I get a feeling in my genitals similar to the feeling in your stomach when you realize you are hungry. The longer I ignore it, the more demanding it becomes. Sometimes the feeling is triggered by stimuli such as seeing a good-looking woman on the street — just as a desire to eat can be stimulated by seeing an ad for food. Other times, it just makes itself known without an external trigger, but because it's time to have an orgasm (once every day or so). Horny and hungry — they're both appetites that are normal and can't be ignored. It's nice to have a meal with someone, but sometimes, you eat alone.
- age 55, Washington
This Week's Wackiest Response:
I always wait for the squirrels to take their eyes off my nuts.
- age 16, Texas
Sometimes I decide; other times, my penis decides. If I'm feeling horny and, for whatever reason, my wife is not, my penis is not about to take "no" for an answer. However, there are times when I'm not the least bit horny, but I'll decide that I want to masturbate anyway. It's great to be able to get myself into the mood. One moment I'll be thinking of things totally unrelated, and the next moment the thought of arousing myself seems like a heck of a good idea. Time is also a factor. Only a couple of days will go by since the last time, and then I'm going to want to have sex — either with my wife or alone.
- age 53, Pennsylvania
The decision to masturbate (or not to) involves many different factors. For me (and probably many others my age), I get this feeling inside me that tells me that I'm just really horny. However, to actually decide to masturbate depends on where I am and who is nearby. I usually decide to masturbate if I'm alone in the privacy of my own home.
- age 16, North Carolina
Generally, I decide to masturbate simply because of horniness — that physical sensation in the genital region that I can only compare to the feeling of needing to sneeze. It's the urge to give myself relief from the "itch" of horniness. Now, that feeling of horniness can come from visual stimulation (pictures, videos, etc.), mental stimulation (erotic stories), or just because it's been a few days since I last had the time and opportunity to masturbate. I've found that when I try to masturbate when I'm not feeling horny, but just out of habit, I don't have as satisfying an experience — so I try to wait until I can feel that "itch," and then I know it's time for a lovely, delicious masturbation session.
- age 47, Tennessee
I'm a 17-year-old male with raging hormones. What is left to say? However, besides being horny, I usually masturbate at night to help me fall asleep.
- age 17, South Carolina
I don't really have to "decide" to masturbate; it just happens. Usually I'm in bed trying to sleep and for some reason I get an erection, so I start masturbating. Sometimes I start to masturbate because I feel that it helps me get to sleep, but maybe that's all just in my head.
- age 22, Iowa
To masturbate is not a decision I make — it is part of my everyday routine. I masturbate every night before I go to bed and it is as much a part of my day as my morning shower or brushing my teeth. I masturbate every night to make certain I end my day on "an up note" and to release the sexual tension I build up during the day. Masturbation, like my morning shower and brushing my teeth, has become just as cleansing as it is pleasurable.
- age 16, Maine
When I was young and single, I masturbated in bed as a matter of course — sometimes before going to sleep, sometimes on waking up. No decision was involved; it was just part of my life. In my married years, I did it when I was alone for a while and thus had the chance — maybe at home, maybe in the car, maybe outdoors. Now at 81, I do it when I think I'll be able to carry it to orgasm. That's about every five days.
- age 81, Texas
I still live at home with my parents, so I usually masturbate when they are out of the house. When no one is home, I can masturbate whenever I feel the urge. These sessions usually last no longer than 10 minutes. There are other times when I just have to go into my room or the bathroom and have a quickie if I am highly aroused. At other times, when I know I have the house to myself for a while, I masturbate for fun. That is when I use different lubes, watch porn, use the "Stop & Go" method (and any other methods I see on this site), and take from 30 minutes to an hour. This is how I vary my masturbation sessions and keep it exciting.
- age 17, New Jersey
I don't "decide" to masturbate; it decides for me. It is something I look forward to when I go to bed at night, knowing that in the morning, as soon as I wake up, my hand will grab my vibrator and I will masturbate!
- age 56, United Kingdom (female)
I do it all the time; what's there to decide about?
- age 16, Illinois
Sometimes I find myself horny for no reason, but more often than not, there's a scene in a film that turns me on — or I see a beautiful, sexy girl when I'm out and I get turned on. So, I go for it. Now and again, I'll be bored or tense and do it to relieve the boredom or stress. It's the best release!
