How to Masturbate: Male Masturbation Tips, Techniques, and Tools
Whether you’re a beginner exploring your body or a seasoned pro looking to switch things up, male masturbation is a powerful form of self-care, pleasure, and even stress relief. From the best sex toys for men to masturbate with to tips and techniques, our guide on how to masturbate with a penis dives into everything you need to know and proves that solo play is far from boring. There’s more than one way to get off, and we’re here to prove it.
What is masturbation for men
Male masturbation is a form of self-care and sexual exploration. It’s an act where a person with a penis stimulates their genitals for sexual pleasure. Sometimes this leads to orgasm, but it doesn’t have to. Men can masturbate using their hands, fingers, or sex toys to pleasure themselves. By touching, massaging, pressing, or rubbing the penis, people with penises can express themselves sexually in the a healthy way, learn more about their bodies, and experience sexual pleasure without shame.
Is masturbating bad for you?
No, quite the opposite. Instead, you should be asking: “Is masturbation good for you?” The answer is always yes! Touching yourself is a healthy and empowering part of a self-care routine that can relieve stress and have other health benefits. However, it can be hard to break free of shame. Many people have feelings of shame around their sexuality based on religious or moral ideas they grew up around.
Masturbation can be a radical form of self-care, helping you feel good in your body and learn more about the different human sexual responses. In this guide, we’ll share some tips and techniques on how to develop a healthier relationship with your body and explore your sexuality. Together, let’s drop the shame and celebrate our bodies for all the glorious things they can do!
How to masturbate as a man
The first step of learning how to masturbate properly is finding a private and comfortable place. While you can use your hands to explore at first, if you level up to sex toys, have them cleaned and keep them nearby.
Masturbating with your hands
Start by applying lube to your hand. If you’re not using toys, you can use any lube you want, including silicone-based, water-based, and oil-based. Next, stroke the shaft of the penis in an up-and-down motion, experimenting with various pressures and speeds. Instead of trying to orgasm as fast as possible, go slowly and focus on what sensations you enjoy.
How to finger your anus
When we’re talking about people with penises, fingering oneself refers to anal play. Always wash your hands first, then begin with a well-lubricated finger and proceed slowly, inserting the first third of the index or middle finger. Stop if you experience any discomfort. There are some anal serums that you can explore to help the anal muscles relax.
The prostate is located approximately two inches within the rectum (around the first knuckle) and can be accessed directly through fingering. If you don’t want penetration, you can also stimulate it via the perineum or the taint, rubbing the landing strip of skin that sits between the testicles and anus.
Masturbating with male sex toys during your solo session
Your body is equipped with everything you need to enjoy sexual pleasure, but there are so many fun ways to masturbate, including male masturbation toys. I you really want some mind-blowing sensations, we recommend adding some male sex toys to your collection. Next, we’ll dive into these different kinds of toys, and the best male masturbator options on the market to start your journey with.
Pocket pussies and strokers
A pocket pussy or stroker is a sleeve-style toy that simulate the feeling of oral, vagina, or anal sex. They can be hyper-realistic (some are even molded after popular porn stars) but there are also many available in abstract designs. There are automatic strokers that do the work for you, vibrating, applying pressure, and thrusting — some even rotate!
Manual strokers don’t have high-tech features and may be less overwhelming to beginners. They’re still available in realistic materials and aesthetics (some even contain a partial torso or bum cheeks to mimic a person, but allow you to customize sensations like speed and pressure.
Penis rings
Often known as cock rings, these rings are worn around the base of the penis to enhance erections and make orgasms more intense by restricting blood flow. They’re available in materials like silicone (better for beginners), leather, and metal (only for advanced users). Some vibrate, and some wrap around the scrotum for added intensity. If you want to prolong your solo session, pleasure a partner with a vulva, or experiment with edging, they can be a great option.
Cock Power Scrotum and Cock Ring
Anal toys
The anus is home to thousands of nerves that are just begging to be stimulated. While the best intro to anal play is starting slowly with a lubed up finger, you can progress to toys like butt plugs, dildos and anal beads for a powerful orgasm. There are vibrating and non-vibrating plugs and beads.
Some plugs even have rotating beads within to simulate the sensation of a rimjob. With experience, you can use your hand or a stroker while a small anal plug is inserted for a sensation-packed masturbation session.
Prostate massagers
Like butt plugs, a prostate massager is inserted in the anus, but the shape applies pressure to the prostate, which is referred to many as the male G-spot. These toys are designed to press against the prostate, leading to a more full-bodied orgasm.
There are two types of prostate massagers: vibrating and non-vibrating. Some also have penis rings. These rings can increase sensation and help you last longer.
Male vibrator
Vibrators aren’t just for vulvas. Although many of the above toys have a vibration function, penis vibrators are also a popular toy. Vibrators for men have multiple vibrating or tapping functions and have flaps tat wrap around the penis, creating a seamless extension for a masturbating with your hands without enclosing the penis fully. This form of discreet male masturbator is often easier to clean than a stroker. Vibrators for vulvas can also be used for this purpose.
Different types of orgasms
There is no “best way to jerk off” for men — you can achieve pleasure through different kinds of orgasms. Here are the most popular kinds:
Ejaculatory orgasm
This is the primary and most commonly known orgasm that people with a penis have during masturbation or sex. The pelvic or penile muscles contract at the point of climax, which releases semen.
