Recipes for Lovemaking    

Solo Time

Masturbation: 'to produce orgasm in one's self by

manipulation of the genitals, 

exclusive of sexual intercourse...                                                             

     Masturbation is sexual self-stimulation, most commonly by touching, stroking or massaging the penis or clitoris until this triggers an orgasm. Some women also masturbate through vaginal self-stimulation.

Learning to make love to yourself without shame and coming to an understanding of how you work sexually is the foundation of healthy intimacy. Many women who have skipped this learning curve think their relationships are fine. Yet they are the same women who complain about lack of orgasm during intercourse. By knowing your body and how it works, helps to aid you in emotional and physical honesty with yourself by creating sexual "self-confidence".  This aura of self-confidence is passed on to the relationships you form. Whether it is in the work place, with friends, or most of all with your lover.

Among American adults, surveys have shown that probably about 90 percent of men, and 65 percent of women practice masturbation. In both teen-agers and adults, about half of those who masturbate admit that they feel guilty or anxious about their behavior.

In general, the medical community considers masturbation to be a normal part of human sexuality. When counseling teen-agers, for example, pediatricians typically reinforce the fact that masturbation is one of many normal adolescent sexual behaviors. In adult patients, doctors usually see masturbation as a healthy, acceptable way to relieve sexual tension, especially when a patient's sexual partner is ill or absent. 

Victorian myths

There is no medical basis at all for the Victorian myths and folktales that warn about masturbation as a cause of insanity, blindness, acne, hairy palms or other medical problems. In fact, the federal government's National Institute on Aging emphasizes the fact that masturbation actually "can help unmarried, widowed or divorced people and those whose partners are ill or away." Masturbation can also be used as a safe way of relieving sexual tension in adolescents who wish to avoid pregnancy and the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases.

Although there is nothing abnormal or unhealthy about masturbation from a strictly medical point of view, some people have strong religious, cultural or moral objections to it. For persons who hold these values, choosing not to masturbate is normal, too. There is nothing weird, odd, abnormal or unhealthy about either choice.

In addition to being a form of sexual activity, masturbation is also necessary when a man must give a seminal fluid sample for infertility testing. After abstaining from ejaculation for 48 hours, the man masturbates, ejaculates and collects his seminal fluid for a lab. In the lab, the sample is checked for sperm count, sperm morphology (shape) and sperm motility (movement).

Many famous sex therapists promote self-stimulation for all kinds of reasons. The healing properties alone along with the peace of mind, are one of the biggest reasons to 'carefully' indulge. 

There are numerous ways to enjoy yourself. But I caution you as to how often and what types of stimuli you use.  There are many electronic devices that are on the market that can satisfy the need for this type of activity.  Some even come with a "warning" about over use, as most women know, over stimulation of the clitoris can cause desensitizing, and even some pain. Battery powered vibrators which have several speeds should be used with caution. Also, it would be advisable for you to caution the young ladies in your life whether it be your daughters, nieces or granddaughters about "what types" of items they experiment with when they are becoming curious with their bodies. There is a big sanitary issue here, and most young ladies usually aren't  the most careful about their hygiene, and create many cases of yeast infections over and over. It's no different with masturbation. The vagina is very delicate, and sensitive to unfamiliar bacteria introduced to it, and if the item is not properly cleaned, they will be making more problems for themselves. This is all part of the communication process that is so vital between family members!  Yet it's still one of THE most unspoken topics in human relationships. Remember "moderation in all things", masturbation is no different.

Some women have discovered that they would "prefer" the use of an electronic device or 'dildo' over their lovers. This is something I would not advocate! For the whole purpose of intimacy, touch ( see Touch), and sex (see Playtime),  is for the mental and physical bonding between two people in love. It is a "healing" process of the soul that cannot be matched. Masturbation is not to "replace' your lovemaking. It should only be there to "enhance" or teach you to better yourself FOR your lovemaking.

To know one's own body...is to know all.

What are your thoughts?

Disclaimer.