Seriously, though...the most common answer this week was that men masturbate about three times as often as women, although many people pointed out it's unclear whether the question referred to masturbation frequency or the numbers of people who masturbate with some regularity. Also, age is clearly a factor. Nonetheless, there are some good gender-difference insights here. Several people quoted the famous "Master of My Domain" episode of Seinfeld. The exact quote from Jerry (I have the episode on tape, naturally) is: "It's easier for a woman not to do it than a man. We have to do it — it's part of our lifestyle. It's like shaving." Elaine: "Oh, that is such baloney. I shave my legs." Kramer: "Not every day!"]
I believe males masturbate three to five times more often. At the onset of puberty, hormones cause the male to produce semen, which is stored in the body. Whenever the body produces more than it can store, the male sex drive increases, and there is a need to release semen. This is when guys often say they are feeling "horny." The longer a guy goes without ejaculating, the stronger the sex drive becomes — until he either has a wet dream or masturbates to release the sexual tension. Either way, the semen must be released. Most guys cannot hold out long enough for a wet dream — and most prefer not to, given the pleasure experienced with the ejaculation that occurs whenever they masturbate.
- age 33, Maryland
I think guys masturbate more than girls do, but I also think girls do it on automatic. They naturally reach down and rub pretty often, and minutes later they realize what they're doing. I think guys know what they're doing while they do it. I base my opinion on experience and knowing other girls and what they do. I believe guys think about masturbation more than girls do, but they're still are much more open about it.
- age 14, Canada (female)
One would believe that males masturbate more than females — although my own interaction with people would lead me to believe the opposite. The difference is that, being a male, I am only privy to the more private information males tell each other, and not the things women share with each other. I would be willing to bet more women can answer this question more accurately than most men. My guess is that it's about equal.
- age 20, Oregon
I think males masturbate probably in the area of 3 to 5 times as often as females. The reason I feel this is males think more about sex as a whole — and this has been proven. Another reason is males are aroused easier than women, and men get a "buildup" of sexual tension if they do not have an orgasm on a regular basis. Females may get tension, but they do not get a "buildup" like males do. One more thing — males often get erections for no apparent reason, thus causing them to think about sex and masturbation. Females don't usually get wet without a reason.
- age 23, Wisconsin
I don't think a statement can be made about all men and women. I know some girls who masturbate more than some of my guy friends, so I can't answer. You have to think in terms of the individual person. For men to automatically assume they masturbate more than women would be unfounded and unfair to women.
- age 18, Oklahoma
I think we're about evenly matched. Just as there are variations as to how often individual males masturbate (from once a week to several times a day), so are there variations among women. The only difference I have seen is that women tend to be more shy about admitting how often they do it — but rest assured, they do! I am in the group of women who can't seem to get enough. I have sex with my husband, but I still need to masturbate at least twice a day (having six to eight orgasms each time!). On weekends I do it more, as I have more time. I have a female friend who does it only once or twice a week. My husband does it several times a week, but not as often as I do. Based on these observations and polls of other friends, it is my conclusion that, within certain limits, males and females are equally interested and active in pleasuring themselves. I've also taken acute interest and have been taking mental notes regarding males' accounts of masturbation, and I think most women and teenage girls match their interest. We (as a group) just don't feel as free to express it. It's too bad, really.
- age 30, New Jersey (female)
I would have to say males probably masturbate five times more often than females. I think it's because males talk about sex so freely...not to mention the fact that a guy's penis is like a second brain that needs constant attention.
- age 14, California
Males masturbate much more often than females, simply because males need to masturbate. Women don't have this problem; they simply masturbate for pleasure, as well as to explore their sexuality. Based on my female friends, and a couple of my girlfriends, masturbation is not nearly as common with women as it is with men. I'd guess around 25% of my female friends masturbate, while 99% of my male friends do. I think women masturbate less because it is not as acceptable for a woman to masturbate as it is for a man, along with the fact that they don't need to masturbate.