- age 19, United Kingdom
My penis seems to know when my butt is sitting on my computer chair, because it gets hard the second I turn the computer on. So I just decide to do it there.
- age 14, Iowa
A few different reasons, actually, lead me to masturbate. Most often, it is the result of something or someone I see. This is usually the best scenario. Second, it is something I treat myself to at the end of each day. I guess you could chalk this one up to basic routine. Some people brush their teeth before they go to bed; I on the other hand, brush my teeth *and* masturbate. The last and least frequent reason is boredom. I remember that the reason I decided to masturbate for the first time is that I had a *huge* crush on a girl. Not only did I have a crush, but I was also succumbing to the desire to have sex with her. Totally frustrated one night, I got on my hands and knees, placed my hand around my penis, and attempted to simulate the sex act, pretending that my hand was this girl's vagina. I had no clue there was a payoff at the end, so I was unprepared when I climaxed. From then on, at least for the next several months, this was how I masturbated.
- age 34, Indiana
I have been trying to stop for a long time, but I can't. I last for two or three days and then I just get this urge and tingling feeling, like my penis wants me to go at it full force — and I do. So, I just do it and it feels awesome every time! Basically, then, my penis tells me when it is time. Almost every time I get an erection in the shower, I masturbate. It is an awesome (and now a healthy) hobby.
- age 15, Texas
Good question! I never thought about it. I masturbate to pleasure myself. There are times when I'm under stress and doing it helps me to relax my anxieties. But for the most part, nothing "makes me decide." I just do it because I have the ability to make myself feel g-o-o-o-o-d.
- age 70, Ohio
During the day, a feeling — almost an ache — builds up in my testes and at the same time my penis becomes more and more sensitive to contact with my underpants and to vibration. When this ache becomes almost unbearable, I must quickly find somewhere private to start rubbing my penis. Another situation for me is whenever I wake up with an extremely full erection that won't go down a bit even after I've had a shower and shaved. I then just rub my penis for less than 10 seconds to make myself ejaculate, and then I feel satisfied and ready for the day.
- age 15, United Kingdom
My decision to masturbate is influenced hierarchically by: my stress level from my daily responsibilities, my desire to relax following a workout, the amount of time since my last session, and the amount of sexual stimuli to which I have been exposed. If at least one of these criteria is present, I am generally inclined to masturbate. However, the last two criteria are the most important to me. That is especially the case when I have abundant time to enjoy myself and when I have begun to detect a sense of pressure or fullness in my genitals. Of course, there are times when I may masturbate simply because I find myself in the same room as my hand and my penis.
- age 62, Michigan
The little brain in my penis tells the big brain in my head that it would like to express some fluids. I don't know why, but the big brain always complies.
- age 15, Ohio
Time makes this decision for me because I cannot go for more then one or two days without it. There is no decision on my part — it's a matter of time and opportunity.
- age 41, Illinois
I pretty much just masturbate whenever I want. Sometimes I get really horny when I'm with my girlfriend, so I'll do it with her or when I get home. Other times, I'm just bored and decide that I want to go masturbate and experience the intense feeling of an orgasm. I also do it sometimes just because I happened to get an erection. So, for the most part, I masturbate because I want to... and because the "head" in my pants says it wants to have some fun!
- age 17, Illinois
It depends — sometimes I'm feeling very aroused and have no other outlet. At other times, I'm feeling aroused, but feel as though I can take care of my sexual needs and desires better than my husband can right then. Sometimes, such as when I'm at work, masturbation is a great way to reduce tension. I just tell my secretary that I don't want to be disturbed for a little while, lock my office door, and then bring myself to a wonderful orgasm.
- age 44, California (female)
If the house is empty when I come home after a long, hot workout session, I go down to the basement, grab a towel and some tissue, lie down on my back, and go to work. Something about being covered in my own sweat and being able to scream as loudly as I want is erotic.
- age 15, Ohio
Even though I'm older, I still get horny! I'm not in a sexual relationship right now, so masturbation is a great way to keep all the plumbing working until the next one — besides that, it keeps me sane! Also, I find that regular ejaculation is healthy and beneficial, especially for older guys, to avoid prostate congestion, which can be uncomfortable.
