17 Benefits Of Masturbation You’ll Get Excited About
By Andi Breitowich
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By Andi Breitowich
Whether you use your fingers, a tantalizing vibrator, an anal plug, kegel balls, or cock ring, masturbation is whatever you want it to be. And, not only does it feel wonderfully blissful, but when you orgasm, that wave of pleasure and orchestra of stimulation comes with a load of other benefits. Yep, that’s right. Go ahead and make your own day because solo play has some major rewards. We are going to explore 17 amazing benefits of masturbation, that you can cash in on anytime.
PS: If there’s one piece of masturbation advice we swear by… it’s lube. Slather on a hybrid lubricant and go to town.
"Most of us live in our heads all day worrying and ruminating, ticking things off the to-do list, but we can sometimes feel like we are only our brains and forget to be present with and take care of our bodies,” says Dr. Lori Davis, a certified clinical sexologist, sexual medicine specialist, and sex counselor. “While our minds are smart, our bodies are wise, and tuning into our bodies provides us with a deeper and more grounded awareness,” she explains. In other words, make time for your body and don’t be afraid to show it some love because self-connection is key for living a centered, balanced, and satisfying life.
Masturbation is the best way to learn what you need for orgasm, says Dr. Davis. “For those that struggle to orgasm, the best way to find your path to this one type of peak pleasure is to masturbate regularly,” she explains. “Stay curious about what turns you on, explore various types of pleasure, different rhythms, alternate pressure, and speed, vary your breathing, and make delicious sounds.”Most importantly, though, tune in with what you want and dive deeper into how it makes you feel. Exploring all of your body, in your own time and in your own way, is what really matters.
If you feel misaligned or out of touch with your sexual partner/s, masturbation is an excellent way to discover exactly how you like to be touched, and can be utilized as a tool to enhance your partnered sex, says Dr. Elyssa Helfer, a clinical sexologist, certified sex therapist, and certified marriage and family therapist at Elevated Healing Center. “When masturbating, we can begin to note the motions, pressures, and sensations that we enjoy and use that information to create a roadmap to our pleasure destination,” she explains. Because let’s be honest, how can your partner/s know what works for your body if you aren’t even sure what works for yourself?
Once you’re intimately aligned with what your body wants and needs, you can use those roadmaps with your partner/s and begin the process of connection to create a satisfying sexual experience. When you’re able to understand what pleases you and the different techniques to do so, while in the privacy of your home free from judgment or pressure, you’re truly able to explore, says Joy Berkheimer, a marriage and family therapist, certified sexologist, and dating coach. “When you understand yourself more, you're better able to communicate to your partner what it is you need,” she explains.
Masturbation is available and permissible for all bodies. Period. It doesn’t matter your gender, sexuality, race, religion, or whether you’re in an able or disabled body because if you can assess what feels good to you, pleasure is always an option, says Berkheimer. Self-touch looks and feels different depending on the person and there’s no one way to describe the experience or how it should look, she explains. Appreciate and respect that masturbation is a common and available practice despite unique differences.
Unfortunately, in many cultures, self-pleasure, and shame often go hand in hand. But regular masturbation is a way to reclaim your body and begin creating healthy and positive attachments to the idea of pleasure and arousal, says Dr. Helfer. “Masturbation allows us to move toward a more fully embodied experience, where we can begin to dismantle some of the shame that often accompanies the pursuit of sexual pleasure.”
Let go of guilt and allow yourself to venture into new feelings, desires, and cravings.
Believe it or not, masturbation can help relieve period cramps, says Dr. Davis. When you orgasm, research has found that your body releases the feel-good neurotransmitters, serotonin, and dopamine, and these hormones act as natural pain relievers. That isn’t to say that masturbation will squash all period pain, but see what works for you, because in the name of science… a little self-pleasing can’t hurt!
If there’s one thing in life that’s always changing, it’s your body. Whether you’re experiencing the progression of aging, the impact of gender-affirming medications or treatments, or the bodily shifts of pregnancy, you're always worthy of being reintroduced to your pleasure, stresses Dr. Helfer. “Just as our bodies change, we must also change the ways in which we engage with ourselves, and one of the ways that we can do this is by approaching our bodies with gentle curiosity.”
