Masturbation is the act of using your hands, objects, or other methods to stimulate your own genitalia, which can lead to sexual arousal or even orgasm. It’s a common way for people to relieve sexual tension during puberty, and everyone experiences it. The genitals are private parts of the body and should not be exposed to or touched by others. Masturbation is a private activity and should be done in private, without others watching or seeing you. It’s important to protect your own privacy and consider others’ feelings to avoid situations that could be considered sexual harassment or assault.

Sexual Fantasies and Desires

How to Masturbate

Everyone has their own ways and preferences for stimulation and different sensitive areas. Some common methods include:

For people with a penis and testicles: They might rub or touch their penis and the head (glans), as these areas have many nerve endings, making the head of the penis one of the most sensitive spots. Some might use their hands or tools like sex toys to stimulate the scrotum or anus for sexual pleasure and climax.

For people with a vulva and vagina: They can use their fingers or tools like sex toys to rub or touch the area around the clitoris and/or inside the vagina. The clitoris has about twice as many nerve endings as the head of the penis, with close to 8,000. Therefore, it’s important to be mindful of the pressure and tools used during masturbation to avoid discomfort or pain.

When people masturbate, they often experience a strong feeling of pleasure that spreads throughout the body, which is commonly known as sexual climax or orgasm.

Tips

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Choose a Private Space: Pick a place where you won’t be interrupted or seen by others, such as a room with a lock or curtains at home, to avoid awkward situations.

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Avoid Live Streaming: Don’t live stream or broadcast your masturbation online, as it can be illegal and might lead to screenshots being taken by others.

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Keep It Private: Don’t share any details or pictures of your masturbation with others, especially without their consent. Avoid sending images or videos to anyone.

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Use Safe Tools: Only use safe, non-sharp tools and trim long nails beforehand. Make sure to clean all tools, including sex toys, before and after use. Consider using condoms and lubricants as needed.

"International Masturbation Month" and "Global Masturbation Equality Day"

International Masturbation Month started in the U.S. when Dr. Joycelyn Elders, who believed masturbation was a safe and harmless activity, suggested including it in school sex education programs. Her suggestion was not accepted, and she was forced to resign. In support of her, the well-known sex toy retailer Good Vibrations first held Masturbation Day on May 14, which later expanded to the entire month of May to help break the stigma around masturbation.

Global Masturbation Equality Day is celebrated on a different date each year and was promoted by the sex toy brand Womanizer. The day aims to raise awareness about the differences in masturbation practices between men and women. In a 2022 global survey by Womanizer, it was found that men masturbate an average of 2.8 times per week, while women do so 1.4 times per week. In Hong Kong, men masturbate about 90 times a year, while women do so about 57 times. The gap has narrowed compared to 2021, showing that masturbation is a common physiological phenomenon across different genders and is not exclusive to men.