When I was in my early 30s, I wanted to see how long I could abstain. I lasted over two months. I never had a "wet dream," but I became increasingly irritable, lost sleep, and was obsessed with sexual thoughts. When I finally masturbated, it was a far-shooting ejaculation for what seemed like an eternity; I showered, went to bed naked (as always), and woke up with a raging erection the next morning with no desire for contests. Then in 1999 when I had hernia surgery, I was in such pain a week before the surgery that I didn't even think of masturbation. Although the surgeon told me I couldn't injure the repairs, I didn't touch myself until I had my follow-up exam ten days after the surgery. That night I asked myself, "Do you suppose everything still works?" Before the question was finished, Winky was already sticking out of my boxers and less than a minute afterward, I started stroking, I got the answer: Yes! (I now define abstaining as anything over 24 hours.)
- age 60, Michigan
This Week's Wackiest Response:
I once went a whole 5 minutes without doing it. It's all because the goblin took my Lucky Charms and gave it to this hippo, who then traded it for a penis it got from a kangaroo that spoke Swedish. But I got back my Lucky Charms and now I have an extra penis, too. Oh, yeah – Lara Croft is a hippo.
- age 16, Massachusetts
The longest I've ever gone without was the 6 weeks of basic training in the military. After basic training, we were each transferred to our next base. The first night there, I had to find a quiet place to masturbate. It didn't take very long, but it was a wonderful orgasm.
- age 34, North Carolina
I was in the hospital for 10 days because of a ruptured appendix. Whew! I had surgery, got shaved, the whole bit. What's more, I shared the room with this loser who crashed his car because he was drunk. He also hated gay people. Lucky me – I am gay. I got my reward when the cops came and arrested him for DWI. Yes! Anyway, when I returned home, I still hurt from the surgery, but I had several of the best sessions ever.
- age 24, Indiana
I was mugged in 1983 and hurt badly. I didn't masturbate for almost two months afterwards while my body recovered. That is the only period since I discovered masturbation that I've not masturbated or ejaculated via intercourse at least once (and usually twice) a day.
- age 45, Virginia
I held off for about 3 weeks when I was in love with a girl and I didn't felt the need to masturbate. But then, when I did masturbate and thought of her, I had one of the best orgasms of my life.
- age 17, Brazil
Funny you should ask this now. Since giving birth to my daughter 3 months ago, I have felt very little desire for sex or masturbation. While pregnant, I was as horny as a 17-year-old boy in the girls' locker room, and I was having the *best* orgasms every single time. You know – the kind you feel in your hair! Now, I really couldn't tell you the last time I masturbated, and the resulting orgasm wasn't even worth the effort. My body is saying: make milk, not babies! I hear this will change when my daughter starts eating solid food. My husband has grown quite fond of his morning showers. *Wink!*
- age 30, California (female)
Once I had to abstain for about 10 days on a school trip. I didn't really have any privacy except when taking a shower. Even then, we'd give each other a hard time if someone stayed in there for longer than, like, 10 minutes.
- age 19, North Carolina
A few years ago I was involved in a religion that taught that masturbation is evil, wrong, sinful, and more. So, I went for about 3 1/2 years without masturbating, trying to be a good, religious guy. During that time, I would have "wet dreams" once or twice a month. (They were awesome!) I never lost the desire to masturbate in those years, but I always overcame the feeling by doing something else. Well, one day, after all that time, I couldn't take it anymore and went at it! Oh, wow – it was great! That one time got me back to masturbating, and I do it on a very regular schedule now. Ah, what would I do without it?
- age 24, Nevada
I stayed away from stroking for 3 days once, all because of a bet I made with my girlfriend. We bet that I could go for a week – but after 3 days, we agreed it would be safer for everyone around me if I just went ahead and masturbated. I was in the worst mood of my life for all 3 days, right from the minute I started. I will never do that again!
- age 17, Pennsylvania
Since I began masturbating around age 13, the longest time I have gone without an orgasm was maybe a month. I was still feeling guilty about masturbating then, although I don't ever remember someone telling me it was wrong. So I tried to stop. Eventually, I came to accept that masturbation is a good and normal part of male sexuality, and I haven't tried to stop since then. Even though I have been married for more than 35 years, I still masturbate regularly and still enjoy it very much.
- age 60, Pennsylvania
I went without masturbating for 42 days because of Lent.
