A few respondents said they actually prefer masturbating when others are nearby, since risk of discovery heightens the experience for them. A few other respondents said they masturbate the same, whether or not they have total privacy.]
With privacy, I go more slowly. I can make all the noise I want (like moaning or breathing loudly), and basically have more fun. I can do that only when no one is at home. Otherwise I masturbate at night in bed, in my "stealth mode" — totally silently. Which feels best? That's hard to say. It's more about how horny I am, I guess.
- age 15, California
When I have plenty of privacy I usually get more involved in my fantasy. With enough time, I can use some form of personal lubricant. (I like Women's Health Formula Personal Lubricating Gel.) I am uncircumcised, so I do not necessarily need a personal lubricant. However, I find that if I keep my foreskin retracted and use a lubricant, the masturbation session and the orgasm are much more enjoyable.
- age 24, North Carolina
If I am completely alone, like when I am in my bedroom, sometimes I use things other than my hands for masturbating. Sometimes I use a candle or a similar object. However, if I am in a place where I could be caught, such as a shower at school, or even out in public, I use only my hand and rub the outside of my vagina, rather than going for penetration.
- age 14, Massachusetts (female)
I would say I masturbate *less* when I do not have company. It's something about the "thrill" of being caught that turns me on. Just knowing that someone is in the next room excites me, even though I lock all the doors, etc. It's almost a feeling of "if they could see me now!" It's different, and therefore exciting.
- age 34, Texas
When I have more privacy, I masturbate in the living room instead of my bedroom. I do this only when my parents are on vacation so there is no chance of getting "caught in the act." I usually put in a video, strip naked, and masturbate on the floor or the couch. I can make my session last longer and be as noisy as I want. My orgasms are usually much better.
- age 17, Idaho
I live in the dorms at my university and I have a roommate, so there's not much privacy in my room. But if I know I'm alone and will not be disturbed, I like to get totally nude while I'm masturbating. This is the case when my roommate goes home for the weekend. Sometimes I like to get daring and masturbate while my roommate is sleeping. He has a low snore when he's asleep, so some nights when I hear him snoring, I like to take off all of my clothes, lie on top of my covers, and have at it. This is a bit of a turn-on for me, since the chance of being caught is there. I also like to take my time when I know I'm alone. I hate having to masturbate in a hurry when my time and privacy are compromised.
- age 23, North Carolina
When someone is home, I unzip my pants and pull out my penis through the fly — so that if someone walks in I can cover it up with my shirt. If no one is home, I can take off all my clothes and try your Technique of the Week.
- age 19, Maryland
If I have more privacy and time, I can enjoy the session more. It gives me a chance to use some anal stimulation during a long session, which takes the orgasm onto another level from normal masturbation.
- age 29, United Kingdom
When I masturbate alone, I tend to make more noise. I sometimes breathe more heavily when no one is around to hear me. Plus I can take longer when I know I'll be alone for a while.
- age 18, Massachusetts
It doesn't feel any better, or worse for that matter. But I find I have an ejaculation faster if I masturbate in the school stall with no door. I guess that I find it more erotic if someone could just walk right in on me. I'd get in trouble with the Dean of Students, but I still take the risk.
- age 13, Tennessee
The only time I don't have privacy is when I'm in bed (or elsewhere) with my partner. Then it's usually my partner who masturbates me, so I don't have as much control. When I'm by myself, I tend to have very long masturbation sessions — up to 4 hours before I ejaculate. These long sessions always involve either very intricate fantasies, which are ongoing stories, or looking at erotic material of some sort. They usually result in very intense orgasms with copious amounts of semen.
- age 28, New Zealand
When there are people in the house, I usually masturbate quickly. When I'm alone, I have plenty of time to focus on fantasies and techniques. The orgasms are much more powerful when I'm alone. Although once my sister and her boyfriend were sleeping in her room, and they were the only ones in the house; I went to the bathroom that was right in front of her room, left the door open, and started masturbating. It was risky, because I could easily get caught, and it was a very powerful orgasm.
