Some people wished for different circumstances of learning about masturbation – mostly that an older friend or relative had taught them. That way they could have avoided much confusion and worry from learning by themselves.]
I can't remember exactly when I started, but it was definitely before age 5. (I think I might be one of the ones who started in the womb!) I used to like to take off all my clothes and roll around under sheets on the floor, or rub against my pillows. That method delivered a really sweet kind of orgasm, because of the specialized friction against my penis created by the fabric and my belly. Though I didn't know what it was called then, I was hooked on masturbation and my mother never discouraged it. So, I guess I'm happy – way happy – with when I started.
- age 26, Florida
I couldn't have been more than 6 or 7. In the bathtub, I discovered that rubbing the tip of my penis with soap felt good. Continuing to do it ultimately led to a kind of tingling, buzzing sensation in my penis (a "dry" orgasm). Soon enough I discovered I could get a similar feeling and orgasm by rubbing my penis with my hand. I'm glad I figured it out so early. The dry, penis-centered orgasm that's available before puberty is a unique sensation quite different from the adult orgasm in which (for me at least) the sensations in the testicles, prostate, and related organs overwhelm those in the penis. Those who had their first orgasm after puberty have missed out.
- age 39, California
I was 12 when I first learned to have orgasms. Of course I wish I could have learned sooner. When I started to have orgasms it felt so good that I did it once or twice a day. I still do it that much. Now I think of all the fun I could have been having when I was even younger – but you don't always think about that when you're a kid. I think kids of all ages can benefit from sexual pleasure, including orgasms. It's not an age thing; it's a human thing, and teen and pre-teen kids have strong human sexual needs.
- age 14, Oregon (female)
I was 12. I already knew the concept of masturbation, but I didn't know exactly how to do it. And no, I don't wish I had known about it sooner; it wasn't as satisfying at 12 as it was later on.
- age 21, Alaska
I was 11, at summer camp. After lights out in our cabin the other boys started masturbating and joking about it. I didn't know what they were talking about at first, but it was pretty clear they were having a very good time. The jokes provided enough information that I started experimenting, and then – SHAZAAM! It happened. I can still remember that first time and how great it felt! Do I wish I had started sooner? No – I'm happy I have had 42 years of pleasure at least once a day, every day, ever since!
- age 53, Idaho
I was 12 years old. I wish I had learned it later on in life, because learning it so early desensitized my mind toward sexual things. Things that get most people excited don't affect me because I've already fantasized about most of them during my ejaculations.
- age 14, New York
I first learned when I was 11 years old. One lunchtime a group of 5 of us went down to the local woods, where we sat around in a semi-circle. I just followed the lead of the oldest one of us, and it was very successful. I don't think that I would have wanted it to be before that age, even though I was getting erections for quite some time before then. No, I think it was at about the right time for me.
- age 47, United Kingdom
I was 10 when my dad showed me this brilliant new thing. I was amazed. My dad has always been very open, which I think is good. I have now gone on to show my younger brother the joys of masturbating. I think I learned at the right age, and for the past 7 years I have enjoyed a good session at least twice a day.
- age 18, Ireland
When I was 6, I learned about the mechanics of masturbating from some teenage boys but I had to find out for myself what it all meant – and then overcome years of guilt and ignorance associated with pleasuring myself! I started masturbating when I was about 8, which I think was a good age, but it took me until I was 12 years old to fully understand it. If I could change anything I wouldn't have been exposed to masturbating quite so young.
- age 29, United Kingdom
I learned the details about masturbation at age 12, but I had already begun to do it when I was 9. I remember promising myself to stop doing it 3 days before my tenth birthday. I wish I had known what I was doing when I started – then I could have been more open about it. In a way, that would have helped me accept who I am, because for 3 long years I thought I was doing disgusting things, that I was bound to be a perverted sex-maniac. When I heard the details, I felt so relieved. Yet at some level, I still feel that sex is a bad thing, even though I know it isn't. (I hate my subconscious!)