- age 18, Illinois
When I was 17, I was in a motorcycle accident and spent a long time in the hospital and in physiotherapy. It was impossible for me to masturbate even though my urge was very strong. My parents had to look after all of my physical needs, from toileting to bathing. During some of the bathing sessions, I would get an uncontrollable erection. In time, it became obvious to my father that I needed to get off. We had talked about masturbation for some time, and he explained that all guys do it, and that he still did it from time to time. He asked me if I needed any help. I was embarrassed at first, but that was very short-lived. I got the relief I needed. As I got better, the sessions stopped. We have never spoken about this to anyone. At the time, I thought he was very special to consider my needs and discuss them with me openly. How many parents out there would be so perceptive and would even consider such an act of kindness?
- age 31, Canada
About two weeks. I have heard about "wet dreams" but have never had one. I was trying to let my sexual tension build up until I had a nocturnal emission, just to see what it was like. I didn't get one within that time, so I just went ahead and masturbated at the end of the second week.
- age 14, North Carolina
I once shared a tent with 4 friends for about two weeks. Since we all were pretending to have much more sexual experience than we did, none of us would admit that we still masturbate. When I finally returned from this stupid trip, I went at it 3 times a day for several days! - age 20, Slovenia
I broke my right arm and left collarbone in a motorcycle accident, so I could use neither hand properly, nor could I masturbate for nearly two months. In about two weeks, I started to have "wet dreams" 3 or 4 times a week. It was the most frustrating time I ever had until I found out how to masturbate using two pillows.
- age 60, United Kingdom
One time I stopped masturbating for a month because a piece of an object I was putting into my vagina broke off inside me and caused *serious* discomfort. Getting it removed was a very embarrassing situation.
- age 16, Maryland (female)
For about a year; I just lost interest in masturbating for a while.
- age 21, United Kingdom
I stopped for about 8 days because I was visiting a friend and didn't want to get "caught." The thing is, on the fourth day, my friend (who is female) and I were watching TV, and she started cuddling beside me. Things happened, and we ended up in her room masturbating each other. That was the best time I never masturbated!
- age 16, Canada
For about 15 months following my marriage at age 29, I was hung up on the belief that it was wrong for a married man who was living with his wife to pleasure himself – like it was selfish. At the time, I thought that sexual pleasure after marriage should be exclusively a mutual, husband-wife activity. I eventually concluded that when my wife was not interested or able, it was okay to indulge myself. What a relief!
- age 62, Virginia
When I first went away to boarding school at age 12, I had no privacy at all for over a week, so no wanking. After a week, I soon found out that all the other boys in the dorm were having some sort of sex, so I soon made up for lost time. Most of us now masturbate with other boys in the course of the day, or night.
- age 15, United Kingdom
Between ages 13 and 15, I pretty much abstained from all forms of self-pleasure. The reason? I honestly can't tell you – it was just a point in my life when my conscience caught up with me. For some reason I began feeling extremely guilty about what I had done, and for years I could not even roll onto my stomach in bed without feeling a twinge of guilt. However, the desire to begin masturbating again eventually became too great. I gave in. It was the smartest decision I ever made. Luckily, when I got back to masturbating, I found JackinWorld and saw there was absolutely nothing wrong with what I had been doing.
- age 20, Connecticut
One time I went away with my parents for vacation through the whole summer, and we always stayed in one-room hotels, so I never got the opportunity to masturbate. One night sometime in August – it had been about a month and a half – I just had to do it. So I masturbated in my bed, with my parents about 5 feet away from me!
- age 16, Canada (female)
When I was in secondary school in Thailand, I had to take a military class, and we had to stay in a camp for 7 days. It was a very hard camp. I could bathe only every third day, and then I had only 10 minutes. I could not masturbate for 10 days. When I returned home, I first said hello to my mom and dad. Then the very next thing I did was to go to the bathroom to masturbate. I usually masturbate every two days.
- age 25, Thailand
I abstained for 4 months. My girlfriend, whom I had been with since I was 6, was killed in a car wreck holding my hand. That fully destroyed my desire to masturbate.
- age 14, North Carolina
I used to be a devout Mormon. Mormon boys are urged to never masturbate. I never could abstain for more than a couple of days – that is, until I started my time as a missionary. At that point, I went 3 years without indulging. Well, I did slip up twice. I've since learned that many of the missionaries did it throughout their missions and it was never a problem. Drat!
- age 37, California
There was a time when I went about a month. I can't really explain why; I just never wanted to. Then one night I did – and judging from the results, I was very backed up, so to speak! Sometimes I forget, too – not like it's a nightly tradition, but I just go to sleep and the next morning I'm like, "Hey – I wonder why I didn't...?" Weird.
- age 14, Indiana
I started masturbating when I was 14, and I masturbated every few days. But right after I turned 17, I didn't masturbate for a year-and-a-half. I decided to not masturbate for as long as possible just to challenge myself. I didn't really have a need to masturbate; it was just something I did when I was bored.
