May is National Masturbation Month

The month of May is "National Masturbation Month." Which nation, do you ask? The U.S., but if you are not a U.S. citizen, feel free to join in anyway... just rub one off and it won't matter which country started it.


Well, just how did this a national celebration of self-love get started? The beginnings go back to 1994 with then U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders gave a speechat the United Nations World AIDS Day. After the speech, she was asked a question about masturbation possibly being taught to discourage sexual activity in teens. She answered, "I think it is something that is part of human sexuality and a part of something that perhaps should be taught."


That answer caused the end of Dr. Elders' service as Surgeon General.


In response the firing of Ms. Elders and to increase awareness of self-pleasure as a strategy for safer and healthier sex and to de-stigmatize masturbation, the founders of San Francisco based sex toy and education shop "Good Vibrations" began promoting May as "National Masturbation Month." This is really no different than the other special designations for months of the year, such as October for "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month" and February is "Black History Month."


Having May be "National Masturbation Month" is not just another excuse to whack off in front of the computer watching XTube videos or reading a porn blog (yea, like you only read them for the articles). People should know that it is OK and natural to masturbate. For so long, shame and stigma have been attached to masturbating. Yet the truth is it is an activity so commonplace, natural, pleasurable and healthy it is said "ninety-eight percent of us masturbate, and the other two percent are liars."


A 2007 article in Sexual and Relationship Therapy notes that masturbation may help men improve immune system function, build resistance to prostate gland infection, promote overall prostate health. Moreover, Australian researchers have shown that frequent masturbation may lower a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.


Women who masturbate regularly increase their resistance to yeast infections. Masturbation helps women release pre-menstrual tension and other physical discomfort associated with menstrual cycles, like cramps. Masturbation increases blood flow to the pelvic region, which helps to reduce pelvic cramping and related backaches. Masturbation can also help to alleviate chronic back pain and increase a woman’s overall pain threshold.


So don't sit there! Go celebrate!