- age 18, The Netherlands
I was about 10 or 11 when I learned how. I'm pretty content with that. I remember just masturbating until I reached climax, but with no semen. When I first started ejaculating it was much more intense, so I think I would have liked to learn after I produced semen.
- age 13, Missouri
I was 12 or 13 and spending the night at my best friend's house. We were playing truth or dare, as we had done for years. I was dared to masturbate, but I didn't know how – so my friend showed me, and we did it together. It was one of the best nights I've ever had, and I'm glad I learned that way. I wouldn't want to change anything about it.
- age 18, Australia
Do you mean the age I learned how to masturbate, or when I learned how to do it right? I was a bit of a late bloomer. Although I was having sexual thoughts and feelings by the time I was 8, I was about 14 before I started adding hands and objects to the mix, and probably nearly 16 before I had my first orgasm. Up to that point, I couldn't understand why the old in-out didn't feel as good as everyone said it did, and I attributed my lukewarm response to the use of artificial objects. Discovering the real pleasure source made all the difference in the world. I certainly wish I had learned it sooner. Perhaps it would have had a positive influence on my negative self-image at the time.
- age 23, Maryland (female)
Complex answer. I know I was rubbing off on the blanket at age 3 or 4. That's what I was doing the first time I ejaculated at age 13, but I didn't learn how to do it with my hand until about 6 months later. I wish I'd talked to someone about it before I reached puberty so I would have known what to expect – and known I wasn't the only one doing it. It would also have been helpful to know someone else's clean-up techniques, or how to do it by hand.
- age 47, Arkansas
I first learned to masturbate when I was 12. A male friend was sleeping over. We both had beds and were covered in blankets. We were watching the movie "Major League," and he started to masturbate. I did it, too, after figuring it out by trial and error. I had never been horny before that – now it controls a lot of my day. When I think about it after I've masturbated, I wish I hadn't learned about it – but when I am doing it, I love it.
- age 13, New York
I was 11 when I first masturbated and reached climax – I remember it well because I had my first period the day after and thought my masturbating had caused it. Nevertheless, I continued to do it. Masturbating helped me sleep and relieved my cramps. I think I discovered this wonderful pleasure at the right time in my life.
- age 40, California (female)
I was 6 years old when I first discovered the wonderful pleasure that could be taken from "feeding the ducks." It was purely by accident, after a medical examination at my junior school. I am glad it happened at an early age, as it gave me an early start in life – and I now feel I am somewhat of an expert at "polishing the porridge gun." I certainly have no qualms about "taking Captain Picard to warp speed" as often as possible. It is an excellent way to get to know your own body and sexual preferences. So go on, "give Ronaldo a rubdown."
- age 24, United Kingdom
I think I learned to masturbate around age 10. I didn't really realize I was masturbating. I didn't even realize I was experiencing sexual pleasure. It was just a good game. That's why I wish I had learned to masturbate later. I think I would have been more conscious of what I was doing, and I would have tried to be more patient in taking my pleasure.
- age 22, France
I learned to masturbate this year. I wish I had learned about it sooner, because if I had known about it, I wouldn't have had sex with my boyfriend before I was ready.
- age 15, Ohio (female)
I learned when I was in 4th grade; I must have been something like 9. My parents had explained where babies came from, and how they got there, and I was "experimenting" in my room, pretending my hand was a vagina. The sensation of orgasm was overwhelming! Of course, I was a little scared when I noticed the next day that the skin on my penis was stretched. And, I don't think I learned either too early or too late. Discovering on my own how satisfying masturbation could be was one of the highlights of that part of my life.
- age 21, Florida
just a barrier for finding out."
