A small minority of readers dislike the idea of mirrors or self-videos altogether, saying it would be a turn-off or would be boring.]
Been there, done that! Sure, it's a little homoerotic – but then isn't masturbation? Masturbation is self love...I might as well enjoy watching myself enjoy it!
- age 32, New York
I have watched myself in a mirror and would do so again. It's interesting to see myself in a mirror. My genitalia appear bigger in a mirror than from my usual perspective. Similarly, it gives me a different view of the action.
- age 21, Tennessee
I've never looked in the mirror, because it's just not convenient or worth it for me. The only interesting part would be seeing myself have an orgasm – the look on my face, the movements my hips make, and the ejaculation. But in the midst of an orgasm, I'm focused on the feeling, not the mirror. That's assuming I could even keep my eyes open while it's happening! I might try a video camera if I knew the tape would never be seen by anyone else, but it's not even worth it to do that. So, I won't. No big loss.
- age 24, Florida
Our bathroom has a wall of mirrors, so I've been masturbating in front of a mirror almost since I began. I like seeing how well endowed I am. And sometimes, it just feels good to watch myself.
- age 15, Ohio
I have tried masturbating in front of a mirror, but I didn't find much satisfaction in the experience. One of the things I like about masturbation is that it's an activity with myself alone. When I watch myself in the mirror, it seems more like an activity with someone else.
- age 14, Pennsylvania
I videotaped myself once. When I watched the video, I looked so much like my dad I don't think I'll ever videotape myself masturbating again.
- age 17, North Dakota
Watching myself in a mirror is one of the best masturbation experiences there is! I have taken home videos of myself masturbating, but they were not that good since I had to remain in one place. I'm too shy to let someone else do the taping! When you can see yourself, you learn even more about how and where to stimulate yourself.
- age 44, Texas
I masturbate in front of a mirror all the time. My body is great. When I'm really into it I hump and kiss the mirror. I'm either gay or totally egocentric! I also use a lot of Windex afterwards.
- age 17, Washington
I would because I would imagine it was my best friend.
- age 14, Texas
No, I don't think I would – or could – do that. When I am masturbating, I need visual stimulation to orgasm. Looking at myself does not turn me on. It doesn't necessarily turn me off, and I am certainly not ashamed of myself masturbating, but I don't think it could give me the kind of stimulation I need.
- age 23, Maine (female)
A guy from school and I made a video together, lying on his bed masturbating (we put the camera on a tripod). It was a laughing fit – but afterwards we worried about his parents finding it, so he erased it. We did watch it a few times, though, and it was great to masturbate to.
- age 17, Maryland
I made a video of myself masturbating for my wife to use while I was at work or on trips. She watched it with me one time and found it to be hilarious. I am not sure if she ever watched it by herself, but I pulled it out a couple of times (no pun intended) and really enjoyed it. I even told some very close friends about it. We had a pact that if my wife and I ever died in an accident, they would get the video and destroy it before my mother could happen upon it. Paranoia has since gotten the better of me, and I have erased it.
- age 34, Texas
No, I wouldn't find that very useful. Better to fantasize about a nice woman or your girlfriend!
- age 16, Norway
When I was a teenager I used to masturbate looking at myself in front of the mirror. That would really turn me on. At my age now, I would like to masturbate while watching a video of myself having sex with a woman. I think that might be extremely exciting – as good as when I filmed the scene. I would get highly turned on even if I found that someone else masturbated watching that video of me!
- age 42, Delaware
Early on, I discovered how wonderful my erection looked in one of those two-sided shaving mirrors where one side is magnified. It really enhanced my ability to "see all the details enlarged" and concentrate on the progress of physical feelings. Now I regularly do prolonged masturbation sessions in front of a full-length mirror, as well as the in-bed and in-shower variety. Where else can a guy get such a direct, personal, positive reinforcement of his self-image?
- age 60, Minnesota
I've never looked at myself in a mirror and probably never will. I would be completely turned off and couldn't stand all the ugly faces I make.
- age 16, Canada
The mirror is no big deal, but the video is when you know you're addicted. That's just my opinion.
- age 18, Oklahoma
I have masturbated in front of a mirror many times. Not only is it thrilling to see myself flexing my muscles and contorting my body in all sorts of positions, but it is also nice to see my penis from a different perspective. Loving one's body and displaying affection for it is a show of self-appreciation, self-confidence, and a sign of healthy relationships to come.
- age 16, Texas
I like to watch myself masturbate in a mirror, but I wouldn't make a video. The real me is sexier than TV, unless special effects could make my penis longer so I could get both hands on it at the same time.
- age 35, Utah
Yes, I would and have masturbated in front of a mirror. It is so erotic to see yourself getting ready to ejaculate. To see your body is a most intense pleasure – take it from an expert.
- age 16, Virginia
I like to look in a mirror, but I find it more erotic to think I'm having it done by another person – a fantasy! I get a whole lot more out of it.
- age 18, North Carolina (female)
Why use a video when you've got live action?