- age 17, Israel
When I masturbate in the shower, I feel rushed and it usually isn't that great. But if I do it in the privacy of my own room, I can actually take my time and enjoy it. Usually my orgasms are much louder and feel better. Overall, the whole session is just better — though I do have to be careful about waking people up. A closed door can muffle only so much noise!
- age 18, California
I can look at stuff on the Internet without the fear of being walked in on. Then I can take more time touching my clitoris, which makes for a *much* more powerful orgasm! And, it makes the session itself more enjoyable.
- age 16, Canada (female)
When nobody is in the house, I tend to be more creative. Not having to worry about the noise I make is more of a turn-on. I may experiment with different types of lubrication. I like to use mirrors, or something to stimulate my prostate, when I have privacy. When people are nearby, I tend to be very quiet and do not experiment.
- age 24, Pennsylvania
I can cross-dress and no one can see me and make fun of me. I find that privacy lets me express myself.
- age 14, Maryland
I masturbate differently when I have plenty of time. Since my computer is in my room, I often read erotic fantasies, experiences, and techniques. Then I'm really aroused. Unfortunately, there is almost always someone in the house, so I go to the bathroom for a quick session. But when no one is in the house and I have plenty of privacy, I take off all my clothes and try some techniques that take more time. I also try to last longer before I climax. I like it when I have plenty of time; it feels like a luxury.
- age 19, Netherlands
I use privacy wisely. I wait until no one is home and get completely naked. My sessions usually last between a half-hour and an hour when I have the time, and I climax about 4 times during that session. I let my fantasies run wild and even make noises. It's so much better to have time to wait instead of having to clean up right away, worried that someone might catch me.
- age 15, Oregon
With privacy, I can have multiple orgasms because I can moan much louder. In turn, that makes me climax rapidly.
- age 21, Malaysia (female)
When I'm alone I take off all my clothes and have a long, enjoyable session and can try new techniques. When others are around, I tend to masturbate more quickly and usually through the fly in my jeans.
- age 15, Scotland
I make the feeling of climaxing last longer. When my parents are gone, I use the vibrators my boyfriend has gotten me for our phone-sex sessions. Having a dildo inside me and a vibrator on my clitoris moving slowly is enough to drive me into multiple orgasms. I can't do this without privacy because I don't want anyone to investigate the noise inside my room (from the battery-operated objects and even my moans).
- age 16, Kentucky (female)
When I have privacy (usually when I'm home alone), I can take my time. It works much better when I am aroused, such as when I haven't masturbated for a few days or I have been reading some Question of the Week responses on JackinWorld.
- age 15, Michigan
I don't think I do it *differently,* but the sensation seems more intense when someone is nearby — either watching me, or perhaps touching me while I'm ejaculating (rubbing my testicles or sticking their finger into my rectum).
- age 45, New York
Quickies in the shower are fine, but if I have the time, the sessions in bed in great. When no one is around, I like to fill a hot water bottle partially with warm water and put it on top of a towel on my bed. I then cover the rubber bottle with my favorite lube, usually hand lotion. I get into bed totally naked and lie on top of the water bottle, sliding my penis over the top ever so slowly at first. I just lie there and slide around until I can't take it anymore and stroke the bottle until I climax. Everything ends up on the towel so I can just lie there and enjoy it until I want to clean up.
- age 15, California
When nobody is around, I can have a longer session, I can try a new approach, I can relax and *enjoy* myself. If someone is around, I have to hurry. I'm nervous I could be walked in on, so it's just not as enjoyable. When people are nearby, I feel as if I'm doing something wrong instead of enjoying what comes naturally.
- age 16, Ohio
I live in a college dormitory. If I'm concerned that my roommate will be home soon, I masturbate with a quick orgasm as my goal (about a 3-minute session) before he's back. However, if I know he's going to be gone for the night, I take things much more slowly, bringing myself to the brink of orgasm and then letting things "cool down" several times, until finally I push myself over the edge. Plus, I might masturbate more than once in a "private" session.
- age 21, Texas
I don't think my actual technique is different with or without privacy. I have a favorite way to stroke myself that I use almost always. But other factors would be different: With little privacy, I try to climax as quickly and as quietly as possible (so as not to be "caught"), and I remain dressed or covered as opposed to being totally naked. I also can't use videos or magazines if someone else is home.
