How to Masturbate with a Vulva

If you remember the days of grinding your pillow, biting your lip, and hoping no one can hear you enjoying yourself, we feel you. Banish that sense of shame and embrace the actuality that masturbation is good. It’s so good it should be called “musturbation” instead.

Bad jokes aside, you’re probably hoping for some actionable advice. Well, never fear! We’re here to lay out some of the best masturbation positions, best toys for stepping up your solo sessions, and other top tips for making your masturbation even better.

Strap in, friends. There’s a lot to go over.

Why does Masturbation Feel So Good?

In short: because that’s what it’s supposed to do!

Masturbation is all about centering yourself in your own pleasure, doing what feels good, and making yourself happy. Your anatomy is, ahem, on hand to help you and it’s more than willing to provide.

In humans, the clitoris has been proven to be a central hub of feel-good sensations, thanks to its plethora of nerve endings. Because science has yet to determine another purpose for the clitoris, it has historically been excluded from conversations about sex or reproduction. People assigned female at birth have generally been discouraged from exploring their own bodies for pleasure’s sake.

Times are starting to change, though, and we want you to dive all the way in.

What Are the Benefits of Masturbating?

Masturbation studies agree that enjoying a solo session releases feel-good hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, plus endorphins. Did you know they have de-stressing and mood-boosting effects? Ditch your evening glass of wine and try rubbing one out instead. You might be surprised how good it makes you feel.

Instead of relying on painkillers and hot water bottles, try masturbation during your period to get those cramps under control. Masturbation and orgasms have been shown to reduce discomfort during periods—who doesn’t like the sound of that?

The health benefits of female masturbation don’t stop there. Research has shown that sleep may come more easily after a good masturbation session. While difficult to study, there have also been reports of increased concentration after a quick solo session.

So whether you’re staring down an approaching deadline or desperate to banish late-night insomnia, take the time to enjoy a solo sex session and see if it gives you the solution you crave. (Even if it doesn’t, you’ll have had a good time.)

Get to Know Your Body

Vulva

Meet your vulva.

No judgment if your sex ed class was a snoozefest. We’re here to give you the CliffsNotes version—and the fun parts!

The vulva is the genital area for people assigned female at birth. It’s like a pleasure playground, complete with the labia majora, labia minora, the clitoris, the urethral opening (you know, where you pee), and the vaginal opening (where insertable toys or your partner’s parts can join the party).

Clitoris

Think of the clitoris as the VIP of your private party—it’s basically the Beyoncé of your anatomy. The little nub you see is just the tip of the iceberg; most of it is hidden like a secret treasure. It’s jam-packed with nerve endings, so touching it usually feels like a ticket to pleasure town, complete with orgasms as the grand finale.

Vagina

The vagina is like the Swiss Army knife of your anatomy—super versatile and ready for action. Sure, it’s famous for making babies and PIV (penis-in-vagina) sex, but it’s also a total MVP for masturbation. Inside, there’s this magical spot called the G-spot, which feels like a little button of joy when you press it.

Together, these two are like the dynamic duo of pleasure, combining forces to give you orgasms that could rival a summer blockbuster. All you gotta do is be willing to explore and find out what makes you tick. Next up: tips and tricks to make your pleasure explode like a fireworks show on New Year’s Eve.

How to Masturbate with Vagina: Steps to Get Started

Warm Up, Before You Get Down

Prepping in advance for a masturbation session might sound a bit extra, but trust us, setting the scene can seriously level up your pleasure.

Dim the lights, light some candles, and get those fresh sheets on the bed. Or lock yourself in the tub with some steam, bath oil, and your favorite vibe. Carve out time for yourself, both physically and mentally. Prioritizing your pleasure can turn a good session into a mind-blowing one.

Get Familiar With Your Body

Sure, you can just switch on a vibrator and go wild, but don’t overlook those trusty fingers. Using your fingers to masturbate helps you get intimate with your anatomy, and it’s a secret weapon for maximizing pleasure.

Once you know what feels amazing, positioning your toys or partner for epic orgasms will be a piece of cake.

Consider Using Lube

Lube is basically liquid gold. A little bit can make any sex act smoother and way more enjoyable. More “ooh yeah” and less “ugh, ow.”

Water-based lube is the all-rounder, playing nice with all toys, from vibrators to nipple suckers. Always keep some in your toy box.

Silicone lube lasts longer but stick to rigid toys like ABS plastic, glass, or metal. Choose wisely based on your favorite playtime activities.