Pay attention to what excites you, draws you in, turns you on, and makes you feel the most connected and confident, adds Berkheimer. Masturbation is and should be an intentional practice that is ever-changing as you grow, evolve, and learn.
"Orgasms are great for helping you fall asleep because the release of oxytocin and other endorphins at orgasm act as sedatives which can help you drift off to sleep after a busy day,” says Dr. Davis. Plus, orgasms also release a chemical called prolactin which is linked to feeling sleepy and can help you doze off. Masturbation or melatonin? We’ll let you decide.
"Orgasms stimulate a healing cocktail of brain chemicals, hormones, and neurotransmitters that help the brain and body recover from stress, regulate our mood, and even manage pain,” says Dr. Davis. Orgasms are like “nature’s antidepressant,” so a masturbation session might just be the mood supercharge you need.
"Orgasms are an excellent brain exercise, and researchers have shown that orgasm strongly activates almost all regions of the brain, infusing it with a rush of oxygen to keep it strong and healthy,” says Dr. Davis. Think of it like this: an orgasm is like letting the brain take a big cleansing inhale and uber-satisfying exhale, she explains.
Because masturbation is often pursued in the privacy of your own space (unless you’re with a partner and they watch you masturbate, which can be an excellent form of foreplay), you’re able to explore and engage in your fantasies free from questioning or judgment. “For some, this fantasy world can be filled with all of the yumminess of thrilling past experiences, imagining new and exciting scenarios, or enjoying a world of pleasure that cannot or will not ever be pursued in our daily life,” says Dr. Helfer. Find what makes you excited – mentally, physically, and emotionally – and devote your practice to exploring new territory.
It doesn’t matter your age or gender because masturbation is an excellent way to explore your body, says Berkheimer. “People often have these ideas as to what their anatomy is supposed to look like, but once you start to explore, you can see that your anatomy is different, and you can value what feels amazing and/or peaceful.”
Remember that your body doesn’t need to look like anything specific for pleasure to happen, and you don’t need to associate good-ness or enough-ness to the look of yourself, adds Berkheimer. Embrace all the feelings and place value on your desires, needs, and post-masturbation afterglow.
When we think about self-care, we may think of Pilates, face masks, and hot baths, but masturbation is actually a majorly deserving form of self-care, too, says Dr. Davis. Masturbation doesn’t involve any self-flagellation or deprivation and is an excellent go-to for self-love because it can be your own unique practice whenever you need it, she explains.
You may only feel the immediate physical effects of masturbation (a wave of pulsating pleasure and stimulation in your genitals), but studies have shown that masturbation can boost your overall immunity. In fact, it may even decrease your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, says Dr. Davis. So, look at masturbation through the lens of health and allow the practice to have some of your undivided attention.
One of the greatest gifts of our existence is the ability to experience pleasure, says Dr. Helfer. The rush of neurotransmitters that release during orgasm are meant to feel good. “Masturbation is a form of pleasure, the pursuit of pleasure, and a way to curiously approach pleasure,” adds Dr. Helfer. “It is a tool, a technique, and a teacher, and the pursuit of an orgasm is only a sliver of the profound impacts of masturbation.” Grant yourself permission to welcome tantalizing experiences and appreciate the power of widely enjoyable self-play.
If you’re unable, unwilling, or uninterested in partnered sex, masturbation is an excellent tool to experience pleasure without having to commit to someone else, says Berkheimer. “You can still have these experiences [of pleasure and orgasms] even if you don't have or want another person to do them with,” she explains. Make this time all about you and create a ritual that is empowering, connecting, and enjoyable – just the way you like it.
Whether you want to feel sexy for yourself or a partner/s, masturbation is a great tool to tap into your sensual, seductive, and confident self. “Having a strong masturbation practice means that we know ourselves, know what we need, and aren’t afraid to ask for it,” says Dr. Davis. “Nothing is sexier than this deeply embodied self-confidence!”
The myriad of benefits of masturbation cannot be argued with. At the end of the day, masturbation is all about you and what you make of it. Explore new desires, embrace wild fantasies, let go of shame or guilt, and say yes to hot and steamy solo sex.
Morale of the story? “Masturbation is you loving on you,” says Berkheimer. It’s good for the mind, body, and soul, and you deserve to explore.
