Most respondents who talked about both "routine" and "need-to" masturbation described routine sessions as taking longer and often ending in a less intense orgasm. Masturbating in response to a strong need was described as quicker, with much more intense feelings at orgasm, and for males, larger ejaculations. Everyone reported liking the higher intensity of "need-to" sessions. Those who reported liking routine sessions said it was because they can stretch out the good feelings longer.
Finally, people mentioned a number of reasons for masturbating. In rough order of occurrence:
- It feels good;
- They feel relaxed when they finish (helps them get to sleep);
- It substitutes for partner sex when the partner is unavailable;
- It helps to balance uneven libidos in a partner relationship;
- It helps prevent messy nocturnal emissions.]
It's funny – a year or two ago I masturbated about every day, whether I needed to or not. Now I masturbate only about 3 times a week. As I think back, there are much more pleasurable things happening now that I don't masturbate every day: I'm hornier when I do, I usually find the time to take my time, and I ejaculate a lot more. I have always been a heavy ejaculator, but now I almost always shoot past my nipples, and the accompanying orgasm is much better. I would suggest masturbating as little as you need to. It makes it so much more fun when you actually do masturbate.
- age 18, Florida
It's usually routine. I don't like to let it get to the point where it is absolutely necessary, because I get grumpy. Even when I am in a sexual relationship with a girl, masturbation before bedtime is still a routine.
- age 23, Pennsylvania
Most of the time it is because I have to. I'm so used to doing it that if I go for a long time, I feel like I'm going to explode!
- age 15, Indiana
I masturbate every morning when I wake up and always just before I go to bed. Sometimes I do it during the day if I'm feeling horny or have lots of time on my hands. I always expected to want to masturbate less as I got older, but I do it as much now as I did at 13! Also, sometimes the more I masturbate in a day, the more intense the orgasm becomes, despite the fact that I produce less semen.
- age 34, United Kingdom
I masturbate when I have no school, no one is home, just want to play, or I'm horny. I usually masturbate 10 times a week, and if it's a week off much more. When I am by myself it's more enjoyable, but when I do it at night – listening for my door to open and someone I don't expect to just pop in, it's pointless. I might get 3 minutes out of it before someone comes in.
- age 13, New Jersey
To me it's kinda like drinking milk. I don't always crave it, I don't always taste it for what it is, I don't always want it, but I drink it all the time! GOT MILK?
- age 26, Pennsylvania
Every morning and evening, if I'm not in a real hurry or have no important business, I badly need to release, to get rid of the tension. I can hardly stand an erection more than a few minutes. It's the same when I look at an erotic picture or a pretty girl. But sometimes life gives me a week-long break from masturbation and I begin to miss the feeling of orgasm, the feel of my semen on my belly, and just touching my penis. Is that the routine you meant? In such cases I have quite a poor orgasm, but nevertheless I enjoy the fact that I did it.
- age 18, Russia
I don't think I've ever masturbated out of routine. My sessions have always been out of a deep desire for self gratification and exploration. I've always looked at lovemaking and masturbation as the same thing, except in one you're making love to someone other than yourself. I've found this philosophy has always made me a confident and adequate partner.
- age 34, Kentucky
I never get to the point where I need to. I enjoy it too much to wait that long, and it's always great. Some sessions are better than others depending on my fantasy, but they're always great.
- age 17, South Africa
I masturbate out of need about 90% of the time. The times when I feel the need are when I've become sexually aroused either from something I see (such as adult videos or photos) or from something I fantasize. The other 10% of the my sessions occur when, just out of boredom, I start thinking about a particularly satisfying sexual encounter I had. This has even happened at work. So I lock my office door, hike up my skirt, and have a wonderful orgasm on company time!
- age 36, California (female)
I really don't masturbate because I "need to." It's pleasurable, it relieves tension (really), and I feel relaxed afterwards. Sometimes it gets to be a routine, like if I come in from school every day and masturbate immediately. So I try to vary it, and usually I don't masturbate *every* day – more like 5 times a week. Maybe because I've been masturbating since early in puberty, I have never felt a "need" build up. And, I don't want it to become "routine," so I'm aware of it.
- age 14, Virginia
Now that I am in college it's a combination of having to and wanting to. I have a roommate, so I never get an opportunity to masturbate in my room – so I masturbate in the shower, which is different. I never used to masturbate standing. I still like to sit, so I do not masturbate as much as I did before college. As for need versus routine, it's definitely because I need to release some sexual energy. Masturbating as part of a routine would not work for me – I would not get as much from it.