- age 19, Illinois (female)
I once spent 6 days without masturbating because we had a house full of people in town for my brother's wedding. Normally, it's just me and my mom, and we have a great relationship – meaning I can talk with her about anything, including masturbation. On day 7, our guests were going to Disney World, and I explained to my mom that I wanted to stay home because I needed to masturbate. She understood completely and made an excuse for me to the others.
- age 14, Florida
It must have been 4 months when I was going out with this guy who wouldn't let me masturbate. He said it made him feel like he wasn't enough for me. We had sex about 3 times a day every day for 3 months, but very rarely did I have an orgasm. This frustrated me to no end. The day after I kicked him out, I bought a vibrator and did the deed many, many times!
- age 20, New Hampshire (female)
It was about two weeks. I was 15 years old, and it was the first time I ejaculated because of a girl's helping hand. I figured that since I had a girl to pleasure me, I wouldn't need to masturbate. However after a couple of weeks, I realized I was mistaken.
- age 17, Canada
Right after I got married was probably the longest time I ever went without masturbating – probably for obvious reasons. Sex was thrilling and available anytime – just what I had been dreaming of for at least 10 years! But it was all part of a pattern, because anytime I have discovered a new level of sexual excitement – learning to masturbate, have orgasms, enjoy new techniques or lubrication, pictures, videos, etc. – I have wanted to do only that for a long time. Then I gradually get a wider perspective and go back to including the things I enjoyed before. I went back to occasionally masturbating within 6 months or so after marriage, and soon my wife and I found that masturbating (alone and together) not only made us each feel good, but also we felt good for each other, and could add to the pleasure of intercourse rather than take away from it.
- age 51, Ohio
Last year my masturbation frequency was getting up to 4 or 5 times every day. I thought it was making my penis (especially the foreskin) more and more sensitive, which in turn was giving me the urge to masturbate even more. To get out of this cycle, I decided to stop masturbating for as long as possible. Initially this was extremely difficult – the slightest stimulation, even from the weight of my bedclothes on my penis, was almost enough to make me ejaculate. Other problems initially included spontaneous full erections while in the school showers, and for the first few weeks, frequent "wet dreams." However, I *did* finally manage to stop masturbating and ejaculating for almost 9 months. I finally gave in when my best friend suddenly insisted on masturbating in front of me while we were out walking. I had no option but to join in.
- age 15, United Kingdom
The longest I ever went without masturbating to orgasm was my last year at college. My roommate and I both needed some extra cash, so we decided to donate our sperm. We had to go 3 days without ejaculating before we could donate. After that, my roommate and I got to talking about how long we could go without masturbating. So we made a bet. We slept a few feet apart and showered in the same room, so we could make sure we weren't masturbating. Well, 3 weeks and 4 "wet dreams" later (my only ones ever), we called off the bet, I went into our room, he went to the showers, and I had the best orgasm of my life. It teaches you not to take masturbation for granted.
- age 19, New York
When I was in the sixth grade, health nurses came to our school for the usual sex-education class. This was also the first time I had been told about masturbation. I did it, but I didn't know what I was doing, just that it felt good. There was also a video about masturbation. All the other girls were disgusted by the video – so I felt guilty, because at the time, I did masturbate. I went for two months without so much as touching myself, because I felt guilty for doing it. The need to masturbate built up, and when I finally gave in, the orgasm was amazing! Now, I regularly swear off masturbation for weeks at a time, because I know it'll be worth it.
- age 14, Canada (female)
Last year, on a ski vacation in Norway, I was injured while skiing and spent two weeks in a hospital there. I broke my right arm, fractured my left wrist, and broke my left foot. Of course, I couldn't masturbate, but I didn't care! The painkillers and general misery of being trapped in a bed, not being able to shower, killed any chance of a boner. However, once the morphine and Demerol were stopped and I could wash up, my mood improved. It was then that I noticed the hot male nurse assigned for my therapy. He noticed my erection and smiled. You can guess the rest! We are now a couple and I am moving to Norway in September.
- age 22, Connecticut
The longest I have gone is 8 weeks. I was depressed, so my doctor put me on Paxil. One way I relieved my depression was through masturbation – but with Paxil, it takes a *very* long time to achieve orgasm. I would sit on my bed, my bathroom floor, trying almost every technique I knew to help me achieve orgasm, or even remote sensations of it. Condoms, lube, porn – I even tried using my mother's old shoes (I was desperate). I would try for about 30 minutes a day, 3 times a day, with no success. The only thing I did not try was the act of sexual intercourse. When it was finally time to go off the medicine, the doctor told me it would take 3 days for it to leave my system. When the medicine was finally gone, it was sheer ecstasy!
