Female masturbation has been a taboo subject for far too long — why are we scared to talk about it? Well, we are taught from a young age that we must be pure and angelic, never promiscuous or suggestive by any means. Then, in many celebrated religions, masturbation is condemned, creating guilt for those who choose to masturbate. It has become ingrained in our minds that masturbation and self pleasure is a SIN that should never be acted upon, despite the fact that almost everyone enjoys doing it. There are many benefits to masturbating, so instead of re-enforcing the stigma surrounding masturbation, let’s examine all of the positive things that come out of it.
- Relieve Stress
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Dopamine, the chemical in your brain that provides us a sense of pleasure, is released when we masturbate and finish. So, the dopamine makes us feel fantastic and happy and magical. When we finish, oxytocin is also released, and the oxytocin lowers our cortisol levels, which is our main stress hormone.
Physical pain also contributes to our stress levels, but masturbating also helps with the amount of pain we are in too! Masturbating also releases endorphins which work with the opiate receptors in our brains to essentially alter how we feel about our pain. Since orgasms boost these dopamine and oxytocin, we will be left in a state of euphoria and peace.
- Help Relieve Menstrual Cramps
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The last thing anyone wants to do when they’re on their period and dying of cramps is to put in the effort to masturbate. However, masturbating while on your period can lessen those cramps (only short term though). The endorphins when released when you orgasm will relieve the pain of your cramps for a short period of time. While endorphins are no match for the pure, horrid pain of being on your period, it will at least alleviate it for a bit.
- Fall Asleep Earlier
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Masturbating at night is great for anyone that experiences any sleeping problems. When we engage in sexual stimulation with ourselves or others, our bodies experience what is known as the sexual response cycle. It begins with desire, which is when we begin to initiate sex or masturbation. It moves onto arousal which is when orgasms are being worked up to, but not yet finished. Then, the third phase is orgasm, which is when one or both of the parties finish. It is also the shortest phase. The fourth and final phase is resolution, when our bodies are coming out of the “high” we experience we finish. So, when we finish, we may become tired due to everything in our body being brought to high levels.
- Working Your Pelvic Floor
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Working your pelvic floor has so many benefits within itself. The pelvic floor is the group of muscles that support internal organs like the bladder and uterus. By strengthening your pelvic floor, it can help with issues like leaking pee when you cough, sneeze, or laugh too hard. Masturbation and Kegels workouts are two ways women can strengthen their pelvic floor muscles! Strengthening your pelvic floor also can create even stronger orgasms.
- Improve Your Sex Life
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When it is just you in your lonesome doin’ the deed, you get to learn about everything that gets you off and satisfies you. If you are sexually active, you will then be able to communicate with your partner(s) about what you enjoy doing that helps you achieve an orgasm. Personally, after masturbating mildly regularly, I have been able to pinpoint exactly what I want. So, I am able to tell my partner exactly what I want them to do when we’re in bed so I can have an actual orgasm and not have to fake it.
Masturbating also has the potential to increase your libido. So, the more that someone stimulates themselves, the more they will want to be stimulated whether that be with a partner or by themselves.
Masturbating is a wonderful, natural activity for those who choose to engage. The stigma that surrounds it is outdated and unnecessary, and it is important to educate our young women about the benefits of masturbation! So, don’t ever feel ashamed of engaging in an act that provides us pleasure!