiest sex lives with their partners. People who experience chronically low libidos generally masturbate less. Contrary to popular belief, self-love is not linked to relationship or performance problems unless one of the partners is against it.

Masturbation is generally safe and provides an effective solution to multiple issues. However, it’s not an entirely risk-free experience. Some of the potential dangers can include:

  • Not being able to ejaculate during sex following a masturbation session.
  • Causing significant distress in a partner unwilling to accept it.
  • Leading to sex addiction when it’s not done in moderation.
  • Developing skin irritation at the contact point.

You can also injure yourself while masturbating if you’re too rough on your stuff. Some men have reported penile fractures and other issues from being overly enthusiastic during masturbation sessions. Please play carefully to prevent painful mishaps, and stop if you experience discomfort. Then contact a physician if the pain doesn’t go away after 1-2 hours.

Masturbation Pros and Cons

Despite the many myths about masturbation, there aren’t any significant adverse side effects associated with self-stimulation. Some people could experience sexual health or performance issues if they masturbate excessively or develop an addiction. However, safe and moderate personal pleasure presents multiple pros.

Understanding the pros and cons of masturbation is crucial to making the most of your experience. It can inspire new ideas, motivate more meaningful interactions with your lover, and support sexual experimentation without injury. Here is what you need to know.

PROS
  • Customized Sensations
  • On-Demand Pleasure
  • Targeted Stimulation
  • Easier Ejaculation
  • Improved Stamina
  • Better Orgasms
  • Increased Control
CONS
  • Promotes Solitude
  • Requires Skills and Tools
  • Potentially Habit-Forming
  • Can Cause Relationship Problems

Masturbating is generally harmless and beneficial to your well-being. You can tailor the experience and enjoy focused orgasms whenever you desire them. Masturbation also encourages creativity, leading to more intense sexual pleasure and increased endurance over time. Obviously, the pros outweigh the cons on this one.

Side Effects of Masturbation

Jerking off won’t get you hurt if you do it right. And most people who play with themselves report a sense of relief when they get done. So, are there any side effects to masturbation, or are you always in the clear when you do it? Can you get hurt or experience anything negative from touching yourself? Let’s get to the bottom of it now.

Self-stimulation is a harmless act. However, you can experience slight skin tenderness, redness, or irritation if you do it too often. Not using enough personal lubricant may also cause an issue. Always apply plenty of lube when masturbating, and ensure it features a formula compatible with your skin.

Rough sex and masturbation can cause chafing, which usually heals within a few days. Chafing and skin irritation can lead to swelling or other issues, so proceed with caution. Most side effects from masturbating occur during the session. Still, you should also monitor your condition for a few hours afterwards.

Other masturbation side effects could include the following:

#1. Feeling Guilty or Ashamed

These emotions likely stem from outdated stigmas about sex and self-pleasure. There is no need to feel guilty or ashamed about enjoying sexual stimulation. Despite your religious or spiritual beliefs, sexual impulses are not immoral.

TIP: Discuss negative feelings and apprehensions with a medical professional or licensed therapist.

#2. Depleted Sexual Sensitivity

Those who masturbate too often can experience genital desensitization. That means they won’t feel sexual sensations as intensely as before they started jerking off. Monitor your frequency and seek help if you think you’re touching yourself too much.

TIP: The average person masturbates a few times per month, whether in a relationship or not.

#3. Decreased Prostate Cancer Risk

You can reduce your chances of developing prostate cancer and other health problems by masturbating regularly. Although ejaculate from masturbation differs from sexual ejaculate, the body responds similarly to both situations. Play like a champion today.

TIP: Research suggests men who masturbate five times per week are about 1/3 less likely to develop prostate problems.

#4. Disrupting Your Lifestyle or Love Life

Some people can become dependent on masturbation to reach an orgasm or prepare for sex with a partner. Those addicted to jerking off may experience scheduling problems, daily activities interruptions, and personal relationship issues.

TIP: Seek help from a sex coach or medical professional if you feel addicted to masturbation.

Remember, masturbation should be a fun and eye-opening experience. It should never become a permanent escape from reality or a substitute for genuine connections with people. Also, most people who touch themselves do it in private. So, don’t do anything out of the ordinary when stimulating your genitals alone. You don’t have to divulge details about your intentions, but developing a safety plan is essential.

How to Masturbate Safely

Safe and effective self-pleasure requires knowledge, skill, and sometimes equipment. You shouldn’t begin masturbating too rigorously or regularly without those three components. Many people touch themselves for pleasure, but genuine masturbation involves technique. Otherwise, someone could get hurt or embarrassed.