- age 17, Washington
I'd say they're about the same! Every girl I ever had sex with liked a good orgasm as much as I do. We usually ended up masturbating in front of each other sooner or later!
- age 31, Arizona
Since I'm a man, not a woman, that's hard — but I'd say males probably masturbate at least twice as often, if not lots more. It seems it's easier for males to do, and there don't have to be emotions going for guys, like it seems for woman and girls.
- age 17, Washington
According to a study that I read a few years ago, males masturbate approximately three times more than females (males 98% and females 33%). But if you want my opinion, 2% of males are liars, and two out of three females don't tell all.
- age 19, Illinois
I'm a gay man, and I think it's obvious that men masturbate much more than women. I first reached this conclusion reading Kinsey, and every discussion I've had about it in my life seems to confirm this. I've known only a few women to whom I was close enough to discuss this issue. I knew one woman who told me she's NEVER had an orgasm! I can't imagine a man over 12 of whom this is true. One woman who was quite open about her use of vibrators bragged to me that she did it "three or four times a week." I said, "Do you really think that's a lot?" I doubt if hetero men discuss this as much as gay men, although I'm discovering that younger hetero men are much less embarrassed about it — especially alluding to their masturbation in jokes. I think this has a lot to do with TV and the Net — we're all becoming more open.
- age 34, Massachusetts
I think females masturbate about 3 times more often than males, because they don't orgasm. When we [males] masturbate, we have to wait until we are in the mood again. After I masturbate, I'm out of the mood, and my penis gets soft. But with females, they can do it anytime the want, all the time, because they don't ejaculate. I think they are lucky.
- age 15, Florida
I think that for every time a woman masturbates, a guy will to it three times more. I think this is due to the difference in the way we both express our sexuality. Men seem to have more of a need to feel sexual pleasure more often on the whole. In my case, I find I have a greater sex drive then most women. Although I don't masturbate yet, my dreams and my thoughts are rudely interrupted about sex and fulfillment more then what I think the average woman's is. In other words, I'm horny, and I'm a little proud of it.
- age 22, Canada (female)
I think guys masturbate about 5 times as much as girls. This partly has to do with social acceptability, and partly because of moral issues between men and women — but the true reason men masturbate more than women is because...come on, man, it's there!
- age 17, California
From my personal experience, I'd say guys masturbate 3.5 times more often than the ladies. I asked my girlfriend how often she masturbates, and after I assured her it was okay to admit it, she said two times a week. I masturbate once a day, so in a week I masturbate 7 times, while she masturbates only twice. Most of my other girlfriends in the past had a hard time admitting they masturbated — and those who did admitted to doing it less frequently than [what I consider] humanly possible. In my personal experience, it seems the girls who are honest with me say they masturbate 1 or 2 times a week. That seems like a low number — but they said they don't do the deed more often because they don't have enough time, because it takes so much longer for them to orgasm.
- age 17, Massachusetts
Personally, I think a lot has to do with age. Guys reach their sexual peak in their late teens, and women don't peak until their mid-30s. Now, my guess is that teenage guys masturbate three to four times more often than their female peers. As they age, I think the frequency goes down for guys and increases for girls. Older women might masturbate twice as often as a guy going towards the big "4-0"! Of course, maybe my perceptions are totally out in left field. However, despite my perceptions, I think society generally believes — and accepts — that on the whole, guys do it more than girls do.
- age 19, New York
I think erections are so much more obvious in guys. It's like, "Wow — he's got a boner!" It happens all the time from different things, so it seems natural for males to do it more. (Lucky us!)
- age 15, Australia
Actually, I think girls masturbate almost as often as boys do — they just don't talk about it as openly. At least that has been my experience. I once had a girl over to my house and I left her alone in my room while I went to the bathroom. When I returned, I found her rubbing herself on my bed! From the look on her face, I could tell she was almost as shocked as I was. But now I can talk with her about masturbation all of the time, and she masturbates as much as I do.
