Other responses reflected the fact that age and medication can diminish sexual responsiveness. Men who have diabetes and its attendant nerve and circulatory damage must sometimes be content with just casually touching themselves. People who take a variety of medications – for pain, depression, or high blood pressure – must deal with the impaired sexual responsiveness that is a side-effect of those drugs. Others who are in good health still report diminished ability to have an orgasm from every second or third day to perhaps once a week. For these people, casual touching fills in between the orgasms.]
I would have to say that I hardly ever stop short of orgasm. If I play with myself and get stimulated, I have to go all the way with it. It's the best part.
- age 17, Texas
Sometimes I masturbate almost to the point of orgasm, but stop just before I ejaculate. It takes a lot of will power, but after I do this a couple of times throughout the day, my orgasm at the end of the day is incredible! For some reason, if I have brought myself to "the edge" a couple of times, it makes it so much more intense when I finally do have an orgasm. It's awesome!
- age 16, Colorado
I never intentionally stop masturbating before orgasm. If that happens, it is because I failed to reach orgasm – probably because it was not my first orgasm that day. I was thinking about this the other day: I think if you don't intend to ejaculate, it's playing with yourself. If you do, then it's masturbating (because that's serious, not "playing"). I was thinking about this in the bathtub. I started out playing with myself, but then decided to go for the orgasm, so then I was masturbating.
- age 31, Minnesota
If I masturbate, it's only to orgasm. So, I never masturbate *not* to orgasm. I see no point in doing it unless I can experience the full pleasure of the climax.
- age 14, Canada (female)
Masturbate without an orgasm? That's like winning the lottery and not cashing in your money. Sure, its fun to play; but how can you truly enjoy it unless you get the prize at the end? I see my masturbation sessions as a roller coaster – once it starts, it doesn't stop until the entire ride is finished.
- age 16, Ohio
Sometimes, after an orgasm that wasn't all that great, I don't feel finished so I'll keep on masturbating. I hardly ever manage to have a second orgasm, but by then, I'm so frustrated with it that I keep on going, even after my erection's gone away. I hate it when my masturbation sessions end like that!
- age 16, New Jersey
I casually rub my penis every so often during the day. I would say that it happens about 15 times a day. I do it every time I see a hot chick on TV. Or, if I see a girl in public, I do it as soon as I am alone.
- age 14, Illinois
Never, ever, ever! Masturbation feels so good, why would you *ever* want to stop? The only time that I have ever had to stop mid-session was when the smoke detectors in my house went off, but that was for a good reason – the house was on fire!
- age 20, Idaho
It is not often that I stop masturbating before orgasm, unless I get interrupted or don't have enough time. What starts as casual fondling usually ends in an orgasm because I get turned on. I don't think I would ever have a full-on session that didn't end in orgasm, although I can often have sex and not need to have an orgasm. But in that case, another person is involved, so you can touch and feel and share without necessarily needing an orgasm. When you are alone, that isn't really the case.
- age 27, Japan (female)
On average, I'd have to say that I stop short of orgasm twice a day. Most of the time, I do it in the shower and when I'm lying in bed before I go to sleep. The feeling of my hands gently caressing my breasts and genitals is very relaxing. It helps relieve tension in my body.
- age 41, California (female)
I masturbate without climax at least several times every day. It's a very comforting, pleasant experience to "communicate with a lifelong friend." Environment, time available, etc., partially determine how long this continues each time and whether it moves to the next stage. If done whenever I'm horny, it'll obviously continue, sometimes regardless of where I am (within reason). The full-on variety ends in a non-orgasm only because not enough time was available just then, or because I had just too recently had an orgasm.
- age 74, California
I casually stimulate myself quite frequently. During the day at school and elsewhere, if I get an erection I'll trap it between my legs and move them – but, obviously not to orgasm. I live with my parents and 10-year-old sister, so I also don't reach orgasm sometimes during a full-on session should one of them approach or otherwise interrupt. However, most times when I masturbate, I reach orgasm!
- age 15, United Kingdom
At home, I am *always* caressing myself in some way, through my boxers or my clothes. If I start full-on masturbating, I usually stop only for a few reasons: 1) I have a headache, 2) I get interrupted by the phone, 3) I'm too tired. That's about it. Those are the only factors that usually stop me. Sometimes, and this is rare, I stop masturbating when I simply lose interest in what I'm doing.