Learn how to masturbate correctly to avoid uncomfortable situations. The best way to do this is to follow specific steps developed by the experts. Also, prevent further mishaps by refusing to ignore practical guidance from pros and partners. Here is where to start:

Step One: Keep Your Body Clean

Playing with yourself feels so much better when your body is prepared. Meanwhile, dirty genitals can decrease your pleasure sensations, cause odors, or lead to skin irritation and infection. Unclean bodies can also react differently to stimulation because the debris on your skin can shield surface-level nerve endings.

Prepare your body with a bath or shower before masturbation. Wash your hands, and clean any sex toys or male masturbators you intend to use. These products can harbor airborne bacteria and gather debris from the environment in your home. Always wash them, even if you already did before storing them.

TIP: Use a non-abrasive, hypoallergenic device cleaner to avoid damaging your devices.

Step Two: Use More Lube Than You Need

Personal lubricant is essential when masturbating. It helps protect your skin from friction and pressure while enhancing the sensations. The best lube for masturbating is also easy to get out of the container and compatible with all skin types.

Choose something water-based to help moisturize your genitals. This will help reduce skin irritation and create a barrier around your pores to prevent infection. You can also use oil-based and silicone-based lubricants. However, those types might not be compatible with your sex toys and accessories.

TIP: Read the ingredients on each lube option to find a versatile formula.

Step Three: Integrate Sex Toys

Although a self-directed hand job is terrific, sex toys can make masturbation even better. Many devices feature unique canal textures to help stimulate stubborn nerve endings. Others have settings for solo play, couple’s kink, and fun with strangers. Fulfill fantasies while satisfying your urges and exploring new possibilities.

Using sex toys can be intense, and you must carefully follow the instructions to avoid injuries or accidents. However, correctly used pleasure devices can intensify your sensations. This leads to better sexual performance with partners, less frequent desires to masturbate, and increased stamina over time.

TIP: Check out the latest SexTech innovations to discover interactive sex toys for men, women, and couples.

Step Four: Maintain Your Equipment

Play responsibly if you bring sex toys into the mix. Many masturbators for men have intricate textures with multiple nooks and crannies for bacteria to hide. You must keep your devices as clean as your body, with regular washing and preparation before each session.

Maintaining your sex equipment can be tricky, however. Most products require a unique process, and you can void the manufacturer’s warranty if you’re not careful. Never tinker or tamper with sex toys unless stated …

Mutual Masturbation

Masturbation need not be something that you do only when you are alone. We can distinguish two types of mutual masturbation:
1. masturbating with partner during intercourse or
2.  masturbating in front of Your partner.
In first case masturbation is a supplement to intercourse, rather than a replacement in many healthy sexual relationships as well as an productive step to a stronger relationship.

Masturbating your partner in the way he or she enjoys is an important part of lovemaking, and many women like being masturbated to orgasm before penetration. It will break down inhibitions and allow you to get even closer to each other. Also it always is a good foreplay and a road to a better sex.
Many people find the sight of their partner masturbating highly erotic. It can also be very instructive to discover how your partner reaches orgasm alone, as this will be the best method for you to adopt when you are masturbating him or her.

It’s also a way of sharing the most intimate and personal of activities. In this sense sharing masturbation can be an act of love rather than one of rejection.

Masturbation Prelude

I’ll give You few more interesting stories and facts regarding masturbation. Virtually all males masturbate, though some more frequently than others. Males usually start masturbating quite early, though most don’t ejaculate until around age 12 to 15 y.o.

Frequency typically peaks around puberty and it usually continues throughout adulthood, even when other forms of sexual activity are available.

Frequency tends to drop with age. It is explained with the fact of descending of sexual wish and activity in all adults (male or female) with ages. Common misconception is that only lonely and unpopular men and boys masturbate.

This is far from the truth and anyone who tells you he doesn’t masturbate probably feels guilty about his self-pleasuring.

Causes for such behavior!? Inhibitions and probable prejudice from a childhood when masturbation was considered a “bad” thing and/or thinking of masturbating as an intimate gesture thus making it hard to talk about. But the clear fact is that both married and single people masturbate, and one’s level of masturbation does not necessarily depend on how often one has intercourse.

As long as You are in touch with yourself and Your sexuality there is nothing to worry about.

Lesson 1 – relax, masturbation is not anomaly it’s, if nothing else, natural need of Your body.

Lesson 2 – Next, for Your pleasure, You need to be familiar with Your private parts and how they can be stimulated during masturbation or regular sex:

Penis – the penis is made up primarily of spongy tissue, which becomes engorged with blood during erection. Two or three inches of the penis are rooted inside the body in the pubococcygeus muscle (PC muscle) and it is possible to strengthen this muscle for stronger erections, stronger orgasms and better ejaculatory control.
Testicles – are Your sperm production area. They hang down, away from the body and as you prepare to ejaculate, the testicles are pulled toward the body. Stimulating testicles especially during ejaculation is highly pleasurable.
Prostate – is a gland that lies at the center of your pelvis and is highly sensitive to sexual stimulation.