- age 19, Vermont
I don't have a masturbation routine because I find it boring if I do it without a need or desire. When my desire builds up, that's when I know it's time to masturbate and I always have a great time.
- age 15, New York
I don't think of it in those terms – I do it because I like to, because it feels great. It's not a routine; I really enjoy it.
- age 29, California
For me, every day it's a necessity. It has become a "routine" I guess, because I do it every day at the same time, after school. But every day I feel really sexually frustrated and need to release that tension.
- age 15, Missouri
80% of the time it's just part of my bedtime routine – masturbating is a great way to get relaxed to fall asleep. But when I'm ultra-stressed out and can't concentrate, I often "have to" masturbate. It helps me relax and get back to work.
- age 26, Virginia
75% routine; 25% need. Routine is slower, reaching peaks, and then pulling back, holding off orgasm for maybe an hour. When it is from need – partner is out of town or on her period – I get to orgasm as fast as possible.
- age 48, Florida
Perhaps it's because I am older now, or that I am busier now than when I was younger, but it seems I masturbate now when I need to instead of just out of routine. I also would rather spend some time in each session than have to feel rushed. I suppose there is no such thing as a "bad orgasm," but the long sessions are much more satisfying!
- age 48, Ohio
I have never *had* to masturbate. I usually just do it for pleasure and routine.
- age 14, Oklahoma
I do at times masturbate just because it's the time of day I usually do it, even if I'm not particularly horny. When I do this, I usually have more difficulty maintaining an erection, take longer to orgasm, and when I finally ejaculate, my orgasms seem forced and not as satisfying. If I have 2 or 3 routine masturbation sessions in a row, I try to skip a day. By the following day I'm usually back to a level of horniness that demands I climax.
- age 42, Tennessee
It's usually because I like to. I certainly couldn't live without it.
- age 12, Poland
I usually masturbate out of habit. I have a ritual when I wake up: I make a cup of coffee, sit nude in my lounge chair, and masturbate. Sometimes I get an erection and have to take care of it, but not as often as when I was younger.
- age 64, New York
I always masturbate because I want to. I masturbate only when I feel the urge to do so – never because it's a routine.
- age 17, Norway
Most of the time it feels like a routine. The "routine sessions" are far less intense and interesting, and the orgasm isn't particularly powerful. But when I really want and need it, masturbating feels a lot better and I really enjoy it. It's more intense.
- age 18, Norway
When I masturbate, it's because I want to. I'm aroused, and there's no one there but me. I never do it because it's routine. Where's the fun in that?
- age 15, Maine (female)
I once read that to live longer, have sex in the morning. So each and every morning I do my deed. I find that if I go a while without masturbating, the end results are *far* better. But this doesn't happen very often, because it's so hard for me to wait.
- age 21, Pennsylvania
I just get the urge and I can't help it – I have to masturbate.
- age 17, Michigan
As I get older and take a lot of blood pressure medications, I can go for a week or two without even thinking about masturbating. Then for no reason, I'll masturbate every morning for 3 or 4 days running. Then there's another dry spell when I just don't seem to think about it.
- age 70, California
Most of the time I masturbate when the urge strikes. Sometimes I make myself do it, like when I have cramps, since orgasm usually alleviates that particular discomfort for a while. But I'm really not one for routine...forcing it makes for lame orgasms.
- age 24, North Carolina (female)
Whenever I am in the shower I masturbate – not because I am horny and want to, but because I always do and am used to it.
- age 15, New Jersey
I can masturbate anytime I want at home. So much of the time, my sessions are routine. Occasionally, because I choose to abstain for a while, or because I encounter unusual stimulation such as seeing someone who turns me on, I really *need* to. The difference in the sessions depends; sometimes when I *need* to masturbate, I get too excited too quickly, so the result is no more satisfying than any other time. For routine sessions, I have learned a lot of ways to make them good every time!
- age 35, Nevada
I masturbate when I need to. I mainly don't need to unless I see something that turns me on, or if I touch myself. Many times I find that I'm rubbing myself without being aware of it! Then I get the urge to masturbate to relieve myself.
- age 15, California (female)
Most of the time it's because I need to. There are times, though, that I just lie there. My hands drift, one thing leads to another, and before I know it I'm cleaning up! Usually when I need to do it, I think of it beforehand (no pun intended). When it's routine I get in my PJs and can't sleep, so I just go for it!