"There is no age barrier for having an orgasm –
I was 9 when my 11-year-old cousin showed me. He could already ejaculate at that age. He showed me how to do it and told me I would not ejaculate, but that I'd get almost the same feeling. He also told me that because I could not ejaculate yet, I could go from one "good feeling" to another for as many as I wanted to have. I was amazed at what it felt like. I never could get myself to go for more than about 3 or 4 orgasms in one session. Later my cousin told me that when I got old enough to ejaculate, the ability to have these "multiple orgasms" would sort of go away. At the risk of sounding too far out there, I wonder why we are so secretive about the human ability for orgasm? There is no age barrier for having an orgasm – just a barrier for finding out.
- age 51, Oklahoma
I learned just this year – about 6 months ago. I don't care that I didn't learn it earlier, really. I'm glad it's not total routine yet. It becomes more and more like that, though. Still, I can remember the days when I was just learning, when I'd learn something new (from this site) and be excited to try it the next chance I got.
- age 15, Virginia
I didn't start until I was 21! I'd never really enjoyed masturbation, until my girlfriend introduced me to the magic of a vibrator! Nah, it doesn't really bother me that I "waited" so long.
- age 36, Florida (female)
I didn't masturbate until I was 17. I had plenty of "wet-dreams" from age 12 until then, but I was almost totally naive about masturbation to climax. The first time I climaxed, other than during sleep, I was looking at a newspaper photo of a cute local high school sports star and sort of playing with myself, and all of a sudden – well, you know! After that, it was like 5 or 6 times a day. I wish I had made my discovery much earlier, since the "wet-dreams" were confusing and not really "sex" to me. Oh, well, there's still plenty of time to make up for those missed self-gratification sessions.
- age 44, Rhode Island
I only learned to masturbate when I was 19. I had been in a relationship for about 4 years, and when we broke up, I missed sex. I found out quickly that I really didn't need him anymore – I could please myself far better than he ever did. I wish I could have known that before; I would have broken up with him sooner!
- age 21, Illinois (female)
I was 12 and remember my first time clearly. It happened as I was drying off from a shower, and I found that I couldn't stop drying my genitals – it felt so good. When the orgasm hit, I couldn't believe what had happened. Since then, I have learned many techniques, thanks to experimenting and to JackinWorld. I have no regrets about not starting earlier!
- age 54, Michigan
I was 11...it was almost as though everything happened instinctively. I was lying in bed one night playing with an erection I had (which, by the way, I normally did not do), and all of a sudden I couldn't stop. I wound up masturbating myself to my first orgasm and my first ejaculation. I had read about it in books, but I had no idea what to expect. Sex-ed authors do little to educate a kid as to what to really expect. Although I do not regret anything, I wish I'd had someone a few years older either to share the experience with me, or to put it in terms I could understand so as to forewarn me. All of a sudden having the ejaculation and orgasm was pretty overwhelming for an 11-year-old.
- age 22, Maine
I was 15 (not that long ago). It was amazing; I finally felt I was a man! I would prefer to have learned sooner, from a brother or a friend. Once I started, I looked on the Internet and found this site. Thank you, JackinWorld; you've been an invaluable resource.
- age 16, United Kingdom
I "discovered" masturbation when I was 9 or 10 – but I didn't really know what I was doing, or how normal it was, until I was at least 13. I don't wish I had started earlier – but I do wish there had been a friend or brother, someone I could talk to about it. The first 4 years I went through some pretty weird feelings and felt very alone.
- age 33, California
My first time masturbating was at age 13. I had held my penis in my hand before, but for the first time I actually grasped and pumped it. I didn't know what I was doing – didn't know I was "having sex with my hand" – I thought I was just playing. And it was fun – real fun, and real good. Then after only 2 or 3 minutes, I reached orgasm and got scared to death. I felt so bad afterwards. The next day I tried to do it again, and more semen came out. The first few months of my new life incorporating masturbation were really for experimentation. It was only about a year-and-a-half later that I began to really, really like it, to the point where I can no longer control my groaning when I climax. Now I've learned more about my body, and I can get some really nice orgasms – sometimes two in one sitting! It's really all about learning to stroke it and whatever else one must do. I think starting age 13 was perfect for me in terms of where I was in my life then, and how sexually mature my body was. For those of you who are younger, I have one piece of knowledge to pass on: It gets better and better as your body becomes more mature, but I would suggest knowing how to masturbate before you've completed puberty (I haven't yet, by the way). Hey, it's better to orgasm when you're awake and can more accurately remember how good it feels, right? Screw "wet-dreams" – masturbation is the way to go.
