It’s Masturbation Month and you know you’ll find us celebrating on the daily. Masturbation not only feels good, it’s good for us. 

When you orgasm, your brain works really hard to produce lots of different hormones and neurochemicals. These include serotonin and dopamine, which gives you a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction. Oxytocin is also released which can leave you feeling a sense of wellbeing, closeness, and affection. Some studies have also indicated it can lower anxiety, lead to better sleep, increase libido, improve our mental health and body image, and more. 

Because an orgasm a day is > an apple a day, we put together a list of tips on how to enjoy masturbating more so that you can make the most out of your 1:1 time.

Tip #1: Make it Moist ⁠

Whether it's licking a finger (or two), massaging a dollop of lube on a toy, or applying a few pumps of Après Delight directly to your labia and clitoris, masturbation is made better when it's moist down there. Friction can be painful and cause injury, and it can take away from all the good feelings. ⁠

Tip #2: Click It and Flick it

You can use your fingers, hands, and/or a toy to touch, rub, and stroke your clitoris with different pressure and speed. ⁠Diversify touch: mix up the pressure, patterns, and where you’re touching. Do what feels comfortable to you. Remember that masturbation can be an exercise in learning about what you like and don’t like, leading to better partnered sex as well. And don’t forget to wash your hands before inserting fingers (and wash those toys too)⁠.

Tip #3: Explore Erogenous Zones⁠

So often with masturbating we go straight to the source: the clitoris or the penis. But there are other parts of our body that can help us reach orgasm: the inner thigh, behind the ear, our nipples…

Our nipples have hundreds of nerve endings, making them super sensitive to touch. When your nipples are stimulated, they shoot off sparks in the genital sensory cortex, which is the same area of the brain that’s aroused by vaginal or clitoral stimulation.⁠
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⁠Want to give nipple orgasms a try? Start with your fingers and then add other sensations. Oils (like Après Delight), clamps, and nipple vibrators can ramp up the pleasure.⁠ Find pleasure in exploring them with soft and firm touches, your breath, massage, and toys.⁠ Ease into a gentle massage then pinch, stroke, and twist as feels good to you. ⁠Once your nipples are erect, rub them slowly and increase pressure as you become more aroused. ⁠Edging, the practice of stopping yourself from reaching orgasm right when you're on the verge, can add more sensation to this experience. ⁠

Tip #4: Turn on the Tube

When we want to pull out all the stops for a solo sex session, we turn on the tube. But we're not watching just anything. ⁠You'll find us seeking out the work of feminist filmmakers like Erika Lust, who was tired of stereotypical mainstream pornography that ignored women’s pleasure.⁠
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Erika has been at the forefront of revolutionizing adult cinema that prioritizes the female gaze and employs women behind the camera in all key positions. She goes beyond traditional gender roles and tired stereotypes with her work that confronts pornography focused on male pleasure and sexual athletics. ⁠
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Next time you're ready for some lights, camera, and action, make sure to check out Erika's work at @xconfessions.

Or, read this blog to see all of your ethical porn options.

Tip #5: Take Your Time

​​While it’s easy to understand why we’d never say no to the big O, the practice of edging (otherwise known as orgasm control, peaking, or surfing) can lead to more intense orgasms. It is achieved by stimulating yourself to the point right before orgasm. One of the best ways to find out where that point is for you is through masturbation. Try getting yourself just to the point where you’re about to orgasm and then back off and slowly build back up again. Repeat as many times as you can to get to maximum ecstasy. 

We hope you enjoyed these tips on how to increase sensation and pleasure with masturbation. Want to learn the history behind Masturbation Month? Head on over to this blog to find out about the woman who sacrificed her career to advocate for masturbation as a part of sex education.