According to an analysis of Indiana University's National Survey Of Sexual Health And Behavior (NSSHB) by FiveThirtyEight, 71.5% of women and 81.5% of men from age 25-29 in the United States masturbate at least once a year.
Despite the clear pervasiveness of masturbation, the topic is often shrouded in shame and stigma, making it difficult for many people — especially people with vaginas — to discuss it openly. Because of this, there are likely a number of people who have a number of questions about masturbating that they don't feel comfortable asking and, therefore, never receive answers. And that's no way to live.
Below are some questions you may have been wondering about masturbation, answered by gynecologists.
1. Do women masturbate?
Woman thinking Yes, women masturbate.Shutterstock
"Women of all ages masturbate," Dr. Deborah Wilson, a gynecologist who works with the sex toy cleaner UVee, told INSIDER.
Statistically, this checks out. According to the NSSHB survey, some women masturbate more than four times a week.
This doesn't mean that every single person who identifies as a woman masturbates. But it does mean that if you happen to identify as a woman and you happen to enjoy masturbating, that's 100% normal.
Masturbating should be a guilt-free activity. HBO
Masturbation is defined by Merriam-Webster as "erotic stimulation especially of one's own genital." This quite literally means that a person does it alone. All the same, some people might feel a little uncertain about masturbating — possibly to the point in which they think it constitutes cheating.
"Masturbating is not cheating," Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine told INSIDER. "Most women do require direct clitoral stimulation for orgasmic responses."
If you're a woman, it's possible that your partner doesn't give you the direct clitoral stimulation that you need to orgasm. Even if they do, the orgasms you give yourself might just feel different — or better — than ones you get from your partner. Either way, masturbating shouldn't make you feel guilty.
Not reaching orgasm doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with you. If anything, it just means that whatever you're doing isn't quite working for you.
There is no "correct" way to masturbate, of course, but some people may not be masturbating in a way that is right for them. Minkin suggested getting to know your body better, experimenting with vibrators, and looking into websites that explore ways to enhance women's pleasure (like MedAmour), all of which might be able to lead to a "better sexual response," according to Minkin.
It is possible to turn anything into a habit, so, technically, it is possible to become addicted — or at least accustomed — to masturbating. But, Wilson told INSIDER masturbation obsession is rare.
So, as long as you listen to your body and masturbate only when you want to, not because it feels like a duty or compulsion, you'll be totally fine.
Masturbating itself shouldn't have an impact on the sensitivity of a vagina or clitoris, but you might want to pay attention to how often you use a vibrator.
Not because vibrators are inherently damaging, as some people think. In fact, a study done at Indiana University in 2009 found that vibrator use is often linked to increased sexual function. But because vibrators are designed to speed up the rate at which a person attains orgasm, if you're used to using a vibrator, masturbating or having sex without one can feel tedious.
"Some women who masturbate a lot with vigorous devices can find that they expect a lot of stimulation to reach an orgasm," Minkin told INSIDER. "So you don't want to require too much stimulation."
This doesn't mean you have to give up vibrators. But it can't hurt to mix things up and see what masturbating is like without vibrators.
"If being a virgin means that a [person] has an intact hymen, the ring of tissue that circles the opening of the vagina, then using dildos (or even tampons) can stretch or rupture the hymen and the answer is yes," Wilson told INSIDER. "If virginity means that you have never had intercourse, then the answer is no."
Statistically, this checks out. According to the NSSHB survey, some women masturbate more than four times a week.
This doesn't mean that every single person who identifies as a woman masturbates. But it does mean that if you happen to identify as a woman and you happen to enjoy masturbating, that's 100% normal.
2. Does masturbating count as cheating?
Marnie masturbating girlsMasturbating should be a guilt-free activity. HBO
Masturbation is defined by Merriam-Webster as "erotic stimulation especially of one's own genital." This quite literally means that a person does it alone. All the same, some people might feel a little uncertain about masturbating — possibly to the point in which they think it constitutes cheating.
"Masturbating is not cheating," Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine told INSIDER. "Most women do require direct clitoral stimulation for orgasmic responses."
If you're a woman, it's possible that your partner doesn't give you the direct clitoral stimulation that you need to orgasm. Even if they do, the orgasms you give yourself might just feel different — or better — than ones you get from your partner. Either way, masturbating shouldn't make you feel guilty.