- age 21, Texas
As the question implies, masturbation can take on several forms. Often during the day, I casually stimulate myself just to take the tension away. Usually I prefer the *real* thing when it comes to masturbating, but sometimes just feeling my penis through my jeans is a real turn-on for me. By the end of the day, I can have myself aroused to the fullest, which allows me to have wonderful sex with myself when I finally get to it.
- age 42, Florida
At work, my desk is the perfect height for light stimulation during the day. I find that a little stimulation throughout the day keeps me "perky." I just have to be careful about how stimulated I become! I figured that I do this about ten times a day, so my answer would be about 70 times a week.
- age 18, England
Often, just the feeling of masturbating, or "getting there," is as good as the orgasm. I also masturbate this way when I am tired and need the energy boost that masturbating provides. Moreover, I just enjoy seeing my penis erect, its male power, and not having to work at it for an orgasm all the time. I do this about twice a week, so that I can feel that I have control over my sexuality.
- age 47, Hawaii
I stop short of orgasm perhaps two or three times a day. Sometimes, when I urinate and feel a little aroused, I will fondle my penis for a few moments just to satisfy that urge. When I am in class and get a spontaneous erection, I put my hand in my pocket and massage the head of my penis because masturbating right then would be a problem.
- age 16, Tennessee
Including casual self-stimulation, I masturbate about five times a day. I intend that full-out sessions end in orgasm, and they usually do. Only twice have I meant to have an orgasm and been unable to do so. It does feel different, like I get up a hill, but then walk back down instead of speeding back down. I find that I enjoy doing both; the discreet stimulation throughout the day increases the intensity of the full-out sessions.
- age 13, Washington
If I'm awake and lying in bed, I'm usually squeezing and releasing my foreskin with my thumb and first two fingers. I find it pleasurable. After swimming my laps, I bring my penis back to life and full size by stimulating it in the (public) shower. I usually have the shower room to myself. My full-on sessions sometimes stop with a couple of mini-orgasms. They produce lots of secretions and some ejaculate that oozes out rather than pumps. I can't stand more than one or two sessions like this without "going for broke," however.
- age 67, Vermont
I try not to masturbate if I can't finish with an orgasm because I just get frustrated that way or my testicles begin to ache. I do, however *constantly* touch myself throughout the day – even in class if I think nobody is watching. I just love playing with myself. It feels good to touch myself. It is very erotic.
- age 17, Missouri
I casually masturbate throughout the whole day. It just feels good to enjoy myself without the full-blown masturbation sessions. Sometimes this is good enough for me.
- age 20, Ontario, Canada
Perhaps one in a hundred sessions might end without an orgasm for me, probably because I'm so tired that I fall asleep in the middle of a wank in bed at night. But because masturbation is such an important activity for me, and orgasm and ejaculation are irresistible, I find that I just can't do without the climax, *or* the clean up. Semen is so wonderful that I often linger over this aspect of my session and never feel that it is over until I've finally thrown away the tissue, or condom if I use one. No – it's a good question – but I need an orgasm almost every time!
- age 50, United Kingdom
I indulge in "casual self-stimulation" every day. Every shower includes a session to see if it will turn into full-blown masturbation. At my age, I can usually tell quite soon if things are going to respond. I succeed probably every second or third shower and in bed, I guess about the same ratio. Sometimes, after masturbating the previous night I will simply "play" because it feels nice. Even though I know it is unlikely to go the distance, it is still good.
- age 62, Australia
Perhaps two or three times a month, I will masturbate full-on with the aim of *not* having an orgasm. This is usually because I am feeling horny, but I need to concentrate on homework. Yet, I still want to leave the opportunity to masturbate later on in the day. (Usually, I can have only one fulfilling masturbation session in a single day.) Thus, I will masturbate and when I feel my penis contracting somewhat, without actually ejaculating, I will stop. Then I feel at least a bit satisfied and my mind is ready to move on to other, less sexual things. Later in the day, I'll come back to finish it off!
- age 17, Pennsylvania
I play with my penis casually at least once a day – sometimes, every time I go to the toilet. But, a real masturbation session nearly always ends in ejaculation. As much as I would love to stop before the inevitable and enjoy that feeling, the urge to keep going wins just about every time. I must admit, though – the few times I have had a full-on masturbation session without ejaculation have been some of the best times ever!