During erotic stimulation, the prostate becomes increasingly aroused. The closer you are to orgasm, the more sensitive the prostate is. About 1/3 of your ejaculate comes from the prostate. The prostate can be stimulated externally or through the anus.

Perineum – is the area between the base of the testicles and the anus. This area can be very sensitive to sexual stimulation, especially during orgasm. It is also used when You want to delay ejaculation.
Pubococcygeus (PC) Muscle – it is actually a group of muscles that run from your pubic bone in front to your tailbone in the back. It is the muscle that contracts when you ejaculate, moving the semen up through the penis and out of the body.
Anus – Due partly to it’s proximity to the prostate gland and partly to its own high concentration of sensitive nerve endings, the anus is a highly erogenous zone for many men.

Lesson 3 – I’ll make a difference here between masturbation on Your own and masturbation during sexual intercourse with Your partner or in front of Your partner. We’re talking here predominantly about masturbation as sexual activity involving only one person. As for the mutual masturbation check this page.

Now You know it’s perfectly normal to do it and You know Your private parts and how they react to stimulation, there is a question of (in a lack of better word) how to!?

Sexual fantasy is a key thing in masturbation.

Males in general react much better to audio-visual stimulation than plain fantasy. Thus it is widely spread the use of pictures and videos of pornographic nature, as well as magazine covers with gorgeous women to make a sexual fantasy much stronger and pleasurable.

The ability to create sexual fantasies that stimulate sexual activity is essential to pleasurable masturbation.

The preferences of every individual are different and can be varied, depending on your mood, setting and experiences. Don’t be alarmed if you find that you are turned on by subject matter that may be considered taboo. Remember that Your getting in touch with Yourself here probably on more intimate level than during regular sex with Your partner.
Many men enjoy masturbating using a lubricant, rather than dry.

Others learn to masturbate before they think of using a lubricant and never feel a need to include lubricants.

However it is a matter of personal choice. As for the lubricants pre-ejaculate is an excellent lubricant, although the supply may be somewhat limited.

Hand lotion or vaseline can be used, though, since these contain oils, they are probably not the best choice if intercourse with a condom is to follow. A clear, water based gel, such as KY gel, is made for this purpose and does not destroy condoms.
Some men enjoy using devices while masturbating a vibrator, a shower massage unit or similar.

Many of these devices produce an interesting, though short-lived effect.
However anything from lubricants and devices to positions and techniques is a matter of personal choice, just remember it’s all about You and Your pleasure.

Now we can talk about positions and techniques.…

Masturbation Techniques

There is a variety of masturbation techniques done with different speed and pressure and all are completely dependent on what You like.

The simplest (or the basic) technique is to wrap Your fingers around the shaft of Your penis with Your dominant hand and rub it up and down. This provides a lot of contact between Your hand and the penis the more contact, the more pleasure. There are innumerable variations on this basic technique.

Remember this: experimentation is key.

There is no real guide to masturbation techniques. All You can read over the net is pages from personal experience and so are these techniques I recommend here:

1. You are either laying in bad or sitting in chair. While You do the basic stroke up and down with temporary changing of speed and pressure, use Your other hand stimulating Your testicles and/or anus.
2. Simulation of sex intercourse. This is usually done simply placing the penis on or against something and then rubbing the penis against it. You can do it a little bit differently wit a help of lubricants. Place some lubrication on the palm of one hand. Then, slowly rub the tip of your penis against the lubricated palm. Continue rubbing, varying the speed to suit your pleasure while other hand could be used for stimulating Your other private parts.
3. A little bit more with the lubes. Lube up both hands, then make a ring around the base of your penis with your thumb and one finger. Slide the ring from the base towards the tip. As you reach the tip, repeat the motion with the other hand. All strokes go from the base of the penis to the tip.
4. Next is wide spread technique often called the belly scratch. Lay on your back, lube up your penis (I have no idea how good this method is without lube) and lay it back against your stomach. Curl your fingers lightly around the top half of the shaft and stroke the length of the penis. Don’t encircle the penis with your hand–just rub the top half with your fingers and let the lower half rub against your belly.
5. Water as a pleaser. Place yourself so that your penis is sprayed by water from the tub faucet, the shower nozzle (particularly if you have the detachable kind), a garden hose, or other device. The spray may provide the sensations necessary for orgasm and together with the basic stroke it is a real sensation.

As I have already mentioned before these are all my favorite “techniques” and experimentation is key.

For example: belly scratch can be done laying on Your belly; basic stroke can be done standing and with Your other hand; stimulation of sex intercourse can also be done with two hands putting one behind the other. All of these are so called common techniques. I’ll discuss few less common techniques.

