There are many ways to show your love for yourself, but self-pleasure might very well be the most fun.
I think we're all pretty familiar with the basics, but do you know how many of your fellow females are masturbating — every day? And what are women's favorite, ehrm, methods?
Here, 12 facts about reaching the big "O" on your own.
Which of these are you most surprised by?
Image via Yuliya Yafimik/Shutterstock
Almost All of Us Do It
Exactly how many women masturbate? According to one study, a whopping 89 percent of women admit to self-pleasuring. We must really like it, right?
Even Married Women Do It
That number slips just a bit after you get married. 70 percent of wives report they masturbate — the same percentage as married men, by the way.
But It's Not a Daily Activity
We all do it, but only 22 percent of women do it daily. Ladies, where do you find the time?!? About half of us manage to fit in a weekly solo session.
Another survey says two-thirds of women masturbate three times a week.
No Tools Necessary
Fifty-three percent of women use a vibrator to self-pleasure while the rest are more hands-on. I wonder how much of that you can attribute to discovering at the last minute that your vibrator needs to be charged again?
More from The Stir: 27 Clever Ways to Have Sex With Yourself
It May Prevent Infection
Now you have another reason to make time for this delightful activity. Self-stimulation may help prevent urinary tract and cervical infections. "Mom, what are you doing in there?" "I'm protecting myself against infection, and I need a few more minutes. Go back to your room!"
It's Good for Your Heart
Fiddling around with yourself has other health benefits: It improves cardiovascular health and lowers your risk of type-2 diabetes.
Confident Women Do It
Research shows that women who self-pleasure have higher self-esteem. Whether that's because confident women are more likely to masturbate, or because masturbating makes you more confident, we think that's a promising combination.
The Real Reason We Have Fainting Couches
In one survey, 88 percent of women said they liked doing it on the sofa. Where's your favorite spot around the house — or do you prefer the great outdoors?
More from The Stir: Masturbation Is the Secret to a Happy Marriage
Don't Get Caught
Nearly half of men report getting caught slapping the salami. But women are more covert: Only 28 percent say they've ever been caught. But of those women, 22 percent said they actually wanted to get caught.
You Really Know What You're Doing
A whopping four out of 10 women say they prefer solo sex over sex with a partner. Maybe it's because we know exactly what works for us?
It Helps You Own Your Body & Your Sexuality
Exploring your sexuality helps you understand it better and take responsibilty for your own pleasure. And that can translate into better sex with your partner, if you can learn how to communicate what you want. And that's good because …
More from The Stir: 5 Benefits of Having Sex With Yourself
It Will Raise Your Libido
There's a myth out there that masturbation will sap your sexual energy and leave you nothing for your partner. That's not necessarily true! If anything, it can make you more sexual.
"When a woman is more consistently turned on because she's allowed to be a sexual individual, she's more likely to want sex more with her partner," Alexandra Jamieson, author of Women, Food and Desire: Embrace Your Cravings, Make Peace With Food, Reclaim Your Body, tells Cosmopolitan.
