ABSTRACT
Solo activities can be enjoyable in their own right, but can also be a safer and easier place to explore what feels good physically and what turns us on mentally, which then benefits us when someone else is involved, too. Masturbation is used as a substitute when partnered sexual activities are not available, but masturbation can also be its own experience that does not try to take the place of partnered sex. It is certainly easier, less complicated, and possibly quicker to spend some time on our own without needing to concern ourselves with someone else’s sexual needs. Both partnered sex and masturbation tend to lead to orgasms, so men seem to use masturbation as a way to make up for the orgasms they are not having with their partner, more so than women do. Regardless of orgasms, we should keep in mind that partnered sexual activities and solo ones can offer different experiences and may serve different purposes.
