13 Ways to Switch Up Your Masturbation Routine

Is your masturbation routine stuck in a rut? You're gonna want to read this!

If you weren't already aware, May is International Masturbation Month. Not that anyone needs a special month or even a reason to masturbate, for that matter.

What is International Masturbation Month?

What makes International Masturbation Month so special isn't just the fact that it celebrates human sexuality and self-love, but that it was originally created by the fine people over at Good Vibrations to honor Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders.

Elders was fired from her position as U.S. Surgeon General in December of 1994 by then-president Bill Clinton because she dared to suggest—gasp!—that masturbation should be included in sex education for students across the country. Because her firing wasn't just disgraceful, as masturbation is something that should be taught, but also a step backward in embracing the right to self-pleasure, May 7, 1995 was declared the first National Masturbation Day. Since then, it has evolved into a worldwide month-long celebration of everyone's favorite alone-time activity.

Masturbation Routine

While studies have found that the majority of people do masturbate, sometimes we tend to get stuck in the same old routine. While nothing is wrong with having a masturbation routine, as human beings are creatures of habit, sometimes you need to spice things up. And, International Masturbation Month is the perfect time to take your masturbation game to new levels. Why? Because pleasure is a human right and you deserve to experience it in all its forms!

13 Ways to Switch Up Your Masturbation Routine

1. Try a new position.

If you're someone who tends to masturbate solely on your back or on your front, then flip. Masturbating on your back can feel really hot, as you lay there with your legs spread, but so can laying on your stomach, as you hump your way to orgasmic bliss.

Or, even better, get out of bed and try squatting or standing, or getting on all fours. There's no right or wrong way to masturbate, and you might find that what you've become accustomed to isn't exactly the best way for you—like, maybe you've actually been a legs-over-your-head masturbator this whole time, but you didn't realize it until you gave it a try.

2. Get to know your G-spot.

If you have a G-spot and have yet to locate it, stimulate it, or experience the pleasure it can bring to your masturbation routine, the time is now. Although most people with vulvas tend to rely on their clitoris for orgasms, once you start experimenting with your G-spot it can take things in a whole new direction.

Stimulating the G-spot can result in not just a vaginal orgasm, but can also lead to ejaculation. Yes! You can be one of those people who squirts! And, no, squirting is not urine. It may come from the urethra canal, as urine does, but it's actually a clear liquid that can be released when the G-spot is stimulated for a certain amount of time. Granted, that "certain amount of time," varies from body to body.

3. Watch yourself in the mirror.

While this might conjure up that Broad City episode where Ilana props up a mirror above her so she can watch herself masturbate, there's a reason why this is something worth trying: your genitals are awesome.

I once interviewed legendary sex educator, Betty Dodson, and this was a technique that she suggested because it really does give you a new perspective and watching your genitals respond to such stimulation is pretty hot.

4. Explore edging.

Oh, edging! That's exactly what you'll be saying once you've given it a whirl and realized just how fantastic the impact it has on your orgasm. Edging is the practice of bringing yourself as close to orgasm as possible, then stopping. As in, a full STOP. Once the urge to climax has backed down, you do it again. And again. And as many times as you want.

Now, why would someone deny themselves over and over? Simple: it leads to stronger and, for some, even longer orgasms. Like any method of teasing, once you finally allow yourself to give in to pleasure, the experience is extra sweet.

5. Use genital enhancing serums.

We're lucky enough to live in a time when so many options, in regard to pleasure, are at our pleasure. One such thing that will give your masturbation routine and orgasms an extra kick are genital enhancing serums.

Whilst there are many on the market like the ever-popular clitoral arousal serum by System JO, I prefer sticking to an organic, body-friendly CBD product. Foria, for example, has a line of CBD arousal oils that definitely hit the spot. Should you live in a state where marijuana is legal, you can also get your hands on their THC arousal lube. Both are great for those who struggle to orgasm because it puts your genitals at ease, relaxing them, and making climax easier to reach.