- age 17, California
I have gone 3 months without masturbating – honestly. I did this because I wanted to find out how my body works. The first month, I counted how many days until I had an nocturnal emission. Then for the second month, I wanted to see if it would be the same, so I didn't masturbate then. At the end of the third month, on the date when I was supposed to have another nocturnal emission, I masturbated. It was the greatest feeling of all time.
- age 15, Virginia
I've been practicing masturbation since I discovered it when I was 13 years old, and I think I will masturbate for the rest of my life. As a child raised in the Roman Catholic faith, I grew up with many prejudices about sexuality, including masturbation. However, I masturbated almost every day. Each year, when Easter was about to come, this guilty feeling became stronger and I entered a state of celibacy, because I thought if I masturbate on those days, my sin would be worse. Imagine a teenager staying away from sex for a whole week. The result: When Easter came to an end, I masturbated two or three times a day for the next week – but this time without feeling guilty, because I had respected those holy days. I have since gotten rid of these prejudices, but I think about all those teenagers who have suffered the same as I did. If they have children, I hope they don't raise them with this kind of prejudiced thinking. They should teach them that masturbation is healthy and not bad at all.
- age 35, Mexico
This summer I went up north to Connecticut to visit relatives for a couple days, and then off to Germany to see my sister, who is in the Army. From the time I left home until I got to Germany 5 days later, I did not masturbate. While unpacking, my sister noticed I had brought Lubriderm (she knows that I masturbate and that it is my favorite lotion). So she said I could take as long as I wanted in the bathroom. That made me feel comfortable, and I did it twice a day just like at home. She's cool.
- age 15, Florida
I made it for about a week. In a demolition project, I strained myself in such a way as to tear the epididymis (the spongy mass connecting the testicle to the vas deferens), and it got infected. While it was healing, I had to avoid *any* discharge of semen. Auuugh! After a week went by and all was okay, I couldn't keep my hand away from myself. (The time before that, it was 5 days, to see how long I could hold off. I was so irritable my friends were begging me to masturbate – one even offered to do it for me.)
- age 28, Washington
I guess the longest time I haven't masturbated is two weeks. Once I was masturbating in the shower and when I reached orgasm, I pulled down my foreskin so hard and fast that it tore. It was extremely painful – it was even bleeding. So I called my dad for help (my erection was gone by then, obviously). It goes without saying that this was a very awkward situation. But fortunately, the tear wasn't serious and it healed itself.
- age 14, Quebec, Canada
I was 18 and realized I had never had a "wet dream." I read in a book that if I didn't masturbate for a few weeks, I would have one. I lasted about 8 days – I never had a "wet dream" – so decided to masturbate again, and it felt oh so good!
- age 19, New York
Well, I can say I've gone 15 years without masturbating to orgasm. I will admit that I do touch my penis, but I don't masturbate.
- age 15, Massachusetts
I've never been able to abstain for long. I started masturbating when I was 14 and don't believe a week has gone by that I have not masturbated to orgasm since then. I have had an active sex life with a man since I was 15, but I find that I can consistently give myself a better orgasm than any of my lovers have. The only exceptions to not masturbating frequently would be the several weeks just before and after I gave birth to my children.
- age 40, Iowa (female)
The longest time for me was three months – I was getting too much sex!
- age 17, Australia
Since my first-ever orgasm at age 12, I have masturbated at least once every day. However, last year I broke my right arm and fractured my left wrist badly in a serious sailing accident. This obviously brought a dramatic halt to my sessions. After 8 weeks of misery without any manual stimulation, I finally persuaded my two brothers (one 15 and the other 12) to take turns masturbating me. They both pretended they hated this job– but I noticed they both had erections when they did this to me, so I think they may have found it quite exciting.
- age 14, United Kingdom
I had been under a lot of stress, both at work and at home. After seeing a few counselors, I met a psychiatrist who had had successful experiences with Prozac. After the first few days of using it, I noticed it took longer to reach ejaculation. Then into the third week, I could do nothing to have an ejaculation. Getting erections and keeping them were not a problem. It finally got to the point of having my very first "wet dream" ever. The chill of the wet spots on the sheets awakened me. My body had kept on making the fluids, but I could not dispense them. This went on for over a year. When I told my doctor about this, he started me on Welbutrin. It worked quite well for me and did not affect my libido. I was restored (well, mostly), and it's nice to have a functioning penis once again.
- age 50, Oklahoma