May is National Masturbation Month, and to celebrate, we're kicking off a self-love conversation with a new video on masturbation each week this month. Follow along for our contributors' uncensored thoughts on the solo pursuit of pleasure. Not only is self-lovin' natural, it's arguably one of life's greatest pleasures — and yet masturbation, especially female masturbation, still carries tremendous stigma. Just look at the word itself: It's believed to be derived from the Latin manus, or "hand," and stuprare, "to defile oneself." Yikes. Masturbation myths (such as the assumption that masturbation decreases sensitivity or kills sex drive) abound, and they're getting in the way of people getting to know and enjoy their bodies. To combat the secrecy that shrouds self-pleasure, we called on seven women to share their thoughts on masturbation — and their own reasons for doing it. "When guys do it, it’s to relieve stress or just because they’re bored," Remy observes. "I don’t think it’s any different for girls." Betsy, meanwhile, points out the sheer bliss of solo sex: "It feels good!" she exclaims. "I’m a horny woman, and I’m allowed to masturbate, so I do." Some women note how much more open we are about guys jerking off than women touching themselves. "There’s so much talk out there about guys masturbating," Lesley laments. (For proof, see our video on the dearth of terms for female masturbation.) "It would be nice for there to be some more discussion about what ladies do, and in a way that’s ladies in charge of the conversation."
View the full video above for a conversation in which the ladies are in charge, and are speaking out about making themselves feel good.