6. Watch porn.

If you're a visual person, as in visual things tend to stimulate you more than fantasies alone, then try watching some porn. No matter your kink or fetish, there is porn out there for you.

If you've never watched porn, but are intrigued as to how it can enhance your masturbation routine, ethical pornographer, Erika Lust and her XConfessions series is definitely something to look in to. Again, Lust has something for everyone and has, most recently, released a new erotic film, "Sex and Love in the Time of Quarantine."

7. Try mutual masturbation.

Whether you live with your partner or have been sexting someone who just met on an app, awaiting the day that you can meet IRL, mutual masturbation is a great way to discover not just your body, but the body of the person with whom you're enjoying it with.

In person, you can practice mutual masturbation side-by-side or by watching each other stimulate your own bodies. If the person you want to mutually masturbate with isn't physically accessible at the moment, as this sheltering-in-place is still in effect, then Zoom or FaceTime work too. Throw in some dirty talk while you each get yourselves off, and you have a recipe for not just another form of intimacy, but another way to make masturbating even more exciting.

8. Use more than one toy a time.

In a world with so many sex toys to choose from, why would you masturbate with just one? If you're someone who enjoys stimulating the clit, as well as anal stimulation at the same time, combining the Le Wand Deux with the b-Vibe Rimming Butt Plug, will have you singing Hallelujah in no time!

If you're more into clitoral and G-spot stimulation at the same time, then look no further than Le Wand's new line of stainless steel sex toys combined with, for example, the Plug In Vibrator. The sky is literally the limit here, so reach for those stars!

9. Read erotica.

If you're not a visual type of person and prefer worlds to get you there, so to speak, then reading erotica while you masturbate is a perfect way to enhance your masturbation routine.

Although finding the right erotica might be a trial and error process, similar to porn, there's something for everyone. Authors like Colette, the Marquis de Sade, and Anaïs Nin are classic erotica writers, but if you're looking for more current writers, Elena Ferrante and Sierra Simone, among others, also have some pretty hot words out on the market.

10. Seduce yourself.

Although some moments call for getting in and getting out when it comes to masturbation, it doesn't always have to be that way. Instead, seduce yourself by putting on your favorite arousing songs, lighting some candles, and donning something that makes you feel sexy. You can make an evening of it. Especially this International Masturbation Month since we're all stuck at home—you might as well take your time.

11. Treat yourself to a new sex toy.

When was the last time you bought yourself a new sex toy? If you have to pause, look up, and think, then it's been too long and you need to spice up your masturbation routine!

The best part about International Masturbation Month is that sex toy retailers will be celebrating too and are likely to have sales (cough, Le Wand, cough!) on selected items. So buy yourself that toy you've been eye-spying for months and put it to use. Variation is the spice of life and, frankly, you more than deserve a new toy this year.

12. Use lube.

If you've never heard the term, "wetter is better," then it's time to get that thinking into your head. Whether you opt for a dildo to penetrate either your or your partner's vagina or anus (prostate play, anyone?!) or prefer sticking to external toys that stimulate the vulva and clitoris, lube can make masturbation far more delectable.

The slippery smoothness of a water-based lube is exactly what your masturbation routine needs. Just be wary when purchasing lubes, as silicone-based ones don't go well with silicone toys. Head over to the Sensual Care section to find the lube that's right for you.

13. Aim for other types of orgasms.

Fun fact: there's more than one type of orgasm out there. There are U-spot, G-spot, and A-spot orgasms among others! There are also people who can experience nipple orgasms and skin orgasms. And, of course, there are coveted multiple orgasms and even the blended orgasm. The latter involves experiencing an orgasm with both G-spot and clitoral stimulation at once. Although it might seem, at first, that these might be difficult to achieve- practice, exploration, patience, and believing in yourself can get you there. The Little Engine That Could didn't get over that mountain without a lot of determination and patience. But if she could do it, so can you!

When you realize there are so many other ways to experience pleasure, it not only takes your physical pleasure to new heights but opens your mind too. So, get to it and celebrate this year's International Masturbation Month by giving these goodies a try.