Why is it that we (typically) only masturbate when we're single? Unless they're out of town or working a lot, solo play is often reserved for singledom. But we're here to tell you that you should be masturbating when you're in a relationship!
Here are eight reasons why.
Don't Depend on Your Partner for Sexual Satisfaction
Your partner could be greatest there ever was in bed - but that doesn't mean you need to depend on them for all your sexual satisfaction. Even if you're in a healthy relationship, it's important not to make your partner responsible for all of your sexual satisfaction. Imagine if you were responsible for all their sexual satisfaction? No, thank you.
It Helps You Tap into Your Fantasies
It's not always easy to realize something new you'd like to try in bed when you're getting down and dirty with your partner - and that's what solo sessions are perfect for! Masturbating allows you to check in with your fantasies and sexuality outside of your relationship. Bonus points: finding something you like to do solo, will help keep sex with your partner fresh AF.
It's Important for Self Care
Just like exercise is important for self-care, masturbation is equally important. There are numerous physical health benefits as well as psychological ones. According to Gloria Brame, Ph.D, "An orgasm is the biggest non-drug blast of dopamine available... [it] releases feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine and oxytocin that lift your spirits, boost your satisfaction, and activate the reward circuits in your brain."
Planned Parenthood also listed a ton of other masturbation benefits, including, "creating a sense of well-being; enhancing sex with partners both physically and emotionally; increasing the ability to have orgasms; improving relationship and sexual satisfaction; improving sleep; increasing self-esteem; improving body image; reducing stress; releasing sexual tension; relieving menstrual cramps; strengthening muscle tone in the pelvic and anal areas; and reducing women’s chances of involuntary urine leakage and uterine prolapse."
It's Helps With a Positive Body Image
Masturbation has been shown to increase a woman's self-esteem. And while your partner can make you feel good about your body, masturbation is a great way to help foster a more positive image of your body and yourself!
It Counts as Exercise
Not feeling a trip to the gym? No sweat - do a solo session instead! Sure sex is a good exercise, but masturbation can be an equally good exercise. While you might be bouncing around as much, an intense (or multiple) orgasms can get your heart rate up. Plus, it works those kegel muscles and might be better than a spin class.
It Improves Your Sex Life
If you don't solo masturbate in a relationship, how will you know how to give your partner tips for oral. It's like an investment for future sex...
And Makes You Want More Sex
If you orgasm regularly, you're overall sex drive increases. You know the feeling - when you have one orgasm, you want more! "People who ignore their sexuality tend to not be that interested when the opportunity arises, and people who don't masturbate often don't have as much of a sense of what's pleasurable for them, and because of that they may not get as much pleasure out of partnered sex," says Tamara Pincus, a sex therapist.
But It Can Also Work as Foreplay...
If your foreplay feels like reruns of the Office (good, but the same one you've seen 20 times), masturbating can work as foreplay. Let us set the scene - next time you're waiting for your partner to come home from work, text them you're already in bed masturbating. If that doesn't make them want to run a few red lights, we don't know what would!
If you're looking to up your masturbation game, try adding a new toy - like the super silent OhMyG G spot sex toy - to the rotation.