I so wish I hadn't been so freaked out about my first time masturbating. I remember taking absurd steps to quell my paranoid notions that my parents would discover not only that I had masturbated, but that I had ejaculated as well! I went nuts trying to wipe up all my semen – and there was a lot – with an old sock, and then trying to figure out what to do with this soggy sock. It would have been better had there been someone else with me – a girl, or maybe another guy – just to tell me it was natural and that everyone does it. I wish I had known it's not a big deal, that your parents aren't going to catch a whiff of your semen 5 days later and conclude their 14-year-old son is masturbating.
- age 23, Minnesota
I would not be so afraid. I had been touching myself in pleasing ways for years, and at age 12, I started rubbing intensely and truly "masturbating." I guess it just came naturally at that age. After about a month of true masturbation sessions, it happened. I had just finished taking a shower and was on my back rubbing my penis with an open hand when I got that funny feeling in my stomach that made me rub even faster. Then I climaxed. I was terrified and thought something was wrong with me. No one had ever explained a male orgasm, release, and semen to me. I told my dad, who assured me that I was fine.
- age 27, Ohio
I think I was 11 and didn't really know what was happening. I would wait until perhaps 13, when I knew more about sex.
- age 21, Canada
I wish someone had masturbated me to orgasm instead of me doing it myself!
- age 16, Oklahoma
First, I would have slowed down and enjoyed it. The first time I masturbated to orgasm, I ejaculated far too quickly. I was about 13 – a buddy and I were in the woods near my house, and we dared each other to masturbate. Of course, neither of us expected to ejaculate. Frankly, we didn't know what to expect. I accepted the challenge, but was very nervous that someone would see me with my pants down around my ankles and my hand stroking my erect penis. I stroked rapidly for maybe 30 seconds and ejaculated into my left hand. I quickly cleaned up, zipped up, and went on my way. Since my discovery, I have masturbated several times a week and have learned to enjoy the experience.
- age 36, Connecticut
Nope. The first time I masturbated to an orgasm, I was 11. I had tried it before, but the sensations became so strong that I would stop. The intensity seemed weird. Anyway, I decided this time I would keep going to see what would happen. I reached orgasm extremely quickly (in about 45 seconds), and I remember thinking, "Wow! That was cool."
- age 14, Virginia
The only thing I would change is to have known the word "orgasm," so I would have known what it was that felt so good. I was about 8 the first time I masturbated to orgasm (although it was not the first time I had masturbated). It was years before I knew I was having orgasms. I had even had sex before I knew I was masturbating to orgasm. Now I have a daughter, and I will make sure to tell her what orgasms are.
- age 30, California (female)
The only thing I might change would be to have understood better what I was doing. The first time I did anything to bring myself to orgasm, I didn't know I was masturbating or what exactly was going on. But when I think about it, maybe that wasn't so bad, after all – since when I finally did learn about masturbation and did it intentionally, I actually enjoyed the orgasm because I already knew what it felt like.
- age 44, Tennessee
I wouldn't change anything about it. I think I was 11 and I was in the shower. My penis became hard, and I started playing with it to try to get it to go down. Then I just started stroking the shaft, and I kept doing it because it felt so good. About 5 minutes later, I was brought to a knee-buckling orgasm. I literally fell to my knees in shock at what had just happened. It felt so good! I masturbated again, right then and there – and at that moment, my shower time over the next week tripled!
- age 14, Pennsylvania
I would have talked to my friends about it so now I could have someone to do it with. That's my fantasy. Also, I would have started masturbating at about 9 instead of 12, when I ejaculated at my very first orgasm – not much fun. I wish I could have experienced a dry orgasm like I later helped my younger cousin to do. And last, I would have had my parents *not* circumcise me when I was a baby.
- age 17, California
I would have continued masturbating from the time I started. Although I first ejaculated at age 12 1/2 after an extended period of playing with myself, I was totally unprepared and so thoroughly frightened that I did not masturbate again for another 3 years. During that time, I had frequent "wet dreams," strong sexual urges, and a strong combination of fear and guilt. The 1950s were conservative times, and my family and friends were total Puritans. I could talk to no one about my sexuality. Shortly after my 15th birthday, I again begin to play with myself and ejaculated – "miraculously." However, this time I figured that if I were doomed to perdition or a mental institution, I might as well enjoy myself en route! Although I have long since learned that I was not alone and that neither my Native heritage nor my chosen religious affiliation condemns masturbation, it was not until I found JackinWorld earlier this year that I realized how normal, healthy, and universal masturbation is.
- age 60, Michigan
I would want to go back and have myself do it by hand. I would always masturbate by rubbing against a pillow, and now I wish that I hadn't. For the longest time, I didn't even know how to masturbate with my hands!
