Anatomy

Labia Majora
Thick, hairy, fleshy lips on the outer rim of the vagina.

Clitoris
The only organ on the body (in either sex) that exists solely for sexual pleasure, the clitoris isn't actually in the vagina. Parting both sets of labia, you'll see a small bump that becomes engorged with blood during sexual activity. It can range in size from the very small (you'll have trouble locating it) to a large nub that becomes rigid during stimulatioon. We recommend locating yours right away.

G-Spot
A small mass of tissue which can range in size from a bb pellet to a large pea. It is located inside the vagina, 1 1/2 - 3 inches from the opening and on the top edge of the vagina if you're standing up.

Urethra
Small opening below the clitoris, but above the lower vaginal opening.

Benefits of Masturbation

Besides the obvious fact that masturbation gives you pleasure, there are several benefits to regular masturbation. Many women report that it helps them to relax and is much safer than sleeping pills, tranquilizers, drugs and alcohol. It can also help a woman feel energized and more focused, though this may also result from having a good night's sleep after masturbation.

During periods, women who masturbate tend to find relief from their normal discomforts. Also, since many men are averse to having sex during this time, it can be a wonderful solitary relief.

Knowing your sexual preferences can help during lovemaking with a partner. Also, if your partner is aware that you masturbate, they generally feel less pressured to give you orgasms. Taking pressure off your partner will generally result in better performance from the during lovemaking.

There is no risk of disease, pregnancy or emotional trauma from masturbation.

Many women say that masturbation causes longer, more intense orgasms than they can experience during lovemaking.

Masturbation sessions allow you to be less inhibited than you would with a partner. This allows you to explore sides of your sexuality that may be taboo to your partner or embarassing to you. Because you can go at your own pace, you won't feel pressured to have an orgasm before your partner does.

G-Spot Stimulation

Often described as the female equivilent of the male prostate, the g-spot (Grafenberg Spot) is a small mass of tissue about the size of a small pea that is located approximately two inches from the opening of the vagina. Though it's exact position varies from woman to woman, it has been shown that all women have a g-spot, although not all women experience pleasure when it is stimulated. In fact, in some women, direct stimulation of the g-spot causes the urge to urinate. For those who find pleasure in g-spot stimulation (the majority of women), it can be the cause of intensely pleasurable orgasms.

To locate your g-spot, try lying on your stomach with your hips pointed up in the air. Slowly guide one or two fingers inside the vagina and begin to explore the vaginal walls by pressing down lightly with your fingertips. When you locate the small bump, lightly stroke it over and over with your fingertips. Don't be surprised if you ejaculate a little clear fluid during orgasm - this is normal as g-spot stimulation has been directly linked to female ejaculation.

Female Masturbation Tips

Setting the Mood
In order to really enjoy the experience, you need to be totally relaxed and in an envoirnment where you don't have to worry about distractions. Take the phone off the hook, lock the door, play some soft music and do whatever it takes to make yourself comfortable before beginning. Taking a little time out for yourself is not selfish, though it may be difficult if you have children and/or a husband/boyfriend. Select a room in which you are comfortable. Most women use a bathroom or bedroom, but it can be anywhere you feel totally relaxed and comfortable.

Take Your Time
Masturbation need not be a hurried thing, in which you are frantically rubbing or humping yourself to orgasm as quickly as possible. In fact, you'll find that if you take your time and slowly tease, stimulate and caress yourself to orgasm, you're likely to have more intense, longer lasting orgasms.

Don't Be Afraid to Experiment
Let's start with the basic fact that no two women are alike. With so many different ways to masturbate, there are bound to be some that work for you and others that don't. Try new things, explore new fantasies and a whole new world of masturbatory pleasure can be yours.

Female Ejaculation

As early as the age of Hipocrates, female semen or ejaculate has been studied by the medical community. Throughout the years, researchers have taken varying stands as to whether it is actually some form or urinary incontinence manifested through orgasm or whether it is similar to a male ejaculation at the time of orgasm. In any case, most researchers agree that fewer than 10% - with some numbers as low as 3% - of all women can ejaculate during orgasm.

