What is a Masturbation Month?
Masturbation Month: Masturbation Month is May, a month set aside to talk openly about solo sex, self pleasure, and the toys that make it easier and more fun to enjoy.
Also known as: National Masturbation Month, Masturbation May.
Masturbation Month lands every May and it exists to take some of the shame out of solo sex. It started as a way to push back against the idea that pleasuring yourself is something to hide, and it has grown into a yearly excuse to explore new toys, new techniques, and a more relaxed relationship with your own body.
Even though the name sounds playful, it points at a real adult topic. This entry covers where the month came from, how people mark it, and how to pick toys like male masturbators, vibrators, and other solo play tools if you want to join in. Go at your own pace with any of it. There is no rush and no wrong way to enjoy your own body.
What Is Masturbation Month
Masturbation Month is a whole month, every May, given over to open talk about solo sex. It is not run by one official body. Sex toy shops, sex educators, and wellness brands mark it with sales, articles, and events meant to normalize masturbation instead of treating it as a punchline or a secret.
The core idea is simple. Pleasuring yourself is a normal, common part of human sexuality, and it deserves the same honest, judgment free conversation as any other part of sex. For a lot of people, the month is just a nudge to slow down, try something new, and stop feeling weird about a habit almost everyone has.
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Where Did Masturbation Month Come From
The commonly told origin runs like this. In 1994, US Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders suggested at a United Nations conference that masturbation is a normal part of human sexuality and could be discussed as part of sex education. The comment caused a political storm and she was pushed out of office shortly after.
According to Good Vibrations, the San Francisco sex toy shop that coined the month, it declared May National Masturbation Month in 1995 in response to Elders being forced out. The idea was to defend her and to make a public statement that solo sex is healthy and worth talking about without embarrassment. That account is repeated by organizations like Planned Parenthood, and the grassroots origin is why the month has always had a strong thread of body positive, shame free messaging running through it.
How to Celebrate Masturbation Month
There is no required ritual, so you can make it as simple or as involved as you like. Some people use the month to finally try a toy they have been curious about. Others just set aside a bit of unhurried, private time without their phone, which sounds small but often gets skipped in a busy life.
A few easy starting points. Try a new male masturbator or stroker if you have never used one. Experiment with a water based lube to see how much smoother touch feels. Read up on your own anatomy, whether that is the penis, the vulva, or the prostate, so you know what you are working with. None of this needs to be a big production. Slow and curious beats rushed every time.
Choosing Toys for Solo Play
If Masturbation Month gets you shopping, focus on body safe materials first. Medical grade silicone, ABS plastic, and glass are common choices for a reason. They are non porous, easy to clean, and gentle on skin compared to cheaper jelly or rubber blends.
Male masturbators, often called strokers, are a popular pick because they come in a huge range of textures, tightness levels, and shapes, from simple sleeves to app connected, hands free designs. Vibrating versions add extra sensation for people who enjoy stronger stimulation. Vaginal masturbators and other vibrators work on the same principle for other anatomy, and prostate toys are worth a look if anal stimulation interests you.
Lube matters more than people expect. Water based lube is the safe default for almost every toy material, including silicone toys, since silicone based lube can break down silicone over time. Always check the manufacturer's care instructions for your specific toy before pairing it with any lubricant.
Keep charging and cleaning separate. If a toy is not rated waterproof by its maker, treat that as a rule about protecting the toy from damage, not just a suggestion. Never charge a toy while it is wet, and only submerge a toy in water if the manufacturer specifically says it is safe to do so.
Is Masturbation Healthy
For most people, masturbation is a normal, low risk way to relieve stress, learn what feels good, and get better sleep. It is often used as a simple way to check in with your own body and figure out what kind of touch, pressure, or toy works for you, which can also make partnered sex more satisfying later.
This is general wellness information, not medical advice, and HotCherry is not a substitute for a doctor. If masturbation ever causes pain, feels compulsive in a way that worries you, or gets in the way of daily life, that is worth bringing up with a doctor or a qualified sex therapist rather than trying to self diagnose.
