Finally, here are some comments to help people who worry about being "normal." Being aroused by something that seems strange or is new to you – such as playing with your anus, eating your semen, masturbating with a friend, or cross-dressing – does not necessarily mean that you are gay. It also doesn't necessarily mean that you are straight. We humans are sexual beings and show profound variation in our sexual response. Check out the Homosexuality essay for more information.
Also, you should approach some of these techniques with care and respect for your own body. Whenever you heat anything to place next to your genitals, you risk burning yourself. Always test it first against sensitive skin elsewhere on your body, such as the inside of your wrist or your cheek. There is nothing unsafe about eating your semen, although you may find the taste strange. But playing with your anus risks exposure to bacteria and internal injury. Use plenty of lubrication, and wash your hands and toys carefully with soapy warm water when you are finished. Toys should be small, smooth, and without sharp edges or corners. Pulling on your testicles or squeezing them involves a slight risk of injuring them, either by bruising or by twisting a testicle in the scrotum so that its blood supply is cut off. Be gentle and careful if you play with them.]
I like the good old-fashioned Fist. Not being circumcised has led me to try many techniques, but I still like to have my thumb on top and the fingers on the bottom and stroke the skin up and down. The Fist makes the foreskin rub on the ridge of the glans really well. I also like to hold the base of my penis with my left hand to stop the foreskin from moving up and down, while stroking with the right hand. It simulates being circumcised and provides great pleasure.
- age 26, Australia
My favorite is what I started with – one handed, but not fisting. I use just my fingertips on the bottom of my penis and my thumb on the back, usually with something to look at, such as a Web site, magazine, or just a fantasy.
- age 18, Washington
I pull on the skin under the head of my penis. I get it between my thumb and finger and pull firmly and steadily. I ejaculate really hard this way. I was circumcised, but over the years I have stretched the skin a lot there.
- age 51, Virginia
My favorite technique when I have time is to take a banana and eat the good part. I cut the banana carefully so there is only one slit. Then I pop a sexy movie into the VCR and warm the banana peel in the microwave (not too hot!). Then I slip my penis into the banana and have the time of my life. Plus, if you cut the banana just right (so the slit doesn't go all the way to the end), there's practically no cleanup.
- age 14, Canada
"I like to use a piece of lunchmeat.
It eliminates the natural association of touch."
I like to use a piece of lunchmeat that has been warmed (not too hot!). This provides a warm, slippery surface and eliminates the natural association of touch (the reason you cannot tickle yourself). With a firm grip and slow motion, this will give you one of the best releases you can get.
- age 55, California
My all-time favorite is "the pillow technique." First, it is the one I started with, and I've stuck with it. It entails thrusting my penis across a pillow, preferably a smooth one. Eventually the feeling builds up and the great release occurs. It's an excellent variation if you are tired of using your hand to get to climax.
- age 15, Pennsylvania
I never masturbated until I was 32, so I have a lot of catching up to do! I love to talk to men on the phone while I masturbate – rubbing my clitoris with the new baby oil GEL. It feels so natural and wonderful on my clitoris!
- age 33, Michigan (female)
The most sensitive part of my penis is just behind the head underneath the shaft. I think it's called the frenulum. The skin on my shaft is quite loose, even though I'm circumcised. I pinch this skin between my thumb and forefinger then rub them together. (Put your thumb and forefinger together at the tips and make little circular motions so that each finger is swirling on the surface of the other's tip.) Doing it this way I can climax right away, so I usually save it for last.
- age 28, Massachusetts
I like the simple Backhand grip – so much pleasure, so little complication. Try using silk or light cotton pants or other clothing over your penis when masturbating – pure heaven!
- age 12, Minnesota
I love to lie back on my bed with my pants and underwear off. I have a dildo that I use sometimes. First, I slide my finger over my clitoris and get myself wet. I love being completely relaxed while I do it. Usually I have soft, erotic music on. I start getting to the point where it's feeling really good, and I use the dildo to slide in and out while I keep fingering myself. Sometimes I stop one movement or the other to use a hand to hold my breast and caress and suck it. I make it a completely enjoyable experience. Sometimes I bring the dildo into the shower and let the water from the showerhead hit my clitoris. That is one of the best feelings!
- age 18, Texas (female)
After getting my penis erect, I like to stroke it slowly until climax becomes inevitable. Then I slow down even more. The sensations are like no other, since the tightness in my calves and thighs feels like a burning sensation. Finally, I climax and drop into a state of relaxation. I love to do it out in the sunshine – that even heightens the feeling. The old sandwich baggie between the couch cushions is also good.
