Best Ways To Jerk Off: The Ultimate Guide To Male Masturbation
There are plenty of ways for guys to jerk off (masturbate a penis) but the best methods are the ones that end with an O.
(Orgasm, of course.)
If you’re just here for the goods, watch our demonstration video below — you might just learn a few new moves:
Here’s what you need to know about how to jerk off:
- Penile or male masturbation is healthy and normal (and provides myriad health benefits), and most guys do it with varying frequency.
- The “best” way to jerk off is the one that is most effective for you or your partner — whatever that happens to be — but there are many methods to explore if you’re looking to shake up your routine.
- Sex toys and lube can enhance the overall experience during male masturbation but are not necessarily required, although a personal lubricant can help to reduce friction during the activity and is generally a good idea.
People say “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but that doesn’t mean something good can’t be made great.
There’s nothing wrong with basic jerking off, but we have a bunch of tips and tricks (and a video) to improve your wank game whether for yourself or your partner.
How To Jerk Off (Solo, With A Partner, Or Toys)
Jerking off a penis generally involves wrapping one hand around the shaft and stroking it up and down.
The activity sounds simple and for many men, it tends to come naturally (pun intended).
As a guy, do you really need to be told how to masturbate?
Maybe not, but it couldn’t hurt to brush up on the basics or learn some new moves for when you need to take matters into your own hands:
Or perhaps you’re here for a penis-owning partner to make their lives a bit more fun. If so then welcome!
The general rule is that whatever method of masturbation brings you to climax is a good one as long as it is safe.
These techniques are a basic framework so you can enjoy yourself more effectively, but feel free to experiment and enhance your experience.
The Basic Way
- Using your whole hand, grip the shaft with firm but comfortable pressure
- Stroke up and down the shaft at your desired rhythm
Just The Tip
- Using your whole hand, comfortably grip the head of your penis (you don’t have to squeeze hard)
- Massage and stroke just around the tip with minimal focus on the shaft
The Triceratops
- Use your thumb, index, and middle fingertips and place them around your penis
- Gently stroke and slide up and down the shaft
- Alternate the pressure and speed as needed, adding pressure if it tickles your fancy
Gentle Touch
- You’ll use the tips of all of your fingers for this one, maintaining gentle contact throughout
- With a light touch, slide up and down the shaft from tip to base
- This is a more subtle method of jerking off that’s great for teasing during extended play
The Top Hat
- Shape your hand like a jellyfish (all fingers pointing downward)
- Place your hand over the head of your penis like a little hat
- Stroke up and down over the top portion of your penis, a little on the shaft (as far as your fingers can reach) but the head is the focus
The Spider-Man
- Use your ring finger, middle finger, and thumb to wrap around the shaft — the hand position resembles Spider-Man’s whenever he shoots a web
- Stroke up and down the shaft until you “THWIP!”
European Grip
- Invert your hand so the palm is covering the top side of your penis; your fingers should be against the underside
- Stroke the shaft at your desired pressure and rhythm
The Twister
- You’ll use the same grip as the basic method for this one, wrapping your hand around the shaft of your penis
- Put some motion into your wrist and then twist your fingers around the shaft as you stroke up and down
Ring Of Power
- Make a firm circle using just your index finger and thumb
- Grip your penis with slightly more pressure than you might normally use — but not so much that it becomes uncomfortable — and stroke away
Double-Fisting
- Using both hands, clasp your fingers together to form a large sheath around your penis
- Grip it firmly with both hands and stroke up and down the shaft
How To Jerk Off With A Partner
Working one out doesn’t need to just be a convenient way to relieve some tension by yourself.
It can be a full-on experience that rivals actual sex and can be done with a partner as a different way to enjoy each other.
In fact, bringing in an extra pair of hands can be a sexy and fun addition to your and your partner’s sex life.
There are two ways to jerk off with a partner: mutual masturbation and handjobs.
- Mutual Masturbation
Mutual masturbation involves you and your partner masturbating together at the same time.
This is a great option for couples who desire to learn more about what gets each person off because showing how they please themselves can give their partner a better idea of what they like.
When engaging in mutual masturbation, the two of you can bring some extra excitement to the table with dirty talk, role play, and touching each other everywhere BUT your genitals.