- age 52, Illinois
Sometimes, I consciously choose to masturbate. That usually comes directly after something arouses me considerably, such as watching a porno or making out with a girl. Sometimes, I have a spontaneous erection, usually right before I fall asleep, and I just go at it. So, it depends on the situation.
- age 17, Illinois
I ask myself this very question a lot, but it's hard to come up with a simple answer. It's very strange. Sometimes if I'm in a very bad mood, I masturbate, but then, if I'm in a great mood, I masturbate. I think it may have to do with boredom. If I'm just sitting by myself watching TV, I'll start stroking just because there's nothing better to do — likewise, if I'm in bed and can't fall asleep. It's something that has always felt quite good to do ever since I started seven years ago. So I can't answer the question easily, but since it feels so good to do and it's completely healthy, I'm going to keep on doing it.
- age 20, Missouri
This web site.
- age 15, Connecticut
There is no replacement for self-pleasure. I am the only one who knows exactly what I like. Sex is great, but masturbation can happen any time. The great orgasm is what makes me masturbate.
- age 37, Oklahoma
One thing that always gets me is when my brother gets home from work. He goes to college and works in the evenings. I am in High School. He usually gets home about an hour or so after I go to bed and I know he masturbates every night. He takes a shower and goes to bed. Right away you can hear the bed start to make a noise and then the telltale "ahhhh" as he finishes. By then, I'm hard as a rock and away I go. I sometimes wonder if he ever hears me, but by then I don't care!
- age 16, California
When I haven't been having sex with my wife, I tend to do it a lot. Also, if I have to be at home alone for extended periods of time, I feel the need then as well. Also, I am 27 years old and I have a huge sex drive!
- age 27, Kentucky
Usually, it's the symptoms of sexual arousal that start to grow on me. I take masturbation as a pleasurable and fun way to control sexual feelings. When they are not so strong, I find I can concentrate better when I want to work on something. Or, I could just be in the mood to have some fun with myself. Or, I just want to enjoy the rare opportunity when I'm completely alone.
- age 17, Brazil
When my penis keeps getting hard at inappropriate times — at work, the gym, etc. It just has a mind of its own sometimes and the only way to stop it is to play with it.
- age 37, Illinois
Decide? You mean I have a choice? I don't think so!
- age 15, California
It should be whenever I have the desire to masturbate, but unfortunately, I do it whenever I have an opportunity. Even so, I usually am as aroused after a while as if I had decided to do it out of desire.
- age 39, Belgium
I guess when I'm very angry and need a positive way to blow off some steam (literally), I masturbate. Or maybe, I do it when I'm bored and have nothing to do. Also, I do it because when I feel like having sex with someone, it's safer than intercourse. You can't have any children from it, can't get any sexually transmitted diseases, and you can't be punished (as in being punished from God: "Thou shall have sex before marriage!" or something like that). So I'm not breaking any of the Ten Commandments, and it's safe. I am very religious, and so I believe: Sex can wait — masturbate.
- age 14, Arizona
When my penis looks up at me and says, "Help!" Well... not really; sometimes it's because I really need to — I saw something that turned me on so I rush home from school, go straight to my bedroom, and do it. Sometimes, I just wake up with an erection, and hey — a guy just doesn't waste an erection! Sometimes, it's just out of habit. Undress, go to bed, turn out the light, grab my penis, make it hard, and masturbate to orgasm — just like I've been doing every night since I was 11. I guess once I think about the possibility of masturbating, and I have privacy, the decision is pretty much made.
- age 19, California
When I've just had enough of the buildup of sexual frustrations, I masturbate. Or, I do it when my boyfriend is asleep and has to get up early the next day so we don't have time for sex.
- age 18, Ohio (female)
Let's see...arousal, discovery of an erection (my own, alas), boredom, having a spare moment (or half-hour). You might as well ask what makes me decide to breathe.
- age 30, Washington
Sometimes, I am horny. I experience sexual tension, just as I experience thirst, hunger, or fatigue. Occasionally I defer or deflect these needs into other activities, but ultimately, I get a drink, get some food, or rest (respectively). Sometimes I crave it just for itself. Sometimes I decide to take advantage of an opportunity to be alone, and sometimes it is truly just spontaneous. Last but not least, there are times when I am just so "wound up" from tension, and I know it helps me deal with tension in a non-destructive way (rather than yelling, screaming, or punching my hand through a wall). The best times are when I take my time (minutes, hours), work my way up to a plateau of excitement ("edging"), and otherwise enjoy the sexual ability of my body that God (a higher power) gave me. Sometimes too, I enjoy sharing that intimacy with another human being. That's glorious!
