As a wise JT once said, “It’s gonna be May”. And with that comes one of our favorite occasions of the year: National Masturbation Month!

An entire month dedicated to the glorious pleasure past-time, Masturbation May is here! Let’s kickstart the conversation about why self-love is a healthy, normal part of sexuality that we should absolutely embrace year-round. 

It has been around since the beginning of time. But theres still a staggering amount of shame, stigma and false information surrounding it.

So to help the cause, we’re here to debunk some of the biggest, baddest (and craziest) masturbation myths! We’ll prove that it’s not only totally natural, but good for you, too! 

MYTH #1: IF YOU’RE IN A RELATIONSHIP, IT’S UNNECESSARY

REALITY: The idea of not needing self-love just because you have a partner is, by far, one of the most tragically common misconceptions in the book. Sure, being able to have an orgasm without a partner present is a great perk, but it’s about SO much more than that! 

The benefits of masturbation list is one that goes on and on. Among the benefits is being able to learn about your body and discover how you like to be touched and stimulated.  You can relax, get in tune with your sexy side and ultimately, boost your self-confidence both in and outside of the bedroom. So if you and/or your partner like to rub one out on the regular,  it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your relationship or that either of you are dissatisfied. Rather, it’s a super healthy part of  your sex life that your partner will benefit from as well.  

MYTH #2: IT DESENSITIZES YOU

REALITY: This is definitely not true…for the most part. As with any muscle or other part of the body, your sexual function works best when it’s frequently exercised. Regular masturbation is not kiss of death to your sensual sensitivity. It actuality helps bolster your intimate performance. 

However, since variety is the spice of life, it is possible to get “used to” a sensation when you do the same exact thing over and over again. If that’s something you start to experience, all it takes is switching up your technique or taking some time away from the vibe. Simple as that! 

MYTH #3: IT’S ONLY FOR WHEN YOU’RE ALONE

REALITY: While we tend to think of solo sex as a solo activity, but that doesn’t always have to be the case! Masturbation is a great way to get down with yourself, but it can be a powerful tool for couples to implement together as well.

One person can masturbate as a part of foreplay before getting down to business. Or the main course could be mutual masturbation itself. Self-love can be an incredibly spicy addition to your intimate routine that also shows your partner first-hand how you like it done. 

MYTH #4: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ORGASM

REALITY: You know how they say life’s about the journey, not the destination? Well, the same goes for masturbation. If your self-pleasure sesh ends in the coveted “Big O,” that’s great! But don’t think it’s the only thing that matters.

Masturbation is something we often (though not always) do by ourselves. This makes it a great opportunity to pay close attention to your body. Experimenting with different hand movements and toys can elicit a huge range of sensations. Throw in tricks like edging to extend the “orgasmic plateau”. That way, regardless of whether you reach a killer climax in the end or not, it was still a wild and incredibly enjoyable ride.

MYTH #5: IT’S “UNNATURAL/WRONG” FOR KIDS TO DO IT

REALITY: Sexual curiosity is an intrinsic part of human nature. So even though everyone discovers things at their own pace, it’s not the craziest thing for children to stumble upon ways to make themselves feel good. They likely won’t understand what they’re doing until much later in life. But it’s important to remember that it’s a totally normal part of sexual development/the human experience and nothing to be embarrassed about. 

MYTH #6: IT CAN CHANGE ONE’S PENIS SIZE OVER TIME

REALITY: Another sometimes-concern among penis-havers at large is the idea that jerking off can potentially affect their member’s appearance. Although, much to either your dismay or delight, that one’s not true either. 

Male-bodied individuals do experience a drop in testosterone after orgasm. But it’s temporary and doesn’t have a lasting effect on the overall penis size itself. No lengthening. No shrinking. What you see is, and will remain, what you get. 

MYTH #7: YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR URGES WITH CORN FLAKES (YES…THE CEREAL)

REALITY: False – obviously! It’s contested how large of a part Corn Flakes specifically had in the matter, but John Harvey Kellogg is historically well-known for both creating a cereal empire and spearheading a very public crusade against masturbation. Believing that it’s one of the worst, most abominable things one can do, he encouraged people to adopt a simple, bland diet in order to decrease interest in sex. According to him, this type of food wouldn’t “self-pollute” the body…hence the inception of plain, unsweetened and arguably boring Corn Flakes. 

But sorry, Kellogg. The jig is up for this one. 

MYTH #8: IT’LL CAUSE HAIRY PALMS, BLINDNESS AND/OR INSANITY

REALITY: I mean, really? These types of myths were perpetuated back in olden times before sex-positivity was a thought in anyone’s mind. But these days, we’ve finally wised up – and now thankfully know the real truth.

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Moral of the story: masturbation is great! As always, so long as it’s done in a happy and healthy way. Rather than being seen as a replacement to partnered sex, it’s important to see self-love as an integral piece of the pleasure puzzle that can help us grow closer to our sensual sides and feel like goddesses in our own skin.