- age 23, New York
I used to think I couldn't live without masturbating at least once a day. But recently I went away with my family and managed to go up to 5 days at a time without doing it. I could blame this on lack of opportunity, but I certainly didn't die from not doing it.
- age 17, Australia
Almost always because I want or need to. The only time I masturbate when my body isn't craving it is when I'm going somewhere or doing something that won't allow me to do it for an extended time. A good example is going to my parents' house for Christmas. I'll be there for a number of days, so I'll make sure to take care of myself before I make the trip. I don't think there should be any restrictions on when or how often a person masturbates. Self-love is a great gift. It's just a better orgasm when my mind and body are totally into it.
- age 32, California
I masturbate because I feel horny and need to relieve sexual tension. I don't have a routine at all. I've gone for months without masturbating. It's just whenever I feel like it.
- age 15, California (female)
I always thought I did it because it felt good and I enjoyed it. But now that I think about it, I am not sure I could fall asleep if I didn't have an orgasm. It relaxes me and clears my mind better than anything else I've tried.
- age 20, Arizona
Just routine – but sometimes I just *have* to do it. The "have to" sessions seem to go by a lot quicker and take less time, while the routine ones are slower and more fun because I can take my time to really enjoy it.
- age 20, Louisiana
Sure, masturbation is a routine. Habits become addictive, and then it becomes a need. Routinely, I get aroused and need to masturbate. The best experiences come when I have the need, the time, and the proper stimulation and privacy...or sometimes, even a lack of.
- age 18, California
I've been masturbating since I was 9, and even then I found it very relaxing. I've never been one to drink alcohol or use tobacco, which so many people use to relieve stress. Instead, I masturbate to release tension. Sometimes I do it for the sheer pleasure, but more often I find it helps to calm me when I'm very anxious. Many of my friends and coworkers feel the same but have never put it in quite these terms. I was in Saudi Arabia during the barracks bombing, and I can say without doubt that if it weren't for masturbation, I would have been "section-eighted" quickly. [Section 8 is a military-code provision that provides for release from the service for psychiatric reasons.] So for me it's very much a need (though never an obsession).
- age 30, U.S. military in Japan
Most of the time I masturbate either because of a spontaneous erection or because I can't think of anything else to do. But when I'm in bed on Friday and Saturday nights, I usually make a point of masturbating without orgasm until I get too tired to continue and fall asleep. When I finish in the morning the orgasms are much better than those from a "quickie."
- age 18, United Kingdom
I masturbate daily and I do like it, especially after an Internet session. Many times I do it before sleeping, without being particularly aroused, because it helps me relax after a hard day at work.
- age 27, Italy
It's split 50/50 for me. I may come home very aroused; then I'll go to my bedroom and masturbate. Also, masturbation has become part of my sleeping routine, in that it helps me relax before going to sleep. I masturbate before sleep probably 29 days out of the month.
- age 18, Arizona
At my age it isn't often because I need to but because I have made it a part of my weekly routine. I sincerely believe that exercising the prostate several times a week is the very best way to prevent problems with that organ as one gets older. Of course, it also helps that the whole experience feels great! That never changes, regardless of age. What a fun way to help my prostate!
- age 61, Ohio
I'd say about half and half. Sometimes it's nice to just treat myself to a little diddling, not that I really need to but because it feels great and puts me in a good mood. I usually feel a strong need to masturbate when I'm stressed – like last year during soccer season I masturbated 3 or 4 times a week (usually before games) for 30 to 60 minutes each time – usually until I'd had several orgasms and soaked the towel under me, just so I could sleep better.
- age 15, Florida (female)
I'm happily married and enjoy a good sex life. My sexual desires are greater than my 38-year-old wife's, so I supplement my needs with masturbation. I don't hide it from her. I am a morning person and begin to masturbate almost every morning while still in bed. When my wife sees me rubbing myself, if she is in the mood, she will start to do it for me and then offer herself to me for intercourse. If she is only sympathetic to my desires but not in the mood for sex herself, she strokes me until I ejaculate. Other times she just gets out of bed, goes to the bathroom to shower, and leaves me to myself. I find that daily masturbation or sexual release in some other fashion is the best way for me to start the day. Otherwise, I am left in a frustrated mood which affects my mood all day.
- age 51, California
I masturbate just before I go to sleep. Most of the time I do it because I'd be a totally horny goof if I didn't. Still, I like to masturbate even if I don't have to. I've found that I get the best orgasms when I really have to masturbate.
