What are the Top 5 Benefits of Masturbation?

Scientists have proven that masturbation - and climaxing in particular - causes your brain to release lots of different hormones that have a range of positive effects.

“Masturbation is a cocktail of neurotransmitters/endorphins, all of the feel good ones, including dopamine and serotonin plus the attachment/cuddle hormone of oxytocin. This is self-love on steroids, not only does it feel good in the moment, the physiological changes of arousal and orgasm are just plain good for your body, health and overall wellbeing.” - Dr. Megan Fleming

1. Relieves Tension

By their very nature, orgasms are a release of tension. Physiologically, the muscles in your genitals contract and release as you build arousal in the body. Climax is a build-up followed by a release; your muscles relax and that overpowering pleasurable feeling takes over.

As well as a profound physical release, your mind also benefits from the hormones released during climax. Dopamine and oxytocin (the happiness and love hormones) help to elevate your mood, making you feel calmer and happier. Just like a good workout or a massage, a solo session can be an outlet to release built up tension in your body and ease stress. Similarly, the relaxation you experience post-orgasm, helps prepare your body and your mind for a restful sleep. If you're someone who has a hard time "shutting off" or needs support winding down from the day, solo play may be just what you need. If this isn’t a great reason to masturbate, we don’t know what is.

2. Improves Sex

Despite what some may fear, masturbation actually makes sex with your partner much better. Knowing your personal erogenous zones, where you like to be touched and how, makes your partner's job much easier.

Not only does masturbation teach you what you enjoy (which you can then share with your partner), but it also helps strengthen your pelvic muscles. This can lead to more powerful orgasms, and for penis owners, stronger, longer-lasting erections. Like with any healthy routine, there's also a benefit in regularly taking part in your sexual practices. The more sex and orgasms you experience, the more attuned your body is to the process of arousal and climax. Rather than detract from your partner play, masturbation can actually make you more inclined to want to connect physically with your partner and it can make it more pleasurable when you do.

3. Helps You Last Longer

This practical side effect of masturbation is particularly relevant for penis owners who have issues with finishing too quickly.

According to sex therapists, people who struggle with premature ejaculation helped improve their stamina by masturbating around two hours before they had sex.

Masturbating regularly and trying techniques such as edging has also been proven to aid with climax control and improve stamina over time.

4. Boosts Confidence

Many of us have negative associations with masturbation due to shameful messaging from our families, religious institutions, and the like. When we can move past these negative thoughts and associations, research has shown that the chemicals released from pleasuring yourself activate the pleasure reward system in the brain and actually make you feel pretty good about yourself.

In addition to the other benefits we've highlighted, masturbation lifts your mood with the release of oxytocin, dopamine and endorphins. You also get a boost of adrenaline, which improves self esteem. This delightful cocktail of chemicals and hormones, paired with the act of being in physical contact with your own body and doing something nice for yourself can enhance how you feel about and in your body.

5. Relieves Pain

As if the first 4 benefits were not enough, orgasms can reduce pain. Endorphins are the bodies natural painkiller, and endocannabinoids reduce inflammation - both are released in the body when experiencing sexual pleasure. Studies have even shown a link between masturbation and reduced pain from headaches and migraines.

Researchers are beginning to support the idea that masturbation can ease menstrual cramps and soothe headaches. Who would have thought that jacking off just might be our best medicine.

1. Add Lube

Lube reduces friction and increases glide. No matter what kind of play you are exploring, lube makes it better because less friction is more pleasurable. Stimulation that might feel like a dry match against your skin without lubricant, can transform into sensual touch with a high quality lubricant.

Water-Based Lubricant

Water-based lubes are the catch-all because they can be used for any kind of play and for all toys.

Silicone-Based Lubricant

Silicone lube is often preferred for sex acts that require long lasting, super slick glide, like anal play for instance. Silicone lubricant does not dry out because the molecules do not absorb in the skin like water soluble lubes. The downside is you have to wash it off, it can stain the sheets and it's not compatible with silicone toys.

Hybrid Lubricant

Hybrid lube is a formulation that has both silicone and water soluble ingredients and a consistency like lotion. It gives the longer lasting slickness of silicone with a realistic look and feel.

2. Set the Mood

We often romance our partners and rarely consider doing so for ourselves. Setting the mood with things like lighting and music can go a long way in upping our solo play game.

Think about things that turn you on. It can be anything from that pair of shoes you feel hot in, to porn or erotica. Bring those elements into your masturbation routines to help you get grounded and aroused. The more thought and care you put into your masturbation, the hotter it will be.

3. Switch it Up

We can get into ruts with any routine. Using your solo play time as the time you set aside to explore and try new things can be super fun.

When we introduce new sex acts or erogenous zones into couple's play there is built in pressure. Everyone wants to climax and wants their partner to have a good time too. Trying out new sensations on your own first takes the pressure out of the equation. You can always bring your learnings back to your partner for a little "show and tell."

4. Massage the Pubic Mound

In the spirit of exploring erogenous zones, let us introduce you to the pubic mound. The pubic mound is the area at the top of the genitals where the pubic bone protrudes out. (Think above the clit and the base of the penis).

Have you ever grinded against your partner or a pillow to get off? Or have you noticed during sex that close contact with this area enhances your orgasm? Well, the pubic mound is a hidden gem in the pleasure network. Massage in this area indirectly stimulates all of the juicy nerve endings in your bits. In fact, both the shaft of the clit and the penis extends inside the body. The only way to access that internal portion of the shaft is by massaging the pubic mound.

Applying pressure to the pubic mound with your hand, grinding on something (or someone) or with a toy is a great way to warm up or send your orgasm over the edge. Because the nerves there aren't right on the surface, you can stimulate the pubic mound to build arousal. A lot of people struggle with getting turned on solo. If I am describing you, make friends with your pubic mound.

5. Try a Toy

Our hands are great! Our partners are wonderful. But guess what? No limb or person can go hard or deep for 3 hours without losing steam. Toys come in handy (pun intended) when we crave that sweet spot that's just out of our reach or we require a type of stimulation or a level of intensity that we can't create on our own.

Toys enhance masturbation by engaging new erogenous zones, creating unique sensations or when we need to get the job done. Keep reading for our faves for all your solo play needs.