Dear Self-pleasuring Sally,

I would love to say yes, but studies show that about 25% more men masturbate than women. A 1992 Kinsey Institute study found that 94% of men ‘admitted’ to regularly masturbating to orgasm. The same study found that only 70% of women ‘admitted’ to self-love.

Experts generally agree that the reason fewer women masturbate is due to negative social stigma. Western society tells men that it is perfectly normal to masturbate and to be sexual. In fact, we even honor our men who have multiple partners with terms such as stud, ladies man, and pimp. ‘Promiscious’ women, on the other hand, are handed labels like slut, tramp, and whore.

The terms we give our genitals are no different. The penis is highly praised with strong, powerful words like sword, one-eyed monster, and trouser snake. The vagina/vulva is not so lucky. Slang terms such as cunt, black hole, and axe wound reassure women that their sexuality is dirty.

Hopefully these negative messages women are hearing about their bodies and sexuality are diminishing. Hopefully women learn that masturbation is perfectly normal, natural, and great fun for men or women. If so, I’m sure women would be masturbating as much as men.

Best regards,