Wellness Guide to Female Masturbation
Myth-busting, science-backed insight and self-connection
By Fable & Femme
Masturbation is one of the most natural ways to explore your body, understand pleasure, and build a healthier relationship with yourself. Yet for many women, it is something we were never taught to talk about openly or without shame.
At Fable & Femme, we believe pleasure is part of wellbeing. It is not indulgent, embarrassing, or something you need to earn. Whether you are completely new to masturbation or simply curious to learn more, this guide is here to support you with calm, evidence-based information and reassurance.
Gentle Medical Disclaimer
This guide is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Individual experiences of sexual health and wellbeing vary. If you have concerns about pain, sexual function, mental health, or reproductive health, we recommend speaking with a qualified healthcare professional.
Introduction : Why Talk About Female Masturbation?
Masturbation is a natural part of sexual wellbeing, yet for people born with female anatomy it has historically been surrounded by silence, stigma, and misinformation.
At Fable & Femme, we believe pleasure is not indulgent or shameful. It is part of wellbeing, self-knowledge, and confidence. This guide brings together evidence-based research, clinical consensus, and compassionate education to gently challenge common myths around female masturbation and support a healthier, more informed relationship with your body.
No pressure. No performance. Just informed, shame-free self-connection.
Myth 1 : Masturbation is shameful or wrong
Fact : Masturbation is a normal and medically recognised aspect of human sexuality.
Shame surrounding female masturbation is cultural rather than biological. A landmark moment in challenging this narrative came with The Hite Report (1976), which documented that the majority of women had masturbated and that clitoral stimulation was central to orgasm. These findings directly contradicted dominant medical assumptions of the time and exposed how female pleasure had been misunderstood and marginalised.
Contemporary research supports this shift. A positive attitude toward masturbation is associated with better sexual wellbeing and a healthier genital self-image, while shame and guilt are linked to lower sexual satisfaction (Herbenick et al., 2011; Soares et al., 2024).
Myth 2 : Masturbation harms fertility or sexual health
Fact : There is no credible scientific evidence that masturbation negatively affects fertility, reproductive health, or sexual function in people born with female anatomy.
Major medical organisations confirm that masturbation is safe across the lifespan (American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists [ACOG], 2023; Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Research indicates that masturbation frequency itself has minimal impact on sexual function. Psychological factors such as comfort, body confidence, and genital self-image play a much greater role in sexual wellbeing (Soares et al., 2024).
Myth 3 : Masturbation is only for people who are single
Fact : Masturbation is common among people in relationships.
Evidence suggests that self-pleasure supports sexual self-knowledge, which can enhance communication, orgasmic confidence, and satisfaction in partnered intimacy (Cervilla et al., 2022; Cervilla et al., 2024). Solo pleasure does not replace connection. For many people, it complements it.
Myth 4 : Masturbation is addictive
Fact : Masturbation is not inherently addictive.
Clinical literature distinguishes between healthy sexual behaviour and compulsive patterns that interfere with daily functioning. For most people, masturbation functions as a flexible and healthy form of stress relief and emotional regulation (Planned Parenthood, 2023). Concerns arise only when a behaviour feels distressing, uncontrollable, or disruptive to wellbeing.
Myth 5 : Women do not masturbate as much as men
Fact : People born with female anatomy have always masturbated. They have simply been discouraged from talking about it.
As stigma decreases and sexual education improves, reported rates of female masturbation continue to rise (Herbenick et al., 2011). Silence never meant absence. It meant social constraint.
Myth 6 : Sex toys are unnatural
Fact : Sex toys are tools designed to work with the body’s natural responses.
Given that many people with vulvas require external clitoral stimulation to orgasm, pleasure products can support exploration, consistency, and confidence (Cervilla et al., 2022). Using a toy does not mean something is “wrong”. It means you are curious.
Myth 7 : Masturbation is only about orgasm
Fact : Orgasms are not the sole purpose of pleasure.
Masturbation may support relaxation, stress reduction, body awareness, and sleep quality for some people (Lastella et al., 2019; Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Pleasure does not need a goal to be valid.
What Research Says About Female Masturbation and Wellbeing
Current research and clinical guidance suggest masturbation may support:
- Sexual self-knowledge and body awareness
- Positive genital self-image
- Orgasm satisfaction
- Stress reduction and relaxation
- Improved sleep quality for some people
- Greater confidence in partnered intimacy
Importantly, evidence suggests attitude matters more than frequency. A positive relationship with masturbation is more strongly associated with sexual wellbeing than how often someone engages in it (Cervilla et al., 2024; Soares et al., 2024).
Individual Experience Matters
Every body is different.
Some people masturbate frequently, others rarely or not at all. Masturbation is not a requirement, a benchmark, or a measure of empowerment. It is simply an option.
Listening to your body is always more important than following a rule.
Masturbation as Self-Care, Not Performance
At Fable & Femme, we believe pleasure does not need to be performative or goal-driven.
Self-pleasure can be slow, curious, gentle, playful, or deeply emotional. There is no right way, no finish line, and no expectation.
It is not something to perfect.
It is something to experience.
The Fable & Femme Takeaway
Masturbation for people born with female anatomy is:
- Normal
- Safe
- Personal
- Optional
- Valid
Pleasure is part of wellbeing.
And you are allowed to know your body.
Final Thoughts from Fable & Femme
Why We Cite Our Sources
At Fable & Femme, we believe trust is built through transparency. All of our wellness guides are informed by peer-reviewed research, clinical guidance, and respected health organisations. We cite our sources so you can explore the evidence for yourself and feel confident that our approach to pleasure is grounded in science, not shame or trends.
Unapologetically yours,
Fable & Femme
References (APA 7)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023). You and your sexuality.
https://www.acog.org
Cervilla, O., Sierra, J. C., Vallejo-Medina, P., & Santos-Iglesias, P. (2022). Masturbation parameters related to orgasm satisfaction in sexual relationships: Differences between men and women. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 935284.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.935284
Cervilla, O., Vallejo-Medina, P., Sierra, J. C., & Santos-Iglesias, P. (2024). Relationship between solitary masturbation and sexual satisfaction: A systematic review. Healthcare, 12(3), 321.
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12030321
Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Masturbation: Facts and benefits.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org
Herbenick, D., Reece, M., Schick, V., Sanders, S. A., Dodge, B., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2011). Female genital self-image and sexual function. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 8(6), 1586-1596.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02289.x
Hite, S. (1976). The Hite report: A nationwide study of female sexuality. Macmillan.
Lastella, M., O’Mullan, C., & Vincent, G. E. (2019). Perceptions of sex as a sleep-promoting behavior in the general adult population. Sleep Science, 12(2), 86-92.
https://doi.org/10.5935/1984-0063.20190018
Planned Parenthood. (2023). Is masturbation healthy?
https://www.plannedparenthood.org
Soares, R. F., et al. (2024). Masturbation, sexual function, and genital self-image of undergraduate women: A cross-sectional study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 21(2), 124-133.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdad190
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