XJane,
I seem to recall during that time in the UK and USA, physicians would bring thier female patients to orgasm manually (although they called it something else because women weren’t supposed to enjoy it) and the mechanical devices were invented to save the physicians time? I’m glad we live in a more enlightened time.

“I’m curious if you think that women’s masturbation also serves to keep their plumbing “healthy” or if it’s just about idle pleasure? Does anyone know of any studies that show health benefits for female masturbation?”

Let me clear one thing up here…I definitely think that pleasure is an important part of any sexual experience, I was agreeing to the idea that I personally believe that masturbation is more of a result of natural bodily release that is supposed to occur in order to maintain a healthy body. IMO, the pleasure aspect of it is a gift from God =). However, I some could think differently…I just think back and my first experience w/ this had nothing to do w/ pleasure.

As for the health benefits for women there is the following explanation…

“In fact, it is said that women who masturbate have higher self-esteem than those who don’t.”

“Health benefits
Some of the known health benefits of masturbation are,

* Reduces stress
* Enhances self-esteem.
* Muscle relaxation
* Helps one to fall asleep
* Promotes release of the brain’s opioid-like neurotransmitters (endorphins), which cause feelings of physical and mental wellbeing.
* Female masturbation relieves menstrual cramps
* Eases some of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
* Relieves depression
* Improves blood flow in the human body.
* Frequent masturbation by males appears to help prevent the development of prostate cancer.
* An effective, natural cure for insomnia.
* Masturbation is considered as cardiovascular workout. However it has not been scientifically proven.
* Burns calories during the session.
* It lowers blood pleasure and relieves headaches and muscle aches throughout the body

Sexual benefits

* Masturbation is also seen as a sexual technique that protects individuals from the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy.
* Research states that through masturbation, ones sexual tension is released. Masturbation allows a person to express sexuality in various situations, for instance, if they don’t have a partner or if sex with their partner isn’t available, or if they want to (or have to) abstain from sex for any reason.
* Masturbation helps to communicate their sexual needs better to their sexual partner. With enough practice, one will be able to coordinate pleasure with their partner’s pleasure and make sex better for both of them
* Masturbation is a popular treatment for sexual dysfunction. For Instance, men who suffer from premature ejaculation can use masturbation to practice control.”

I am not sure exactly how to post links but the above information could very easily fall under the common knowledge category as most of these items can be substantiated at numerous medical and health pages. With so many possible health benefits I can understand why the body would want one to have orgasms on a frequent basis. Another health benefit I found that it gives a boost to one’s immune system.

Hopefully that helped.

Steve EM and MormonZero:
I’m curious if you think that women’s masturbation also serves to keep their plumbing “healthy” or if it’s just about idle pleasure? Does anyone know of any studies that show health benefits for female masturbation?