Did you know that masturbation is good for your health? We all know orgasms feel awesome. Yet a lot of folks have no idea that there are legitimate body-and-mind benefits of a self-produced orgasm, including:
- Improved mood
- Decreased pain from menstrual cramps
- Strengthening pelvic floor muscles
- More restful sleep
- Overall pain relief and relaxation
- Release of oxytocin, the “love hormone,” which is not only great for your skin, but also helps decrease stress and anxiety
- Increased awareness and understanding of your body’s sexual responses.
Some studies suggest that regular orgasms even improve cardiovascular health. When you look at it that way, it seems almost irresponsible not to masturbate.
But what do you do when your vibrator of choice (or maybe even *gasp* your only vibrator) runs out of power too soon? I mean right in the middle of the event — no more buzzing, thrusting, or pulsing. Yikes!
Your first thought may be to wonder, “What can I use instead of a vibrator?” And that’s a good question. You may be tempted to try something similarly shaped, like a ribbed hairbrush handle or maybe the non-brush side of a buzzy electric toothbrush. If you’re looking for vibrator alternatives, we cannot caution you strongly enough NOT to use items that aren’t body safe, have not been sanitized, and are not specifically designed for internal use, so you don’t get a UTI.
How to Pleasure Yourself Without a Vibrator
Even if you’ve never tried before, you can discover how to masturbate without a toy. All you need is some time alone and an adventurous spirit to find new and interesting ways to masturbate. The best method for you may depend on what your preferred orgasm type is: clitoral, vaginal, and G-spot orgasms all require different methods.
Finger yourself
This might seem obvious, but if you’re learning how to orgasm without vibrator-assistance, your fingers are a powerful ally. Employ a small amount of water-based lube and use your fingers to explore past the vulva to the labia. Freeing the clitoris from the clitoral hood is likely to produce some thrilling sensations once you find the best angle and pressure for yourself.
The main caveat of fingering yourself to orgasm is that it’s impossible to reach your own G spot with your fingers while lying on your back.
Try a non-vibrating toy
Not all sex toys require a power source. Dildos come in all shapes and sizes — many of which don’t resemble a penis at all. There’s a plethora of styles to choose from that vary by size, weight, material, and features. A metal toy, for example, is excellent for temperature play. Always use a compatible lube when using a sex toy, reapplying as needed.
Involve your whole body
“Most people focus only on their genitals, but the body is full of untapped pleasure zones,” Isabel Mioch, certified sexologist and relationship coach at Sexual Quantum Leap and School of Squirt, tells FemmeFunn. “The rest of your body holds dozens of hidden hotspots — most of them just waiting to be noticed.” These can include the ears, stomach, elbow crease, behind the knees, breasts and buttocks, neck, and lower back. Exploring your own body is a type of foreplay that may even lessen the need for additional lubrication.
It’s not just where you touch, but how
Once you’ve started exploring, you’ll realize that the real magic happens when you play with pressure, rhythm, and speed. According to Mioch, learning to vary how you touch yourself is “one of the fastest ways to unlock deeper arousal, full-body orgasms, and lasting self-trust.”
She teaches four unique “Types of Touch” that can completely change the experience:
- Air: Light and teasing. Mioch describes this as when your “fingertips barely graze the skin like breath.” It’s perfect for building anticipation and making your entire body feel alive.
- Earth: Steady, grounding pressure. Try just holding your palm firmly over your vulva, thighs, or lower belly. This touch creates a sense of safety and invites your body to relax and open up.
- Fire: This is your “passionate, intense touch.” Mioch says to rub, squeeze, and apply friction to build heat and accelerate your arousal.
- Water: Imagine a slow dance. This touch is “flowing and adaptive,” where you let your hand glide with the rhythm of your own breath and movement. It’s intimate, erotic, and deeply connected.
When you start to play with all four types, Mioch says, “you stop chasing orgasm — and start experiencing it.” Suddenly, sensation becomes layered, and your body may respond in ways that even your favorite toy could never replicate.
A quick (or not so quick) bath or shower
Depending on your water pressure, a faucet or shower sprayer can provide a fast trip to Pleasuretown. Some handheld shower sprayers can also be set to pulsate, and rushing water can feel similar to a vibrator, depending on your usual settings. Those wondering what to use instead of a vibrator may not need to look further than their own water closet.
Humping things
Okay, that’s kind of a silly term that calls to mind images of rutting dogs. But honestly, (and especially if you’ve got ben-wa balls), riding or pressing your vulva against pillows, rolled up blankets, or the arm of your sofa can lead to orgasms. So can sitting on your washing machine during the spin cycle, or a motorcycle ride on a dirt road.
Discreet leg swing
Women sit with their legs crossed at the knee less often than they used to. That means younger women may not know that there’s a way to stimulate your clit just by crossing your leg and applying pressure with the top leg. Seriously, try it.
When a Quick Charge Matters
Even when you’re onboard with the value of self-exploration and learning how to pleasure your vulva, sometimes time is a factor. Vibrators are often the fastest, most low-effort way to achieve an O, and that’s perfectly okay.
We recommend keeping at least one battery-operated vibe in your sex toy arsenal for just such an occasion. But we also know that not everyone has the budget, space, and privacy to keep multiple sex toys around. If you’ve got one favorite vibe and the battery is flat…
Vibes with a battery-life indicator are few and far between. If you don’t want to be waiting around for hours, your best bet may be investing in a vibrator that charges quickly. Bullet vibes may look tiny, even cute. Yet they charge super fast, are versatile owing to all the sleeves available, and produce vibrations far more powerful than you might expect.
The Bottom Line
A spent battery in your favorite vibe doesn’t have to be a tragedy. Finding fun and interesting ways to masturbate without a vibe expands your sexual repertoire and can help you learn even more about your body, making partnered sex better later on (if you’re into that sort of thing).
However you go about having orgasms is less important than the fact that you’re taking the time to have pleasure on a regular basis. It feels good. It’s good for you. And the tools you need for an impromptu O are always at your disposal.