Masturbation is the self-sexual stimulation of the genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation may involve hands, fingers, everyday objects, sex toys or combinations of these. Mutual masturbation, mutual manual stimulation of the genitals between partners, can be a substitute for sexual penetration.

Studies have found that masturbation is frequent in humans of both sexes and all ages, although there is variation. Various medical and psychological benefits have been attributed to a healthy attitude toward sexual activity in general and to masturbation in particular. No causal relationship is known between masturbation and any form of mental or physical disorder. (Full article...)

• ... that loans made by Seattle brothel-owner Lou Graham saved some of the city's most prestigious families from bankruptcy after the Panic of 1893? (former brothel pictured)
• ... that Monica Coghlan, at the center of the scandal surrounding Lord Jeffrey Archer, was killed in an unrelated car crash a month before the start of the trial that would convict him of perjury and vindicate her?
• ... the Śukasaptati, written originally in Sanskrit, is a collection of seventy erotic tales narrated by a parrot to prevent its mistress from committing adultery while her husband is away from home?
• ... that the fictional Document 12-571-3570 was a hoax that purported to describe sex experiments done in space?
• ... that anti-gay protests following the selection of the song Samo Ljubezen by drag-group Sestre (pictured) in the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest led to criticism of Slovenia in the European Parliament?
• ... that the monument (pictured) to Mother Featherlegs near Lusk, Wyoming has been called the only monument to a prostitute in the United States?
• ... that studies on whether nice guys finish last have been hindered by the social desirability bias?
• ... that American novelist Tracy Quan once served as spokeswoman to the sex worker advocacy group Prostitutes of New York?

July-December 2006

18 May 2024 – LGBT rights in Peru

Hundreds of protesters march in Lima, Peru, to demand the reversal of a new law that describes transgender people as having a mental illness. (Reuters)

1 May 2024 – Homosexuality and Methodism

The United Methodist Church votes 692–51 to repeal a longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy while additionally prohibiting superintendents from forbidding a same-sex wedding. (AP)

30 April 2024 –

French prosecutors announce that actor Gérard Depardieu will be tried for the alleged sexual assault of two women in 2021. (euronews)

For editor resources and to collaborate with other editors on improving Wikipedia's Human sexuality-related articles, see WikiProject Sexology and sexuality.