- age 16, Canada
It is something that is just as natural as eating, waking in the morning, or going to sleep at night. You need all 3 to be healthy. Masturbating is our own way of being sexually healthy. Growing up we learn to pleasure ourselves through masturbation. We continue, as it is something we can do for ourselves that no other person can do quite as well. As I said, it is natural and an experience to be enjoyed throughout life.
- age 51, Maryland
When I decide to masturbate, it's most likely because I've had a long and rough day at school, I'm feeling stressed, or I've been working all day and need a little "me-time." In fact, whenever I have a headache, I don't turn to aspirin, but I turn to my hand and the headache just goes away. Typically, I do it twice daily nowadays. But when I was 12 and 13, I used to do it just when I was bored — about two or three times a day. Now, however, I have a purpose and I don't feel ashamed afterwards. I just feel 100% better. I have this web site to thank for helping me realize that masturbation is not wrong; it's one of the best things we can do for ourselves.
- age 16, Connecticut
Nowadays, if I have the time and place available and it won't interfere with more important things, I do it just because it feels good. When I was younger, though, I was a slave to my penis. If I were undressed, I'd automatically get an erection; and if I were alone, I couldn't resist masturbating, even if I kept telling myself to stop. It wasn't my decision then — it was just instinct.
- age 57, Ohio
Waking up. Getting ready to go to sleep. Walking around. Driving around. Seeing someone or something arousing. Breathing. I mean, this is a very open-ended question. Sometimes I am horny. Sometimes I am bored and need a time killer. Sometimes I am down and need a pick-me-up. Sometimes I am anxious and want to relax. The need and urges can change from day to day or even more frequently. Most of all, I know what makes me decide to masturbate is that I want to have that glorious experience of orgasm.
- age 26, Florida (female)
Like most guys, I masturbate for different reasons. I masturbate sometimes to relieve stress. Sometimes after a long day, I just want one thing to go right. Masturbating allows me to control one thing in the day, and even though the pleasure is momentary, it lifts the weight from my shoulders. I also masturbate because I'm sexually aroused. At this teenage stage of my life, my hormones are flaring! What else can I do? Finally, I also masturbate because I'm a bit addicted to the pleasure.
- age 17, California
I masturbate mostly before leaving home to go to work or go out somewhere. This helps me stay in control. Also, I try to masturbate before seeing my guy friends that I lust after to keep from doing something I could regret later. I'm gay and don't want to make a move unless I know the friend is gay and somewhat interested. Masturbation is always a good time!
- age 21, New York
I masturbate because it's encouraged in my house and it feels good.
- age 14, Florida
I used to base my masturbation schedule around when other people were in the general vicinity. In college, roommates' schedules are usually pretty regular, so one can safely predict when and for how long one will be alone. For a while, it was out of habit that I ended up going at it in the 2:00-to-3:30 block of time. Now that I've graduated and have a room of my own, I take great satisfaction in masturbating in the early morning and late night hours I always missed out on during college. Yay for privacy!
- age 21, Tennessee (female)
I decide to masturbate when I'm depressed. In the last year there have been seven deaths at my school — mostly sophomores in car accidents. All of them were my friends. So when all I could do was sit on my bed and scream, I decided to masturbate.
- age 15, Illinois
I choose to masturbate as a physical release since I am single, and also as a therapy for an enlarged prostate gland. The medical research seems to point to testosterone as the problem with prostate cancer; so regular ejaculations will keep the hormone moving out of your body.
- age 61, North Carolina
Most of the time I don't need any external kind of stimulation to know when it's time to masturbate. It's mostly an internal feeling — I start feeling all edgy and I'm aware of my mood changing. If I don't notice it, someone in my family or one of my friends will tell me how crabby or short-tempered I'm being. That's when I know to go and ejaculate. Then I'm back to normal for a few days until the whole cycle starts over again.
- age 17, Canada