6 Female Masturbation Techniques to Explore
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 • 3 min read
Masturbation can be a powerful (and enjoyable) way to better learn about your own body, allowing you to focus on your own sexual pleasure and wellness. Here are some techniques to try to get the most out of your masturbation sessions.
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6 Female Masturbation Techniques
Masturbation can be about more than just achieving a quick orgasm. If you want to explore solo sex, here are a few female masturbation tips and techniques you can try to enhance your personal sex life:
- 1. Use different tools. Your fingers are a great way to stimulate your clitoris, vagina, g-spot, and anus while masturbating, but there are many other tools you can try. If you like penetration (either vaginal or anal), consider using a dildo or butt plug to start (make sure you use a lubricant to reduce friction). Vibrators offer internal and external stimulation—the two main vibration types are rumbly (low, deep vibrations for slow and steady stimulation) or buzzy (higher, more active vibrations for more intense stimulation). Some tools are not designed for direct stimulation but can still enhance your pleasure—things like blindfolds, scented candles, erotica, or curated playlists can all help set the mood for your session. When shopping for toys and props, purchase ones made of body-safe materials that are non-toxic and non-porous. Avoid toys made of jelly rubber or PVC, which can cultivate bacteria or leach chemicals.
- 2. Stimulate your erogenous zones. The human body has several erogenous zones—parts of your body covered in nerve endings that are especially sensitive to stimulation. While the vulva is one of the primary erogenous zones, there are many other areas that you can touch to increase your arousal. Exploring areas like the lower abdomen, mouth, neck, breasts, buttocks, and inner thighs can help you discover other sensitive areas during solo play.
- 3. Determine the type of solo play you desire. Masturbation can serve you in several different ways—some days, your solo play can focus on a quick climax, and on others, you can draw it out for a long, slow, self-care session. Pay attention to what your body is craving during each particular session so that you know what will feel the most satisfying.
- 4. Experiment with different positions. Many people who masturbate stick to a similar routine or position. If you want to change up your routine, trying out a new position can be surprisingly stimulating. For example, if you usually masturbate while lying on your back, turn over and touch yourself while lying on your stomach. Dry humping—using your hips to rub your vulva on a pillow, blanket, or other objects—is a great way to have a more active self-pleasure session in the cowgirl position, offering great stimulation for the clitoral hood and labia. Masturbating in the bath or shower can help increase your blood flow (and if you have a detachable showerhead, you can direct the flow of water toward your clitoris for extra stimulation).
- 5. Try edging. If you want to try drawing out the pleasure during masturbation, try edging, a sexual technique in which you are brought to the brink of climax in cycles, holding off orgasm for increased pleasure. Edging helps you control your release, allowing the pleasure to build up, resulting in a heightened climax.
- 6. Consider deemphasizing an orgasm. Orgasming during masturbation is great, but it doesn’t have to be the goal of your solo play. Trying to force an orgasm when your body is not responding to stimulation can induce stress rather than relieve it. Instead, allow yourself to focus on the exploratory element of a solo session rather than a particular end goal. Explore different areas of your body, other pressures and speeds, and how sensations ebb and flow. Ask yourself: Does this feel good? Does this turn me on?
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