The Last Taboo

Men and masturbation. Can you ever say you've ever met a guy who wouldn't admit that he indulges in solo 'sessions'? Me neither. When it comes to discussing sex, men have no shame about self-service. But when it comes to women, we become coy, we clam as if we never heard of the word masturbation. Masturbation is still a taboo subject. But television programmes like The Sex in the City, Embarrassing Bodies are helping people see that's its normal way of getting to know your body, and nothing to be embarrassed about.


According to a National Health and Social Life Survey, 96% of women masturbate, with 56% fitting in a session every other day. But when I asked some girls whether they'ed be happy talking about it, more than half of them said they would feel ashamed or awkward.

The new threesome is me, myself and I.

So why are women so shy when it comes to self-love. According to orgasm coach Dr Lisa Turner, "We still have a lot of guilt and shame around experiencing sexual pleasure. Women have only relatively recently been 'allowed to enjoy sex, and that hasn't yet filtered down to masturbation.
"But masturbation is beneficial in so many ways, from releasing hormones and chemical that boost mood and health, to better sex. By opening up about masturbation women can build sexual confidence and learn about bodies and how to enjoy them without negative feelings.


Hands-on health

• Masturbation can burn as many as 150 calories in one session.
• If you're struggling to sleep, an orgasms is an effective natural sedative as the release of Oxycontin and other endorphin's create a sense of tranquility.
• It's a pill-free painkiller, relieving backaches and headaches (thanks again, Oxycontin) and also menstrual cramps, by increasing blood flow to the pelvic region.
• Self-pleasure can help prevent uniary tract and yeast infections. When we orgasm, the cervix opens, allowing 'friendly bacteria to flush out organisms that may cause infection.
• Masturbation is a powerful mood elevator as the feelgood hormones dopamine is released during the build-up to climax.
• Studies show that women who experiencing frequent orgasm have a greater resistance to conary heart disease and type-2 diabetes.