Prostate orgasm
We’ve talked a little about the P-spot, and it's a powerhouse of pleasure for men. When stimulated through the anus or perineum, this walnut-sized gland can cause an orgasm without any penile stimulation.
Blended orgasm
If you’re having your prostate or anus stimulated during penis play, you may be one of the lucky people to experience a blended orgasm, which happens when you are stimulating different areas of your body at the same time.
Dry orgasm
If you thought that the only kind of orgasm for people with penises results in ejaculation, thing again. You can orgasm without semen, and this happens when the semen travels back into the bladder instead of exiting through the penis. This is also called retrograde ejaculation.
Multiple orgasms
While this is more common for people with vulvas, men can have multiple orgasms as well, or multiple orgasms occurring within a short period of time. This may occur with edging or the use of sex toys. It can also occur with people who have a short refractory period or those who experience dry orgasms.
How often should you masturbate?
Is it bad to masturbate every day? Technically, no. Whether it's masturbating twice a day or masturbating once a week, the key is to find a frequency that feels healthy and balanced for you. Daily solo play can be a great mood booster and stress reliever. It can also help you sleep and even potentially have prostate health benefits. Some people only like to masturbate once in a while.
Is there such a thing as masturbation addiction?
As long as it’s not interfering with your day to do life, your relationships, and your responsibilities, there’s no need to limit or increase your masturbation frequency. Listen to your body and do what feels right for you. Some people may experience an addiction to or reliance on porn, which makes it difficult to experience pleasure without being visually stimulated by this kind of content.
Masturbation and porn
Many men are left to learn about masturbation from porn or conversations with their friends. For people with penises, porn is often the first introduction to masturbation. While this kind of erotic content can be a helpful tool for arousal, it may lead to an unrealistic view of sex that focuses more on visual impact than the slow and exploratory side of sensual touch that is so vital to understanding pleasure.
Relying on porn can lead people to focus on a quick release rather than exploring the range of sexual sensation to the full potential it deserves. Additionally, watching non-ethical porn blurs the lines between consent and communication while normalizing unrealistic depictions of pleasure.
That said, watching other men pleasure themselves in adult content can be a valuable learning tool that can introduce you to new toys, techniques, and positions. Watching different kinds of ethical porn can help you understand what turns you on and what fantasies you might want to explore in real life.
How to masturbate without porn
These masturbation techniques (especially combined with our favorite sex toys for men above) won’t have you missing porn at all.
Try mindful masturbation
Sexual mindfulness is all about being fully aware and present in the moment with the sensations happening in your body. Rather than focusing on the goal of orgasm, it’s about the journey and paying attention to the little sensations while maintaining full awareness.
Explore your fantasies
Fantasies are the OG porn. Think about something that excites you, whether that’s a specific kink, a scenario, or a type of person that turns you on. While you can absolutely close your eyes or blindfold yourself to let your imagination run wild, you can also use fantasy toys like creature strokers or dildos for scenarios like alien role-play.
Explore mutual masturbation
There’s nothing hotter than watching your partner masturbate in real-time. To stop becoming so reliant on porn during your solo sessions, bring your partner into the mix, channeling your inner voyeur. Watch each other play with hands or toys until you climax.
Try audio porn
A seductive whisper can be just as sexy as visual material. In fact, it can be even more personal. Dive into the world of audio erotica, which is naturally ethical and can also add fuel to the fire for your fantasies. Your imagination is powerful, so tap into it!
Does masturbating make you last longer?
Masturbating regularly may help with how long you last during partnered sex and can help you pace yourself. Some people even like to masturbate before sex to reduce sensitivity, and this can be a popular strategy for people who experience premature ejaculation.
It can! Masturbating before sex (a technique called “the pre-game”) may help reduce sensitivity, especially if you struggle with premature ejaculation. Regular solo sessions also help you learn what arouses you—and how to pace yourself.
Male masturbation tips and techniques
If you’re wondering how to enhance a male orgasm, there are a few masturbation hacks you can try during your next session.
Edging
Wondering how to edge to maximize your pleasure? Bring yourself to the brink of orgasm and then stop or slow down before you’re about to orgasm. Do this multiple times to make for a more intense final orgasm.
Mix things up (and try toys)
You’ve probably stayed within your comfort zone with what you like, so why not mix things up with grip, speed, or pressure to see if it intensifies your pleasure? Perhaps switch hands and even add male masturbator toys into the mix. You can also try to move your hips or cup your balls during your session, which can lead to a more pleasurable experience.
Use a sex toy mount
Stroker mounts are sex furniture that contain a pocket to place your stroker. They can simulate partnered penetration and allow for hands-free fun, especially when combined with an automatic male masturbator.
Go beyond stimulating the penis
Say it louder for the people in the back: using anal toys does not dictate your sexuality! Your body has so many erogenous zones that allow you to experience an amazing full-body climax.
Use a stimulating lube
Using a warming, cooling, or tingling lube to bring even more sensations into the mix and to explore temperature play.
Main Squeeze™ Cooling/Tingling Water-Based Lubricant
Why does masturbation feel good?
Because it activates our body’s pleasure systems and the many nerve endings that are waiting to be awakened. Solo love floods our body with feel-good chemicals, boosts self-confidence, and helps release tension. It puts you more in touch with yourself, and there’s nothing better. If you want to know how to jerk off better and make your sex life more fulfilling, the above tips and pleasure tools can really help you upgrade your next solo sesh.