- age 14, Wisconsin
I always masturbate when I have the urge to do it. But I get the urge almost every day, often twice a day. It might be because every day I put a little Nivea Body Milk on my glans to keep it sensitive (I am circumcised.) So by the end of the day I can become very aroused and have to masturbate if I don't want to explode. I love it! I also use that Body Milk as a lube.
- age 23, Belgium
There have been times in my life when masturbation was a routine. Even so, those times were enjoyable and achieved the end result, climax. But the times I've masturbated because the "mood" struck were the best. You can take your time or reach climax in a hurry. It all depends on the time available and how relaxed you are to begin with. Also, when it's not a routine, it tends to relax the entire body and not just the surface. Sometimes masturbation can relax you so you can sleep, or it can energize you to start the day or night. Both routine and need can be wonderful, but I still like the "need" times the best, especially when I take my time and don't let myself climax too soon. The longer you wait, the bigger the rush.
- age 37, Colorado (female)
Before I was married I was on a schedule. I would masturbate every morning and sometimes at night. I did it other times when I was super-horny. Now that I am married I usually do it if it has been a while since I've had sex and when I am alone (although my wife knows I do it).
- age 28, California
It's usually because I haven't done it for a while. I am at school so I don't have much privacy. When I'm home I usually masturbate every day because I can get back on my usual routine. When I masturbate just to masturbate, it's usually faster and not as good. When I put my mind into it, I can go for a long time and have a great orgasm. When I'm faster, the orgasms aren't as great or intense.
- age 19, California
I masturbate for several reasons. First, because I'm horny; second, because I haven't done it for a while and I don't want to have a "wet dream"; and third, I'm reading an erotic story it gets me horny – the usual stuff.
- age 16, Scotland
I am married. I only *have to* masturbate when I get aroused by something or haven't had sex in a while. I masturbate almost every day, even when I've had sex with my wife. Both kinds ("have to" and "want to") are nice, but it seems to feel much better when I want to. I take more time and effort then to make it as good as I can.
- age 44, Colorado
I'd say only 25% of my masturbating is out of having to do it right then and there. The routine sessions are much more fulfilling than a spur-of-the-moment session, because I take my time and am able to further enjoy it. This is because the spur-of-the-moment ones are just for a quick fix, and not to really enjoy.
- age 18, Canada
About half and half: I masturbate every night before I go to bed, because if I don't, while I'm trying to fall asleep I start to get horny and have to do it anyway. During the day, it's only when I need to. When I'm really horny, it's generally better, but frankly, it's pretty good either way.
- age 26, California
It's definitely a routine! Right before bed every night – but the unexpected ones are much better. Thank God for my penis; masturbation is just too great!
- age 18, Washington
If I don't masturbate then I have "wet dreams." Yeah, you can still have them at age 48. Of course I do it for pleasure also. There isn't any routine, just when the feelings arise.
- age 48, Illinois
I don't think it's much a part of a routine, I mean, I do it in a routine manner, but it's because I want to or need to. When I say I "want to," I mean I like the way it feels, so I do it. But if I'm not in the mood I don't do it. It's not something I *have* to do.
- age 16, Mexico
I guess most of the time it's just part of a routine. I work second shift (3-11 PM) so I get up in the morning and go to the gym around 10 AM. Then I come home, immediately undress, and masturbate. These sessions are pretty good, because working out makes me horny. If I wait 3 or 4 days between sessions, the orgasms are much more intense and I produce much more semen.
- age 22, Pennsylvania
I never masturbate because of routine, but sometimes I masturbate just because I have an opportunity, even if I don't really feel like it. I'd say half the time I need to.
- age 16, South Africa
I masturbate by routine out of necessity. I usually masturbate in bed in the morning, at night, or both. Sometimes the need is stronger than at other times, but it's a nice way to go to sleep and a nice way to wake up in the morning. Necessity enters into it only if I can't masturbate for a few days, which is rare.
- age 44, New Jersey
I masturbate only once a week. I could live without it, but I see it as more of a "need to" than a "routine." Usually after a hard week at school, I go home and rest. Sometime over the weekend if I'm not working, I'll masturbate.
- age 17, Maine
When I started to masturbate it was routine; I'd masturbate at least 3 times a day: when I woke up in the morning, when I came home for school, and before I went to sleep. Now that I'm in college and have 4 roommates, I masturbate only in the shower. That's like once a week, maybe twice if I'm lucky. I gotta masturbate more!
- age 20, Maryland
