Masturbation is the act of bringing about sexual gratification through self-stimulation of the genitals. This act of self-gratification is also affectionately known to people by many other terms, such as "choking the chicken," "flicking the bean" and "going on a date with rosie palm and her five sisters" to name just a few. Everyone has heard one variation or another.
Statistical evidence shows that almost everyone participates in the act of masturbation at least once in their lives, but most men and women do it at least occasionally if not regularly throughout their lives. Masturbation is a normal, natural act that most people participate in - usually starting around the age of puberty, which is the stage of adolescence in which an individual becomes physiologically capable of sexual reproduction. However, some boys and girls begin to masturbate even before they hit puberty.
Men generally tend to learn to masturbate from an early age on more than women do, because they're routinely touching their genitals. Women, who are usually not taught very much about their genitals, are the ones who more often require assistance, information and guidance concerning techniques in masturbation. For those who would like to learn the basics in how to masturbate, becoming familiar with your genital anatomy is the first and most important step. Learning to get it on with one's self requires self-stimulation of the genitals in some way or another.
There is no right or wrong way to masturbate. Many people just use their hands and fingers, while others use objects such as sexual toys or other items that can be used to produce enjoyable, stimulating sensations. Either way, be it with hands and fingers or other objects, masturbation techniques can and do vary for both genders. Male and female masturbation techniques are similar in some ways but differ primarily due to anatomy.
In male masturbation, a man will usually wrap his hand around and squeeze his penis, moving it up and down while varying and adjusting the amount of pressure applied to get the most pleasurable sensations. This can be enhanced greatly with lubrication, and multiple products are available on the market today including those made specifically for genital lubrication. Other items can be used as well, including lotions, baby oil or wet and slippery food items like vegetable oil or mayonnaise. Most men say they enjoy masturbating in the shower, where soap and water usually do the trick very well and are considerably less messy and less expensive than some of the other lubrication options. No special products or equipment to enhance masturbation need be obtained unless desired.
In female masturbation, a woman will typically stimulate the clitoris, rubbing it in varying degrees or motions and adjusting as feeling dictates to increase pleasure. Most women reach orgasm from the stimulation of the clitoris, and there are many women who also greatly enjoy vaginal penetration or G-Spot stimulation. Often little or no artificial lubrication is needed for women due to the fact that an increase in sexual arousal usually produces natural vaginal secretions that provide adequate lubrication. However, women can and do become dry sometimes, even while they're still sexually excited, so lubrication can be highly desirable for use at such times. Although not necessary, many women love to use a variety of sexual aids like dildos, vibrators and other popular items, which can be found in any online or realtime adult stores.
Besides solo masturbation, another venue in this area is what we call mutual masturbation. This sexual play between couples, with each partner getting off by masturbating in front of the other partner, has become a very popular activity as well. Not only is mutual masturbation considered to be the safest sex you can have with another person, but it also has been known to be incredibly exciting sexually. Additionally, a person can really get to learn how his or her partner likes to be touched and stimulated.
It is not uncommon for couples to bring masturbation practices into their foreplay rituals or sex play, with each person masturbating at the same time in front of the other. However, for those who are without partners but who like to masturbate or talk about masturbation and other sexual issues, phone sex is an alternative which many adults have found serves as an incredible enhancement to masturbation. If you don't want to masturbate alone... you don't have to!
Whether its with a live partner or a live phone sex partner who loves to masturbate and talk about sex just as much as you do, mutual masturbation can be a very intense and extremely enjoyable sexual experience. Solo or mutual masturbation, erotic talk and sex play over the phone make for some of the best and safest enhancements to masturbation you will ever find. Speaking as a horny woman who has a lot of phone experience, phone play truly is the next-best-thing to actually being with a live person. Furthermore, a good phone sex partner will completely make you forget that you're even masturbating alone!
Masturbation has been enjoyed by man (and woman) since the beginning of time. Although still considered a taboo topic in some circles today, most people in general are much more liberal about masturbation than they ever used to be. What once was considered a shameful act that few would admit to participating in is now more and more recognized by society as a natural, safe and very healthy way to obtain pleasure and to release stress and sexual tension. Masturbation feels good, causes no harm to anyone, and the fact is just about everybody does it.
