What Does Masturbate Mean?

Humans have long been fascinated by the pleasure associated with their bodies, so it’s no surprise that the act of masturbation has been of great interest and the subject of many discussions. But what does the word “masturbate” actually mean?

Let’s clear some things up and explore the definition of “masturbate” and some of the common misconceptions people have about it.

Definition of Masturbate

Masturbate is a verb that literally means “to rub, move, or stimulate one’s sexual organs, often to the point of orgasm.” It can refer to the action of stimulating the genitals with the hands, but it can also include the use of sex toys, vibrators, rubbing oneself against objects, and even fantasies. The word is sometimes used interchangeably with “self-love,” which is the belief that one can find pleasure and explore their sexual side all on their own.

Masturbation is a totally normal part of human sexuality, and almost all adults do it — statistics from 2016 from the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior found that 93 percent of males and 62 percent of females had engaged in it during their adult lives.

Common Misconceptions About Masturbation

Despite the wide prevalence of masturbation throughout the world, there is still a lot of misinformation floating around. Here are some common misconceptions about masturbation and the reality behind them:

Masturbation is “dirty” and “immoral”

This could not be further from the truth. Masturbation is a perfectly natural and healthy activity that is not associated with any kind of immorality.

Masturbation leads to lower sexual performance and difficulty in reaching orgasm

This is false. In fact, due to the release of endorphins and other feel-good hormones during stimulation, learning how to masturbate can actually help one become more comfortable with their own body and improve performance during sexual encounters.

For women, masturbation is not common or acceptable

While it is true that women tend to discuss and engage in masturbation less than men do, there is no reason why women should not feel comfortable exploring their own bodies. In fact, the alternative — having someone else guide your pleasure — can actually be quite limiting, as no partner knows your body as well as you do.

Masturbation can cause health problems

There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, engaging in this activity can be beneficial to ones’ mental and physical health, as well as balance hormone levels, eliminate stress, and help one to fall asleep more quickly.

Conclusion

Overall, masturbation is a perfectly natural activity that almost all adults engage in, and there is nothing wrong or immoral about it. Once one understands the definition of “masturbate” and is aware of the common misconceptions, they can explore their own bodies with confidence and curiosity.