Masturbation is self-stimulating your genitals in a sexual way to the point of reaching an orgasm.
It is a very common behavior among men and women. Women in India, culturally, are always expected to either never recognize their inherent sexual longings, or to easily overcome their sexual desire.
Masturbation can actually help women to understand their own bodies better, and they can do so without any shame or guilt. In fact, if anything, masturbation can help enhance a woman’s sexual experience with her partner.
The fact is there is enormous potential for healing, fulfillment, and wellbeing through exploring your sexuality as a woman and expressing it and experiencing it with joy.
Is masturbation a common behavior?
Sexologists, as well as researchers, are of the opinion that masturbation is a completely normal process for human beings and is a healthy sexual behaviour. It probably has a bad reputation because it is an intensely private sexual behaviour, which no one discusses, even with the closest of friends.
How many times in a week is masturbation considered normal for a woman?
The frequency per week can vary from woman to woman, based on her general health conditions. There are women who masturbate two to three times a day, or five times a week, seven times a week, or even not at all. This does not in any way make them more or less sexual.
Sexual desire is natural, however, an excess of anything is harmful. Therefore, rather than increasing the frequency of masturbation you can consider diverting your energy to things such as sports, creative arts or any other hobbies. This ensures that you live a balanced, healthy, and happy life.
Benefits of masturbation
Masturbation is a safe and natural way to:
feel good
discover what gets you hot
release built-up sexual tension
Hormones are also a reason you may sleep better after masturbating. After you orgasm your body releases vasopressin. This accompanies melatonin which controls your sleep cycle. As oxytocin calms your mind and dopamine and serotonin leave you feeling super satisfied.
Masturbating can help relieve anything from cramps and back pain to headaches and joint aches. masturbating stimulates blood flow to the vulva which stimulates lubrication. This can relieve some discomfort from vaginal atrophy or dryness which is a common side effect of menopause.
The pleasure quotient increases the release of the “feel good” hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin, the latter of which calms and reduces stress.
You increase blood flow to the genital area, which keeps tissue stronger and healthier.
Your body is your body. No one else should control your sexuality. Tell yourself that this is healthy for you.
What to do
Start off slowly if you have to; you don’t have to do everything at once. If you’re shy, cover yourself with a blanket. Get comfortable just touching yourself lightly and follow a sexy fantasy. Or just squeeze your thighs together in a rhythmic motion. Give yourself a chance to explore what works for you.
How to get started
When you’re aroused, your body self-lubricates, making masturbation a much smoother and pleasurable experience
Stimulate your clitoris using a finger or an object to gently stroke the clitoris. Your clitoris is packed with thousands of nerve endings, making it the most sensitive part of your genitals. That’s why most people with a vagina experience orgasm by stimulating their clitoris.
Insert your fingers or sex toys into your vagina.
Accept your fantasies. They’re yours; you don’t have to tell anyone.
Whatever type of erotica works for you, go for it.
You don’t have to rush masturbation. Play around with techniques and take your time to enjoy all of the sensations you’re feeling throughout your body.
Vibrators and dildos are loads of fun to play with, but they’re not the only sex toys in town. Some people, for example, like to stimulate themselves by using a showerhead on their clitoris or rubbing their vulva against a pillow.
Think about your nipples, how intimate you feel when someone plays with it, sucks it and kisses it, the ears, or thighs and how aroused you feel when someone presses it, plays with your boobs or fingers the vagina, these are the things which can shoot sparks of pleasure throughout your body.
Start rubbing or stroking your clitoris through the hood. You can also form a “V” with your pointer and middle fingers and slide them up and down the sides of the clitoral shaft. Find a rhythm that makes you feel good.
Move your fingers faster and harder once your clitoris becomes wet or after you’ve applied lube. Intensify the feeling by applying heavy pressure until you orgasm.
Penetrating your vagina with your fingers or a sex toy can bring you immense pleasure, even if you don’t orgasm.
First massage your vaginal opening, then slowly insert your fingers into your vagina. Make sure your vagina is wet or that you’ve applied enough lube to avoid friction.
Start to move your fingers or toy in a circular, in-and-out, stroking, or combination of motions.
Use parallel or opposite rhythms when playing with your clitoris and vagina at the same time.
Crouch down with your heels close to or touching the back of your thighs. Then, start to slide your fingers or toy into your vagina, moving deeper as you go.
Why should we do it
Masturbation is a healthy sexual activity. It can benefit your physical and mental health.
There are limited studies on the benefits of masturbation, but there are studies on sexual intercourse and stimulation.
Research and anecdotal reports suggest that sexual stimulation, including stimulation through masturbation, may help you:
relieve built-up stress
sleep better
boost mood
prevent Trusted Source anxiety and depression
relax
feel pleasure and enjoyment
relieve cramps
release sexual tension
improve self-esteem
have better sex
better understand your wants and needs
Myths about masturbation
There are several common myths about masturbation that have not been proven by scientific research.