3. Is there something wrong with me if I don't have an orgasm when I masturbate?
Masturbating doesn't always have to end with an orgasm. HBONot reaching orgasm doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with you. If anything, it just means that whatever you're doing isn't quite working for you.
There is no "correct" way to masturbate, of course, but some people may not be masturbating in a way that is right for them. Minkin suggested getting to know your body better, experimenting with vibrators, and looking into websites that explore ways to enhance women's pleasure (like MedAmour), all of which might be able to lead to a "better sexual response," according to Minkin.
4. Is it possible to masturbate too much?
Chances are good that you aren't masturbating too much. ShutterstockIt is possible to turn anything into a habit, so, technically, it is possible to become addicted — or at least accustomed — to masturbating. But, Wilson told INSIDER masturbation obsession is rare.
So, as long as you listen to your body and masturbate only when you want to, not because it feels like a duty or compulsion, you'll be totally fine.
5. Can masturbation make the vagina less sensitive?
As it turns out, your vibrator is actually pretty good for you. Comedy Central.Masturbating itself shouldn't have an impact on the sensitivity of a vagina or clitoris, but you might want to pay attention to how often you use a vibrator.
Not because vibrators are inherently damaging, as some people think. In fact, a study done at Indiana University in 2009 found that vibrator use is often linked to increased sexual function. But because vibrators are designed to speed up the rate at which a person attains orgasm, if you're used to using a vibrator, masturbating or having sex without one can feel tedious.
"Some women who masturbate a lot with vigorous devices can find that they expect a lot of stimulation to reach an orgasm," Minkin told INSIDER. "So you don't want to require too much stimulation."
This doesn't mean you have to give up vibrators. But it can't hurt to mix things up and see what masturbating is like without vibrators.
6. Does masturbating mean you aren't a virgin?
Virginity is often more complicated than it seems, anyway. The CW"If being a virgin means that a [person] has an intact hymen, the ring of tissue that circles the opening of the vagina, then using dildos (or even tampons) can stretch or rupture the hymen and the answer is yes," Wilson told INSIDER. "If virginity means that you have never had intercourse, then the answer is no."
Basically? The concept of virginity is complicated. So, whether or not you should think of yourself as a virgin after masturbating depends more on your definition of what virginity means.
7. Can you masturbate on your period?
Masturbating could help relieve your period cramps. Sarah Schmalbruch/INSIDERSome people say they feel extra-aroused when they're on their period. If this is the case for you, rest assured that masturbating on your period is OK — and, for some people, it is actually recommended. According to Planned Parenthood, masturbating while menstruating can help relieve cramps.
All the same, if you masturbate on your period, you do have to take a few extra cleaning precautions.
"Just be careful to clean your toys, because blood is a good bacterial medium," Wilson told INSIDER.
8. Can you catch STIs or other infections when masturbating?
Masturbating won't give you an STI, but you should still clean any toys you use before and after masturbating. Onephoto/ShutterstockAccording to Wilson, masturbating won't make you susceptible to STIs.
That said, it can't hurt to wash your hands before and after you masturbate. And, if you have toys, make sure to clean those as well.
"The toys a woman uses should be cleaned and sterilized," Wilson told INSIDER. "UVee, a UV-C light sanitizer, charger and locked storage system for adult toys, is an easy way to accomplish this."
9. Is there something wrong with me if I don't want to masturbate?
Nothing is wrong with you if you're just not that into masturbating. shurkin_son/ShutterstockMinkin said that there are some medical conditions and medications that can lead to a decrease in sexual desire, so if you've noticed a drastic change in your sex drive, you may want to visit a doctor. But not masturbating isn't necessarily an issue.
"There is nothing wrong with not masturbating, as long as you feel OK about it," Minkin told INSIDER.
10. What are the benefits of masturbating?
Masturbating is actually good for you. Golubovy/ShutterstockGood news for anyone into self-love: In addition to feeling great, it's also pretty good for you.
According to Planned Parenthood, masturbating can reduce stress, improve sleep, help treat sexual problems, improve body image, and strengthen pelvic and anal muscles.
Minkin said that masturbating can also help "release" pelvic engorgement, which, according to Stanford Health, is a painful condition in which the veins in the pelvic area become congested, usually occurring during pregnancy.
So, if you feel the urge, masturbate away. In many ways, it truly is self-care.
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