- age 14, Missouri
The first time, I used an electric vibrator. It was quick and fun, with my pants tugged down just far enough to get the job done. If I could change anything, it would be to make it more special. I'd turn the lights down low, get completely nude, use a lubricant, and take my time. And I would *not* buzz myself to orgasm with a machine.
- age 36, Texas
I would do nothing of the sort! It was the best feeling I had ever experienced! I was 12 then, and in fact, I was reading JackinWorld!
- age 14, Georgia
I would have gone more slowly and I would *not* have done it the shower. This happened about 4 years ago, when I was only 8 years old. I discovered masturbation by sitting down and then starting to rub my penis against my leg. That gave me a great sensation, so I continued until I felt a pulsing in my penis. Then suddenly I felt as though I had done something wrong.
- age 12, Venezuela
I've been masturbating for at least 4 years, but only in the last couple have I masturbated to orgasm. When it first happened, I was shocked, but *very* pleased. I didn't even know what an orgasm was, and that's one thing I regret. If I could go back, I would learn more about masturbating in general so I could have at least understood what was happening when that oh-so-wonderful feeling took over my body.
- age 14, Canada (female)
When I first climaxed at age 14, I was behind a locked door in the bathroom. It was my guilty secret. I wish I could have had my dad's instruction and blessing, instead of having to keep it secret. I wish I had had guys with me to celebrate that first orgasm and welcome me into a big, new, and wonderful part of my life – one we all share. It would have been great to have had the safety and permission just to lie on my bed and celebrate myself with my penis – to be proud and happy, not worried about being caught.
- age 50, Idaho
Above all else, I would want to have known about masturbation. When I first started, I didn't know much about it – only that I hated doing it, because I thought it was a bad thing. I tried to go without it as much as I could, but with little success. I wish I had discovered this site earlier.
- age 13, California
I wouldn't change a thing! A friend showed me what to do. He was older, but in my grade. His penis was much larger than mine and had hair. He told me what to do, and I masturbated him to orgasm. I couldn't figure out what all the sticky stuff was. He then masturbated me, but I was still small and not mature. I had my first dry orgasm that night. I was scared and thought my insides were coming out of my penis. Afterwards, it was all I could do *not* to masturbate!
- age 41, Oklahoma
My first time was terrible! I was 12, lying on my bed with my pants completely off, and rubbing my penis against the inside of my shirt. I had never really masturbated before, and that was the only way I knew. I was close to orgasm and somewhat scared, even though I suspected what was happening. I had just started to ejaculate when my older sister walked right in and stared at me in disbelief. I was so embarrassed! I wish I could have enjoyed my first time without interruption and embarrassment.
- age 19, New Jersey
I'd change nothing. The first time was so exciting, it didn't matter that nobody had told me about what it was or anything else about it.
- age 15, Finland
I don't think I'd change anything, except maybe the "when" of it. I had been masturbating for a while, but not to orgasm. Then one day I went the whole way, and it was terrific, so I was annoyed I had never gone the whole way before. I think I was 9 or 10 at the time.
- age 20, Australia
When I was 14, I borrowed my mom's dildo, which was hidden in her night table. It made me have a great orgasm and I have been borrowing it ever since. Thanks to my mom, I have a male penis whenever I wish.
- age 16, Pennsylvania (female)
I wish I had had my favorite friend there with me and that he had been as much a virgin as I was. Also, I wish that I had grown up in a freer-thinking time and in a country less Calvinistic than mine. I think about all the missed opportunities, the guilt and worry, and I feel sad. Your site is about 34 years too late! Thanks anyway.
- age 49, South Africa
I would have taken more time and really enjoyed each feeling as I stroked myself, teasing and massaging my balls and penis. I would have enjoyed the feelings building and how my penis felt in my hand. I would have enjoyed the orgasm more by continuing after I climaxed. The feelings stay with you for a long time.
- age 17, Connecticut
I was 12 when I masturbated to orgasm the first time. I had been playing with myself for a couple of years before. I knew something was going to happen, but I did not know exactly what. I most of all would have wanted a dad who was close to me and with whom I could have discussed the experience. I lived in absolute fear of my abusive father and was never even friends with him, much less father-and-son. Today, I worship the ground my boys walk on and they are the center of my life. In time, I will introduce them to this site, so please keep up the excellent work.
- age 40, Florida
My first orgasm was perfect. I was 12 or 13. My parents had gone out, a friend of mine was staying over, and like kids do at that age, we had "mucked around" in the past. So we went into my parents' bedroom, I stripped down and lay on the bed, and my friend masturbated me. I'd never even thought about it in the past, so when I blew – oh, what a feeling! I just wish every time could be like the first.
