Tangent #9: The Effects of Masturbation on Your Sex Life

Hey, I almost was able to get 2 posts out within the span of a week! Aren't you all proud of me!??

Alright, so it's been a while since we had a nice little tangent post. What do you say we explore another sexual topic outside of our main storyline?

Today's topic is masturbation. Specifically, the pros and cons of masturbation as related to the quality of your sex life (I know, I'm just into pros and cons lists for some reason). In the interests of quality research, I polled a sample of male and female friends of mine (about 10 each), and asked them the following questions:

1. How often do you masturbate?
2. Do you have more satisfying orgasms when masturbating or having sex?
3. Do you enjoy sex more when you have recently masturbated more or less?
4. Do you masturbate significantly more often when single, as opposed to when in a relationship?
5. Do you openly discuss your masturbation habits with your partners?

Before we get to the answers given by my sample, here are my answers: 1. 3-4 times per week  2. When Masturbating 3. More 4. No  5. Generally No

My sample's answers, divided by gender:

1. Men: Average of 3.3 times per week; Women: Average of 2.4 times per week (closer than I thought)
2. Men: 6/10 had better orgasms masturbating, 4/10 having sex; Women: 8/10 better orgasms masturbating, 2/10 having sex (damn guys, we need to step it up!)
3. Men: 7/10 enjoyed sex more after recent masturbation; Women: 3/10 enjoyed sex more after recent masturbation (interesting....my theory: men struggle more sexually when too aroused, opposite for women)
4. Men: 9/10 masturbate more when single; Women: 6/10 masturbate more when single (hmmmm...)
5. Men: 6/10 don't discuss masturbation habits with partners; Women: 8/10 don't discuss masturbation habits with partners (hmmmmm again!....do people feel threatened by thinking of their partners masturbating? )

So there you have it. Relatively small sample, I know. But intriguing results. More on this topic to come....