21 Masturbation Tips and Techniques That’ll Blow Your Damn Mind

“People laugh because I’ll ask them, ‘Have you ever masturbated standing?,'” Chris Donaghue, Ph.D., LCSW, CST, a licensed sex therapist and ambassador for the sex toy company TENGA, tells Men’s Health.

It turns out, a lot of guys masturbate in the same position every single time. By switching it up, you can make your solo sessions “more interesting and dynamic,” he says. If lying on your back in bed is your go-to position, try doing it sitting in a chair or standing in the shower.

“Your hands are nature’s sex toy, so don’t underestimate their pleasure power!” Anne Hodder, a sex and relationships educator based in Los Angeles, tells Men’s Health. “Experiment with your grip; tighten is as you stroke toward the body and loosen it as you move away from the body.”

“Think about how many fingers you’re using to wrap around your shaft,” Hodder says. “All five can cover more surface area, but what would it feel like to make an a-OK symbol with your thumb and pointer finger, and swirl up and down your dick?”

The most common way to masturbate involves an up-and-down motion, and while that can certainly do the trick, Lehmiller recommends adding some rotation to your stroke.

“Start by applying a generous amount of your favorite lube, and begin with a longer stroke with a slow twist to get used to the movement,” he says. “Then adjust the grip, speed, and stroke length based on what feels best to you.”

You can also try a two-handed twist by gripping your penis with one hand on top of the other, and then slowly twisting your hands in opposite directions.

“Once you get the motion down, you can experiment with the grip and speed, and potentially add an up-and-down stroking motion to it as well,” adds Lehmiller.

Here’s another new way to use your hands: Take the hand you don’t normally use to masturbate, turn it so it slides down your shaft forefinger-first, and twist it as you stroke, sex therapist Emily Morse, Ph.D. previously told MensHealth.com.

Your testicles are loaded with nerve endings, so don’t neglect them during masturbation, Morse advised. Lots of guys find their orgasms are more powerful when they pull down on their balls rhythmically before they come — but you should play around to find out what feels good to you.

When you’re masturbating, “Don’t forget to use both hands,” Hodder says.

Her suggestions for multi-tasking? “While one [hand] is stroking, use the other to stroke or cup the testicles. Maybe experiment with applying pressure against the perineum or tickling your nipples while you’re stroking with the other hand, especially as you get closer to orgasm — you might experience an even more powerful orgasm!”

Otherwise known as the “taint,” the perineum is that area between your anus and scrotum. And whether you know it or not, this erogenous zone is packed with nerve endings that can play a role in sexual arousal. That’s why Kay strongly advises stimulating this area next time you’re masturbating. Some guys can even orgasm from touching the perineum alone—hence why it’s sometimes referred to as the “P-spot.”

“Experiment with different pressures during various stages of arousal to gauge different sensations,” says Kay.

You may want to start with light, gentle touching at first—and then adding more firm pressure as you get closer to finishing. Feel free to use lube to make the perineum massage more comfortable.

Edging is the act of bringing yourself almost to the point of orgasm — and then abruptly cutting off all stimulation until you get your arousal under control.

This masturbation technique can help you train yourself to better control your orgasms and last longer during sex, Morse told MensHealth.com. Plus, think of how good it’ll feel when you finally let yourself come.

If you’re going to try edging, you probably want to load up on lube. You don’t want to end up with chafing from too much friction.

The ‘squeeze’ is another masturbation technique that may help you last longer in bed.

When you feel yourself about to have an orgasm, stop what you’re doing and squeeze your penis right below the head. Use our thumb and forefinger to apply firm pressure to the urethra — the tube that runs along the bottom of your penis, Ian Kerner, Ph.D., a sex therapist and author of She Comes First, previously advised. By doing so, you’ll push blood out of your member and decrease your arousal — which will help you control your orgasms.

There’s no reason why your penis has to have all the fun. In fact, Suzannah Weiss, an AASECT-certified sex educator and resident sexologist for Fleshy, says involving other body parts can supercharge your orgasm.

She suggests rubbing a skin-friendly oil like coconut oil all over your body — and then experimenting with stimulating other areas, like your nipples. Even your inner thighs, earlobes, abdomen, sacrum, and butt cheeks are considered erogenous zones that are loaded with pleasure-inducing nerve endings.

“Our whole body is wired for pleasure,” says Lehmiller. “Don’t be afraid to explore other parts of your body.”

Did you know that regular masturbation can give you stronger erections?

Masturbation “keeps the angle of your dangle perky,” Gloria Brame, Ph.D., a clinical sexologist, previously told MensHealth.com. Whenever there’s a rush of blood to your nether regions — i.e., when you get an erection — the muscle of your penis becomes enriched with oxygen. Masturbation also helps strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which in turn can prevent erectile dysfunction.

“A lot of guys are hesitant to use sex toys, even with their female partners, but they’re missing out on better masturbation and sex,” Donaghue says.

A 2018 study by TENGA found that just 53 percent of men were open to using sex toys on themselves — but that 80 percent of men who’d tried them said they improved their sexual experience. The survey was conducted by a sex toy company, so take it with a grain of salt — but there’s no denying that it feels pretty damn good to give your wrist a break once in a while.

“The benefits of men using sex toys are simple: stress relief and intense pleasure — coincidentally, the same benefits that orgasms provide!” Brian Sloan, creator of the Autoblow 2, tells MensHealth.com. “Plus, whatever a man learns about what he likes during his solo toy sessions can be communicated to his partner to provide a better experience for both people.”

A penis sleeve like a Fleshlight or TENGA egg can add a whole new level of pleasure to your next masturbation session.

“It can provide a lot of friction and really enhance the feeling of the pleasure,” Kerner told MensHealth.com.

For a higher-tech option, try a toy that offers automated hands-free masturbation.

“Products like the Master-Bot Automatic Stroker offer automated swirls and stroke motions at varying speeds (with vibration included!) and transform the masturbation process, especially for anyone who has pain in the wrist of hands, mobility concerns, or difficulty maintaining a tight grip,” Hodder says.

If you’re familiar with the so-called “male G-spot,” you know that stimulating your prostate can feel really good during sex or masturbation. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and rectum; you can find it by inserting your (clean, lubed-up) fingers about two inches into your rectum, and curving them toward your belly-button.

For more tips on finding your prostate, click here.

If you like the feeling of massaging your prostate with your fingers during masturbation, you might enjoy using a toy for anal stimulation. If you’re new to the idea, start small with a butt plug — like the Nu Sensuelle Remote Control 15-Function Vibrating Mini Butt Plug.

$55, Buy It Here

If you’re ready to take your prostate play to the next level, add a prostate massager to your masturbation routine. This one, the Rocks-Off Rude-Boy Vibrating Prostate Massager, is waterproof and hands-free.

$45, Buy It Here

Only 57 percent of men clean their sex toys after they use them, according to a 2017 survey by adult superstore Adam & Eve — and that’s a problem. As MensHealth.com previously reported, using sex toys without washing the semen off can lead to skin and yeast infections. And if you share your toys with partners without cleaning them, you could also be at risk for STIs.

Experts say you should clean your toys after every use.