9 Reasons You Should Be Having Solo Sex

If you’re not masturbating, you’re missing out.

Feeling Yourself - If you’re not masturbating, you’re missing out on some real quality time with yourself! Plus, it has some amazing health and social benefits. Here, the top reasons why you should be touching yourself on the regular. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Mike Watson Images Limited/Corbis)

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Feeling Yourself - If you’re not masturbating, you’re missing out on some real quality time with yourself! Plus, it has some amazing health and social benefits. Here, the top reasons why you should be touching yourself on the regular. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel (Photo: Mike Watson Images Limited/Corbis)

It Feels Good - Duh. If you can do something for yourself that feels amazing, why wouldn’t you do it? (Photo: Artiga Photo/Corbis)

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It Feels Good - Duh. If you can do something for yourself that feels amazing, why wouldn’t you do it? (Photo: Artiga Photo/Corbis)

It Makes You Happier - When you have an orgasm, your body releases oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin, which not only boost your mood, but give you an actual high. (Photo: Keith Berson/Corbis)

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It Makes You Happier - When you have an orgasm, your body releases oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin, which not only boost your mood, but give you an actual high. (Photo: Keith Berson/Corbis)

You’ll Learn What You Like - It’s hard to ask for what you want in bed if you don’t know what that is, and there’s no better time to slow down and figure that out then when you’re solo. Try new things — toys, lubes, techniques, fantasies — and figure out what gets you off. Then use your hard-won expertise when you’re doing the do with bae. (Photo: Edith Held/Corbis)

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You’ll Learn What You Like - It’s hard to ask for what you want in bed if you don’t know what that is, and there’s no better time to slow down and figure that out then when you’re solo. Try new things — toys, lubes, techniques, fantasies — and figure out what gets you off. Then use your hard-won expertise when you’re doing the do with bae. (Photo: Edith Held/Corbis)

You’ll Be Smarter - In a 2013 study, after having orgasms, women experienced increased activity in every part of their brains, which made them sharper all around. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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You’ll Be Smarter - In a 2013 study, after having orgasms, women experienced increased activity in every part of their brains, which made them sharper all around. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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You Can Knock Out Pain - Whether you have menstrual cramps or a migraine, studies show that both the uterine contractions and the hormones secreted during orgasms are potent pain relievers. In fact, orgasms can more than double your pain tolerance.  (Photo:  Terry Vine/Blend Images/Corbis)

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You Can Knock Out Pain - Whether you have menstrual cramps or a migraine, studies show that both the uterine contractions and the hormones secreted during orgasms are potent pain relievers. In fact, orgasms can more than double your pain tolerance.  (Photo:  Terry Vine/Blend Images/Corbis)

You Could Regulate Your Menstrual Cycle - Women who climax at least once a week are more likely to have a 28-day cycle, and it can even reduce your chances of endometriosis. (Photo: LWA/Dann Tardif/Blend Images/Corbis)

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You Could Regulate Your Menstrual Cycle - Women who climax at least once a week are more likely to have a 28-day cycle, and it can even reduce your chances of endometriosis. (Photo: LWA/Dann Tardif/Blend Images/Corbis)

You’ll Sleep Better - Men aren’t the only ones who get sleepy after they finish. Orgasms relieve tension, make you physically exhausted and reduce your levels of the stress hormone cortisol, both things that help you fall asleep faster. And elevated estrogen levels enhance your REM cycle and deepen your sleep, so you wake feeling more refreshed, too. (Photo: Mother Image/Rana Faure/Corbis)

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You’ll Sleep Better - Men aren’t the only ones who get sleepy after they finish. Orgasms relieve tension, make you physically exhausted and reduce your levels of the stress hormone cortisol, both things that help you fall asleep faster. And elevated estrogen levels enhance your REM cycle and deepen your sleep, so you wake feeling more refreshed, too. (Photo: Mother Image/Rana Faure/Corbis)

It Will Get You Through Tough Times - No partner in sight? No worries! You can still satisfy your sexual needs and keep everything in good working order until you’re ready to share the wealth.  (Photo: Corbis)

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It Will Get You Through Tough Times - No partner in sight? No worries! You can still satisfy your sexual needs and keep everything in good working order until you’re ready to share the wealth.  (Photo: Corbis)

It Carries No Risk - Unlike having sex with someone else, getting it in by yourself doesn't come with a chance of STI, heartbreak, or even hair on your palms. So enjoy, worry-free!  (Photo: Oliver Rossi/Corbis)

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It Carries No Risk - Unlike having sex with someone else, getting it in by yourself doesn't come with a chance of STI, heartbreak, or even hair on your palms. So enjoy, worry-free!  (Photo: Oliver Rossi/Corbis)