The Masturbation Gap: What Women Can Learn from Men's Masturbation Habits

It’s no secret that women tend to masturbate less frequently than men. Here, you will learn about what studies say about the masturbation gender gap, the reasons for the existence of such a gap, and what women can learn from men’s masturbation habits.

Mahar et al. (2020) showed that 43% of men admitted to masturbating daily, while only 6% of women said they masturbated daily. But the question remains: Why do men masturbate more than women? And can women learn something from men’s masturbation habits? To understand this masturbation gap, let’s take a look at some research and see what we can learn about why men tend to masturbate more than women.

The Masturbation Gap

Several studies suggest that men have admitted to masturbating more than women. Driemeyer et al. (2017) showed that 87% of men have masturbated as opposed to 64% of women. Other findings suggested that 95% of men had masturbated as opposed to 61% of women. While it's difficult to explain why there's such a large difference in male and female masturbation rates, it's clear that many more women could be benefiting from this activity if they put more attention to it.

Many women have never even tried masturbating because they feel too uncomfortable to do so. According to Gerressu et al. (2008), this is one of the biggest reasons that many women aren't benefiting from masturbation. The best way for a woman to close her masturbation gap is to try it out and see how she likes it. If there are any issues with discomfort, remember that many sex toys, such as vibrators or dildos, can be great tools in bringing a woman closer to orgasm during self-pleasure. Once you’ve grown more comfortable with masturbation, try putting some time into trying different techniques and find what works best for you!

Some Reasons for the Gender Gap

There are lots of reasons for the gender gap, some more obvious than others. Sometimes, men and women who live together find it easier to reach orgasm with a partner rather than on their own. It could be that sex toys or longer masturbation sessions create habits that make it easier to climax with someone else. Other times, people might stop masturbating because they have a long-term partner who does all the work for them. It’s also possible that certain items like porn, sex toys, and fantasy are more acceptable for men—or even expected—which could mean those things become part of the equation for getting off quickly and effectively.

The main reason however is that women tend to view masturbation as a taboo rather than something that they would enjoy (Mahar et al. 2020). You will find that men are easier and freer to discuss and talk about masturbation even by using jokes than women are, this is because women from an early age are made to see it as a taboo and are normally uncomfortable talking about it. Women can learn from men’s masturbation habits by being more open about their own masturbation habits and start doing it in public places like public bathrooms so that other women can be inspired to do it too. It is also important for women to know that their bodies react differently when compared to men’s bodies hence why there are different techniques for them when masturbating.

Squeezing in Time for Self-Care in a Busy Schedule

A common problem for people with a busy schedule is learning how to squeeze in time for self-care. When you’re working 60+ hours a week, it can be difficult to find time to recharge. But it can actually make your life more stressful if you don’t find ways to de-stress and relax. Incorporating daily self-care into your life can make all of your interactions more positive—at work, at home, and in social situations. And one of the best ways to start implementing self-care is by making sure you have adequate time just for yourself.

Squeezing in time for self-care can be a challenge. Many busy people don’t even realize that they need to make space for it in their lives. That’s why many experts recommend blocking out time on your calendar every day, just for you. It might seem difficult at first, but once you start doing it consistently, you may find yourself feeling more energized and satisfied with your life overall. Plus, there are tons of ways to incorporate self-care into your daily schedule that don’t require much extra time! For example, spending 15 minutes each day going for a walk outside or reading an inspirational book can have powerful effects on your mood and wellbeing!

How Women Can Cope with Anxiety about Solo Sex or Get over Their Inhibitions against Solo Sex if They Have Them

So, why is female solo sex considered taboo? Because it’s a powerful way for women to take control of their sexuality; which has historically been controlled by men. According to Fischer et al. (2022), masturbation can relieve stress and anxiety—but when you’re worried about what your partner will think if he finds out you masturbate (or maybe even if he doesn’t), that stress and anxiety can be multiplied many times over. The good news is that there are some simple ways to cope with these feelings and get over them once and for all. If you feel like your inhibitions against solo sex might be holding you back, consider taking one or more of these steps 

• Klein (2014) reminded you that solo sex isn’t just for men. 
• Talk to your partner about it.  
• Don’t let anyone shame you into thinking that solo sex is wrong. 
• Take care of yourself first. 
• Find comfort in knowing that plenty of other people do it too.
• Know your body well enough to give yourself an orgasm whenever you want one. 
• Make sure you have privacy where you live, so no one will walk in on you unexpectedly while you’re getting down to business. 
• Never let anyone make fun of your sexual choices again!

How women can learn from men’s masturbation habits

According to Ragnarsdóttir (2020), women can learn from men’s masturbation habits by being more open about their own masturbation habits and start doing it in public places like public bathrooms so that other women can be inspired to do it too. It is also important for women to know that their bodies react differently when compared to men’s bodies hence why there are different techniques for them when masturbating. In addition, one of the ways women can learn from men’s masturbation habits is by looking at porn since they don't have access to male porn but they can look at lesbian porn or straight female porn as a substitute. 

In conclusion, it is crucial for women to understand how to stimulate themselves in order for them not to feel left out because of their body structure.

References

Driemeyer, W., Janssen, E., Wiltfang, J., & Elmerstig, E. (2017). Masturbation experiences of Swedish senior high school students: Gender differences and similarities. The Journal of Sex Research, 54(4-5), 631-641.

Fischer, N., Graham, C. A., Træen, B., & Hald, G. M. (2022). Prevalence of masturbation and associated factors among older adults in four European countries. Archives of sexual behavior, 51(3), 1385-1396.

Gerressu, M., Mercer, C. H., Graham, C. A., Wellings, K., & Johnson, A. M. (2008). Prevalence of masturbation and associated factors in a British national probability survey. Archives of sexual behavior, 37(2), 266-278.

Klein, J. L. (2014). Encyclopedia of Social Deviance.

Mahar, E. A., Mintz, L. B., & Akers, B. M. (2020). Orgasm equality: Scientific findings and societal implications. Current Sexual Health Reports, 12(1), 24-32.Ragnarsdóttir, K. (2020). Differences in masturbation habits among men and women in Iceland (Doctoral dissertation).