The first time a woman experiences female ejaculation, she may feel embarassed and may think that she has urinated during orgasm. However, she may be quick to notice that the fluid is quite different from urine and contains prostate specific antigens, similar to those found in men's ejaculate.

Sexual research has also connected g-spot stimulation with female ejaculation. Studies have shown that continuous stimulation of the g-spot causes the surrounding glands to fill with a clear fluid, which expelled through the urethra during orgasm. When the muscles contract during orgasm, the fluid ejected is considered ejaculate.

Though most women can teach themselves to ejaculate by continued stimulation of the g-spot, not all women have enough glandular tissue in the area to generate enough fluid for a demonstratable ejaculation. This may be why some women easily find their g-spot and have g-spot orgasms and why some do not.

Female Masturbation Techniques

Probably the most important thing to remember when you begin masturbating is that you're doing it to have fun and become comfortable with your own body. All women are different, so don't be surprised if some techniques work very well for you and others do not. Experiment with the different styles to find out what's right for you. Not only will this help you masturbate better, but you'll also become a better lover because you know how to give yourself pleasure.

• Clitoral Roll Place your thumb and forefinger on either side of your clitoris and gently roll it between your fingers...
• Circling the Clit Place two fingers directly onto the clitoris, then begin rubbing them in a circular motion around and around...
• Can You Spell Orgasm? Use your fingers to trace the various letters of the alphabet across the clitoris...
• Double Stimulation With one hand, gently insert one or two fingers into the vagina. With the other hand, begin tapping or rubbing on the clitoris...
• Shower Head Hand held shower heads are especially useful in directing the flow of water onto your erogenous zones...
• Bath Tub Fun The bath tub itself holds many possibilities for masturbatory pleasure...
• In the Jacuzzi/Hot Tub If you have a jacuzzi or hot tub available, the jets of water can have wonderful effects on your body...
• Bottled Orgasm Fill your tub about halfway with comfortably warm water. Take an empty bottle that has a nozzle (shampoo bottle, detergent or cleaner bottle) and fill it with water...
• Riding the Seam Some women can achieve sexual pleasure simply by rubbing their legs together when wearing jeans...
• Humping Sitting on a pillow or cushion and rocking your hips back and forth can cause direct stimulation onto the clitoris...
• Stocking Slide Take a stocking or a pair of tights (preferably silk) and holt the foot in one hand behind your back, let the fabric drape down between your legs and hold it in front with your other hand...
• Brush Off The very large and super soft round headed brushes that are designed for puttin on makeup can also be used as masturbation tools...
• Triple Stimulation Laying naked on your back, lubricate your anus, the anal area and your clitoris...
• Teetering on the Edge Use your favorite masturbation technique to bring yourself close to orgasm. Just as you're about to climax, stop all activity and let yourself relax for a moment, relishing in the near release...
• Knuckle Up Make a fist and press one knuckle up higher than the others...
• Polish Lover At the grocery store, find some polish sausages that are sized the way you like (some like 'em big, some small)...
• Icy Fun Use a popsice or several ice cubes to penetrate the vagina...
• Bag of Cubes Take a plastic bag and fill it up with ice cubes. Make sure to seal the top so the water doesn't leak out during your masturbation session...
• Oral Vacuum Take the long, slim attachment with the flat opening and attach it to your vacuum...
• Washing Machine/Dryer Many women enjoy masturbating while sitting on the washing machine and/or dryer while they're in operation...
• Couch Humping Balance yourself on the corner of a couch or cushioned chair and rub your clit back and forth across the edge of it...

Female Masturbation & Ejaculation

No matter what you've heard, it's a fact that females masturbate almost as much as men do. Though women don't necessesarily feel the urgency to masturbate that men do, they definately experience periods of heightened sexual arousal, particularly during puberty. Women tend to experience emotional as well as physical arousal so fantasies, mood and enviorment can all play a big part in the enjoyment of female masturbation.

Sex surveys have universally concluded that approximately 67% of sexually active women masturbate (though much fewer are likely to admit to it publically). Most women discover the joys of masturbation in their early teens and can continue for the rest of their lives. Females that are in and out of sexually active relationships may masturbate, depending on the preferences of the woman.

