Sexual discovery is extremely important in knowing about sex and intimacy. In addition, some individuals also find that including sex toys can powerfully impact helping to achieve what they may want for their sex lives. We all have sexual needs and desires but are not always sure how our body will react. The giving of pleasure to oneself (masturbation) is a great way to discover how our bodies will respond to pleasure. Not knowing how the body is going to react to intimate touches can cause extreme apprehension.
For example, the thought of losing control over one's bowel or bladder during sex is frightening and can cause a great deal of anxiety for an individual who has never had intimate relations or has not had intimate relations since the onset or progression of their disability. Therefore, a woman with a disability may be concerned about intimacy as she may be unsure of how her body will react. She may find it useful to masturbate, so she knows exactly how her body will respond to sexual stimulation. This can empower and allow her to adjust and accommodate as necessary for an intimate and sexual relationship.
The sexual discovery of our own body can be useful both physically and emotionally. A person with a disability, whether it is a spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disease, autoimmune disease, or any other type of disability, has erogenous zones. Everyone is different in terms of the areas of their body that respond to touch or other types of stimulation with sexual pleasure. Regardless of the type of disability, the brain will continue to send signals of pleasure to these areas of the body. It is a matter of self-discovery and finding those "new areas" that provide sexual pleasure.
Discovering one's own body and how to please oneself is a significant first step. This can be done alone or with a trusted partner. The discovery of one's body allows each individual to become more aware of how their body will react to specific touches on different body areas and what touch may trigger a spasm in specific muscles. Masturbation allows the individual to discover what happens to their body as they begin to relax and release themselves to pleasure and maybe even orgasm.
Why is Masturbation Healthy? Masturbation may…
- Improve your mood and create a natural high
- Help you sleep
- Relieve tension and stress
- Ease body aches and menstrual pain
- Give you pleasure
- Release sexual tension
- Lead to better sex
- Give you a better understanding of your wants and needs
- Give you a better understanding of how your body will react to touch and stimulation
Resources
FQPN. (2017, October 05). Taking your body for a ride: Masturbation and disability. Accessed December 13, 2021.
Nichols, H. (2020, January 23). Are there side effects to masturbation? Accessed December 13, 2021.
Parenthood, P. (2020). Masturbation: Get the facts about masturbation health. Accessed December 13, 2021.
pleasureABLE – Sexual Device Manual for Persons with Disabilities. Accessed December 13, 2021.
Scaccia, A. (2020, March 1). How to masturbate with a Regina: 28 tips and tricks for Solo play. Accessed December 13, 2021.