Masturbation

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What is masturbation and why is it even necessary?

Almost everyone has tried masturbation at least once in their life - and yes, there is nothing strange or “wrong” about it. It's a very natural way of exploring your sexuality that is found in people of all genders, ages, and orientations. Essentially, it's when you consciously stimulate your genitals - with your hands, toys, or anything else appropriate - to get pleasure or just to better understand how your body responds.

Although self-satisfaction is sometimes associated with loneliness or “not having a date,” in reality it can be an important part of a healthy sex life. It is not only a way to discharge, but also a tool for self-exploration; since, through such practices, we get to know better what it is that excites us and what - on the contrary - does not attract us at all. This is a kind of personal “self-guide”, which is difficult to get in any other way.

It is important to realize that attitudes towards self-satisfaction depend on culture and environment. In some societies it is still taboo and considered something shameful; while in others, it is just one of the ways of taking care of oneself, as normal as, for example, meditation or sports. From a medical or psychological point of view, masturbation is a perfectly normal and, most importantly, safe practice. It can reduce stress levels, improve mood, and in some people it even helps them sleep better.

So no, self-satisfaction is not a “backup” or a “shameful habit”. It's one way to be in tune with yourself and better understand what you really want - both in life and in bed.

How attitudes towards masturbation have changed throughout history

Masturbation is not some modern “internet fad” or a consequence of loneliness. It has been with mankind literally from the very beginning. As far back as ancient Egypt, the practice was not only not hidden, but depicted on tomb walls. In the Greeks and Romans, solo practice was not considered something shameful either - philosophers wrote about it, it was mentioned in myths, and some texts considered it a normal part of life.

But things changed dramatically in the Middle Ages; with the advent of strict religious norms, sexuality in general began to be pushed into a strict framework. Masturbation began to be seen as sinful, and sex as a matter solely for procreation. Pleasure? Forget it, anything that didn't lead to conception was forbidden. However, no matter how hard the moralists tried, no one could control this activity: people masturbated, they just did it in secret.

The real interest in the topic returned in the XIX century, when science began to get more actively involved in the topics of the body and psyche. With the development of medicine, psychology and illustrations in textbooks, sexuality began to be studied seriously. Not only doctors, but also psychologists became involved in masturbation.; for example, Sigmund Freud regarded it as an important stage in the sexual development of personality, not as a “dangerous habit”.

And then came the twentieth century and the sexual revolution. Taboos began to crumble, and masturbation finally began to be perceived as a normal, useful and even necessary element of personal sexual life. Studies have confirmed that self-pleasure can help reduce anxiety, improve mood, increase body awareness, and simply give people a better understanding of their sexuality.

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At what age do people start masturbating - and why it's no reason to panic at all

To put it bluntly, self-satisfaction can start much earlier than adolescence; so yes, on average, most people begin to consciously engage in it around age 12 to 16, when hormones begin to actively alter perceptions of the body, sensation, and sexuality. But bodily curiosity occurs in humans as early as childhood, and it's not something weird or abnormal - it's biology, physiology and basic psychology.

Children are little explorers. They touch their body because it's still new territory for them. And when a child, without understanding the essence of what is happening, accidentally feels something pleasant, they may return to this experience - not because they “want sex”, but because a simple connection is formed in the brain: it feels good → I want more. Such actions are part of a normal stage of development and have nothing to do with adult sexual practices.

When the teenage period begins, emotions, fantasies, erotic images are added to the physical exploration: the body requires discharge, and self-satisfaction becomes quite natural and, most importantly, a safe way to get it. At this stage, masturbation is already recognized as a sexual act, although the level of awareness may vary.

But most importantly, solo practice is not limited to adolescence, as it is not a temporary phenomenon “until a partner comes along.” It is a personal intimate practice that can accompany a person for a lifetime. Adults, people in relationships, and the elderly masturbate, not because “something is missing” but because it is part of their personal sexuality. It's a way to relieve tension, cope with stress, understand themselves better, or just to have fun - without obligation, without pressure, at their own pace.

A partner, by the way, does not cancel out the desire for solo practice. Pleasure is not divided into “pair” and “single” - it's just different in form, that's all. Masturbation remains a part of intimate life, even if you have regular sex - it is not “instead of” but “in addition to”.

What types of masturbation there are - and how they even work

Masturbation is not just “hand and fantasy”, as many people think. There are many ways to give yourself pleasure, and everyone chooses the one that best suits their mood, temperament or just phase of life. Below are the most common types of self-pleasure practiced by people around the world.

Classic - with hands

The most basic and accessible way is to stimulate yourself with your fingers or your whole hand. Suitable for both men and women, it does not require any additional devices at all, except for a private space and, preferably, lubrication. Despite its simplicity, this method gives complete freedom - you can experiment with the rhythm, pressure, movements, until you find exactly what works to the maximum.

