Many people find the visual images in still and motion erotica to be strong sexual stimulants – especially when they are young or first start to use it. For some, its stimulation then begins to fade with repeated exposure. For others, it becomes an addiction. Of course, a few people avoid pornography for religious or moral reasons, but a few others continue to enjoy its stimulation all of their adult lives without any problems. Many people use pornography for initial arousal, later switching to fantasy. Others turn exclusively to erotic fiction. Finally, a fairly common assumption is that females strongly prefer fiction and fantasy to visual stimulation – however, some female respondents were open and enthusiastic about their use of such materials.]
It depends on what I'm in the mood for – a quick, visual-oriented session, or a longer, fantasy-oriented one. I find that when using visual stimulation, I tend to climax more quickly than when I rely on my brain alone, though it's not as powerful. Even without videos I'm still visually stimulated, in a way: I "see" my fantasy played out inside my head when I close my eyes, imagining every sight, sound, and sensation. Sometimes to start a session, I'll look at a picture of someone I want to fantasize about. Then when I have their image fixed in my head, I close my eyes, start up my fantasy, and let the fun begin. Each way offers its own benefits, but I'd say that although it takes a bit more mental exercise, masturbating without visual stimulation is a little better.
- age 19, New Jersey
Even when I have sex with a partner, I like there to be some light because seeing is such a big turn-on for me. So naturally, I have a big collection of magazines, jpegs, and videos. Over time, though, I've changed how I use them. When I was a kid, I could masturbate with only my hand for stimulation. Visuals made it better, and eventually, I couldn't even get an erection without looking at some. But lately I use my collection to get my blood flowing, and then I put it away and fantasize. The orgasms I achieve this way are much more powerful than just drooling over a two-dimensional hottie. Whoever said the mind is our most powerful sex organ was right!
- age 38, South Carolina
I have come to like stories on the Internet better than pictures. After a while, the pictures all seem the same. With stories, I can pretend I'm there, and it's more amusing.
- age 19, Iowa
When I masturbate at night, just lying in my bed, I don't need visual images. The thought of me being in my bed, naked, and hearing my penis thump in my hand is enough to get me off. During the day, especially on long weekends when I have nothing to do, I pop in a videotape or two for some erotic pictures. It's odd, though – I can't stand to watch lesbian porn. It must have at least one girl and one guy. About once every two weeks, I watch a video I've had for some time. I have another movie that is not pornographic but has a great sex scene – that turns me on even more. However, my erections seem to be stronger when I *don't* masturbate to visuals – well, maybe except for some Internet pictures. Those get me every time.
- age 21, Texas
I love to see a man's penis go in and out of a vagina. I imagine it is my penis, and it gives me a sensational rush.
- age 16, Mississippi
Since I still live with my parents, I must be careful about my masturbation. When everyone is at work and I'm the only one home, I first do some erotic chat on the Internet, which definitely turns me on. Then I take an old video my parents have and put it into the family room VCR. I masturbate on the floor and couch. It's very exciting for me – first because of the naughty things on the tape, and second, because I could get caught. This is the only way I can have multiple orgasms – I usually have 5 or 6 when I watch the tape. I get very naughty when I masturbate. I'd like to have a tape of myself to look at! By the way, I haven't been caught yet!
- age 22, Ohio (female)
I use visuals about once a week (I masturbate daily). My dad and I are very open about sex and masturbation. He knows that I have a stash of pictures (no porn, just women naked from the waist up). He even lets me use his old Penthouses occasionally. Sometimes it really adds to the session, but other times I feel like I'm being watched! Of course, sometimes that turns me on, too ... but I digress.
- age 14, Illinois
I use adult movies at least once a week. It's enjoyable. I can pace my masturbation to the movie and usually either last longer or achieve more than one orgasm during the movie.