For example, masturbation does not cause:
infertility
dehydration
hormonal imbalances
changes in the size or shape of the penis
decreased sperm count
vision loss
acne
hairy palms
erectile dysfunction
low libido
How to do this safely
Masturbation is arguably the safest form of sexual activity. Why? Well, self-pleasure puts you at a much lower risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) than other sexual activities. Plus, there is little to no risk of getting pregnant if you masturbate with a partner.
Even still, there are some precautions you should keep in mind when masturbating:
Wash your hands before and after masturbating to reduce the spread of bacteria.
Use lubricant if you’re experiencing vaginal dryness.
Masturbate in private or in the company of consenting adults.
If you’re using sex toys to masturbate, be sure to clean the toys thoroughly before and after use.
Masturbation and self life
masturbation is not harmful to your sex life. In fact, self-pleasure can have the opposite effect because it allows you to figure out what you do and don’t like. One study found that women who masturbate report higher sexual satisfaction with their partners than those who don’t.
Some couples also enjoy masturbating together, which can bring you closer together sexually. It’s also believed that masturbation is linked to a wider sexual repertoire and more frequent orgasms — all very good reasons to enjoy some self-love!
What tips to follow after masturbation
There should ideally be no restrictions on enjoyment. But for a secure and healthy masturbation session, please note the following hygiene advice.
Washing Hands Prior to Beginning your Pleasure Journey: A dirty hand could be covered in anything from bacteria and viruses to dust and dirt. You shouldn’t masturbate with those unwashed hands because doing so can cause a horrible infection down there, according to common masturbations tips.
So, wash your hands both before and after you finish fingering yourself.
Ensuring that Nails are Clean and Trimmed: This one should be obvious because, despite washing your hands, there is a chance that the dirt in your nails will infect your lower extremities.
But you also need to take into account another reason for best way to masturbate. Your sensitive private areas’ delicate tissue could get a minor abrasion from those lovely nails. According to a study that was written up in the Journal of the International AIDS Society, physical injuries can cause inflammations in the body and increase your risk of contracting an STD like AIDS.
Since the nails caused an open lesion, cut, or abrasion, any infection could pass through it and enter your system.
Paying Closer Attention to the Lubricant Used: According to a study that was released, using several lubricants damages both the rectum’s and the vagina’s cell lining, which increases the risk of STIs (STIs).
Aside from that, due to the sensitivity of their genital areas, many women experience an allergic reaction to a particular lubricant. As a result, you must be extremely careful while selecting a lubrication that is appropriate for you.
To start with, water-based lube can be a safe alternative, but everyone’s preferences differ. Even better, discuss your alternatives with your gynecologist.
The vagina is a self-cleaning machine.
If you’ve ever seen discharge in your undies — assuming it doesn’t have a new odor or tinge — that’s evidence that your vagina is functioning just right.
You should wash your vulva with warm water. If you’d like, you can use a mild soap that won’t irritate the skin — but this isn’t necessary.
Spread your lips apart and gently cleanse around the folds, using a clean washcloth or your hands. Avoid getting water or soap inside your vagina.
In addition to washing your vulva, it’s a good idea to wash the anus and the area between your vulva and anus every day.
It’s best to wash “front to back” — in other words, wash your vulva first and then your anus. Otherwise, bacteria from the anus can spread to your vagina, which can cause infections.
Your vagina might smell distinctly like a vagina, and that’s OK.
It’s unlikely that someone else will be able to smell it unless they’re very close to your vagina — so your sexual partner will probably smell it.
But that’s perfectly normal, and it’s not something to worry about.
No vagina is odorless, nor should they be. Vaginas have many possible smells, from coppery to sweet. The smell of your vagina might change depending on your diet and menstrual cycle.
If the smell is pungent and unpleasant, contact a doctor or other healthcare provider.
Certain conditions, such as bacterial vaginosis, can cause your vagina to smell strongly. Your provider can advise you on any next steps.
If anything goes into your vagina, be sure to check out the ingredients before you use it. Scented lube, condoms, and tampons should be avoided.
Wear cotton underwear
Cotton underwear is both gentle and comfortable on your sensitive pubic area — and it’s breathable, which lets the moisture “air out” instead of building up.
Nylon and other synthetic fabrics can irritate the sensitive skin around your vulva.
Change out of sweaty or wet clothes ASAP
Damp, warm conditions are ideal for breeding bad bacteria. To prevent this bacteria from overgrowing and infecting your vagina, change out of your wet swimsuit or sweaty gym pants as soon as you can.
Conclusion
Masturbation is a healthy, natural, and safe way to practice self-care.
Masturbating may have many benefits for your mind and body. There are typically no harmful side effects.
Feel free to enjoy self-pleasure without guilt or shame.