- age 16, New York
I was 12, taught by my brother. He was 11 and learned it at Boy Scout Camp, where as a Cub Scout he was invited in hopes that he would join – which he did. If I had anything to change about it, we would have thought of lubrication sooner.
- age 56, California
I learned to masturbate a few months ago. I got tired of guys not being able to get me to orgasm and decided to try it myself. I do wish I had discovered it sooner. Orgasms are great, and I'm sad I waited as long as I did to figure out how to do it myself.
- age 18, Ohio (female)
I was 8 years old. It was a wonderful experience at an early age, and I would not change anything about it. A female friend (age 13) and I learned about masturbation together. We would experiment with each other and ourselves as the other watched. I am fortunate to have shared my first sexual experience with a special friend from whom I learned so much. I'm also fortunate to have been an early developer.
- age 33, Rhode Island
"Soon every time I got aroused, I'd get on
the floor and do my Superwoman thing."
I have been using my masturbating technique as long as I can remember, except I didn't originally use it to get off. When I was really young, I used to ball up my blanket on the floor and lie on it with my arms and legs spread out and slightly held off the ground. I pretended I was Superwoman. Then as I got older, I realized it felt kind of good. At about age 7 I would go to my room and do it on the floor after seeing something that got me aroused – only I would use my fist rather than a balled-up blanket. When I was that young, I didn't know I was horny. As I got older, I began to actually move my hips, but only because it felt good. Soon every time I got aroused, I'd get on the floor and do my Superwoman thing. I remember my first orgasm – that is when I knew what I was doing, and I loved it! Now, when I do my Superwoman thing, I get an orgasm in about 2 minutes if I really want it that fast, and it is INTENSE! I'm glad I learned when I did.
- age 17, South Carolina (female)
I learned to masturbate at age 7 or 8 by myself. One night I was lying in bed, absentmindedly fingering my penis, when it got stiff and started to feel good. As I continued to rub it, it felt better and better until it felt really, really good and my butt started to twitch. I had my first dry orgasm. Of course, I didn't know what it was called then – it was just something I did. I didn't know I was being sexual – but as I look back on it as an adult, whenever I masturbated, I always thought about other kids' genitalia. I'm glad that I learned to masturbate how and when I did, even though it created problems for me – my mother tried strongly to suppress my interest in masturbation and sex play. (This was, after all, the 1940s!) However, I think I would have had those same problems no matter when I learned to masturbate. What I remember so fondly is the absolute magic of those early, furtive, searching years. - age 58, New Jersey I was 14 years old when I first learned. I wish I had learned it earlier, because masturbation is a wonderful, feel-good experience.
- age 16, New York
I learned through playing around and experimenting at age 12 or 13. In hindsight I don't think I'd change this. It was early enough to give myself relief when needed during those teen years, and yet old enough to have a clue what it was and not know why I *had* to do it and enjoy it.
- age 26, Massachusetts
Fifty years ago this summer, I had just turned 14 and had experienced erections and an embarrassing "tenting" of my pants, but I hadn't heard about masturbation. Since reading JackinWorld I now know I was at least a couple of years behind some (most?) of our fellow readers. Then one day a 19-year-old neighbor told me about "playing with" one's penis. With no more information than that, that night in my bed I gave it a try using my fingertip to circle my uncircumcised head. Much to my surprise I discovered not only masturbation but also orgasm and ejaculation, all at the same time. Am I sorry I didn't start earlier? I don't know, but I have enjoyed it for the past 49 years and 9 months. I am still learning new techniques with JackinWorld's help. Keep up whatever we are doing – there's more pleasure ahead for all of us.
- age 63, Florida