- age 34, Australia
I often have a full-on, non-orgasmic, masturbation session. This is probably due to age, medications, or past prostrate surgery.
- age 68, Connecticut
I masturbate without orgasm all the time, because I find it hard to get an orgasm masturbating. This might not sound the best, but it still feels nice for me to do it and not get to orgasm. For guys – well, it's not much fun for them.
- age 13, Iowa (female)
I often masturbate for hours without orgasm. I spend at least an hour every day of the week until the end of the week. Then I have a full-out masturbation session. After all that teasing, I can't wait to orgasm. They're always intense, and I always ejaculate a lot. I highly recommend this technique!
- age 14, Indiana
Five or six times a day, I will stick my hand down my pants and play with my pubic hair and my penis. Also, sometimes with my masturbation sessions, I use the stop-and-go technique and don't reach orgasm. I stop just before it, because when I climax, I feel lonely and guilty afterward and I don't like cleaning up.
- age 14, New York
I masturbate "not" to orgasm about five times a week. I'll wake up at night or in the morning with a full-blown erection and start stroking the head of my penis and rubbing my nipples until "pre-cum" starts to flow. Then I stop the session. The sensations are intense while I masturbate and it's a great experience, but I stop to get ready for work. I'll continue to stroke my penis while I'm shaving and showering, but stop the full-on masturbation session early. But, three or four nights a week, I'll have a full-on session with a gratifying orgasm and ejaculation.
- age 26, California
I find it is good to experiment with my own body so that eventually I can tell my partner what I like, and what she should do. I am always putting my hands in my pants, gently stroking my penis and testicles, and feeling my pubic hair. I have even experimented a bit with my anus. On a long car trip, I will rub my penis through my pants, just feeling and enjoying the pleasure. I do this type of thing everyday. It actually makes masturbation better that night, or whenever I do it. I also just hold my hand over my penis pressing it to my stomach. I love to experiment. This will pay off someday!
- age 14, Illinois
If I don't have an orgasm, I don't consider it masturbation.
- age 30, California (female)
It's healthy. Masturbating just to have an erection is an exercise to my penis. Though true, it has disadvantages; to me, masturbation without orgasm is incomplete.
- age 16, Philippines
I am a daily masturbator and have been so for nine years. I would always start masturbating to turn my girlfriend on so she could finish the job however she wanted. Now that we are no longer together, I still will play with my penis to get it erect and not ejaculate. It helps me get up in the morning and makes me eager to go home at the end of the day to continue doing it.
- age 18, Arizona
I like to play with my penis, whether or not it's erect, frequently throughout the day – every day. The truth is, I have an orgasm only two to four times a week – once or twice with my life partner (usually mutual masturbation), and then a couple of times a week when I masturbate alone. So, to satisfy my urge to play with my penis, I most often play for a while, sometimes close to climax, and then stop, saving myself for orgasm with my partner.
- age 40, California
I almost never stop touching myself. I am usually inconspicuously rubbing my penis through my jeans and getting an erection. I'm usually able to lose the erection in a hurry if I need to. I never push myself to orgasm, because it would make a rather big mess that could be very embarrassing.
- age 16, Ohio
I frequently masturbate without going all the way to orgasm. I really enjoy the feeling of having something in my vagina. So, sometimes I'll insert my fingers or a candle or something and just slide it in and out to enjoy it. Or, I'll just feel myself up on the outside, which is very mellow. I get very wet when I masturbate to orgasm, so I only do that once a day. I masturbate without orgasm throughout the day.
- age 15, California (female)
The privacy of living alone lets me spend a lot of time in the nude. This provides easy access (almost too easy) to my genitals. I play with myself a dozen times a day or more, usually not even to the point of erection. The only times I actively masturbate and stop before orgasm are just after I wake up, when my penis is hardest. Sometimes I continue on to climax, but about half the time, I stop when I get tired of lying in bed.
- age 24, Illinois
I like to masturbate in public places, especially classrooms and department stores. Having an orgasm would be too messy under those circumstances.
