May - also known as International Masturbation Month - is here. A whole month of loving ourselves a little more literally! Hurray!!
In all honesty, we (the team at Sh!) don't really need a celebratory month for masturbation. Solo pleasure is 'homework' in the sex toy world, but we know it's not the same for everybody. So, therefore, we're super-happy to be loud & proud about how special the month of May is, in case it inspires you to celebrate :)))
How did Masturbation Month come about?
San Francisco sex shop Good Vibrations kicked off the inaugural Masturbation May in 1994 in reaction to the firing of U.S. Dr Jocelyn Elders.
If you're unfamiliar with the name and story, the most important thing to know is that Dr Elders was ahead of her time. Like, waaay ahead. Elders served as Surgeon General of the United States from 1993 to 1994. A vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, she was the second woman, second person of colour, and first African American to serve as Surgeon General. Best known for her views on controversial issues, Dr E suggested that masturbation should be included in sex education [Shock! Horror!!]. As a result, she was forced to resign in December 1994.
We are now 30+ years on, and sex education still does not include self-pleasure. (Now, that is shocking!)
Male masturbation is generally accepted as an essential part of growing up. Boys are curious, and once they find out how good it feels to have an orgasm, they want more, and it soon becomes part of their self-care. It makes sense. It is self-care.
In comparison, female self-pleasure has a long way to go. Polishing one's pouffe is still seen as shameful. So, May has become the month for supporting, encouraging and normalizing self-pleasure. And we are fairly certain Dr Elders approves! *wink*
Before doing anything else, we recommend grabbing a cuppa (or beverage of choice) and visiting The Great Wall of Vulva. Once you've had a good look at the vulva diversity, grab a mirror, pull down your undies and take a look at yourself. You'll see that your V is quite spesh and deserves some love!
How to enjoy a solo session
Set aside am good chunk of of time, especially if you’re not a proficient masturbator. Relaxation is key. Candles, wine, a bath... Whatever makes you feel relaxed and ready for some fun. Romance yourself!
We recommend using lube for sensuality and enhanced pleasure. Lube makes all sex feel better, whether exploring by yourself or with a lover.
If you find it tricky to have orgasms, an arousal oil or pleasure gel can be helpful. These products work by increasing blood flow to the genitals, which in turn helps with arousal and the likelihood of a climax.
59% of women say they have never tried a sex toy, but we think they're missing out. (We may be biased! :p) Many women and vulva-owning folks have their first (and subsequent) orgasms with a vibrator. If this sounds tempting, take a look at our cherry-picked selection of good vibes. Seeing as 75% of women need clitoral stimulation to orgasm, it makes good sense to invest in a li'l something that will help your pleasure along.
Reasons to masturbate
Well, the most obvious reason for masturbating is pleasure. But - there are other reasons why regular masturbation is good for you.
- Masturbate for good health
Masturbation can help relieve menstrual cramps, headaches and other aches & pains. It can also help build resistance to yeast infections, tone up a weak pelvic floor and improve sleep.
- Masturbation decreases stress
Forget spa days and long walks - masturbation is the perfect stress buster. Orgasm releases endorphins like dopamine and oxytocin, which help to boost your mood and relieve stress.
- Get to know your body better
Masturbation is a safe and pressure-free way to learn about your body and its responses, which is why it should be included in sex education.
- Self-pleasure builds confidence
Masturbation is a great way to try something new at your own pace without pressure or performance anxiety.