- age 55, Canada
I do like to use visual stimulation when I masturbate, especially videos. But it's not as if I can just walk into a shop and buy them. I managed to get magazines and videos from some mates, and from my dad. I know that might seem strange, but we feel it's good to keep it out in the open. Don't get me wrong – we don't masturbate together, nor sit down to breakfast and ask each other if last night's wank was good. But anyway, that's beside the point. Visual stimulation does make masturbation sexier, especially for someone just starting to masturbate. In time, though, your imagination kicks in and can be just as good. Overall, I think visual stimulation is much better than doing it all by myself.
- age 15, United Kingdom
I rarely use visual stimulation. I've used erotic texts for over 40 years, though.
- age 59, New York
Visual stimulation doesn't really help me that much. However, if I see it when I don't intend to masturbate, then I really get the urge to do so!
- age 15, United Kingdom
I use videotape to watch stimulating pictures about 10% of the time. I try to reach orgasm at the same time as the male in the tape, which is quite a task and stimulates my imagination. At other times, I try to take longer to climax, stopping and starting again and again. These orgasms are generally heavier and more satisfying, but watching the videos challenges my control of my orgasms.
- age 63, South Carolina
I use erotic stimulation occasionally. It makes my experience more enjoyable. For some reason, I get more aroused looking at erotic pictures of males than of females. If I have a video or magazine to look at, I definitely use it, but usually I use erotic pictures from the Internet. My penis is more sensitive when I have stimulation, so my sessions are over quickly, but it is more erotic.
- age 17, Kansas
Quality videos, especially those that show the final stages of someone masturbating with intense ejaculation, really do it for me. Close-up views let me get into the action as if I were in it. Still, concentrating on my own penis and savoring every sensation, as well as going slow, being gentle, and prolonging an erection, cannot be beat. Sometimes when I view pictures and Internet sites, masturbation becomes secondary and a "servicing," instead of the beautiful, super mind-blowing experience that it should be.
- age 42, New York
I look at Internet porn almost every time before I masturbate. These sessions last a bit longer than otherwise. I try to simulate what I see on the screen on myself, or imagine that another person (guy or girl) is moving over my body. When I do not use visual stimulation, I usually wank as fast as I can so I can continue with my regular activities.
- age 21, Rhode Island
I usually sit in front of my computer, which is in my room, to masturbate while I look at erotic pictures on the Net. They are different from normal sessions in the shower or wherever in that I don't have to visualize anything, because it's right in front of me. You can look at whatever turns you on. If I masturbate without a visual image, I end up using fantasies and usually have my eyes closed. A bit of a warning, though: If you masturbate too much with visual stimulation, you can get to where you can't get an erection unless you have a picture (or the real thing) in front of you. Fantasizing becomes difficult or impossible.
- age 17, Texas
Sometimes I use visual stimulation. Lately I have been downloading movies from the Internet. For the first time ever, I actually became so aroused that I stripped down and masturbated in front of my computer. I watched a video of a woman getting it both ways (at the same time) from two different men. The idea excited me, and I enjoyed watching them fill her up with their penises. I orgasmed in record time – about 40 seconds!
- age 26, California (female)
I always use visual stimulation just to become aroused!
- age 20, Netherlands
I use pictures and videos whenever I get the chance, since I don't have an immediate source of magazines. It is a lot easier to achieve orgasm with visual stimulation. The orgasm seems much more powerful. Plus, it requires much less thought. I don't like doing a lot of thinking when I masturbate.
- age 15, Wisconsin
The only visual I use is my reflection in the mirror. It is a real turn-on. So, I must be careful when I watch myself in the mirror – seeing my hand caress my sack can send me spraying a lot sooner than I might want.
- age 35, Pennsylvania
I use my older brother's dirty movies and magazines sometimes. When I do, it helps me achieve a greater orgasm because I don't have to think up the sexual thoughts myself. It's all there in front of me!
- age 16, New York (female)
I use visual stimulation about 98% of the time. When I do, the session is shorter and a little less intense. I think it's because it's not as personal as using my imagination or memory as a stimulus. Unfortunately, with two jobs, volunteer work, and friends, shorter must suffice.