- age 19, Tennessee
I have never, in my recollection, masturbated without orgasm, except the few times I've been interrupted by someone coming. Then, I would finish up later. All my life I have stimulated my penis casually, but I don't consider that masturbation, since the intent to reach orgasm isn't there. I do it because it feels good. Often I do it while planning a masturbation session later in the day, when I know I'll have an opportunity. I'll be at my desk, driving the car, whatever, and pull my penis out and play with it a little to make it feel good. Sometimes I'll get a full or partial erection, and I'll think about how good it will feel later. All my life I have masturbated at least once a day, so this is a frequent occurrence for me. But, "full-on" masturbation without orgasm? No. I have never had a problem having an orgasm.
- age 52, West Virginia
I find that watching videos sometimes has me rubbing it up and if I know I will be having action with the wife later I will want to wait and save it for her and a better climax, later.
- age 56, Michigan
Sometimes while looking at porn on the net, I'll casually play with myself but not have a full-on session until later when I pop in a video and get more serious about it. The only time I have a full-on session that does not end in orgasm is if I've tried to go too many times in too short a time, like more than 3 in 12 hours. Then I can get right to the edge, but I just can't seem to "trip the trigger" and bring on orgasm. It's frustrating. I work very hard, but just can't climax. In those cases, I just stop masturbating and do something else to let my body rest. Then when I go again, I can climax normally. This has changed for me, as I've gotten older. Even five years ago, when I was in my early 30s, I never masturbated without reaching orgasm, no matter how many I had in a day.
- age 38, New Hampshire
I first discovered the joy of masturbating when I was 14 years old and have been doing so to orgasm approximately four times a week since. Only rarely do I participate in full-on masturbation sessions without reaching orgasm. However, each day I frequently stimulate myself to the point of erection. Once I achieve an erection, I usually enjoy the pleasure of the erection and often experience pre-ejaculate.
- age 36, Connecticut
Since my wife has to be at work two hours before I even have to leave the house, and she usually stays late, I start *and* end my workday with a good long session. Whenever she's not in the house, I can be undressed in front of the TV and concentrate totally on how good I feel. The building up until orgasm is the best part of masturbating so I stop right before it's too late. Then, I enjoy orgasms with my wife a lot more.
- age 28, Florida
I masturbate not to orgasm at least twice a week. I think it's quite relaxing to masturbate a while and then just quit. I always masturbate until I almost climax, and then I quit. The next half-hour feels so good, with my penis stiff in my boxers.
- age 15, Netherlands
I usually masturbate about six or seven times a day, often when I am at the computer. Sometimes, it is just a few strokes. One reason that many of the sessions do not end in orgasm is that I am diabetic, have lost a lot of nerve feeling, and have erectile dysfunction. At other times, I am interrupted by outside influences such as the telephone.
- age 63, South Carolina
Occasionally, I will wake up in the middle of the night with an erection. I'm not sure whether *it* has awakened me or this is just coincidence. But I always grab my penis and give it a few loving strokes. I find this very comforting. Even though I may be erect and touching myself, I don't consider this a sexual act at all. It's more about soothing myself in a very basic way – chasing away the demons of the night in order to lull myself back to sleep.
- age 35, Canada
I would say that currently about a third of the time that I start to masturbate, I quit before I reach orgasm. This experience has only been going on for the past six months or so. Before that, I always reached orgasm when I masturbated. I guess the reason that I sometimes stop before reaching a climax these days is that it often seems to take quite a bit longer to climax than it used to. Also, I have always needed quite a bit a friction and stroking speed to climax. The result sometimes doesn't seem to be worth the effort, so I am content to just stroke for a while. If nothing seems to be happening, I will quit before reaching a climax.
- age 59, South Dakota
I rarely ever have masturbation sessions that don't conclude with orgasm. However, I often stimulate myself while studying intensely. At times, it's a terrible habit, but it gives me focus and helps me think. Obviously, I must be careful not to succumb to the habit in class, but there isn't anything wrong with doing it at home; although, it seldom arouses me sexually. My close friends have noticed and commented on my habit, to my embarrassment! But, I suppose I could be doing worse things, so who cares?
- age 21, California
I often must take prescription pain medications that contain codeine. Unfortunately, one of its nasty side affects is reduced excitability. And, since orgasm is the peak of excitability, I find that I can masturbate feverishly, almost indefinitely, and be unable to push myself over the edge. It becomes very frustrating because I am right there and almost to the point of no return. But no matter what I do, I just can't perforate that barrier. Usually, events such as these result in very sore shoulder muscles and a literal pool of sweat in the bed around me.
- age 32, Indiana