Masturbation May: Embracing Self Pleasure for Mental Health
Yes, Masturbation May is a real thing!
This annual event began in 1995 in San Francisco as a response to the forced resignation of then-Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders. Her bold suggestion to include masturbation in the sex education curriculum as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections sparked a movement. Since then, Masturbation May has celebrated self pleasure and advocated for reducing the stigma around this natural practice.
Coincidentally—or perhaps not—it’s also Mental Health Awareness Month.
….and I don’t believe in coincidences.
Guilt and shame can deeply affect our mental health, especially when it surrounds self pleasure practices. I still remember the intense shame I felt after experiencing my first orgasm. That feeling of guilt overwhelmed me and affected my sense of self-worth, triggering serious mental health struggles. This experience taught me that mental health and sexual health are intricately linked. When we carry shame around something as natural as masturbation, it can create a disconnection from our bodies and even a fear of pleasure itself.
The Mental Health Benefits of Masturbation
So why is solo pleasure such a valuable part of mental wellness? For starters, masturbation can release dopamine and oxytocin, two neurotransmitters that enhance mood and relieve stress. By allowing yourself to feel pleasure, you’re also giving your nervous system a chance to relax and experience positive sensations, countering daily stress. Solo pleasure can even act as a grounding ritual, helping you feel more centered in your body and providing relief from anxiety and tension.
Masturbation is also a great way to connect with your own body and learn more about what feels good to you without the pressure of a partner. This type of body awareness helps boost self-confidence, body acceptance, and self-love, all of which are critical to a healthy mental state.
Challenging Shame Around Self Pleasure
For many of us, society has attached guilt and shame to self pleasure and masturbation, leaving us feeling like we need to hide or suppress our sexuality. But this shame is generally unfounded, and it prevents us from experiencing the full spectrum of pleasure and connection with ourselves. Breaking down these negative beliefs is essential not only for our sexual well-being but also for our mental health.
This is why I am so passionate about advocating for healthy, shame-free self pleasure practices.
Masturbation is an act of self-love and self-care, a way of acknowledging and honoring our bodies’ ability to feel pleasure. Embracing solo pleasure can help us release lingering guilt and create a healthier mindset around our sexuality.
Throughout May, I’ll be sharing ways to enhance your self-pleasure practice, from rituals that encourage presence in your body to methods for cultivating self-compassion. This journey is all about reconnecting with yourself, embracing pleasure, and letting go of any guilt or shame you might carry around your body’s needs and desires.
Because YOU deserve to experience the full spectrum of pleasure and joy in your own body!
Stay tuned for next week’s self pleasure practice tip, and let’s make this Masturbation May an opportunity to reconnect with ourselves in the most loving, empowering way possible.
