Girls may talk about it less, but just like guys, they’re discovering their bodies and sexual pleasure. So female masturbation does exist and it’s normal! Just like guys, girls have the possibility of exploring their bodies if they want to.

Although it’s often discovered alone, masturbation can also be done with a partner, which is sometimes called “mutual masturbation.” It’s often done to increase arousal, explore the other person’s body, or give the partner an orgasm. Mutual masturbation is great since, if the partners only use their hands, they run no risk of catching a BBSTI or getting pregnant.

Even if you’re part of a couple or have an active sex life, you can feel like masturbating. It creates a different kind of pleasure than intercourse. Even if you’re sexually satisfied in your relationship, you might want to masturbate because you like it and it feels good. It’s you time and you don’t need to feel guilty about doing it.

Masturbation can have a lot of positive impacts. For example, it can help you get to know your body and what kind of stimulation turns you on, which you can then share with your partner to guide them in giving you pleasure. But if you feel that your masturbation habits are impacting your sexual relationships, then it's worth asking yourself these questions:

• What place does masturbation have in my life? What are my masturbation habits?

• Am I used to masturbating in a specific way (e.g., movement, pressure, speed, using objects, etc.) or with specific stimulations (e.g., pornographic videos or images)?

• Do these habits affect my relationships with my partner(s)? (e.g., if it's not like what I'm used to, does it affect my arousal?)

• Am I able to be aroused in a variety of ways?

• Am I used to experiencing particular sensations, and if I don't experience them, is it more difficult for me to get aroused?

These are all questions we can ask ourselves to see if masturbation might be influencing our sexual relationships. What's important is that your sex life is enjoyable and satisfying for you and for the people you choose to be intimate with!