- age 23, Ohio
I used to use visual stimulation, but I've found my own imagination can be much more fun. Fantasies with a plot give much more "interesting" results.
- age 18, North Carolina
When I began to masturbate, I would use pictures and videos most of the time. Now, I use these things only rarely. I prefer my own fantasies and memories. So many pornographic things I see seem to degrade women, and they no longer turn me on. Sometimes it makes me sick to see how girls are regarded. I certainly wouldn't like to be regarded that way.
- age 21, France
I always use the "extra stimulation" of visuals. Presently, it's the only way I can reach orgasm. I am on medication for depression, and the medicine interferes with my system.
- age 16, Australia
As a college student, I have more privacy when I use the Internet. So, when I'm sitting in my dorm, I masturbate to Internet porn. This is usually at night when my roommate is sleeping. When I'm at home, I use only my imagination because I usually masturbate in the bathroom. When I use pictures, I usually have a more powerful orgasm because I often put people I know into the picture. However, my most powerful orgasms come from masturbating with my friend.
- age 18, Pennsylvania
On my TV, I set up a camera aimed at my vagina. Then I watch myself masturbate on the TV. It makes it much more fun.
- age 17, Ireland (female)
Written pornography stimulates me more than visual pornography, but I have masturbated to both. I usually use one or the other when I masturbate. The rest of the time, I use my active imagination. When I find something particularly stimulating, I like to look at it or read it repeatedly as I approach orgasm. When I am right at the edge of ejaculation, I can no longer look at anything, but I can repeat particularly stimulating words in my head as my right hand pleasures my penis.
- age 35, Florida
I often look at the photo of my partner on my wall as I get myself aroused, but then I usually close my eyes as I approach orgasm. I never use porn as an aid to masturbation.
- age 17, United Kingdom (female)
I use visual stimulation about once every two weeks. These sessions are different than the ones without visual stimulation: I reach orgasm faster and ejaculate more. However, the orgasms are less intense. For example, I get so exited when I watch erotic videos that I don't do the things that really turn me on, such as touching myself or stroking more slowly. The advantage is that I can masturbate several times when I watch a video (at least three times in two hours).
- age 20, New York
Most of the time, I need pictures to stimulate me. I don't think I'm gay, but I get a nice erection when I masturbate with pictures of naked guys. I have never seen anyone's penis, except for mine and those on the Net. When I don't use pictures, it can take a long time to ejaculate.
- age 14, Canada
I usually use visual stimulation, except when I'm in the shower. Then I ejaculate from the water spraying on my penis. The only other time I don't use visuals is when I wake up erect and have a dreamy, sleepy session before I'm fully awake. That always leads to an intense and satisfying orgasm. If I'm fully awake when I masturbate, I usually get too bored and need some sexy images to finish.
- age 30, United Kingdom
I don't often use visual aids. It's much better to watch another person. When I masturbated with my friends, we enjoyed watching each other. Now, I like to masturbate with my girlfriends, and we watch each other. Watching another person is much more stimulating. Videos don't make that much difference unless I take my time and make it last longer.
- age 18, North Dakota
I see my boyfriend often, but we both agreed to have at least one night a week alone. So, that's when I bring out the soft, tasteful porn and pleasure myself. I have many more orgasms, and when I do it myself, it leaves me exhausted. So, I can handle masturbating by myself only once a week. When I don't watch a video, self-pleasure is a little boring, so I don't bother.
- age 20, Australia (female)
I usually use visual stimulation. It gives me great orgasms. Most times, the pictures or movies turn me on – but sometimes it's better for me to visualize something I just saw or read about. For instance, I can become very aroused by reading stories in Penthouse. That way, I can have a mix of visual and fantasy. The stories tell me what to think about, but I can manipulate the story any way I please.
