Your 'hands on' guide - A quiz on female masturbation

Sex toys are the most common tools a woman can use to masturbate. It's still advisable to start with your hands since that can be the ideal way to learn about your body. You can also use edible dildos such as carrots to stimulate yourself and reach an orgasm. You should cover the carrot head going into your vagina with a condom in order to prevent any vaginal infection. The power shower nozzle in your bathtub can give you amazing results as well.

Though, your saliva is the second best alternative for a lubricant (after your natural genital lubrication), a recent study has found out that women who use saliva as a lubricant put themselves at greater risks of developing a yeast infection. Studies suggest that excess saliva use can disrupt the natural balance of your vaginal bacteria. Try a water based personal moisturizer to lubricate your privates instead.

UTIs can be very painful and irritating. Though drinking cranberry juice and peeing after intercourse can help fight UTIs, you may be surprised to know that masturbation can also do its bit in relieving you from the pain of UTIs. When you masturbate, you drain the bacteria out of your cervix, which lowers the chances of you contracting any UTI.

Among all the other health benefits, masturbation can also act as an effective pain reliever. Women who masturbate on a regular basis report lesser problems of menstrual cramps and other symptoms of PMS such as irritability, crankiness and fewer headaches.