- age 52, Michigan
I like to use just one finger over the sensitive area on my penis and rub there gently. Occasionally, I use the other hand to probe my anus. This gives me a great sensation. When orgasm nears, I like to hold my legs in the air for a tingly sensation when I ejaculate.
- age 16, England
I've tried other masturbation techniques, but the right-hand pump is always what I go back to, especially when I'm close to orgasm. I like the control it provides. There is a lot you can do within the tried and true! I do find ways to enhance the sensations, like using the other hand to rub down from my navel to my penis, or applying pressure to the right side of the base of my penis.
- age 22, Louisiana
My favorite has always been the simple "Fist" technique. I have tried others, but nothing really compares. Not only does it get the job done, it also gives the best feeling. Other techniques are a little too complicated for me, and I think some are downright painful!
- age 18, Connecticut
My favorite technique is for my wife to sit across from me and fill her hands with Victoria's Secret Champagne & Strawberries hand lotion (because it smells super sexy), rub her hands together, and start stroking my penis. Then I start to stimulate her vagina. When I ejaculate, she holds me close and we climax together. It is the absolute best!
- age 20, Alabama
I like to masturbate after getting soaking wet with my clothes on in the shower or the bathtub. I just start rubbing the front of my jeans and ejaculate in my underwear.
- age 15, Belgium
My all-time favorite is one that I use only when I know I'll have plenty of time. After taking a long bath, I start by caressing and licking my nipples, all the while watching myself in the mirror. Then I lie down on the bed and begin caressing my inner thighs, which by this time are very sensitive to touch. I work my way up to my genitals, running my fingers lightly over my vaginal lips and clitoris. (I found that shaving off my pubic hair makes this more enjoyable.) When I'm well worked up, I slip my dildo into my vagina and thrust it in and out while I stroke my clitoris. Never has this failed to bring me to an intense orgasm. Heck, just writing about it has gotten me aroused!
- age 37, California (female)
I like to masturbate with a piece of smooth closed-cell foam-rubber pipe insulation that's used to insulate refrigeration lines. It's very flexible and expands slightly to conform to the size of your erect penis. I use a little K-Y lube, stuff a Kleenex into the end to catch the semen, position it between two pillows, and hump away. I've used this method for 27 years and only the "real thing" surpasses it. This product is available in a variety of sizes at most large building supply stores.
- age 48, Florida
I like to lie on my back, pillow on my stomach, towel on the pillow, my arm on top of the pillow pretty much with my elbow locked, and use a reverse grip on my penis. Well lubricated (of course), I just start to rock with my hips – nice and slow. The buildup feeling is awesome. I've had intercourse only about a dozen times, and for me, this feels almost exactly like having my girlfriend on top. It is *so* nice!
- age 18, Ohio
"I like to masturbate with my potter's wheel.
It sends me screaming."
I like to masturbate with my potter's wheel. I take a big cone of clay and moisten it on the wheel. As it spins I straddle it and slowly let myself down. The wet clay rises up into my vagina, and I can change the speed with the footpedal. I usually don't make noise, but this technique sends me screaming!
- age 15, Maine (female)
I like to get an erection and lightly stroke the head of my penis until "pre-cum" starts to flow. Then I use the pre-cum as a lubricant. With my index finger I spread "pre-cum" around the head of my penis. As more pre-cum comes out, I continue this way, using the "Stop & Go" technique until I just can't take it anymore. Then I stroke to orgasm.
- age 34, Wisconsin
My favorite is what you call the "Rosy Palm" [JackinExpert Collection] – basically because it makes me ejaculate more and I have a more powerful orgasm that lasts longer. Plus, you can really get into the sensation while you do it. It's really relaxing. The only con is that it takes several minutes to pull off.
- age 15, Pennsylvania
I grip my penis firmly in my left hand and pull my foreskin back so the glans [head] is fully exposed. Then with thumb and forefinger I move the skin up and down so the folds of foreskin rub up against the ridge at the base of the glans. This makes the glans extra large and extra sensitive; as "pre-cum" appears I smooth it over the glans with a fingertip, which usually sends me over the edge. Short sharp strokes bring me to ejaculation, and as each upward stroke rubs the skin up against the base of the glans, a spurt of semen shoots out – just great!
- age 34, United Kingdom
I love to masturbate. I do it every day. My favorite way is to get naked and lie down on my bed and rub lotion all over my body – especially on my breasts and between my legs. Then I like to slide something inside my vagina while thinking of a guy sliding his penis in an out of me. Since I don't have a vibrator, I usually use something like a banana that fits well. I like to do it in different positions, like spreading my legs as far apart as they can go. Or pulling them up way back to my shoulders.