Best Lubes & Toy Cleaners

Use Your Imagination

The most powerful sex organ isn’t below the belt—it’s in your head.

Your brain (and imagination) is where all the naughty thoughts live, and there’s no limit to where it can take you. Treat yourself to a fantasy with your favorite celeb or relive a steamy moment with your partner. It’s a surefire way to heat things up during solo play.

Focus on Your Clitoris

We can’t say it enough: the clitoris is your pleasure powerhouse! If you’re looking for a quick way to feel good, this is the spot.

Some folks find direct clitoral stimulation a bit too intense. If that’s you, try rubbing through the clitoral hood or keep your underwear on. Both methods will dial down the intensity just enough to make it super pleasurable.

Introduce a Sex Toy into the Equation

You might be a pro with bullet vibes and G-spot dildos, but have you tried clit suckers or anal toys?

Variety is the spice of life, and changing up your toys or how you use them can send you straight to pleasure town.

Check out our picks for the best toys to upgrade your masturbation sessions:

Top Masturbation Toys for Vulva Owners

Consider Using Pornography

If you’ve never tried watching porn during masturbation, we highly recommend it. Find a channel or creator that gets you going. Connecting with the action on screen can seriously enhance your experience.

If most porn feels too rough, try searching for “porn for women” for more sensual (but still raunchy) scenes. Remember, watching different kinds of porn doesn’t change your sexuality. You might find that gay or lesbian scenes get you going even if you identify as straight.

Take Your Time!

A quickie is totally fine, but don’t forget that masturbation can be a slow, luxurious journey.

Give edging a try: bring yourself close to orgasm, then stop. Wait until the urge to come eases, then start again.

Repeat as many times as you like. When you finally let yourself go, that orgasm will be out of this world.

Best Positions for Masturbation

What’s your favorite masturbation position? If you’ve been around the proverbial block a few times, you probably know exactly what position and what toy or touch will bring you to orgasm in no time. While this is undeniably fun, shaking things up with new positions can take your masturbation to a whole new level. Check out our best masturbation positions for women and people with vulvas right over here:

The Different Types of Masturbation to Explore

Vaginal

Vaginal masturbation: aka the ultimate way to play with your G-spot. But honestly, some people find it super pleasurable to just use a vibrator or dildo at the entrance of their vagina, without going deep. The beauty of masturbation is that there are hardly any rules (except, you know, always use water-based lube!) and mostly, you just let your body be the boss.

If you’re aiming for intense internal action, try a glass or metal dildo for a precise and thrilling G-spot massage. Vaginal play is also perfect for warming toys or that iconic rabbit vibrator.

Clitoral

Most vibrators are designed to target the G-spot, but if you’re looking for pinpoint precision, a bullet vibrator is your best bet. Prefer deeper, broader vibes? Say hello to the magic wand vibrator.

Most people find it a bit much to start with intense vibes directly on the clitoris, so take it slow. Warm up with your fingers first, then bring in the toys.

Anal

Lots of women and people with vulvas love anal play. There’s no prostate, but who needs one when your anus is packed with nerve endings? Butt plugs and dildos are amazing for this. Just remember: flared bases and anal lube only, please!

Top Anal Toys

Erogenous Zones

It’s true that the clitoris and G-spot are nerve-ending hotspots, and stimulating them is almost guaranteed to bring on a big ol’ orgasm.

But did you know there are plenty of other parts of your body that can amp up the pleasure during masturbation? Don’t forget to touch other sensitive zones, like your nipples or the inside of your thighs.

Common Masturbation Questions

Does Masturbating Burn Calories?

Masturbating is like a fun solo dance party between the sheets! Sure, it’s a great way to explore your own pleasure, but it also gets your heart racing and blood flowing, which means you’re burning calories. How many? Well, that depends on how wild the party gets—faster and longer sessions mean more calories burned. So, go ahead and sweat it out for a guilt-free pleasure workout!

Can You Masturbate on Your Period?

Heck yeah, you can! Masturbating during your period is not only safe but can be a total game-changer for cramp relief. Whether you go for a tidy, mess-free adventure or just let loose and enjoy the moment is entirely your call. Period pleasure can be a real mood booster—so why not give it a try?

How Often Do Women Masturbate?

Men might be louder about it, but women are definitely keeping the solo fun alive. According to The Kinsey Institute, over half of American women aged 18-49 masturbate at least once every three months, whether they’re single or in a relationship. So, ladies, keep rocking those solo sessions—it’s all about that self-love!

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