There’s also something about being near each other but not on each other that is just so hot.
Mutual masturbation is also perfect for couples who can’t be in the same room when the mood strikes.
Thanks to modern technology — like Zoom or FaceTime — you and your partner can give each other a private cam show with the press of a button.
- Handjobs
I know you’re thinking “What is this, summer camp?”, but don’t turn your nose up at the tried and true handjob just yet.
A good ol’ fashioned handy can sometimes rival penetrative sex in satisfaction.
Like mutual masturbation, your partner can enhance the experience with sultry whispers in your ear and nipple play while they stroke you.
For those who are giving a handjob and are not sure how, try the techniques we mentioned above and keep a couple things in mind:
- Lube is highly recommended here. Apply liberally and be sure to get good coverage over your hand to avoid dry spots and unwanted friction.
- Put on a show! Be vocal and enthusiastic. Try kneeling between your partner’s legs and look into their eyes. Take control of the pace to keep them on the edge of orgasm until they can’t hold back anymore.
How To Jerk Off With Sex Toys
Adding a sex toy to your spank session can be a game-changer.
Regardless of the kind of toy you’re using, be sure to thoroughly clean it before and after each use.
There are three basic types of toys that can be used while jerking off — those you put your penis into, toys you put on your penis, and toys that go inside your body.
- Sex toys you put your penis in:
These include masturbation sleeves, pocket pussies, and sex toys like the popular Fleshlight.
They can be a life-like recreation of a vagina or butthole with a full seal for suction or a textured sleeve that wraps around your penis for added sensation.
There are toys that involve you doing all the work (stroking them up and down your penis manually) but there are also automatic masturbators that handle everything for you.
Ain’t the future grand?
Below, we’ll share some of the best and most popular male masturbators available at Adam & Eve if you’re curious to give one a try.
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Best Selling Fleshlight
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Top-Rated Torso
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Best Selling Masturbator
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$59.95
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$199.95
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$29.95
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Description: Bottom Line: Smaller, lighter weight, and even more discreet when compared to the original Fleshlight, you'll enjoy the same great suction and stroking action in a slightly smaller (and much more portable!) package you can take with you just about anywhere you go. |
Description: Bottom Line: Eve The Girl Next Door's material feels like natural skin, and her torso's size and weight make her a comfortable companion in bed. With a soft vaginal opening, tight anus, and full breasts for squeezing, she's ready to give it to you all night! |
Description: Bottom Line: This stroker is 6.5 inches long so it can accommodate most penises. Even better, it’s not made to look like a disembodied vagina. Yes, the pink sleeve gives its purpose away, but if you’re the type who’d rather not stare at fake labia, this could be perfect for you. |
Bottom Line: Smaller, lighter weight, and even more discreet when compared to the original Fleshlight, you'll enjoy the same great suction and stroking action in a slightly smaller (and much more portable!) package you can take with you just about anywhere you go.
Bottom Line: Eve The Girl Next Door's material feels like natural skin, and her torso's size and weight make her a comfortable companion in bed. With a soft vaginal opening, tight anus, and full breasts for squeezing, she's ready to give it to you all night!
Bottom Line: This stroker is 6.5 inches long so it can accommodate most penises. Even better, it’s not made to look like a disembodied vagina. Yes, the pink sleeve gives its purpose away, but if you’re the type who’d rather not stare at fake labia, this could be perfect for you.
- Sex toys you put on your penis:
Toys like vibrators can be used to ramp up your pleasure by holding them against different areas around your penis, including the head, shaft, or testicles.
Holding a vibe to the frenulum, a very sensitive part near the tip, or pressed up to your perineum (the area between your testicles and anus, also known as the “taint”) can be an intense addition to your hands-on experience.
Vibrating wands — like our top picks below — are a great place to start if you’ve never tried using a vibrator against your penis.
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Best Traditional Wand!
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Luxury Pick!
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Budget Pick!
