Written from a woman's point of view

Almost all female masturbation techniques will focus on stimulating the clitoris in a variety of ways until orgasm is reached. The best way to go about this task is to find a nice, quiet, private place, such as in a bedroom or where most men and women masturbate, the shower. If you're like me, you usually only resort to masturbation when you feel the need for some release of sexual tension, like when you're horny. Of course, masturbation just plain feels good, and doesn't depend on anyone else's ability to satisfy your needs, so often it is a great way to just let loose and relax. There are three main types of masturbation: manual stimulation involving the hands, water stimulation involving showers and jacuzzi jets, and auxilliary stimulation, involving dildos, vibrators, and other sexual toys. Part of the fun of masturbation is self-discovery though, so use the basic techniques here to discover some of your own more complex and more satisfying techniques.

Getting warmed up

Unless you're in a hurry, the best preparation for masturbation is by first arousing yourself through visual or audible stimuli such as movies, magazines, pictures, or whatever else you can think of. This serves to enhance your experience, and prepares your genitals for the type of further stimulation that you choose. This type of "foreplay" can often increase the tension during masturbation and often causes longer-lasting more intense orgasms.

Manual stimulation

When most people first learn how to masturbate, they do so by stimulating themselves with their hands. For women, the clitoris can be stimulated in a wide variety of ways. The best way for you to learn what works and what doesn't is by experimenting. Try rubbing your clitoris in different ways, or if you find it too sensitive to rub directly, stimulate it indirectly by rubbing around it, on the clitoral hood, vagina, or even the labia. If something doesn't seem to work, try varying the intensity, frequency, and pressure.

Water stimulation

The shower or bathtub is often the most private, most erotic place to get yourself off. Not only do you have your hands, but if you have a removable shower-head you can make use of that too. The running water also serves to lubricate and stimulate your entire body. Try to position yourself so that the water filling the tub is flowing right on your vulva, and brace yourself for a truly intense, erotic experience. If you can't do this, try using your hands to direct the flow of water over your clitoris with your hands. Try adjusting the water temperature or shower-head intensity to your liking, and while making use of your hands you're sure to have an explosive orgasm.

If you have access to a private jacuzzi or are alone in a public one, try experimenting with the water jets. Be careful though, they are often high-pressure so start off far away from them and move yourself in closer until you find the intensity that feels the best.

Sex toys

There are many types of things you can use for stimulation. Probably the most common type of toy is the dildo. They are usually made out of rubber or plastic, and often come on the shape of a penis. They are available in a wide variety of sizes, and they don't necessarily have to be huge to deliver the most pleasure. One purpose for dildos is to simulate intercourse, the type of intercourse you could have with a partner if they did everything that YOU want them to do. Again, the best way to find out what will get you off the best is to experiment with one, stimulating the clitoris in a variety of ways both directly and indirectly. You can also experiment with anal masturbation by using a dildo, and if you've never tried it but would like to experiment, using a dildo in your own privacy can be the best way.

Vibrators are another toy. These are often much like dildos, except they have electric motors that make them vibrate. These are much more versatile because the vibrating action can be applied to the clitoris, the entire vulva, the breasts and nipples, and on any part of your body that is sensitive to erotic stimulation. For an even more stimulating adventure, try using them in combination with other forms of manual stimulation.

There are many other types of sexual toys available in novelty shops and more discreetly, online sex shops. If you see something that appeals to you, try it out!

Cooling off

Once you've reached orgasm, you will probably want to take a few moments to savor the feeling and give your body a chance to return to normal. Or, if you are capable of multiple orgasms, you could start stimulating yourself again and again!

This morning I just wrote an articical called Female Masturbation in my new blog Ramblings Of The Heart.  <<----- Click on link to get there.

I added the link to this forum post as an external link so others can find this and learn from it also.

I wrote my article from my personal experiance. Feel free to read it and post a comment. I hope I didn't say anything that is untrue about Female Masturbation.  I think an article about Male Masturbation needs to be written by a man!

Please leave a comment in the comments section if you have a blogger account. If you don't have a blogger account and would like to submit some more information that I have not put in my article. Or if any men would like to submit an article on Male Masturbation please e-mail me from the link in my blog profile. I will give you FULL credit for what you write. Thank You all!

Matt,
Thanks so much for writing this article! You did a great job. It helped me a lot in learning how to masturbate better.
Last night it only took me only 1 minute maybe less, from the time I started to orgasm! What an orgasm it was too!!
Thanks to YOU I can do that now! 

((HUGS))

GothicLover

there's no such thing as normal....well alright like 4 is abnormal.....but no, averages maybe...but no normal

curious 24, make sure you urinate before you get started so that will ease your mind.  Sometimes it does feel like I'm about to pee when I have one, so you are probably getting very close to the good part...

dear curiosgeorgina, there is no such time for a girl or a boy to start masturbations habits.
TABOO: There is not a good sex education from parents to children. To begin to know about your own sexuality you should masturbate to experience the sensations and response of your body.
If you open your mind to it you will learn a lot.. Don't worry you are not doing anything wrong or bad, you will be getting to know yourself better.
Have a Good Time and Enjoy