- age 19, Alabama
When I was in high school I had to do this project that required a video camera, so I borrowed one from a family friend. The same night I began to masturbate under the covers and the question occurred to me, "What do I look like when I masturbate?" So I set up the camera and stroked away, coming to an incredible orgasm. After that, I rewound and played the tape, enjoying it so much that I masturbated myself to another orgasm. If you're going to do this, allow plenty of time. Have a strong lock for the door, and be sure to record over the videotape afterward.
- age 22, New York
Masturbating while looking in a mirror is the only way to know how your body reacts during stimulation and ejaculation. I have also made videos of myself masturbating, but I have never masturbated to them. I usually feel guilty afterwards and destroy the tape.
- age 23, Arizona
Yes, I have masturbated while looking at myself in the mirror. Although I am not absolutely certain about my sexual orientation (not gay, but perhaps bi), I do know that penises turn me on, especially while I am masturbating. From reading the many submissions and surveys on JackinWorld, I have finally realized this interest is normal. Another thing that turns me on is my own physique. I guess it's like the saying, "You can't love someone else if you don't love yourself." I don't have any friends with whom I can masturbate (at least I don't know of any that would be cool with it), so looking at myself is the next best thing.
- age 17, North Carolina
I have made several videos of myself. Usually it was just quick stuff (one with my hand, one with a back massager, one with a toy). But once I went all out and did cut views so it looked like someone else was videotaping it. I was in the shower. Looking back, it seems rather stupid, but I guess it was just to keep masturbation new and exciting. And it was fun to watch later. I never kept them long, though. I've also used a mirror. There's just something so erotic about seeing yourself masturbate.
- age 21, Pennsylvania
I have masturbated in front of a mirror. I would like to video myself, but my parents wouldn't like that if they found it. When I masturbate in front of a bathroom mirror I always imagine that a beautiful woman walks in and takes over – but unfortunately it never happens.
- age 13, Oklahoma
No, I would not masturbate while looking at a mirror or video. When I masturbate I think of sex and who I want to have it with. I don't plan on or wish to be having sexual intercourse with myself, so why look at myself when I am doing it? Nope, I'll just imagine other people.
- age 15, Virginia
Mirrors are great. The more, the better. Makes it look like a room full of penises getting stroked!
- age 52, New York
I have never masturbated while looking at a mirror and don't plan to, because I don't exactly turn myself on! Actually, it might be interesting, but I'd have to get used to masturbating with my eyes open. I don't do this very often. I prefer to fantasize with my eyes closed so I can really get into it and won't get distracted by objects around me. As far as a video of myself goes, it will never happen. I don't want to die laughing!
- age 20, Canada (female)
Absolutely not! I wish it were that easy. If I turned myself on that much, I wouldn't have to date. Besides, half the fun of masturbating is the great fantasies I come up with.
- age 23, New York
Yes, if I could get paid.
- age 21, Washington
I often use a mirror, but a video is by far the best. It's really cool to see yourself masturbating, especially if you save the video and watch it when you're older. It's cool to see how you did it when you were younger. Just make damn sure it's hidden well.
- age 16, Canada
I masturbated in front of a mirror once, but I didn't find anything arousing about it. I don't find it too arousing to look in a mirror or at a videotape of yourself masturbating.
- age 17, New York
Last semester my friend made a video of me masturbating for about five minutes. I put on a real show! We both laughed at me wriggling around on the bed, and I shot a great load. We have masturbated several times looking at it and I am going to make one of him, but we think we will get rid of them eventually because we don't want our families to find them accidentally. It was really fun to do.
- age 18, Delaware
Sometimes I masturbate in front of a mirror mainly to see a different perspective – to see myself as my partner may see me. I also just like looking at myself, the shape of my body, my body hair, etc. I like to see my motions. It's different, and it usually heightens my senses. Sometimes it makes the orgasm more intense. If I had a video camera, I would undoubtedly record myself.
- age 25, Pennsylvania
No, I couldn't. I'm too ashamed of my body – not that I look bad, but I just couldn't do it.
- age 16, Michigan
Yes, I have. I like looking in the mirror. Watching my hand go up and down my shaft really turns me on!
- age 15, New York
I generally masturbate with my eyes closed. I find it helps me get into my fantasies more. When I masturbate with my eyes open, I'm usually flipping through a Playboy or watching a movie. Besides I don't get turned on watching myself get off – I get turned on watching other people getting off.
- age 24, Canada
Yes, I have watched myself in a mirror a few times. It can turn me on to see what I am doing. I'm not gay or anything – it's just sort of sexy to watch myself in a mirror. However, the old closed-eyes fantasy is always fun, too.
- age 15, Vermont
It seems to excite me a bit more to see myself masturbate, but I don't have any interest in seeing someone else do it.
- age 28, Georgia
Probably not. I have a ringside seat, so why would I need to watch a replay? I can see just fine. However, it might be interesting, just once, to see what I do during masturbation.
