"If you want something done right, do it yourself..."
Unfortunately, female masturbation has historically gotten a bad rep. While the awesome Celtic tribeswomen of yore had the sexually liberated Sheela-Na-Gig carving to inspire them, this was totally lost to them by the ultra-repressed Victorian era when a woman caught masturbating was institutionalized and treated for nymphomania (a "mental disease" which merited a treated of electric-shock therapy, having a fire hose blasted on the genitals, or even having the clitoris chemically removed!) We all know those bogus, ridiculous, and close-minded myths about masturbation are bullshit (it makes you grow hair on your palms, you'll go blind, it make you infertile, it makes Jesus weep, it kills puppies, etc.) so I won't even insult your intelligence by refuting them. They are dumb. Agreed? Right.
According to Susan Quilliam in her study, Women on Sex, 29% of women do so at least once weekly, only 1.8% masturbate without clitoral stimulation and 95% ALWAYS orgasm when masturbate (and in comparison, 77.3% can orgasm from oral sex, and 79.2% during intercourse, but cannot always). In her study, 95% of women she surveyed masturbated (or at least tried). Many women who have trouble reaching orgasm during sex find no trouble doing so when going solo. And women who wish to improve there coital "O" stats are advised to masturbate, on their own or with their partner. Masturbation helps women to understand what makes them tick and what makes them boom, making it a lot easier to navigate their partners and reach climax.
Masturbation can have fantastic benefits, not only for your psychic well-being, but for your physical health as well. It relieves stress, can strengthen your immune system, cure insomnia, ease painful menstrual cramps, and even reduce cholesterol. It's also a fantastic cardiovascular workout. Masturbation makes your body release endorphins and oxytocin; hormones which help you build strong relationships and form lasting bonds with the people in your life. All of this and with no risk of disease, pregnancy or bruised ego. You can see why they've been trying to save us from this "harmful" activity!
Many women, of all ages, have never masturbated. Thanks to our often sexually castrated culture (especially when regarding women.most misogynistic societies stressed sexual oppression in women because apparently a well-laid woman knows how much she's getting screwed!) many women don't know how to masturbate or are confused as to where to start. Thanks to our wonderfully diversified sexual organs, every woman is different and you simply have to experiment and find what works for you. After much searching, I found a site that clearly defined several common and simple masturbating techniques for women, though trust me there are many more where that came from! *
Rolling - There are a number of ways to manipulate the clitoris. Place your lubricated thumb and forefinger on either side of the clitoris and roll the flesh back and forth. Experiment with pressure, direction, speed, and technique.
Stroking - Many women enjoy a simple up and down stroke using the middle finger on the dominant hand to caress the clitoris and vulva. Others like to circle the clitoris on the up stroke and penetrate the vagina on the down stroke. Still others like to trace numbers or letters across the clitoris and vulva.
Drumming - Many women enjoy tapping their clitoris in a light rhythmic manner. This personal percussion builds excitement that can crescendo into an explosive orgasm for a few. Some women tap the clitoris directly while others tap just to the side or the top both inside the labia minora and outside the labia majora.
Water - Water massage is a highly popular method of masturbation. You can either position yourself under the tub facet, in front of a Jacuzzi jet or use a shower head to massage the clitoris and vulva. This type of water massage was once used as part of a lucrative spa treatment at the turn of the last century in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Rocking - A number of women find rhythmically rocking back in forth while seated or squeezing their thighs together repeatedly can produce an orgasm. Other women will rock against a solid object such as the arm of a sofa, a pillow, or other some other item.
Multiple Pleasures - Many enjoy multiple stimulation such as stimulating the clitoris and vagina at the same time or penetrating the vagina and anus at the same time or stimulating the clitoris, vagina, and anus all at once. One technique is to use two lubricated fingers to penetrate the vagina and rub the g-spot while rubbing the clitoris concurrently with the thumb. Do be aware you can go from vagina to anus with a finger or object but not from anus to vagina to avoid introducing bacteria from the anus into the vagina.
Fabrics - Some find fabric to be deeply erotic and will manipulate cotton panties or sheets to rub against their clitoris or slide a silk stocking between their labia to arouse the clitoris. Many women report the feel of sensual silky clothing against their body is what inspires them to masturbate in the first place.
Positions - You may find a change of position offers erotic opportunities. You can masturbate while lying on your belly, standing against a wall, or numerous other positions that can change the sensation of self pleasure.
And, according to the Betty Dodson's site (http://www.bettydodson.com/), May is the official National Masturbation Month! So there's no time like the present to use your new, or old, skills to create new sexual adventures for yourself, solo.
About the Author
Jenny Stein is a writer/artist/photographer/activist/bum currently located in Los Angeles. She lives in a basement apartment where she gets to watch bad shoes walk by all day. She is a self-professed bibliophile that enjoys fiery debates, people watching, and making friends with bums. Her favorite place to be is the subway, where you can get proposed to by a religious whacko, hear witty repartee between two bums, and win a debate with a stranger without speaking a word.
She dreams of traveling spontaneously for absolutely no reason. If she can keep her friends laughing when she's 99.9 years old then she will consider herself a success. Cheese is awesome.
Jenny is also the Sexuality Editor and Funny Grrrls Editor for Empowerment4Women. You can e-mail her at
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My curse is my gift. My nightmares, deep sensitivity, and emotional instability gives the best (and most uncomfortable) inspirations I could ever have. For me, art is passion - and visions are the mirror, which show my feelings and connect me with the rest of the world. Read More...
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