- age 17, Australia
I was 18 and a freshman in college, and I had never had an orgasm until a few days before, when my longtime boyfriend tried giving me oral sex for the first time. When I had that first orgasm, I couldn't believe I had never experienced anything like it before. So, about a week later, I masturbated for the first time (I had tried a little before, but never figured it out), and I had an incredible orgasm! It took me longer, maybe a few months, before I realized I could have several orgasms in one session. Both of us were just learning about sex, and I was always grateful that he cared enough about me to want to make sure that I have this experience! So I guess the only thing I regret would be not knowing about it sooner.
- age 41, New York (female)
I started masturbating very young by humping my stuffed animals. I never ejaculated because I was too young. It was always a great experience, but I wish I had started when I was older.
- age 17, Wisconsin
I do not know what I would change, because I do not remember my first time at all.
- age 35, Finland
The first time I masturbated was cool. My friend showed me how. This sounds weird, but we believed we were super-humans, that we could control anything, and that our orgasms were our super-powers taking over! I wouldn't change that at all. When I look back on it, I wish that what we imagined were true!
- age 13, Maryland
I would definitely not have my mom walk in on me!
- age 21, California (female)
Who doesn't have things to change about their first time? Personally, I wish I had known about the huge porn collection out in my shed. That would have made the experience that much more memorable. The only other thing that would have made it better is if my friend, who had done it with me before we ever ejaculated, had been there with me so we could have come into manhood together.
- age 14, Illinois
I would prefer not to have been sitting on the carpet at my parents' house without any clean-up materials. I spent an hour cleaning the carpet!
- age 21, Georgia
I was 12 and secretly reading a personal development/sex education book at school. It said that the vagina would secrete lubrication during intercourse. I went home that afternoon and decided to create my own vagina by using my hand and some lotion. Although I had a dry run, I still experienced my first orgasm! I discovered masturbation for myself and wouldn't change that in any way.
- age 19, Australia
I don't think I would change a thing, since my first time was wonderful. It was in a secluded spot in the countryside with a friend who was a couple of years older than I. He told me about masturbation and then showed me by masturbating himself, which I found quite exciting. He suggested that I try it, so I did. I was a bit shy at first, but loved it. And it was a fantastic feeling to be naked and masturbating out in the open air.
- age 27, United Kingdom
The first time I masturbated was also the first time I had an orgasm and the first time I ejaculated. It was under the covers, in the dark of night. I have always wished I could have seen myself ejaculate that first time.
- age 39, New Mexico
I probably would want my penis to have been normal when I first wanked. When I was young, I never pulled my foreskin back, so it grew tight. When I first wanked, I pulled it too hard and cut a few little slits in my foreskin. So, I just washed it off and left it alone for a week. Now my penis is fine and the foreskin retracts fully. Although it has a few little scars, my foreskin now works perfectly. So far, I've had 4 years of great pleasure from it.
- age 16, Australia
I wouldn't change a thing. The first time I climaxed I was in a tent playing with myself. I was overwhelmed when it happened. There's still something magical about the whole experience.
- age 28, Holland
The first time I ever had an orgasm was in grade 3, when I put pressure on my penis in the middle of class, with a girl on either side of me. It felt good – then all of a sudden it started feeling *very* good, and my muscles down there started to contract. If I could change anything, it would be that I knew what I was going to experience, so that I could look forward to my first orgasm before it took me by surprise. I often wonder what the girl who sat beside me thought.
- age 17, Canada
I would not change one single thing. I was 13 and with my brother, who is one year older. I had watched him masturbate to orgasm for several months, so I copied everything he did with his penis for month after month, but with no luck. And then one day I was masturbating with him. Within seconds of his orgasm, I had my own. I was so excited that I ran my fingers through my semen and then rubbed it on his penis so that we could fully share our ejaculations. It created such a close bond for my brother and me, because he witnessed my first ejaculation.
- age 20, North Carolina
I would have done it earlier in my life. I had a sheltered upbringing and did not masturbate to orgasm until I was 17. I had "played with myself" ever since I could gain an erection and had also had lots of "wet dreams," but had never actually masturbated to orgasm. I feel like I missed out on a large part of the life of a typical teenager and regret that I never got to experiment with my friends or discuss masturbation with other males.
- age 27, Australia
I would change being interrupted. When I first tried masturbating, my sister walked right into my room unannounced. There I stood, a skinny 11-year-old, holding my penis in my right hand and shaking in pleasure with a horribly surprised look on my face! That is what I would change.
- age 16, Canada
I would change nothing about that wildly innocent first orgasm and the wonder at what I had just done. Yes, I thought I had to pee, but two unproductive trips to the bathroom only slowed me down, so that when I finally stayed with it long enough to climax, I experienced one of the most intense feelings of my life. It might have been better if I had grown up and discovered this wonderful practice in a more lenient time. Then, perhaps I could have shared it with more friends without feeling so guilty about it. But would I change that first time? Nope! That's all mine and I like it just the way it is.
- age 59, New Jersey