Female Masturbation Myths and Facts

While we’re certain you’ve been celebrating either way, it might be news to you that May is National Masturbation Month.

So in honor of the month of May, we’re here to shine a light on some commonly-held misconceptions of ladies’ self-fulfillment – pay attention, gentlemen.

90% of women masturbate.

FACT

In 1953, 62% of women admitted to masturbating. In 1979, that number jumped to 74%. Today, nine out of 10 women admit to pleasuring themselves, and two-thirds admit to masturbating at least three times a week.

Many sexologists believe that 90% rate has been consistent for decades, only the women of years past were conditioned to be secretive of their habits. 

Saliva is the best lubricant.

MYTH

While saliva is the body’s second-most natural moisturizer for masturbation (behind naturally produced genital lubrication), a recent University of Michigan study has found that women who use saliva as a lubricant for masturbation run a higher risk of developing frequent yeast infections.

According to the data, saliva can disrupt the balance of vaginal bacteria. For the safest, most-pleasurable lubrication sensations, try a water-based personal lube.

People who have regular sex masturbate less.

MYTH

We’ve all heard the lame, cringe-worthy “I don’t need to masturbate” from at least one of our friends. Well, it turns out they might be missing out on much more than the joys of self-fulfillment. While seemingly paradoxical, the more someone has sex, the more he or she tends to masturbate. In short, more masturbation means a more open view of sex.

There are three types of female orgasms.

FACT

While some might liberally dish out double-digit figures on this stat, blurring the lines between orgasm fact vs. myth, there are generally three kinds of climax a woman can achieve—clitoral orgasm, vaginal orgasm and combination—combination being the simultaneous experience of both clitoral and vaginal.

Masturbation is a natural pain reliever.

FACT

While you’ve surely heard that orgasms are good for your health, let’s get down to some specifics. Women who masturbate regularly report relief from menstrual cramps, improved symptoms of PMS, including irritability and crankiness, and fewer headaches. In addition, masturbation is one of the most effective self-medicating stress relievers.

With less than two weeks left in the mesmerizing month of May, it’s not too late for some sensual exploring and getting to know one of your most pleasurable partners—yourself.  Visit the Toy Box and get yourself something fun - 15 % storewide coupon code "mast"

Masturbation Is Good For You Part II

In our last post we discussed the benefits of masturbation for women. Today we are going to share the benefits of self loving for men both health and psychological.

It prevents cancer. A 2003 Australian study found that men who ejaculated more than five times a week were a third less likely to develop prostate cancer. Disease-causing toxins build up in your urogenital tract and when you rub one out, you flush the bad guys out of your system, says Brame.

It makes you harder. As you age, you naturally lose muscle tone … even down there. Regular sex or masturbation works out your pelvic floor muscles to prevent erectile dysfunction and incontinence. “It keeps the angle of your dangle perky,” says Brame. Aim to (ahem) arrive 3 to 5 times a week for rock-solid results.

It helps you last longer. Taking yourself to palm prom may help you stretch your sack sessions. “[Masturbating] an hour before a date will give you more control,” says Brame. Train yourself by timing how long it takes you to orgasm, suggests Ava Cadell, Ph.D., founder of loveologyuniversity.com. If it usually takes two minutes solo, try for three next time. Or count how many strokes you need to get to your happy place. If you’re spurting after 50, shoot for 60. “Most men can double the number of strokes and the time within one month,” Cadell says. Practice makes perfect, right?

It ups your immunity. Ejaculation increases levels of the hormone cortisol, says Jennifer Landa, M.D., a specialist in hormone therapy. Cortisol, which usually gets a bad rap as a havoc-wrecking stress hormone, actually helps regulate and maintain your immunity in the small doses. “Masturbation can product the right environment for a strengthened immune system,” she says.

It boosts your mood. Masturbating releases a slew of feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine and oxytocin that lift your spirits, boost your satisfaction, and activate the reward circuits in your brain. “An orgasm is the biggest non-drug blast of dopamine available,” says Brame. “A brain scan of someone having an orgasm looks like a heroin addict’s.”

As with our article on the benefits of female masturbation the bottom line is it feels good and brings pleasure. So head over to the Toy Box and make this the best May ever. Remember take 15% off storewide with coupon code "mast" all month.

Masturbation is Good for You

Since May is National Masturbation Month we thought we would share some of the benefits of masturbation with you. We all know that it is normal and everyone does it but there are health benefits for men and women as well.