Talking About Masturbation Month With a Partner
If you are in a relationship, Masturbation Month is a low pressure excuse to bring up solo sex without it feeling like an accusation. Framing it as a shared, playful topic, rather than a confession, tends to go over better. Something like mentioning an article you read or a toy you are curious about opens the door easily.
Solo play is not a replacement for partnered intimacy and does not need to be treated as competition. Many couples use the month to swap toy recommendations, try mutual masturbation together, or just agree that alone time is healthy and does not need to be hidden. As always, consent and honesty are what make any of this comfortable rather than awkward.
Masturbation Month vs No Nut November: Quick Comparison
| Masturbation Month | No Nut November | |
|---|---|---|
| When it happens | Every May | Every November |
| Main idea | Encourages solo sex and open talk about it | Encourages abstaining from masturbation for the month |
| Origin | Coined by Good Vibrations in 1995, by its own account, to support open talk about masturbation | Grew online as an internet challenge and meme |
| Tone | Body positive, pleasure focused | Often framed as a discipline or willpower challenge |
| Any health backing | Loosely tied to general sexual wellness messaging | No established health basis for benefits claimed |
Types of Masturbation Month Toys
If you want to mark the month with a new toy, these are some of the most common categories to look at.
- Male masturbators and strokers: Textured sleeves for the penis, from simple manual tubes to automatic and app controlled designs.
- Vibrators: Bullets, wands, and clitoral suction toys for external stimulation, plus insertable styles for internal play.
- Dildos: Non vibrating insertable toys in a range of sizes and shapes, with a flared base if intended for anal use.
- Prostate toys: Curved massagers with a flared base for anal use, aimed at prostate stimulation.
- Lube and toy care: Water based lube, toy cleaner, and storage pouches that make every other toy on this list more comfortable and longer lasting.
Curious to try? Browse our beginner friendly male masturbators and take your time choosing. Every HotCherry order ships discreetly.
Key Things to Know
- May is National Masturbation Month, which helps explain sales and content you see on sex toy sites every spring.
- By the commonly told account, the month traces back to the controversy around Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, so it has a political, non commercial origin.
- Body safe materials like silicone, ABS plastic, and glass are worth prioritizing when buying a masturbator, since they are non porous and easier to clean.
- Water based lube is the safest general choice, especially with silicone toys, because silicone lube can degrade silicone material over time.
- Masturbation is a normal part of sexual wellness for most people, but ongoing pain or distress is a reason to talk to a doctor, not just push through it.
FAQ
When is Masturbation Month?
Masturbation Month happens every May. It is not tied to a single official organization, so different sex toy shops, educators, and wellness sites may mark it with their own events, articles, or sales throughout the month.
Why was Masturbation Month started?
According to Good Vibrations, the San Francisco sex toy shop that coined it, May was declared National Masturbation Month in 1995 in response to Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders being pushed out of office after saying masturbation is a normal part of human sexuality that could be part of sex education. That account is widely repeated, including by Planned Parenthood.
Is masturbation actually good for you?
For most people, masturbation is a normal and generally low risk activity that can relieve stress, help with sleep, and help you learn what kind of touch feels good. It is not a treatment for any medical condition, and if you have pain, distress, or concerns about frequency, a doctor or sex therapist is the right person to talk to.
What toys are good for Masturbation Month?
Male masturbators, also called strokers, are a popular starting point and come in many textures and tightness levels. Vibrators, vaginal masturbators, and prostate toys are also common choices depending on your anatomy and what kind of stimulation you enjoy.
Is Masturbation Month the same as No Nut November?
No, they are essentially opposites. Masturbation Month in May encourages open, shame free solo sex, while No Nut November in November is an internet challenge built around abstaining from masturbation, with no real health backing behind it.
Do I need a partner's permission to celebrate Masturbation Month?
You do not need permission to enjoy solo sex on your own body, but open communication tends to make things smoother in a relationship. Many couples simply mention it casually or use the month as a light hearted way to talk about toys and preferences together.
Related Terms
Sources
- Planned Parenthood: “May is National Masturbation Month, a great opportunity to make time for yourself”
- International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM): “they can deteriorate silicone sex toys”
- Mayo Clinic Press: “A silicone lubricant on a silicone dilator can degrade the material”
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