

If shame comes up for you, "start by owning that that’s what you’re experiencing," she says. ➡ Join WH Stronger today and get unlimited access to digital content, exclusive workouts, and more! "There is absolutely nothing shameful about self-pleasuring, and there’s nothing to feel guilty about after you do it," she says. But nothing could be further from the case. The result of these (lack of) teachings leave some masturbators with a challenge to overcome: Believing that masturbating is wrong, says Fleming. At worst, we’re taught to avoid it altogether," Hall explains.

"At best, we’re told to never discuss and keep it to the confines of our bedrooms. Acknowledge any shame you might be feeling. "Touch gently and, with curiosity, label the parts that feel most sensitive, arousing, ticklish, and uncomfortable,” she says. Brito suggests taking your time to explore and name all parts of your body to figure out what feels good and what's just meh.

But that doesn’t mean touching allllll the other parts of your vulva can’t feel good, too. True, odds are high that you’ll need clitoral stimulation to cross the finish line. Depending on your anatomy, finding your clit may be easier said than done, but it's worth the effort. Home to a whopping 15,000 (!) nerve endings, it should come as no surprise that some 37 percent to 73 percent of vulva-owners NEED clitoral stimulation to orgasm, according to research. your best friend) is where the masturbation magic usually happens. It’s really the best way to see what your vulva *actually* looks like, she says. That’s why Brito recommends beginning your personal investigation with the basics, which is to say, a hand-held mirror. Unless you’re in Cirque du Soleil, getting a real good look at your vulva and vagina is going to be physically impossible. Try masturbating! Orgasming releases the body’s natural pain relievers: dopamine and serotonin.īlueringmedia 2. I know what you're thinking: duh! But if you're looking to avoid pregnancy or eliminate your risk of STIs, masturbation is the way to go, says Wendasha Jenkins Hall, PhD, a sex educator and researcher. "Masturbation increases blood flow to the genitals, which is important because blood flow keeps the vagina healthy,” says Dr. "We know that you get total-body relaxation after an orgasm, which is great for someone who's tense." "Masturbation releases stress and anxiety," says Leah Millheiser, MD, clinical assistant professor and director of female sexual medicine at Stanford University Medical Center. But the health perks will have you reaching into your panties faster than you can say "vibrator." These perks include: The fact that it feels phenom is reason enough to get down with your bad self. Good news: Masturbation has tons of health benefits. Need another reason to enjoy your ~alone time~? I've got four. "Relay that insight to your partner and you’re destined for better partner sex, including orgasms, which promote bonding," says Fleming. Maybe you realize clitoral stimulation is absolute must to climax, or perhaps you discover deep penetration is what gets you to O-town (and beyond). Because you're able to experiment on your own, masturbation is a low-pressure way to learn what feels good, explains Megan Fleming, PhD, a psychologist and sex therapist. Plus, it's good for your sexual partner(s), too. Whether you incorporate a sex toy or go the ole-fashioned finger route (no wrong answers here!), solo play isn't just a fun way to spend "me time," it’s also legit good for you-more on that in a sec. What’s a woman to do? Masturbate, of course! You’re home, you’ve got a few hours all to yourself, and you’re hornier than a rhino dressed as a devil for Halloween.
