I love masterbating. It helps me when I feel stressed, when I’m bored, or need a little help getting to sleep. It is safer than having penetrative sex and can help better understand your body fully. It truly is a cure all for most mundane issues I have day to day. I only wish I had not harbored so much guilt over masterbating when I was younger.
As a teenager my relationship with masterbating was met with a great deal of shame and disgrace. I didn’t even know that stimulating my clitoris was even considered masterbating at the time. I just knew that I loved the sensation of it. I also remember feeling unclean sometimes after masterbating though and feared if my late loved one’s were looking down and watching me pleasure myself. As I got older and became less religious, I cared less and less, but I wondered where my guilt stemmed from?
My parents never talked to me about sex when I was growing up and while I was curious, I never really asked any questions. I went through sex ed in middle and high school, but much of the information was made to make you fear having sex and did not promote exploring and understanding your own body. At my high school they couldn’t demonstrate how to put a condom on properly and we were forced to watch outdated videos explaining sex. Even then this bugged me and I knew that I wanted to have a more positive outlook on my body and my sexuality.
I am a straight, cisgender woman and while my sexual experience is limited, I have made great strides in keeping my sex life healthy and fun. Masterbating throughout my life has made me a better sex partner. I know what my body needs in order to orgasm and I can help show that to my partner. There is no reason for anyone to feel guilty about masterbating. Whether you use toys, porn, your imagination, or any other means of pleasuring yourself, everyone should enjoy themselves. So go to your happy place and enjoy some time alone masterbating, guilt free.
There are plenty of wonderful resources you can check out if you have questions or concerns regarding masterbating or any sexual activity in general. Here are some links that go further into the health benefits of masterbating:
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-and-relationships/masturbation
http://www.thesexmd.com/benefits-of-masturbation/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stress-and-sex/201401/touchy-subject-the-health-benefits-masturbation