TENGA's Masturbation Study
At TENGA, our goal has always been to create a safe environment for practicing self-pleasure and finding more opportunities to enjoy yourself. With all its benefits, we believe self-pleasure should have its place in everyone's daily rituals to help them have a productive and positive lifestyle.
In order for us to do what we do, we are naturally curious about masturbation and how people feel about it. We searched but found very little research pertaining to what we wanted to know. So several years ago, we started our own masturbation study.
In this article, we would like to review a few points from TENGA's masturbation study, otherwise known as the TENGA Self-Pleasure Report. We will be discussing some key points in recent years from our findings. By sharing this information, we hope to continue the conversations on the positive effects of masturbation and make self-pleasure something more open, free, and less taboo.
One thing that has become clear is that in tracking the perceptions of masturbation in our study, we can see a positive shift in attitudes:
Americans are more likely to use masturbation as a form of self-care, and are using sex toys more!
CONTENTS
- Masturbation for Relaxation
- Pressure to “Perform” Sexually
- Using Sex Toys Appears to Make A Difference
- Do Men Who Use Sex Toys Have Better Sex Lives?
- Are You Buying Sex Toys?
- Do You Know TENGA?
- Are We Liking Masturbation More?
- In Conclusion
Masturbation for Relaxation
TENGA's 2019 and 2020 masturbation studies interviewed 5,000 people worldwide, including 1,000 Americans each year. Among those surveyed, respondents mentioned that the most effective stress reducing activities in their lives were having sex as the most popular response, and masturbating as number two. We were surprised in the masturbation study that sex and masturbation ranked higher than some traditional wellness activities, including sleeping, listening to music, meditating, and yoga.
From the TENGA 2019 Self-Pleasure Report (p. 21)
In addition, the 2019 Self-Pleasure Report revealed that 74% of those Americans who masturbated used masturbation as a form of self-care and 54% said it improved their well-being. Nearly most surveyed Americans found masturbation to have a positive effect across most aspects of their lives, including their mood, health, energy, productivity levels, and their relationships and marriages. Of course, we at TENGA had a good idea of its benefits and blogged about it a while back.
Pressure to “Perform” Sexually
When having sex, the majority of both men and women said they felt pressure to ‘perform’ sexually. While women expressed more pressure in pleasing their partner or to engage in different positions, men felt pressured to delay their orgasms or to stay aroused for long periods of time.
Survey: Have you ever felt pressure to ‘perform’ sexually or experienced sexual performance anxiety?
From the TENGA 2019 Self-Pleasure Report (p. 24)
Gaining confidence is a huge part of better performance. As you read on, our masturbation study findings have shown that those that masturbate regularly find confidence from it to help them satisfy both their partner and themselves.
Using Sex Toys Appears to Make A Difference
From the TENGA 2020 Self-Pleasure Report (p. 66)
It is important to note the responses of those who masturbated regularly compared to those who did not:
- Yes, I am confident in my ability to sexually satisfy a partner: 51% who masturbate regularly / 46% who do not
- Yes, I am confident in my ability to satisfy myself sexually: 56% who masturbate regularly / 32% who do not
- Yes, I'm satisfied with the quality of sexual experiences I've had: 43% who masturbate regularly / 42% who do not
As the results point out, those who did not masturbate regularly tend to be less satisfied with the quality of masturbation and sexual activity in their lives.
Sex toy users show a double-digit increase in confidence over non-users for most metrics:
From the TENGA 2020 Self-Pleasure Report (p. 68)
Again, it is important to note the responses of those who masturbated regularly with a sex toy compared to those who did not:
- Yes, I am confident in my ability to sexually satisfy a partner: 58% who masturbate regularly with a sex toy / 46% who do not
- Yes, I am confident in my ability to satisfy myself sexually: 63% who masturbate regularly with a sex toy / 45% who do not
- Yes, I'm satisfied with the quality of sexual experiences I've had: 53% who masturbate regularly with a sex toy / 48% who do not
Using sex toys was shown in this masturbation study to help respondents with their self-satisfaction as well as their partner’s satisfaction. Masturbation with a sex toy was seen as a helpful tool for sexual improvement.
Do men who use sex toys have better sex lives?
From the TENGA 2019 Self-Pleasure Report (p. 28)
When it comes to men who use sex toys, the report remains consistent with the data previously discussed; not only do those men who use sex toys feel more pleasure during masturbation and sex, but they are also more satisfied with their own sexual performance and their emotional connections with their partners. And these findings are also consistent with women who currently use a sex toy.
Are You Buying Sex Toys?
According to the masturbation study findings, owning and using a sex toy may give more satisfaction to you and your partner. The next question is, when will you be buying your next sex toy? As far as current buying behaviors, most Americans are open to purchasing a sex toy in the future.
From the TENGA 2020 Self-Pleasure Report (p. 52)
The possibility of purchasing a sex toy in the future goes dramatically higher if the respondent is someone who currently uses a sex toy, about 93% responded "yes". Still, among those who do not currently use a sex toy, approximately 59% responded that they would be open to purchasing one for themselves or their partner in the future.
Also, perhaps in part to the lockdown caused by the Pandemic, many found themselves masturbating more during this period. According to our masturbation study, more than double the number of men reported using a sex toy in 2020 compared to 2018.
From the TENGA 2020 Self-Pleasure Report (p. 46)
Do You Know TENGA?
Of course, we have our own preferences in terms of what sex toys we like. But it does appear we are starting to make a name for ourselves outside of Japan.
From the TENGA 2020 Self-Pleasure Report (p. 55)
TENGA awareness has more than doubled among men since 2016, from 8% in 2016 to 19% in 2020. Look for us online and if you don’t see us in your favorite brick and mortar store, please put in a good word for us!
Are We Liking Masturbation More?
Fortunately, Americans appear to be becoming more masturbation-positive, considering it a “natural thing to do”.
From the TENGA 2020 Self-Pleasure Report (p. 59)
Most US Adults 18-54 agree with statements that can be classified as broadly masturbation-positive, with most agreeing that masturbation is a natural thing to do. So let’s keep the conversation going!
In Conclusion
