Sexual Pleasure: Solo Edition
When sexual health and safe sex are talked about, it’s often assumed that what we referring to as “sex” requires two people, and often people imagine heterosexual intercourse, i.e. penetrative penis-vagina sex. However, a huge part of sexual health is knowing your own mind and body, not just your partner’s, and one of the best ways to do that is through masturbation.
So what exactly is masturbation? Masturbation is the self-stimulation of genitals and other body parts (there are other erogenous zones on the human body, such as the anus or nipples) to achieve sexual arousal and pleasure, often to the point of orgasm. Stimulation can be achieved through massaging/rubbing with hands and fingers, streams of water, sex toys, and various other ways.
Masturbation is generally regarded by society as a normal, healthy activity, but many people stigmatize masturbation as a perverse act. However, masturbation is very common: in one national study, 95% of males and 89% of females reported that they have masturbated. Many different people masturbate during various stages of lives: young children, teenagers, adults, the elderly, people having sex with a partner, and people who have never had a sexual experience with another person before. In fact, masturbation is the first sexual act experienced by most people.
Other concerns that comes to mind for many people are the risks/safety associated with masturbation. There are many health myths associated with masturbation, such as people who masturbate will lose the ability to have children, lose the ability to orgasm during intercourse, get STD’s, grow hair on their palms, etc. However, the medical community considers masturbation to be safe, as long as done safely and in moderation. And by “safely,” I mean respecting one’s anatomy, such as being careful in choosing what objects to rub/insert on and into genitalia and body cavities and how vigorously these areas are stimulated.
The main reason most people masturbate is because it feels good. However, as I said earlier, masturbation is an important contributor to overall sexual health and pleasure. Masturbating is important for exploring one’s own body and sexuality. In other words, it’s an easy way for people to learn and practice what feels good for them, which varies greatly from person to person. This can translate to masturbation becoming a fulfilling and enjoyable part of peoples’ lives but also to more enjoyable sexual experiences with a partner.
So if you already masturbate, good for you and I hope this article has eased any of your concerns. If you haven’t masturbated before, I highly encourage you to try! You should try it somewhere you won’t be disturbed by anyone, like in your own room (if you live with a roommate, hopefully they stick to a preset schedule) or the shower. This way, you can have privacy and relax so you can explore yourself deeply and fully.
Filed under: Sexual Health Awareness Week | Closed
Tags: masturbation, sexual pleasure, solo