In this post we are going to talk about the benefits fo women.

Masturbation helps prevent cervical infections and helps relieve urinary tract infections. While it’s general knowledge that regular masturbation can reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men, studies are showing that female masturbation can also provide protection against cervical infections because when women masturbate, the orgasm “tents” or opens the cervix.

In her book Sex: A Natural History, Joann Ellison Rodgers describes how the process of tenting stretches and pulls the mucous within the cervix, allowing for a rise in acidity in the cervical fluid. This increases “friendly” bacteria and allows more fluid to move from the cervix into the vagina. When“old” fluid moves from the tented cervix, it not only lubricates the vagina, but also flushes out unfriendly organisms that can cause infections.

Many women with urinary tract infections report the desire to masturbate when they feel a UTI coming on, and for a good reason: masturbating helps relieve pain and it flushes the old bacteria from the cervix. It’s the body’s way of getting the bacteria out.

Masturbation is associated with improved cardiovascular health and lower risk of type-2 diabetes. In a number of studies, women who experienced more orgasms, and overall greater frequency and satisfaction with sex — whether with a partner or not — were shown to have greater resistance to coronary heart disease (CHD) and type-2 diabetes.

Masturbation can help work against insomnia naturally, through hormonal and tension release. Many women masturbate as a means to wind down after a hectic day or to fall asleep at night, but they often don’t know that there’s a hormonal reason why it works. Dopamine, or the “feel-good” hormone, is on the rise during the anticipation of a sexual climax. After the climax, the calming hormones oxytocin and endorphins are released, making us feel the warm afterglow that helps us sleep.

Orgasm increases pelvic floor strength. There are so many benefits to having a healthy pelvic floor. In the “plateau” stage of orgasm, the pelvic floor gets a real workout. The clitoris surges with increased blood pressure. Muscle tone, heart rate, and respirations increase. The uterus “lifts” off the pelvic floor, increasing pelvic muscle tension. This strengthens the entire region, as well as your sexual satisfaction.

In addition to health benefits masturbation also helps with our psychological well being.

Improves our mood. Masturbation helps relieve depressive emotions. As we become aroused, the hormone levels of dopamine and epinephrine soar in our bodies. Both of these hormones are mood-boosters. Many studies show that women who report personal satisfaction with their sex lives live a better quality of life overall.

Relieves stress. In her book For Yourself, noted sex therapist Lonnie Barbach explains that the stress resulting from avoiding sex can create the kind of body imbalances we mentioned earlier. She writes that masturbation can help relieve emotional stress by taking time for ourselves, amidst the demands of home, family, and work.

Strengthens our relationship with ourselves. When we know, love, and nurture ourselves on emotional and physical levels, we gain confidence and grow through self-awareness. Being able to recognize, articulate, and experience what brings pleasure is a powerful step toward fulfillment.

Strengthens sexual relationship with partner. Many couples have different sexual drives and needs. Masturbation is one way to meet personal needs not met by a partner. It can be shared with a partner. Witnessing a partner masturbate can teach us what methods our partners use so we can learn what they enjoy. It can also open the lines of communication between partners who otherwise might be assuming that the “routine” is still working.

All of these are fantastic reasons to embrace a little self loving but the bottom line is it brings pleasure and makes you feel good. So join us here at the Toy Box in making this the best May ever. And remember 15% off storewide with coupon code "mast".

May is National Masturbation Month

May is our favorite month here at Shelly’s Toy Box. May is National Masturbation month.

The celebration of May as National Masturbation Month began in 1995 in San Francisco as a response to the forced resignation of then U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders.

After a speech at the United Nations World AIDS Day in 1994, an audience member asked Elders about masturbation’s potential for discouraging early sexual activity. She answered,“I think it is something that is part of human sexuality and a part of something that perhaps should be taught.” That was the end of Elders’ career as America’s first black Surgeon General, but the spark for National Masturbation Month.

We believe that masturbation is normal, healthy and FUN! We are here to help you with all the “supplies” you might need along with specials, tips and maybe even a little education.

So whether you like to just use your hands, toys or anything else that might work alone or with a friend (always fun) join us in our celebration of May as National Masturbation Month.

To get everyone in the mood you can take 10% off all Vibrators, Dildos and Insertables, Anal sex toys and MaleMasturbation products. Use coupon code “mast13”