With toys - for a change

Sex toys are the next level. Vibrators, dildos, masturbators, vibro bullets, prostate massagers - all of these are designed to enhance sensations, open up new pleasure zones and generally make masturbation even more interesting. Here you can play not only with the body, but also with the perception: different shape, power, temperature - everything affects the result.

Fantasies - sex in your head

Sometimes all you need is to turn on your imagination. In many people, masturbation is accompanied by mental pictures: be it fantasies about some person, unrealized desires or memories of pleasant moments from the past. This is one of the most powerful “internal stimulators” that can work even without physical stimulation - just from arousal at the brain level.

Porn, books and sound - visual and audio stimulation

Many people use porn, erotic stories, movies or even audio fantasies for self-pleasure. This is not just a way to “look at naked people”, but a whole tool of arousal, especially if visualization helps to reach the right mood faster. Some people care about the picture, some people care about the story or the voice. There is a huge industry built on this, which supplies content for all tastes.

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Masturbation for two - but still about yourself

Yes, yes, self-satisfaction doesn't always mean loneliness. Some couples practice “solo play” together: watching each other, doing it in parallel or helping each other in the process. It can be both an element of foreplay and an independent act that helps to open up, show your preferences, learn to better understand your partner's body and strengthen emotional and sexual intimacy.

Why masturbate at all: the real benefits without embellishments

It relieves stress and sways your mood

During orgasm, the body releases endorphins - the same “happy hormones” that give you a sense of relief, calm and even a slight high. Masturbation is such a natural way to let loose when you're fed up, or when you just need to exhale after a stressful day. It can really help relieve stress and even improve your overall psycho-emotional state, especially if you're prone to anxiety.

It helps you get to know your body better

Regular solo practice is a direct path to body awareness. You become more aware of where your sensory zones are, what you like and what you don't particularly like. And the coolest part: this knowledge can (and should!) be applied in sex with your partner. To talk, to show, to guide; the better you know yourself, the higher the chance that your partner will give pleasure the way you really need.

Works as a prevention of sex problems

Masturbation isn't just about “pleasure alone,” it's also about exercise. In men, for example, regular stimulation helps improve erectile function, keep ejaculation timing under control, and generally “keep in shape.” For women, it is also a way to maintain sensitivity and increase sexual self-awareness. Most importantly, without fanaticism or addiction.

May reduce the risk of certain diseases

Some studies show that men who ejaculate regularly (including through masturbation) may have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Of course, it's not a magic cure, and prevention involves more than just sex, but it's still an extra reason not to feel guilty about your sexuality.

Helps you sleep

After orgasm, the body goes into a phase of complete relaxation: cortisol levels drop, a pleasant fatigue comes in, and then you're already dozing off. This is especially helpful for those who have trouble falling asleep or the inner tension does not let go until the night. Sometimes self-satisfaction works better than sedatives.

Masturbation without myths: what is important to understand in reality

Despite the fact that masturbation is recognized as a normal, healthy and quite natural part of sexual life, there are still a lot of prejudices, fears and shame surrounding it. People are still afraid to talk about it openly, and in some circles the topic is considered taboo; which is pretty strange, considering how common and universal the practice is.

When “a lot” is no longer the norm

Yes, masturbation is generally beneficial, but that doesn't mean it should be practiced endlessly and without pause; a in any other aspect of life, it's important to have a sense of proportion. If you start masturbating so often that it interferes with your daily life, affects your performance, communication, sleep or causes physical discomfort - it is a reason to think about it. The body and psyche need balance too, and constant stimulation can not only tire you out but also dull the sensation.

Guilt isn't about the body, it's an attitude in the head

One of the biggest problems is upbringing and cultural inhibitions; many people have grown up with the idea that masturbation is “sinful”, “shameful”, “ew, you can't”. This is especially common in families with conservative or religious views, where any expression of sexuality is suppressed. As a result, a person can live for years with an internal conflict: he does something perfectly normal, but feels guilty, as if he is committing a crime.

In fact, self-satisfaction is not a shame or a mistake, it's just part of intimate life. And instead of avoiding the topic, it's much more important to give people - especially teenagers - the correct information from the start: without threats, shame and myths. We need to explain how the body works, what arousal is, how to deal with it and why self-satisfaction is a safe, personal and quite healthy way to be in touch with your sexuality.

What to do with this knowledge?

If we want to live in a society where people know how to respect their boundaries, know their desires and feel confident, we need to stop pretending that sexuality is a “forbidden zone”. Masturbation is just one way of getting to know yourself, experiencing pleasure, reducing tension, or just being alone with yourself. It's normal. But as with anything else, it's important to listen to yourself, remember to balance and not make it an addiction.

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