Sexual Desire

Sexual desire is an instinctive reaction in animals. If the desire isn't there, neither is the possibility of reproduction. If it is there, it is based on an individual's perception of a suitable mate. That perception usually is a set of criteria that the opposite sex must meet, or at least approximate. An individual regards a member of the opposite gender that meets or exceeds (at least, within the available pool of possibilities) those criteria as being superior to others of that gender. It is therefore the individual that provides the chance for the highest quality offspring with the best chance of survival. When the criteria are not met, sexual desire does not occur.
The criteria can include coming into heat, showing strength, clearly being healthy, providing a safe environment for offspring, being readily available as a sexual partner, some other factor or factors, or any combination. It all depends on what the organism's reproductive strategy deems important. (Please always bear in mind that, in all but humans (as far as we know) there is no conscious element to reproductive strategy -- instinctive reaction guides it.)
Such criteria must, of course, be reciprocal. Simply because she meets his criteria does not mean he meets her's, and vice versa. It is when both partners' criteria overlap enough for both partners to accept them that mating takes place.
Again, the chicken and the egg: the hen's criteria for sexual desire are those that would allow the best combination of genes. If the rooster is good enough to satisfy the criteria, it is superior to one that does not meet them. Thus, its qualities are those that should combine with her's and pass on, and he's the rooster with which she mates.
Because of the costs of sex, the criteria a potential mate must meet or approximate differ greatly, depending on whether the animal applying them is male or female.
One aspect of any reproductive strategy that I should mention now is that of numbers. In numbers there is chance: chance for survival, chance for superiority, chance for further offspring. The more offspring any species can produce, the better that species' chances of survival and future.
This results in each organism trying to produce as many offspring as possible as long as possible. It is at this point we run into the major difference between male and female attitudes towards sex.

REPRODUCTION -- HOW DOES IT WORK?

The earth teems with thousands of species of creatures, all doing their best to continue teeming. As discussed above, a species continues by reproducing, by making copies of the members in that species. Species that don't reproduce, for whatever reason, don't survive.
Samuel Butler once said, "The hen is the egg's way of making another egg." There is a much truth in this adage. In the natural world, the egg's vehicle, be it fish, fowl or flower, doesn't matter. What does matter is that the vehicle gets the egg fertilized, hatched, and far enough along in development to have a chance of producing another egg. The egg contains the hen's genes, which combine with the rooster's genes. The genes create from the raw materials of organic life another chicken. That chicken then has another egg. It is not the egg, but the genetic material that the egg nourishes and brings to fruition that is important. It is the genes that must be passed on if a species is not to become extinct.
In addition, the egg wants to have another egg as much as possible like itself. A species is a collection of genetically similar individuals. Since it's the genetic material, the genes, that makes each egg an individual member of a species, the egg wants to pass its own genes on to the next generation.
Of course, to nature the individual isn't important; what is important is the species to which the individual belongs. An examination of nature shows this to be true. Herbivores that are susceptible to predation often herd in large numbers. Fish and insects may eggs in the thousands and millions. Plants produce seeds and spores in the millions and billions. In this way, although individual members of a species may fall to predators or bad luck, the species is safe from extinction.
However, this does not mean that the individual doesn't care about reproduction. In fact, it is the reason for the individual's existence. It isn't the species that carries the genes, it's the individuals in that species that do. This desire to pass on its own genes is why an individual is so concerned with self-preservation. It must personally survive to pass on its genes.
An organism wants to pass its own genes on to offspring. If it didn't want to, it wouldn't care if it reproduced or not. Enough of these individuals, and the species dies out. However, that event is unlikely. Without an instinct to pass on its own genes that individual doesn't, and its lack of an instinct to reproduce dies with it. Those individuals that have the instinct are the ones that continue the species, and therefore breed the instinct into future generations.