- age 17, Vermont
Well, from reading here, I'd say that guys masturbate anywhere from one-and-a-half times as often to twice as often as girls. That's assuming I'm average for a girl, and that you folks are a good sample of the male population. I think mostly it's because boys are allegedly at their sexual peak in their late teens, while women peak much later. It also seems like it's a lot easier to masturbate with a penis than with the female gear — but that could just be me.
- age 17, Oregon (female)
I think men masturbate at least twice as much as women, but we may never know. It has been my experience that women tend to not own up to it at all, or they completely underestimate the number of times they've done it. I guess it's more of an open, bonding type of experience with men.
- age 29, Kentucky
Guys have an instant desire to have sex, while a girl likes to be coaxed into it. Therefore, I feel that we are twice as often "inspired" to masturbate as are the girls. My erections happen at the oddest times, and when it happens, I REALLY want relief. I don't think the girls have this equivalent problem. Besides, to "take matters in hand" is so natural and easy for a guy. Girls can't flip it out and get with it. Because of all of these reasons, I think guys masturbate at least twice as often as girls.
- age 16, Texas
I think males masturbate about twice as often as the average female, simply because they're more "hormonal" than "emotional" (generally). I happen to masturbate far more often than my boyfriend, and probably more often than most males...so take this statement as a HUGE generalization. After all, everyone's different.
- age 18, Canada (female)
I can only guess because I never talked to a female about masturbation. Actually, I already get sweaty hands and get darn nervous when I talk to them about anything — the weather, for example. So, let's say females masturbate about half as often as men do. Why? Dunno. I think I read it somewhere or something.
- age 15, Germany
I'd say females masturbate about a half or a quarter as much as males. For a start, females don't get the "buildup" that us guys do. We need to have sex or masturbate — otherwise we get unbearably horny and end up wasting all the chances for fun in a wet dream. A female friend of mine recently told me that when she masturbates, it's mainly because she wants the sex but not the "slutty" reputation that goes with it. I think this is the main point: women want the sex, while men need it.
- age 16, United Kingdom
I think males masturbate much more frequently than females — at least 3 times as often probably. Males are more easily visually stimulated than females. But from my experience, women need a little more time to become aroused. They get just as hot (or hotter) than men do; it just isn't as instantaneous for them.
- age 39, Illinois
I masturbate on a daily basis; my wife, on the other hand, masturbates only 2 or 3 times per month. Now, that is only to my knowledge; she may masturbate more often, but I am not aware of it. We have discussed masturbation, and she's admitted that the only time she does it is when I am present to watch and enjoy it with her. I have no reason to doubt what she has told me — although I would enjoy watching more often. I accept and appreciate her masturbation sessions, no matter how few they may be.
- age 50, Missouri
I think that orgasm is a sacred thing to females, and therefore, some women never even masturbate. I know that one of my female friends is against masturbation because, as she says, it "just isn't right." I believe that females most likely masturbate only one-third as much as males do. It's like they think only another person can go there.
- age 14, Oklahoma
I think males masturbate at least 3 to one more often. I think this is because females are taught that sex is something to be saved for "the right man," and they fear they are being unfaithful when masturbating. My wife will not discuss masturbation with me at all. My sister has said that it's okay for guys to masturbate, but if a woman does it, she is some kind of freak. I think most guys deny masturbation most of the time, but we all know we do it. Women are never sure if their friend masturbates or not and doesn't want to be embarrassed if she does not.
- age 28, Canada
My wife (age 35) and I have always been very open about masturbation. She had never masturbated until I taught her how when she was about 24. Although she had seen numerous males "spill their seed" during her early dating days, and one of her female friends had masturbated openly in front of her when she stayed over one night, she had never felt any desire to try it for herself. Now she is quite happy to masturbate whenever she feels the need and has no reticence about telling me the details if I ask. Masturbation is a valuable release for both of us. Nevertheless, I have a stronger drive and masturbate about three times as often as she does.
