National Masturbation Month is here!

On May 1st, we do not only celebrate Labor Day, but we also mark the beginning of the International Month of Masturbation. Ever heard of it before? I also accidentally found this news two years ago, despite being celebrated since 1995.

In that year, after her speech for World AIDS Day, Joycelyn Elders answered a question about masturbation:

"I think it represents part of human sexuality and is something we should talk about."

That answer cost her a job - Bill Clinton (he probably had never heard of masturbation) fired her after giving that speech- and at the same time represented the beginning of a masturbation campaign. The erotic toy retailer, Good Vibrations was the first to start actively engaging in self-talk. They were determined to encourage people to speak on the subject, giving birth to International Masturbation Month. Society was overwhelmingly hostile about masturbation, so those who were doing it were ashamed.

Why is masturbation great for you?

Over time, there were various myths about self-loathing. If you do this, you will go mad, you will become stupid, you will go blind, you will damage your genitals, you will consume all your orgasms, so you will not experience them during sex, and in addition to all this, masturbation also inhibits growth. I finally know why my legs are shorter. :)

On the contrary, scientists have been rejecting all the statements above and arguing why masturbation is good:

• masturbation is safer than sex (I am a big supporter of both myself, but I agree with this statement - it is difficult to get pregnant and get STDs with your fingers and toys),
• with masturbation, we get to know ourselves and our anatomy better, learn what arouses us and what doesn't, and of course, we can use this knowledge during sex and giving guidance to our partner,
• masturbation reduces stress and contributes to our relaxation (some, including myself, even fall asleep after that)
• endorphins are released during masturbation, and orgasms can replace pain killers when suffering from painful periods,
• In women, masturbation is also helpful in preventing vaginal dryness and pain during sex.

S as shame, S as self-loathing

Although I am short and my sight is getting worse every year, if the myths were correct, I should have been closer to the ground and probably already blind. I belong to a supposedly quite open generation about sex and masturbation, but the majority is still ashamed to admit that we masturbate. I remember my beginnings, when every time after experiencing an orgasm, a strong sense of guilt took over me. It is not allowed to do that! I tapped my hand, clutching at my pants. While growing up, the feeling of shame disappeared. Masturbation became a reward after every book read, after a successful study, a reward after completing a seminar assignment, after writing an article, relaxing after a hard day, and overcoming insomnia. Although I talk about it only in select companies (especially men), and I also have to learn not to be ashamed of myself, I enjoy while masturbating.

According to today's statistics, I am glad that more and more people are masturbating, taking time for themselves and for pleasures. It doesn't matter how you do it, alone, in pairs, with or without toys. Only that the sheets will remain wet and that you will no longer blush with shame when you talk about masturbation.

Enjoy your May!

You can read more about Masturbation Month at the following links:

Benefits of masturbation

Masturbation Month

Cover image: vectorpocket