- age 13, Florida (female)
I like to use the Backhand grip with my left hand. That way I can use my right hand to scroll through my favorite Web sites (such as JackinWorld) and masturbate at the same time!
- age 22, Louisiana
I lie face-down on a soft surface. Then I rock my pelvis, thrust, and hump the surface. Since I'm uncircumcised, my penis moves around under my foreskin and delivers an incredible sensation. I've used this technique ever since kindergarten. (Yep, kindergarten!) I would love to be able to masturbate like most guys, but when I use the fist I don't climax! Oh well, maybe when I'm older.
- age 13, New York
I like the "Stop & Go" method. Although I usually want to masturbate to relief immediately, "Stop & Go" lets me feel the full sensation of my orgasm. I always called this method "the stroke that went too far" because I stop-and-go to the point that when I start again, just one or two very slow strokes will cause the ejaculation.
- age 24, Pennsylvania
My favorite is for uncircumcised men; I like to call it retraction. Retract your foreskin with your left hand and keep it retracted. With your well-lubricated right hand, encircle your penis and masturbate as usual. The secret of the technique is that by keeping the foreskin retracted you cause the underside of the penis to receive direct stimulation. The result is an intense orgasm.
- age 24, North Carolina
My favorite technique is simple – I do it slowly. Barely approaching climax and then backing down is the best way I've found yet. There are lots of different methods and tricks, but this is the easiest way to dramatically improve what you get from masturbation.
- age 17, Florida
I lie on my waterbed with my legs spread wide open and extended straight out. I hold my lips open with my left hand and lightly tap my clitoris with the index finger of my right hand slowly, getting faster until I have the best orgasm ever.
- age 20, Canada (female)
This is my *first* technique. I was about 15 or 16 and sitting on the toilet before taking a shower. I had an erection, so I put it between my thighs, which I pressed together tightly. I started pumping until I pumped semen all over the place. Thank God I was in the bathroom where the cleanup was easier!
- age 36, Texas
I like to hold my dildo on the floor so it points straight up at me. Then I sit down on it and bounce up and down. With my free hand I pinch my nipples or rub my clitoris. I reach climax very quickly like this – and I think you will, too.
- age 16, California (female)
The basic grip! I have been a regular JackinWorld reader for over a year now. Each week I have tried the Technique of the Week to find a new way to enjoy and prefect the art of masturbation. Frequently when trying a new technique I get impatient, grasp my erect penis, and finish it off using the Fist. Somehow, there isn't anything better than putting those 4 fingers under my penis, clamping down with my thumb, gripping hard, and sliding my loose skin up and down. There's something about that special feeling that just is not duplicated in other techniques. All methods are fun, but the Fist is still my standby!
- age 63, Florida
I favor "Stop & Go" combined with other techniques. It's even better to do it with someone else. It really blows your mind if you can prolong the session for over 30 minutes.
- age 18, Finland
I like to masturbate in a number of ways, but ever since I was a girl, I've had a favorite way of ending. When the feeling mounts and I'm flushed from head to toe and ready to go over a major edge, I flip onto my front side. I bury my face in the sheets with my finger on just the *right* spot, clamp my thighs around my hand hard, and kind of go rigid all over while I *wiggle* that fingertip against my clitoris and lips until that rush of feeling begins. I may have several orgasms but I always have the main one this way. Maybe I chose it because it feels so intensely private, or because my hand helped to catch the rush of wetness when I worried about being found out. It gives me feelings I can't get with my legs spread, even during intercourse.
- age 37, Oregon (female)
"I find masturbation to be a lot more rewarding
if I transform it into a full-body experience."
When I feel the need to masturbate, I like to pay attention to all parts of my body rather than just my penis. I will play with my nipples and then gently stroke my thighs and belly. I even take pleasure in anal play (I usually use a toy for that, though). Generally I just explore my body with my hands. I find the end result of masturbation to be a lot more rewarding if I transform it into a full-body experience.
- age 20, Washington
I enjoy masturbating with a lubricated condom. Usually I roll the rubber on and then pull up my briefs. I masturbate through my briefs until I ejaculate into the condom. Afterwards, I rinse the rubber and save it for another time. I highly recommend this technique – easy clean-up, feels good, and condoms are fun to masturbate with. [Never re-use a condom when you're having intercourse. -Ed.]
- age 26, Florida
I just go with the popular "sitting in front of the computer" method. Of course, you have to dress down for the occasion, but stroking it while looking at naked people on the screen is what does it for me. Just remember to lock the door to the bedroom so your roommates don't catch you. (How I wish I had!)
- age 27, California