- age 39, United Kingdom
My wife of 17 years and I have a healthy sex life (we're both 39). We are very open about all aspects of sex, and we both masturbate quite regularly. I masturbate about twice as often as she does: usually nightly for me, and every couple of nights for her — although during her "fertile" period, she gets hornier and sometimes masturbates once or twice a night. Masturbation has been a regular part of our sex lives ever since we started dating. Hearing what she says some of her friends say, it seems most of her female friends her age also seem to have a quite regular masturbation session, too. Probably if most females were as open about it as men are, you'd find they probably masturbate just about as often as the men do — but it still seems to be a more taboo subject with females.
- age 39, Arkansas
I think guys masturbate about 7 times as much as girls do. My girlfriend, and girls in chat rooms, have said they do it only about once or twice a week. I, and a lot of guys I've talked to, masturbate about once or twice a day. I think it would be safe to say your average guy masturbates in one day what your average girl does in one week. Guys have that 24/7 urge for sex. Not an hour goes by where I don't think of sex. All of that builds up, during the day, until I need a good masturbating. I don't know how often females think about sex or desire it — although I'd give anything for the chance to know.
- age 18, Connecticut
Girls often masturbate as much as guys. I'm a girl, and I love masturbating many times a day. Since we don't ejaculate, we can go on and on, which is quite fun. My 17-year-old brother does it as much as me.
- age 14, New York (female)
If you're talking about orgasms, Men do it 3 times more often. If you're talking masturbation as touching yourself, then women do it 3 times more often than men — so it's a TIE!
- age 40, California
Masturbation isn't a gender thing — it is an individual thing. Therefore, I would say it depends on the individual.
- age 15, Illinois (female)
Males definitely masturbate at least twice as often as females, because of the social standards put on female masturbation. We women have been brought up believing that masturbation is bad and a "dirty" thing. Hopefully, through information sources such as this, women can learn to freely express their sexuality.
- age 18, Oklahoma (female)
I think women masturbate more often, because they have more ways of going about doing it. All they need is something warm to penetrate themselves with. It is a little harder to find a replica vagina for men. Women also do not have to worry about erection, and they do not shoot semen all over the place! My girlfriend masturbates about three times as often as I do.
- age 21, Michigan
I'd say men masturbate 30-60 more often, if not more. I've talked to lots of girls about masturbation — probably about 30 — and they all say they masturbate about once a month. If a guy masturbates once a day (which is probably the average for a guy), then you can figure a guy does it 30 times more often.
- age 15, Ohio
Males do it half as much. This is because the females I've talked to have more sexual energy then most males we now, and we have more free time than the males we know.
- age 21, Canada (female)
It's hard to tell. Many males lie about how often they masturbate, and some even say they don't do it at all. Females don't talk about it either — but I have had a few female friends admit to me they DO masturbate. I'd say it's about the same. Males probably do it quite a bit more, just because it's less time-consuming and "easier."
- age 15, Kentucky
I'd say men masturbate 2-3 times more often than women until the age of 30; then it starts to even out. From research I've read, a woman's sexual drive increases steadily until, I understand, she's well into menopause --whereas a man's sexual drive peaks at age 20. This is why it's so important for a woman of a certain age to be wealthy enough to hire a pool boy!
- age 32, Kentucky (female)
I think males masturbate three to four times as often as females, because men have a more active sex drive. My sexuality teacher compared the sex drive of a man to a microwave and the sex drive of a woman to a toaster oven. This does not mean females cannot masturbate as much as men — but I do not know of any female who masturbates 7-10 times a week, like I do.
- age 17, Arizona
I don't know. I'm not female and male.
- age 14, Canada
Individually, I think guys do it as much as females who masturbate — but more guys masturbate than girls. Therefore, the statistics probably show that guys masturbate twice as much as girls.
- age 16, Florida (female)