Spice Up Alone Time: Masturbation Tips for Men

Once a man reaches middle adulthood, chances are he's got a pretty good grip on masturbation, so to speak. But all that "research" might make for a monotonous routine. As boys hit adolescence and ride that tsunami of hormones, they learn to be sneaky and quick when it comes to self-pleasure to avoid getting caught. Once they've grown up, they tend to continue the patterns they developed in their youth, including rapid-fire masturbation.

Luckily, as adults, most men don't need to worry about a parent or younger sibling walking in while they're in the middle of getting hot and heavy with themselves. Taking a foot off the gas and actually enjoying masturbation is way overdue for many men.

Here are a few tips and tricks to breathe new life into an old, favorite pastime.

Wank after your workout

If you've ever noticed you're extra horny after putting in some time at the gym, you're not alone—although it might be nice to spend a few minutes alone after you hit the showers.

Working out releases hormones such as dopamine and adrenaline, increases blood flow and relaxes your pelvic floor muscles—all of which encourage sexual stimulation and put you in the mood. A good crank could be the perfect ending to your workout.

Switch your grip

Most guys stick to the same go-to grip for self-pleasure. If you typically use your dominant hand, try switching sometimes. You've probably heard jokes about "the stranger," or sitting on your hand until it falls asleep so it doesn't seem like it's you at the gear shift.

Now that's obviously silly, but the truth is that changing hands, switching to an overhand grip—with your index finger closest to your groin—or adding a twisting motion can kick open new floodgates of sensation.

Avoid 'death-grip syndrome'

Speaking of grip, a real danger for practiced masturbators caught in a rut is "death-grip syndrome", a (perhaps overdramatic) colloquial term referring to masturbation with a particularly tight grip. It's also shorthand for masturbating in a specific style, like when humping a pillow or another item becomes the only way you can get off.

Men with death-grip syndrome often find it hard to orgasm with a partner since the sensations between their particular style of masturbation and penetrative or oral sex are so different. You can combat this potential desensitization by slowing down, changing your grip and using more lubricant.

Use toys

While it's commonly accepted that many women love a good vibrator or other sex toy, a stigma still surrounds guys getting in on the action. The use of toys is a normal part of sexual play, and with the ease of online ordering and discreet delivery, there's no reason why men can't enjoy a friend with batteries. There are a ton of suction-type devices out there that will get you off, potentially simulate a partner's body, help you overcome your stale jacking routine and free you from the dreaded death-grip syndrome.

Don't forget the prostate

While you're perusing the array of masturbation aids available these days, don't forget to look into toys for prostate stimulation. The not-so-dirty secret about the male orgasm is that while it's stimulated by the penis, it originates in the prostate, the walnut-shaped gland located between the rectum and bladder. As every man who's had a digital prostate exam at the doctor's office knows, you can feel the prostate through the wall of your rectum. What far too few men understand is that pressure on the prostate may lead to intense orgasms. Even a small prostate stimulator inserted into the rectum during masturbation can be an eye-opening experience.

Explore your body and sexuality

Masturbation is a normal, enjoyable activity that men can take part in throughout their lives. Once males reach adulthood, it's high time to abandon the furtive masturbation sessions of youth and take the time for a fully fleshed-out exploration of their body and sexuality. Loosening up self-imposed constraints when spending some quality solo time can not only make a man a jack-of-all jack-off trades, it can also help free him up for more fun with partners.