Masturbation Benefits

Masturbation is totally normal – and totally good for you. The benefits of masturbation go way beyond just feeling good. From lowering stress to boosting body confidence, solo play supports your physical, mental, and sexual wellbeing.

Whether you’re flying solo regularly or just starting to explore self-pleasure, this guide covers everything you need to know: from science-backed benefits to myth-busting truths and expert tips to make it even more satisfying.

Only got time for a quickie?

There’s way more juicy detail in the full article but, if you’re short on time, here’s the quick and dirty on why self-pleasure is good for you:

• Masturbation is healthy and normal: People of all genders (single or partnered) masturbate – it’s a natural way to explore your body and release sexual tension.
• Solo play is linked to less stress, better sleep, improved mood, and even pain relief, thanks to feel-good hormones released during orgasm.
• Regular self-pleasure can enhance your sexual confidence and libido. Knowing what you enjoy makes it easier to orgasm and communicate your needs to partners, leading to more satisfying sex for everyone involved.
• Myths that masturbation causes infertility, erectile dysfunction, hairy palms, or blindness are false. You generally can’t “masturbate too much” unless it interferes with daily life or causes discomfort.
• Masturbation is a form of self-care and empowerment. It’s a safe sexual outlet with no risk of pregnancy and almost zero STI risk (just clean your toys!).
• Using a good lubricant can enhance pleasure and prevent chafing, and sex toys (like vibrators or strokers) can open up new sensations. Dive in at your own pace – there’s no “right” way to do it!

Masturbation isn’t just a feel-good moment – it's packed with science-backed benefits that support your body, mind, and sexual wellness. Here are the main benefits of masturbation:

• Stress relief: Orgasms flood your system with dopamine and oxytocin, reducing cortisol (the “stress hormone”) and promoting deep relaxation.
• Better sleep: Post-orgasm hormones like prolactin and oxytocin help your body and mind drift off more easily.
• Pain management: The endorphin rush from masturbation can ease menstrual cramps, tension headaches, and even general muscle aches.
• Muscle tone: Orgasms activate your pelvic floor muscles, helping maintain sexual health, bladder control, and strong orgasms over time.
• Prostate health: Regular ejaculation may lower the risk of prostate cancer, according to some studies.
• Body confidence: When you explore what feels good on your own terms, you start to appreciate your body for the pleasure it can give, not just how it looks.
• Mental clarity: Ever felt sharp, focused, or suddenly creative after an orgasm? Masturbation can help clear mental clutter and reduce stress – hello, “post-nut clarity”.
• More satisfying sex: People who masturbate tend to report higher overall satisfaction. Solo play helps you discover what you enjoy, making it easier to communicate needs and boundaries during sex.
• Improved sexual stamina: If you experience premature ejaculation, regular masturbation may help you last longer with a partner.

Definitely not. This is a common myth but, in reality, masturbation and partnered sex go hand in hand. Solo play isn’t a replacement for intimacy or competition for your partner – it’s a way to explore your own desires, reduce pressure on your partner, and bring more confidence into your sex life.

Many people in loving, healthy relationships masturbate. In fact, understanding your body through self-pleasure often leads to more satisfying sex with others. It can reduce performance anxiety, increase arousal, and make communication in bed easier.

Masturbating together can even be a turn-on – showing you how your partner likes to be touched and exploring different kinds of intimacy before rushing to penetrative sex. Check out our guide to Mutual Masturbation for tips on going solo, together.

So no, masturbation isn’t a threat to your relationship!

Exploring your body isn’t just about chasing orgasm – it's about tuning into new sensations, desires, and fantasies. Here’s how to keep solo play fresh, exciting, and deeply satisfying:

Tips for vulvas

It’s not always easy for people with vulvas to climax, especially during partnered sex. Masturbating can help you figure out what makes your body feel amazing – leading to more satisfying sex in all its forms. For even more advice, check out our guide How to Masturbate for Women.

