Four Reasons You Should Masturbate

Written by Jewely Hoxie, UC Santa Cruz

1. It Is Healthy

Working your body up to an orgasm can be quite the cardio work out. Depending on the duration and techniques you use, you can burn up to 300 calories per hour. When you exercise, you also release endorphins, which are small, protein molecules that produce a non-addictive natural high.
Once you achieve an orgasm, a hormone called oxytocin is released. This chemical does wonders for our body: it…
1. Relieves physical pain (yes girls, this includes menstrual cramping)
2. Brings out more nurturing, caring, and compassionate characteristics
3. In women, releases estrogen, which benefits the reproductive organs, skin and hair.
4. In men, releases testosterone, which helps the immune system and strengthens bones and muscles.
5. Relieves sexual tension, making you more relaxed and at ease with your life.
Visit Scarleteen.com to find out more about sexual health.

2. It Improves Your Sex Life

Exploring your own body is vital to having a fulfilling sex life with a partner. When you masturbate, you have the home court advantage. After all, only YOU can know what YOU like. Everyone has different spots and motions that do the trick. Maybe you like slow penetration more than fast? Clit stim more than vag pen? Knowing yourself and voicing it to your partner is the only way you are going to get what you want. Instead of letting your partner fumble around, he or she will appreciate knowing exactly how to make you feel good, the way you like it!
If your partner learns better with visuals, masturbate with him or her! Solo-sex does not have to be an individual activity, and is a great way to visualize what your partner likes so you can emulate their technique next time. Best of all, they’ll do the same for you.
The more you play with yourself the more you’ll understand how your body reacts to different sensations. For instance, you will recognize the signs of an imminent orgasm, like when your toes curl or when your breathing pattern changes. Only once you’ve learned these signs can you inform your partner and maybe even achieve that elusive simultaneous orgasm.

3. It Is Safe

Remember in high school when they told us abstinence was the only 100% safe form of sex? They lied. Masturbation is also risk-free. You can experience orgasm after orgasm without any fear of getting pregnant or impregnating your partner. Say goodbye to guilt or paranoia; when you masturbate you get the best of both worlds — pleasure and safety.
If safe spells boring, however, you can try spicing up your solo-sex with some kink. Babeland.com has plenty of ideas.

4. You Deserve It!

When I refer to masturbation I like to think of it is a form of “self-love.” Lots of people say they don’t masturbate because they can get it from someone else. But masturbation is not just about getting off — it is about loving yourself.
Boys are often embarrassed to admit that they masturbate, for they perceive it as a tip-off for not being able to get any. But even James Franco (who is definitely not having trouble getting chicks) recently revealed that “I do masturbate a lot. I don’t know why,” James Franco tells the Hollywood Reporter, describing the rationale behind having a “four- or five-time day.” Evidently, we need to follow his lead and shift the way we view masturbation. Masturbation is a form of empowerment because you don’t NEED someone in order to get off. Self-love is what you do for yourself because you deserve to feel good. However, it also gives you the confidence to get it on with someone else. So tell your friends that you’re busy, light some candles, turn on a little Marvin Gaye and go dancing downtown!