What is masturbation?
Masturbation is a natural and safe way to explore your body. Masturbation helps you feel your pleasure points and release built-up sexual tension. It helps you understand what works for you and what doesn’t. Masturbation is without any borders of gender, body type or background. Despite beliefs, masturbation is not harmful to you nor does it have any side effects. It’s time to pluck away the roots of guilt about masturbation.
The “O-so-many” benefits
Masturbation is the gateway to healthy sexual life. Though not many studies have been conducted in this area, masturbation is shown to improve your physical and mental health. Let’s unravel the benefits one by one.
- Masturbation is great to relieve built-up stress.
- Best way to make sound sleep a reality.
- It’s an instant mood booster.
- The “happy hormone” surge helps you relax.
- Couples can use mutual masturbation to learn what works for them.
- A fail-proof way to avoid unwanted pregnancy and STIs.
- A blissful experience. The perfect cramp relieving balm!
- It helps you have better sex.
- A perfect way to figure your needs and wants.
- For persons with sexual dysfunction, engaging in masturbation may help increase sexual desire and sensitivity.
- Boosts a woman’s libido
Masturbation is a natural, and safe way to practice self-care.
What are the different ways to masturbate?
Masturbation is a deeply personal relationship between one’s self and one’s desires. What works for you may not work for another. Keeping this in mind, let’s look at some commonly approved ways of masturbation.
- Clitoral masturbation- Use your fingers to play with your clitoris. Vibrators and other toys can also bring pleasure during solo play. You hit orgasm when you feel a tingly sensation on your skin and in your brain.
- Vaginal masturbation- Use your fingers or sex toy to penetrate your vagina and enjoy the pleasurable “o” when your vaginal walls throb.
- Anal masturbation- Use your fingers or a sex toy inside your anal region. Make sure you have cleaned and wiped your anal region before you start. You may feel an intense need to pee when you orgasm. The contractions occur around your anal sphincter.
- Combination- This is a matter of personal preference. You can go all out and stimulate both the clitoris and vagina at the same time using your fingers or in combination with sex toys. This guarantees an explosive orgasm (especially if you hit the right notes) that leads you to convulse or ejaculate.
- The zonal way- This helps you to understand which are your erogenous zones. Rub, pinch, pull, squeeze, or tug your nipples, inner thighs, ears, neck, and other parts of your body during solo play. This helps you understand arousal for the female body.
Reasons to masturbate
Still not decided to opt the solo-way? Here are some reasons to make you change your mind.
- When that unexpected moment of horniness hits, remember you got the solo-way.
- Mutual masturbation can strengthen the bond between you and your partner.
- Relieve stress, anxiety and give sleep “the come hither”.
- It helps with a thriving sexual health for women
Many cultures often frown upon masturbation and brand it unnatural. It can be a beautiful, self-bonding experience. It requires you, your attention and the mind space to explore.
The starter kit
Masturbation is about the journey and not all times about orgasming. So, here you are mind made to explore the wonders of masturbation, there are a few things to send you down the track:
- Set the mood: The setting can make or break your session. Dim the lights, lighting some aromatic candles and listening to relaxing music can get the mood going.
- Lube is your best friend: Our body tends to self-lubricate but sometimes we need extra help. Always keep a tube of lube to help you out. Check online for a lube that meets your needs.
- Fantasize: Let your mind build wild fantasies. Trust us, this works.
- Erotica or Ethical Porn: If you don’t want to let your mind do the trick, watch ethical porn. Sometimes you need visual stimulation to get it on. Read erotica or listen to audio versions if that is your preference.
- Don’t rush it: Your goal is to please yourself, time is immaterial. Go slow and enjoy the feeling.
- Sex toys: Pick out a sex toy that catches your fancy and use it. Remember to clean it before and after each use. Never share it with your partner.
- Explore the spots: Take time to explore your erogenous spots. This will help you guide your partner about ways to arouse your body.
Pleasure is your right
Masturbation is neither wrong nor immoral, regardless of what may have been told to you. . If you are enmeshed in the “guilt”, talking to your friends or a sexual-health therapist can help you ease out of the mental block towards masturbation. It is normal to masturbate and it’s normal if you don’t either.
The solo-way is a sexy and safe way to connect with yourself. Masturbation can also help you be more body-positive. Reduced stress, a relaxed mind, better sexual health for women and better sleep are other added benefits. Fingering, nutting or masturbation, whatever you call it, this experience is blissful. If you are looking for ways to spice up your solo-way, mix and match with your preferred tricks. If you’re new, that’s OK, too. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to masturbate. Take the time to discover your body and enjoy the journey.
Also Read: A Beginners Guide to Buying and Storing Sex Toys!
Disclaimer - This information is educational and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any dietary changes or adding supplements.
Proactive For Her is a digital clinic for women, offering accessible, personalised, and confidential healthcare solutions. We offer out-patient care, diagnostic services and programs for various health concerns of Indian women, across their lifetime - from puberty to pregnancy to menopause.