Start slow

Build arousal gradually by getting in the right frame of mind. You might read (or listen to) erotic stories or fantasize on your own, without shame or judgement. Then, begin by touching areas away from your vulva – thighs, tummy, breasts – using slow, feather-light strokes. Left your arousal simmer before focusing on your clitoris or vagina.

Explore the clitoris (inside and out)

Incredibly, the clitoris contains around 8,000 nerve endings (more than any other part of the human body!), and its sole purpose is pleasure.

The bit you can see (the sensitive button-like area where your labia meet above the vaginal opening) is just the tip of the iceberg. Known as the clitoral glans, this is the external part of a much larger internal structure. Beneath the surface is a network of erectile tissue, extending around your vagina.

Circle the clitoral glans lightly with your finger if you find direct touch too intense. Try gentle taps or massage, moving down towards the inner lips. No two people experience clitoral pleasure the exact same way, so part of the excitement is exploring what feels best for you.

Experiment with new sensations

Rather than rushing to the clit, try stroking or gently tugging your labia to get aroused first. Cup your vulva with your hand and enjoy the sensation of warmth this brings. Use the palm of your hand to press or rub the clitoris while your fingers explore the opening to your vagina.

Try shallowly inserting a finger and rocking your hips to press more firmly into your hand. If that feels good, go deeper with your fingers, moving them back and forth or in small circles.

Try a clitoral suction toy

Bullet vibes, rabbit vibrators, magic wands; there are plenty of toys designed with vulvas in mind. But have you ever tried a clitoral suction toy? From a slow, gentle flutter to more powerful thuds, these innovative toys recreate the sensation of oral sex... maybe even better!

If you’re not sure whether you’d prefer a vibrator or a clitoral suction toy, look out for something that does both – like the Womanizer Enhance. It uses Womanizer’s patented Pleasure Air Technology to stimulate the clitoris with pulsing air waves, as well as deep, rumbly vibrations.

Tips for penises

If you’ve got a penis, this section is for you. Get some quick masturbation tips here or read the full guide: How to Masturbate for Men.

Change your technique

If you usually just stroke up and down the shaft, switch things up by tracing slow spirals around the frenulum (the sensitive skin connecting the head to the shaft) with your fingertips. Add a splash of lube to the tip of your penis and roll your hand in circles over it – or gently tug or squeeze your balls with your non-dominant hand while the other strokes the shaft. Switch hands. Play with speed and grip – slow and teasing can sometimes be hotter than fast and hard.

Try edging

Edging can make your final climax feel way more intense. It might also help with control if you tend to ejaculate prematurely during sex. Bring yourself close to orgasm, then slow down. Keep repeating this cycle until you can’t hold it any longer and the climax is unstoppable!

Play with toys

That’s right, sex toys aren’t just for people with vulvas. You can try a stroker or even a bullet vibe to increase your pleasure – try holding a bullet vibe against your frenulum or perineum to add delicious vibrations while you jerk off. Strokers hug your penis with intriguing textures that can feel like oral, vaginal, or anal sex.

Please your prostate

If you’ve got a penis, you most likely also have a prostate – which means you could be experiencing a whole new dimension of pleasure when you masturbate. If you’re into anal play, you’ll be able to reach your ‘P-spot’ via your B-hole and possibly enjoy a prostate orgasm.

Go slow if you’re new to anal play – and always use anal lube. Slide a lubed-up finger or anal beads into your butt while you masturbate. When inserting a finger, press down or rub small circles towards your belly from within. If you’re using beads, be sure to only go a few beads at a time and keep hold of the handle so you pull them out easily.

