Even though female masturbation is common, normal, and healthy, many women feel uncomfortable. Sex researchers Edward O. Laumann et al. find that about half of women and men who masturbate feel guilty. They state, "Masturbation has the peculiar status of being both highly stigmatized and fairly commonplace."

Women explore their bodies less than men because they are not encouraged to be as sexual. Masturbation can help you be happier, feel more fulfilled and love your body. Read on for three tips on overcoming guilt and shame about female masturbation, so you can have the sex you want and deserve.

(1) Understand that facts about masturbation.

Female masturbation is as good for you as eating your fruits and vegetables. According to Dorian Solot and Marshall Miller, women who masturbate are more likely to have orgasms, and orgasm more easily from masturbation than any other sex act. Women who have orgasms while masturbating tend to orgasm with their partners more often.

Masturbation reduces stress, heightens relaxation, and even relieves cramps. You will have more sexual pleasure, less risk of incontinence, and easier childbirth by using the pubecoccal (PC) muscles, the ones that quiver and contract during orgasm. Since you can't get pregnant or give yourself an STD, female masturbation is the safest sex on the planet!

(2) Identify your beliefs about masturbation and sex in general. Humans are naturally social - we learn from each other and can pick up one another's values without realizing..

Our culture teaches us how to be, through family, religion, and the media, to name a few.. Many people believe masturbation is sinful, addictive, just for men, or that female masturbation is for sluts, whores, and nymphomaniacs.

Experiences like physical, mental, or emotional trauma also shape our sexual beliefs. Being caught masturbating, sexual abuse, a bad trip to the gynecologist, or even having your sexual secrets told can reinforce negative beliefs about sex and female masturbation.

(3) Replace unsupportive sexual beliefs with positive ones. Dream up your ideal sex life, and imagine how your body would feel, how you would masturbate, and what you might fantasize about if you felt free to indulge. Don't just think about it, but relax and FEEL what this reality would be like.

Create an affirmation for yourself that reflects one aspect of your ideal sex life. Sure, its cheesy, but go with it. If you're like most people, you say negative things to yourself all the time. Choosing ONE nice thing won't kill you, will it?. Try these on for size: I love my body, I am free, masturbation is awesome, I am safe, I am sexy, I love myself.

Affirmations work similar to a self-fulfilling prophecy. The mind likes to be congruent with your behavior. The more you say your affirmation and feel it in your body, your mind will begin finding ways to make it real. You may observe yourself behaving differently, liking masturbation more than usual.

You don't need to believe your affirmation, that will come in time. Its alright if you feel silly. Start each morning with your affirmation and repeat it throughout the day (whisper if you don't want anyone to hear). Repeat it before or during masturbation and remind yourself why you're there.

The change will take time, and you might feel overwhelmed. You'll benefit most if you pair mind AND body healing at the same time. Over time, you'll heal your guilt and shame over female masturbation, you'll have a more fun and intimate sex life overall.