Reproduction

Nature has designed life, from the smallest microbe to the largest whale, to have one basic purpose. That purpose is to reproduce. Whatever else an organism does, reproduction is its basic goal. All else, from dolphins frolicking to the Pyramids, is gravy.
You may question this. So let's ask some questions:
"What do you mean by 'reproduction'?"
Basically, it's life making copies of itself. An organism is a combination of elements such as carbon, iron, hydrogen, potassium, sodium, etc.. How the elements combine into molecules, and how those molecules are arranged, determines what the organism is, whether a bacterium, bedbug or buffalo. The instructions for this arrangement are in the organism's genes. They provide the guidelines for everything from eye color (or even if there are eyes and if so how many) to the hard-wired instincts on how to react to stimuli. To make a copy of itself, the organism must create another organism that contains the same genes. This can be done asexually or sexually, but that's a topic for later in the chapter.
"But surely the basic purpose of life is to stay alive. Right?"
On the surface, it may appear so. Certainly most living things go out of their way to stay that way. They devote a lot of time and attention to self-preservation. However, what basic reason is there for staying alive? If nature just wanted life, everything could be immortal -- just do it once and leave it at that. But nothing is immortal; everything eventually wears out (or more accurately for life, dies). For life to continue, it must make fresh copies of itself. The purpose of self-preservation is to stay alive long enough to make those fresh copies. If an individual's death contributes to that individual's reproduction, it dies. For example, the male preying mantis is eaten by the female while inseminating her, providing her with nourishment she needs to produce and lay her eggs. However, in his sacrifice he passes on that part of his life that's important to nature -- his genes.
"What about all those other things organisms do? Eating, sleeping, building, travelling, etc.?"
Almost everything an organism does enhances its ability to stay alive, at least long enough to reproduce. An extreme example is the Pacific salmon, which devotes years to staying alive. It then engages in "kamikaze reproduction," (technically, semelparity) literally committing suicide in its efforts to reproduce. (Daly, 1978) All of its activities, from eating to dodging predators to travelling thousands of miles, aim at that final, fatal return to its original stream to spawn.
Other things that an organism does are attempts to increase its chances at reproducing. For example, among animals that reproduce sexually, males compete with each other to gain access to females. The competitions may be physical, such as butting heads, or psychological, by having the loudest roar. In any case, the competition is to get the status or prove the fitness that will entice the female to choose the winner.
"Well, that may apply to other animals, but how about us humans? We paint pictures, watch television, go jogging. What possible effect could these have on reproduction?"
An excellent question. The answer is very little. And what little effect there is subtle. Here we turn from the biological to the sociological basis of behavior. The more complex an organism, the more of its environment it can apprehend and try to manipulate to its own advantage. Often it does this through cooperation with other organisms. Humans, the ultimate in environmental manipulators, do more things, with more others, to more effect, than any other creatures on earth. You may watch television to relax; relaxation can benefit your health; the healthier you are the longer you may live; the longer you live the greater your chance to reproduce. Do humans think this way when they sit down to watch Gilligan's Island? Of course not. But the body might be saying, "Take a strain off," and, with many ways to relax, television may be the choice. Painting pictures may be relaxing, or provide money to buy food and shelter or prove fitness to a potential mate. Looking at the pictures may be soothing, or provide a more relaxing atmosphere, or be an investment. Jogging can improve health, and perhaps provide opportunities to meet healthy potential mates.
Humans are as much biological creatures as aphids or elephants. And, although humans have a conscious overlay of intelligence and culture, deep down in the subconscious, we have the same drive to reproduce our kind.

Female Orgasm

What happens during climax
After a woman becomes sexually aroused, her heart beats faster while her breathing quickens. Often, she'll tighten various muscles all over her body. Her breasts usually enlarge somewhat, the nipples tend to stand out while the areolas become noticeably enlarged. Some women flush red on their face, neck and chest. The visible part of the clitoris also swells slightly.
Secretions occur inside and at the opening of the vagina. Her labia flatten and open. The vagina lengthens and widens internally, changing what was a potential space into more of an actual space. These vaginal changes are mainly a result of a rush of blood to the pelvic area -- called engorgement -- which provides a generally pleasurable warmth in a female's genital area.
As her arousal increases, so does engorgement as well as most of the changes mentioned above becoming more pronounced. The one area that doesn't follow this pattern is the clitoris. Instead of continually swelling, it actually begins to retract under the clitoral hood and decreases in length by about 50%. This is a sign that orgasm is imminent for most women, as long as optimal stimulation continues.
The orgasm itself begins with strong muscle contractions. These contractions can be finished within four seconds or last up to about 15 seconds. They tend to occur at intervals of 0.8 seconds. Also, the inner two-thirds of the vagina usually open up even more, while the uterus contracts.
During orgasm, skin flushing generally reaches its maximum. Muscles may keep contracting, while blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate continue to rise. Some women make sounds reflecting the pleasure they are experiencing.
Signs confirming orgasm
Rhythmic muscle contractions occur in the outer third of the vagina, the uterus and anus. The first muscle contractions are the most intense, and occur at a rate of about 1 per second. As the orgasm continues, the contractions become less intense and occur at a more random rate.
A mild orgasm may have 3 -5 contractions, an intense orgasm 10 -15.
The "sex flush" (redness) becomes even more pronounced and may cover a greater percentage of the body.
Muscles throughout the body may contract during orgasm, not just those in the pelvic area.
Some women will emit or spray some fluid from their urethra during orgasm. This is often called female ejaculation.
A woman's facial expression may indicate that she is in pain when she is having a pleasurable orgasm.
At the peak of orgasm the entire body may become momentarily rigid.