Tips for everyone

• Get in the zone. As sex researcher, Dr. Emily Nagoski says, “context matters” when it comes to enjoying sex. Your brain needs to feel safe and sexy to turn the pleasure dial up. So, make sure you’re alone, play some sexy music, or run a bath for extra relaxation and privacy.
• Lean into your fantasies. Use your imagination, watch ethical porn, or listen to some audio erotica. Fantasizing can tap into your “accelerator” system, which Emily explains is key to turning off the mental “brakes” that stop us from getting in the mood for sex.
• Play with lube. Even if you’re naturally lubricated, water-based lube can intensify pleasure and reduce friction, especially if you masturbate a lot! Think of it like silk sheets for your skin.
• Explore novelty. Switch up your position by kneeling, leaning against a wall, or placing one foot on the side of the bath. Explore your erogenous zones, like nipples, thighs, or perineum, with light pinching, circling, or stroking motions to awaken the nerves.
• Use a mirror. You might feel shy at first but watching yourself get off can be seriously sexy. Turn the lights down low, or light some candles, and start by half glancing at yourself as you play. Notice how beautiful and powerful your body looks! You’ll build up your body confidence without even trying.
• Don’t overlook your B-hole. If you’ve never explored anal masturbation before, start with a butt plug. For some people, wearing a butt plug applies a deep, throbbing pressure that makes everything – your clit, your penis, your nipples – light up more intensely.

No matter your gender or sexual orientation, there’s a sex toy out there for everyone! Here’s a guide to some of the most popular sex toys that’ll bring new sensations to your masturbation session.

Clitoral suction toys

People who love clitoral stimulation toys report fast, powerful orgasms. Think of these toys as your personal oral sex simulator – but with endless stamina. If you’ve ever found direct vibration a bit too much (or you just want something new), a suction toy is pure magic.

Suction toys like the Lovehoney Rose use pulses of air to tease the clit without touching it directly, which can help avoid overstimulation. One reviewer said, “[It was] a spectacular surprise. It had [my wife] grasping the sheets within minutes.” If you’ve never tried a clitoral suction toy before – this is your sign!

Vibrators

Vibrators are the all-rounders of the pleasure world – and there’s one for every mood.

Want a light, teasing buzz over your nipples? A bullet vibe will get you there. Craving deep, rumbly waves that shake you to your core? Grab a wand and let it work its magic. Some vibrators are designed for internal use too – like G-spot vibrators that massage you from the inside out, or rabbit toys that give you the best of both worlds.

Wherever your sweet spots are (clit, penis, nipples, thighs), a vibrator can unlock layers of sensation you didn’t even know were waiting.

Male masturbators

These clever toys (often called “strokers”) wrap snugly around the penis, drawing it into the unique textures inside. Some are designed to look and feel like realistic vaginas or butts. Others offer warming, thrusting, or vibrating sensations to tease you even more.

If you don’t want your toy to mimic the feel of a person, go for a neutral, non-realistic appearance like the Lovehoney x Fleshlight Masterstroke. It has a transparent case so you can watch the action, while the soft SuperSkin material feels sensational on your body. “I like seeing the dick in there and the texture is really nice,” says one reviewer. “It's not just a sock on a banana feeling. The texture changes throughout the toy as well.”

Prostate massagers

Designed to stimulate the prostate (aka the “male G-spot"), these magic little toys often have large bulbous head and a slim neck for comfortable insertion. Toys with a large head cover more surface area, making it easier to target your prostate – ideal for beginners.

Look out for a prostate massager that vibrates, rotates, or thrusts if you want intense sensations. Otherwise, you could use a dildo for a more classic experience. Dildos can be super realistic, completely out of this world, or made of smooth, sensual glass... the options are pretty endless!

Butt plugs

Butt plugs are designed to be inserted gently into the anus, where they create a delicious, steady feeling of fullness. When you combine that with masturbation, it’s like turning up the volume on your whole body.

Some anal toys vibrate for extra thrills, while others are slim and comfy enough to wear while you play with other parts of your body. Even a small plug can send shivery little waves through your pelvis and make your orgasms feel stronger and longer.

If you’re curious, start with a beginner plug that’s flexible and slim. Take it slow and focus on how good it feels to build that warm, buzzing sensation from inside out.