Masturbation is the technical term for the autosexual manual stimulation of the own sexual organs ending with an orgasm. The origin of this term is not completely clear but it is assumed that it is a combination of the Latin mas for male and turbare for to move, while it could also be a combination of the Latin manus for hand and stuprum for fornication. Other terms for this autosexual practice are ipsation or onanism, or more colloquially jerking off or wanking if performed by men.
Masturbation can also be performed as a sexual practice during sexual intercourse with the sexual partner performing the masturbation, which is no longer masturbation, though.
Statistically everyone satisfies themselves in irregular intervals. 90 percent of them are men and two thirds of the women masturbate irregularly. The age at which masturbation is discovered can vary, ranging from a very young age to late adolescence.
There are a lot of masturbatory techniques. Rhythm, pressure, and movement are subject to individual preferences. Thus there is no ideal case of masturbation. Sometimes only single fingers are used to have an orgasm, while others use the entire hand or both hands.
Above all, there are also many means that can be used to make masturbation even more pleasurable. Lubricants can be used or objects, especially vibrators or a dildo to stimulate penetration. Sex dolls with either male or female sexual organs are available as well. Mostly they are used by men, while women usually use everyday objects like a cucumber or a banana as a substitute for the penis.
There are also persons who masturbate orally by stimulating their own sexual organs with their moth, lips, or tongue.
Similar to alcohol and nicotine, one can get addicted to masturbating. Persons with this addiction have to masturbate compulsively or also in public to be able to have an orgasm. However, there are self-help groups for such addicts.