Sexual self-stimulation takes more forms than just stroking one’s genitals, as a recent weighted sample of 3,423 American adults shows. Some people arouse themselves by reading erotica or touching different parts of their body, or merely through personal fantasies; orgasm can also be induced by “syntribation,” which involves flexing pelvic or thigh muscles. Although little discussed, about 20% of women and 15% of men aroused themselves this way in the last month. 77% of men and 59% of women admit to traditional solo masturbation in the last month, but those outside the gender binary are the champions at 90%. Nor is self-stimulation necessarily a solo activity: around 20% have engaged in it with a partner during the last month, and 10% while on the phone or internet.
Broadening Our View of Autoeroticism
