Masturbation at a Glance

• Masturbation is commonly defined as touching one’s own body, including sex organs, for sexual pleasure.
• Masturbation is a common and safe kind of sex play.
• Masturbation has many health benefits.

For many of us, masturbation is a taboo topic. There are many harmful myths about masturbation that may cause us to feel uncomfortable about it. These myths can cause guilt, shame, and fear.

Let’s get the facts straight. Masturbation is a natural and common activity for both women and men. Here are some common questions people ask about masturbation. We hope you find the answers helpful.

Masturbation is commonly defined as touching one’s own body, including sex organs, for sexual pleasure.

There are many slang terms for masturbation, including

• jacking off
• jilling off
• jerking off
• spanking the monkey
• double clicking the mouse
• self-love

Masturbation often ends in orgasm, but not always.

Masturbation is very common. Studies show that about 7 out of 10 adult men and more than 5 out of 10 adult women masturbate. It’s also common for children and teens to masturbate.

The most common reasons adults give for masturbating are to

• relieve sexual tension
• achieve sexual pleasure
• have sex when partners are unavailable
• relax

Many people think that others masturbate only when they do not have a sex partner. But that is not true. In fact, people who have regular sex partners are more likely to masturbate than people without sex partners.

What Are the Benefits of Masturbation?

Masturbation can be good for mental and physical health. People who feel good about their bodies, sex, and masturbation are more likely to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy.

Masturbation is also one of the best ways we can learn about our sexuality. It can help us explore the types of touch we like the most and help us learn how to get excited and how to reach orgasm.

Learning about what feels good to you can increase your chance of feeling sexual pleasure with sex partners. When you know what you like when it comes to sex, your comfort with sex increases. And when your confidence and comfort level are high, it is easier to let your partner know what you like.

Masturbation can enhance our physical, mental, and sexual health and the health of our sexual relationships. Masturbation may

• create a sense of well-being
• enhance sex with partners, physically and emotionally
• help people learn how they like to be touched and stimulated sexually
• increase the ability to have orgasms
• improve relationship and sexual satisfaction
• improve sleep
• increase self-esteem and improve body image
• provide sexual pleasure for people without partners, including the elderly
• provide sexual pleasure for people who choose to abstain from sex play with another person
• provide treatment for sexual dysfunction
• reduce stress
• release sexual tension
• relieve menstrual cramps and muscle tension
• strengthen muscle tone in the pelvic and anal areas, reducing women’s chances of involuntary urine leakage and uterine prolapse

 

 

Mutual Masturbation
Masturbation is often thought of as a solo act. However, many people also enjoy mutual masturbation. Mutual masturbation is two or more people masturbating in one another’s presence. In addition to the potential benefits of masturbation listed above, mutual masturbation may

• be a safe way to explore sex play with another person with no risk for pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (Because partners are not touching each other, there is no risk of infection — and no risk of pregnancy unless semen gets on a woman’s vulva.)
• provide sexual pleasure and intimacy before partners are ready for sex play
• teach people what kind of touch their sex partners like