- age 17, Canada
I almost never use visual stimulation. I bet that few of the women who respond will say they use pictures and videos. I find erotic stories to be most stimulating. When I have used pictures, I have had to put a story behind them. For example, how does one get spray-painted silver before having sex (a Penthouse layout from a few years ago)? The mind boggles.
- age 30, California (female)
I have my own room and my PC is there, so I usually masturbate to visual stimulation. However, if I wank without seeing any erotic pictures, I seem to last a few minutes longer. Still, I think it's more fun to masturbate while looking at some pictures. After all, I won't have my eyes closed on my honeymoon night, will I?
- age 18, Pakistan
About 60% of the time I masturbate without visual stimulation. The rest of the time, I use a video of some sort. Of course, most of the time when I masturbate without videos or pictures, my girlfriend (we live together) is lying next to me getting herself off. It's usually late and we're tired and the lights are off, but I still get some visual stimulation looking over and watching her do her thing. I don't know that there is that much difference, unless a certain video really strikes me in a certain way – then I might get a little extra turned on and ejaculate a little harder. Other than that, the biggest differences between my sessions depend on how relaxed I am and how much time I take.
- age 26, Georgia
On weekends when the parents aren't home, visual stimulation makes me hornier and it feels better before ejaculation. However, I find the period after the ejaculation more satisfying when I don't use visual content.
- age 16, California
I usually watch gay porn when I masturbate. When I first started masturbating, I relied on my own fantasies for orgasm. Now it feels almost like I must rely on videos to get myself off. Sometimes I want to try to abstain from porn for a while so I can regain my sexual imagination.
- age 26, New York
I used to use my computer almost every time I masturbated. After a while, though, it wasn't helping me enough, so I cut back. I think my decision to quit looking at porn had a lot to do with it. I still have lots of pictures of girls, but not naked ones. Since I stopped looking at naked girls, I hardly ever use my computer for visual stimulation. I don't regret my decision, and I don't plan to go back on it. I have an imagination I can use fully now. Also, beginning to use more masturbation methods has helped. I have much better sessions using new methods than I did with pictures.
- age 18, Minnesota
I have two sorts of masturbation sessions: One is when I take my time (naked on my bed or in the bath), do everything to get the best feeling for the longest time, and build up to a good orgasm. The other is at my computer when I get hot looking at erotic pictures and movies. In that case it's mostly for tension relief. I need to be quick, because mom could walk in at any time. Also, I must be careful not to make stains on my clothes since I masturbate through my fly when I'm at the computer. I like both ways. It is best when I am home alone for a long time. Then I can enjoy a great combination of the two.
- age 13, Belgium
As odd as it sounds, when I have masturbated while watching a video, it has seemed to take much longer to climax than when I do my daily, non-video masturbation. I seem to focus more on the video than on what I am doing to myself. I would much prefer that my boyfriend watch me or have me watch him than to watch a video or use pictures.
- age 20, California (female)
Since I was old enough to get them, I have always used pictures when I masturbate. I just love the freedom to look at a woman's body in privacy. As I have gotten older, it has become the most reliable way to keep my erection for a long time – even though I'm married and enjoy sex with my wife! Sometimes it's the feeling of innocent trust of seeing nice bare breasts that excites me most, but usually I prefer pictures that show women below the waist, with their legs open invitingly. Without pictures, I usually masturbate quickly and focus on having the orgasm. But with pictures, I take my time, lovingly touring the body of the model while I enjoy my penis to the utmost.
- age 54, Michigan
A year ago, I would look at computer porn and masturbate, but the "World Wide Wait" has caught up with me and gets in my way. Masturbating without visual stimulation leaves me free to use my imagination and creativity. I think I enjoy it more that way.
- age 13, Tennessee
As a Christian I believe lust is wrong, so I never use visual stimulation when I masturbate. To me, looking at someone for sexual excitement is the same as lust. My own imagination, good technique, and a strong sex drive are all I need.
- age 25, Minnesota