By less common techniques I consider the ones I personally don’t do or don’t like but know of. Some are quite difficult to manage and some I really dislike. However we all are different and these ones my excite You more that the common one … so here we go:

1. Probably the hardest of all techniques to do Autofelatio – ability of perform fellatio (oral sex) on your own penis.

First I must warn You – this is not possible for everyone, and you can injure yourself trying to do it. The most common method is to lay on a bed with your head close to a wall.

Swing your feet up over your head and against the wall, as if you were doing a backwards somersault. Then start walking your feet down the wall until you can either take the penis into your mouth or you simply can’t bend any further.

Hardly anyone who can get some of his own penis in his mouth can really blow himself. Usually no more than an inch or so of the penis gets in and there simply is not anything left for motion of the in-and-out kind. But the ones that have manage to do it say the feeling is incredible.

2. This technique is often referred to as “the squeeze”. This method is very painful for some men. If it hurts, don’t do it. Some men can get their erect penises between their thighs and can get off by jiggling or squeezing their thighs around their penises. Other men find it extremely painful to try to push their erections much lower than perpendicular to the body. Some find it easier to do this in a face down or a sitting position. A major consideration for anyone attempting this technique is to be sure to get the testicles out of harm’s way.

3. Masturbation with objects. Now it doesn’t mean You are homophobic if You don’t like implementation of any kind of object during Your masturbation and many men report intense pleasure while using objects either as a stimulation to Your private parts or as a part of technique.

You can use vibrators, vacuum cleaners, home appliances with any kind of sleeves, dolls (even dolls are considered a masturbation technique), non-sexual home objects (as toys, food etc.) and I guess everything else that can do the job.

 

Masturbation & Jealousy

Many women feel guilty about masturbating, as if they are betraying their partner. In a relationship, you don’t have to do everything together.

Partner Induced guilt

If masturbation isn’t used as an escape, but as a search for balance, then you both partners will be at ease, and can experience a healthy sex life without the tension. Whereas frustration caused by inadequate sex can cause you to resent your partner, and even wish to turn away from sex with him or her.

Is it wrong to masturbate if you are married or in a relationship? People who masturbate aren’t necessarily lonely nor have incompetent partners! A partner sometimes might have trouble accepting their partner masturbating because they interpret it to be a sign of dissatisfaction with their performance.

This is a reaction of jealousy and fear. “What does she need me for?” However, sometimes each member in a relationship needs to get in tune with their own desires and preferences sexually before having the confidence to do so together. Then they can better communicate this with their partners.

If you or your partner is interested in learning more about masturbation, it is best to discuss it openly and acknowledge each others feelings around the topic. Without communication, masturbation can be read as a sign of anger, alienation, or dissatisfaction. Underlying these feelings is often a feeling of fear of abandonment so have patience, but stay your ground. You help others by becoming more confident and able to communicate your desires.

It is perfectly natural to continue to masturbate even when one has a regular partner and a satisfactory sexual life. Masturbation can be considered another great way to get off, a temporary substitute for sexual relations.

If your partner isn’t sexually available (pregnancy, periods, conflict) but masturbation can also have special advantages; it brings another type of pleasure and allows a person to enrich her/his sexual life, while getting to know her/his own body better and to master it.

What is Masturbation?

Nobody talks about it, everybody does it, and no one admits it. What am I talking about?

The first and most basic sexual practise we all enjoy is of course masturbation. So what exactly do we mean by this term? That’s a good question. And one which has many delightful answers.

Where does the term Masturbation come from?

According to one interpretation, the word masturbation is believed to derive from either the Greek word for penis, mezea or the Latin word for hand, manus and the Latin for disturb, turbare.
Giving it a rough meaning of either hand disturbance or penis disturbance.

Another etymology is based on the Latin term manu stuprare, which means to defile with the hand. The little-used synonym manustupration is also derived from manus stuprare.

Examples of Masturbation

Masturbation can consist of touching, penetrating, caressing or rubbing your genitals for pleasure and excitement. Most women think of masturbation as focusing on the vulva or clitoris. However, stimulating other parts of the body can be considered masturbation as well.

Masturbation can include almost any activity which excludes intercourse with a partner such as:

Rubbing the clit, vulva, inner and outer labia with the hand
Fingering yourself or your partners vagina
Using a vibrator externally on almost any part of the body
Using a dildo to penetrate and massage the vagina
Fingering or caressing the anus.
Using a dildo or vibrator to simulate the anus
Using other parts of the body
Using surfaces, furniture or natural settings to achieve climax
Using a combination of techniques or toys to enhance and blend stimulation
Masturbating with a partner or in a group separately
Masturbating with a partner or group and physically stimulating one another…