- age 38, Ohio
When I have privacy, I like to make the session last for many hours. I stop and go and try to see how long I can go before ejaculating. When I'm alone, I definitely try different positions and locations. Since no one is around, I like to go into my sister's room and smell her underwear.
- age 13, Oklahoma
I tend to pamper myself more and take longer when I know I won't be interrupted. If I'm in the mood for using my "toys," I bring them out. Quite often at night, I start off with a nice, leisurely bath, during which I get myself well aroused. Then I move to my bedroom to finish up with an earth-shattering climax.
- age 37, California (female)
Oddly enough, I like it when I don't have much privacy. The possibility of being discovered masturbating is always exciting. The orgasms are a lot more intense when I have to rush to climax; often when I linger for a while — say, 30 minutes to an hour — my orgasm is weaker and not as fulfilling.
- age 17, Missouri
I get totally naked on the bed. I rub my clitoris harder and harder as I think of my husband, who is often away. I love to read sexual stories as I bring myself to orgasm. I am totally alone as I do this. But as soon as my husband gets home, look out! We are both on fire!
- age 41, North Carolina (female)
I always use the same technique regardless of degree of privacy. I am uncircumcised, so I like the way I do it. Other ways just hurt!
- age 16, Canada
It's completely different when I'm at school rather than at home. Since I have a lot more freedom when I'm in my dorm, my mind is clear from fears of being "caught," so I can take my time and enjoy the feeling more. My parents wouldn't have any problems with my masturbating (especially at my age), but it's something I've never been seen doing and never talked about doing in my whole life. I've always felt that it's my business only. When I masturbate at home, I'm not afraid of being punished but of being "found out."
- age 21, New York
I prefer masturbating in privacy. I've tried it with my mates, and it's just not as rewarding as when I'm on my own.
- age 16, United Kingdom
When I have total privacy without any chance of being interrupted, I get much more elaborate with the experience, and it lasts much longer. My favorite thing to do is to get all dressed up in women's lingerie with nylons. This is such a sexy feeling for me that it makes my climax much more intense.
- age 39, Indiana
When I know I'm alone in the house, I take out my dildo and lube. I rub the lube all over the dildo and slowly push it in and out of my vagina with one hand while I squeeze my breasts with the other. Sometimes it takes me 15 minutes to have an orgasm this way, but it's well worth it!
- age 16, Spain (female)
I am a much more enthusiastic masturbator when I know I have complete privacy. I always get nude and rub oil all over my body. I spend a lot of time stimulating my entire body, including my nipples, buttocks, and even anus. I am also more inclined to stimulate and massage my prostate gland with several fingers or a vibrator inserted in my rectum. The resulting orgasm is always explosive, especially if I hold off for about an hour. I also enjoy the relaxing afterglow, and I'm never in a hurry to clean up my semen. A hot shower is the perfect ending to such a great masturbation session.
- age 41, Pennsylvania
When I have privacy, I feel more comfortable, and the sessions can last for hours. But I've got to admit it's a turn-on to get off in public when no one is aware of what's going on.
- age 19, Texas
I am married with children. This makes it very difficult to find enough privacy for a good solo masturbation session, which continues to be a wonderful part of my sex life. When I know I don't need to worry about interruption, I am much more likely to use aids, sometimes trying one of the suggestions on JackinWorld. I'm usually completely naked (rather than just having my pants down), and I tend to be more noisy. I look forward to these times and plan for them!
- age 28, North Carolina
When I am alone in the house, I feel that I can get totally naked, get into any position I want, and make as much noise as I want — which all adds up to making a better experience. I don't feel as guilty or anxious when I am alone and have plenty of time. The fact that I can moan and get as loud and excited as I want is the best bit by far.
- age 14, United Kingdom (female)
When I have privacy, I feel less inhibited — eager to try new techniques. But I also greatly enjoy masturbation when my partner both watches me and joins in. Three cheers for masturbation; it has saved many a lonesome night (and day) for me.
- age 35, New York