- age 15, Maine
I don't think I would ever want to masturbate while watching a video of myself. They say the camera adds 10 pounds, you know. But I have masturbated several times in front of a mirror. It's interesting to see things from a different angle. I like to imagine that if someone were watching me, that is what they would see.
- age 23, Washington
When I first began to masturbate at 12 or 13, I used mirrors often. I had a two dressers with adjustable mirrors and I would move them so I could see myself in both. Then I would sit on the edge of my bed and enjoy the sight as I masturbated. I got a video camera when I was about 70, and alone (using a tripod) I filmed some nice naked masturbation sessions both outdoors and inside. Letting five or six days pass between orgasms, I was able to tape some great results. I have shared this tape with many people, male and female.
- age 76, Texas
I have been videotaping my masturbation sessions since I was 14. I don't keep most of them, but it is so cool to watch myself while I ejaculate. I even exchanged tapes with a friend once so we could see how the other does it.
- age 16, Georgia
Yes, I have and I think I would again. It was exciting to see myself being sexually pleasured. I found it particularly exciting when I could see only my penis and my hand. It seemed I was watching myself getting a hand job.
- age 24, Canada
I generally close my eyes to give my fantasies a stronger (ahem) grip on reality. So I couldn't look at anything, could I?
- age 18, California (female)
My grandparents have a video camera. On weekends when I would stay with them, I'd bring my own tape and sneak the camera upstairs into the bedroom. I filled at least two whole tapes with myself masturbating in various poses. I like to think I was quite creative with camera angles and such. I used the tapes later to watch while I masturbated. These were the first "porno" movies I ever saw. I've also been quite adventurous with a large mirror that hangs on my wall at home.
- age 19, Illinois
I was curious one day, so I hooked up the camcorder to the TV and watched myself. It was different! I really didn't get anything extra out of it, just the feeling of the moment. I don't think I'll do it again – watching your partner is much more enjoyable.
- age 33, California
I have watched myself many times in a mirror and once I even videotaped myself. I like to watch myself in a mirror so I can see more than my pubes. When I watched my video I felt guilty when I saw my face – I don't know why. Otherwise, it was a real turn-on. I was so scared my parents would find the videotape that I burned it. That seemed stupid.
- age 17, Norway (female)
I certainly would and actually have. Masturbating in front of a mirror allows you be comfortable with yourself and facilitates a better appreciation of your equipment.
- age 31, Philippines
I frequently masturbate while looking in the mirror. I like it because I can just look at my body from the neck down and pretend it's somebody else. Also, I like to look at my body and see where all my jogging and weight-lifting has gotten me. I videotaped myself once, a long time ago, and as soon as I was done I looked at it. I was so embarrassed that I threw it out immediately. Now I wish I had kept it.
- age 17, Virginia
I don't find masturbation to do much for me (I've tried many times!), so I don't think I could ever watch myself doing it. But, it *really* turns me on when guys do even as little as talk about masturbating. That's why I *love* to watch my boyfriend touch himself. It's great foreplay for both of us!
- age 20, New Jersey (female)
I love to watch myself in the mirror, and taping myself is a real turn-on. When I look at myself, I get all woozy inside. I feel like I wish someone were watching and giving me pointers – or, perhaps getting turned on enough to start masturbating. I would like to have my wife watch me masturbate in front of the mirror while she strips naked very slowly.
- age 26, Canada
Hell no! It would be like walking in on your parents having sex, if you know what I mean.
- age 19, Arizona
Yeah, I've done it before. I'm not attracted to myself, but it keeps things different. Of course, I'm a little freaky anyway.
- age 19, Texas
I like looking at my body and flexing my muscles when I masturbate, and I'd love to have videos of myself going at it. I'm secretly exhibitionist, and I bet most guys are. I like the idea of being watched while I masturbate, even if the only one watching is me. It took me years to get over the idea that sexually enjoying myself was wrong, and my first step in demonstrating that it's okay was learning to smile while I did it. Seeing myself smile helps me enjoy it all the more.
- age 48, Maryland
Yes, I have seen and would masturbate when seeing myself in either a mirror or video. That way I can learn what I need to work on with my technique. It's like how athletes watch videotapes of themselves to improve their abilities.
- age 15, Minnesota
This idea is disgusting, really sick, and even thinking of that question is demented. You obviously have some sexual problems.
- age 16, Florida
Yes, I feel that being able to look at yourself and be turned on will not only help you learn to love yourself but will also help you to love others.
- age 22, Florida
Yep. My genitals are attractive and turn me on. I think it is important to connect what feels good with where.
- age 26, Canada (female)
I tried that once, but I found it kind of ugly – I don't know why. I didn't do it again.
- age 17, India
I have done both – taped three video sessions of me masturbating (one 30 minutes long). I really got off watching me on the TV screen because I could see myself and what I really looked like when I was doing it. I would suggest to anybody that they try it if they haven't. You'll be surprised what you look like. You have to experiment setting it up, and you need a tripod for the camera – but, it is worth it. Nothing like masturbating watching yourself masturbating. Weird but wild!
- age 19, Texas