What does orgasm feel like?
Women who have never experienced orgasm, and women who are not sure if they have, often ask, "What does an orgasm feel like?" This is a hard, if not impossible, question to answer. Imagine trying to explain to someone what it feels like to sneeze or yawn. Not easy to do. How our senses and brain interpret physical stimuli is subjective, that is dependent solely on the individual's perceptions. Subjective reports frequently mention a sensation of tingling in the spine, brain, and genital areas. While some women relay an experience being on the verge of passing out, others report a level of enjoyment only somewhat less than that of "the earth moving". If a woman has experienced some form of nerve damage, she may not be able to tell if she has had an orgasm.
Female sensual receptors
Although it's true that the entire body is in some way involved during climax, the key sensual receptor will always be the clitoris. Without engaging the "clit" directly or indirectly, there can be no prospect of orgasm. It seems difficult, particularly for men to understand that something as diminutive as the clit could be so vitally important. How could this tiny, almost external appendage be infinitely more sensitive than the vagina itself?
Intuition would make you believe that the lining or walls of the vagina are somehow more akin to the tip penis. Following that logic these two matching surfaces would engage one another during intercourse... resulting in ultimate mutual pleasure, physically and emotionally. Yet for some reason mother nature has played a trick. During intercourse primarily the emotional element comes into play, as the female creates a physical union with male.
There is a simple but not necessarily well known explanation for this circumstance. Unlike the glands of the penis, the vagina has relatively few sensual receptors. Ironically, the deeper the penetration, the fewer the receptors. The relatively few nerve receptors which do exist in the vagina are actually located to the upper third; which in many women may be only marginally sensitive at best.
For a woman to achieve climax the clit must be stimulated in some fashion. This can be accomplished in two ways, directly or indirectly. With the indirect method the males pubic bone may push up against the clit while thrusting during intercourse. Or the penis may rub against the vulva, which because of its proximity to the clit, may result in indirect stimulation. Considering these circumstances it should be evident that indirect stimulation of the clit is not very efficient. It's actually a testimonial to the clit's remarkable sensitivity that indirect stimulation is even sufficient to produce climax for about 30 - 40% of women. Depending on the result of any particular survey.
By most accounts the clit is the counterpart of the tip or "glans" of the penis, with three primary differences: a) the urethra does not pass though the clit. b) it's smaller in size. 3) it's significantly more sensitive due to the greater number of nerve receptors (per square inch) than those found on the glans of the penis.
In this case it should be fair to assume that it's not possible for the majority of women to reach climax solely as a result of intercourse in the missionary position (face to face).
What might be the alternative?
Any position which allows the male partner easy and unrestricted access to the clit. For example: with the male laying on his back, and the female straddling his waist (facing him). In this position it's easily possible for the female to engage in thrusting, while allowing the male to directly stimulate her clit with his fingers.
Another alternative... more secure couples may decide to engage in intercourse with the male entering from the rear. With the female positioned in a forward kneeling position, she would have one hand free. This would allow her to stroke her clit to the point of full climax in concert with the thrusting action of her partner. The Application of this technique may make it possible for the couple to coordinate their efforts of reaching that elusive and highly prized "simultaneous" orgasm.