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$94.95
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$199.99
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$39.99
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Description: Bottom Line: The Hitachi Magic Wand is something no masturbation enthusiast should be without. This classic design is a tried and true favorite thanks to its ease of use and simple 2-setting interface, even if it lacks the bells and whistles of modern tech, but comes in a rechargeable version, too. [Read Our Review] |
Description: Bottom Line: The LELO SMART WAND 2 is a lavish vibrating wand that is sure to please you over and over again — for up to 4 hours at a time. Offering a wide range of vibrations that tease and titillate, this flexible wand offers precise pleasure right where you need it most! [Read Our Review] |
Description: Bottom Line: Putting portable yet powerful vibration right in the palm of your hands, the Romp Flip is a budget-friendly wand massager that's 100% waterproof. The extra flexible neck of this wand massager makes for excellent orgasms and its size makes it an easy travel companion. [Read Our Review] |
Bottom Line: The Hitachi Magic Wand is something no masturbation enthusiast should be without. This classic design is a tried and true favorite thanks to its ease of use and simple 2-setting interface, even if it lacks the bells and whistles of modern tech, but comes in a rechargeable version, too. [Read Our Review]
Bottom Line: The LELO SMART WAND 2 is a lavish vibrating wand that is sure to please you over and over again — for up to 4 hours at a time. Offering a wide range of vibrations that tease and titillate, this flexible wand offers precise pleasure right where you need it most! [Read Our Review]
Bottom Line: Putting portable yet powerful vibration right in the palm of your hands, the Romp Flip is a budget-friendly wand massager that's 100% waterproof. The extra flexible neck of this wand massager makes for excellent orgasms and its size makes it an easy travel companion. [Read Our Review]
- Sex toys you put inside you:
Toys that stimulate the prostate can take jerking off to new heights.
There are sex toys that are specifically designed to massage your prostate with their shape and/or vibrations, but dildos are also a good option for pleasing the prostate.
Some people can orgasm without even touching their penis by using prostate massagers, although Dr. Susan Milstein, a human sexuality health educator on our medical review board, offered some important advice for anyone planning to explore a prostate massager.
“If you’re going to use a prostate massager or other sex toy up your butt, make sure to not only use lube, but to use one that’s compatible with your sex toy,” she said. Silicone sex toys, for instance, will degrade when silicone-based lubes are used with them.
If you’re not sure where to begin with selecting a prostate massager, take a look at some of our favorite recommendations below.
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Flexible & Hands-Free
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Dual Butt Plug & Prostate Massager
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Perfect For All Experience Levels
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$139.00
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$47.99
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$39.95
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Description: Bottom Line: During the 2022 Sex Toy Challenge, one of our participants said that the vibrations against his prostate and perineum were out of this world! The remote was an added bonus, especially since he could control both sets of vibrations — that feature alone knocked this one out of the park. |
Description: Bottom Line: This vibrating anal plug doubles as a prostate massager, offering 12 vibration settings to choose from and a one-button control. The vibrator is highly flexible and bendable to accommodate various anatomies, but the round, bulbous end may be a little intimidating for those who are brand new to anal play. |
Description: Bottom Line: During the 2022 Sex Toy Challenge, reviewer Zoë admitted to being just a little bit nervous before using this set, but wore the anal plug around the house and found it to be pleasantly stimulating. She added that the vibrations are extremely buzzy and can be felt from one end of the plug to the other. |
Bottom Line: During the 2022 Sex Toy Challenge, one of our participants said that the vibrations against his prostate and perineum were out of this world! The remote was an added bonus, especially since he could control both sets of vibrations — that feature alone knocked this one out of the park.
Bottom Line: This vibrating anal plug doubles as a prostate massager, offering 12 vibration settings to choose from and a one-button control. The vibrator is highly flexible and bendable to accommodate various anatomies, but the round, bulbous end may be a little intimidating for those who are brand new to anal play.
Bottom Line: During the 2022 Sex Toy Challenge, reviewer Zoë admitted to being just a little bit nervous before using this set, but wore the anal plug around the house and found it to be pleasantly stimulating. She added that the vibrations are extremely buzzy and can be felt from one end of the plug to the other.
25 Tips For Jerking Off
If you’re looking for fresh ideas or new things to try, here are some quick tips and tricks for jerking off.
- 1: Make a night of it.
Set aside some time to enjoy yourself — all night long.
Light some candles, take a relaxing bath, get your toys and porn ready and focus on yourself.
Think of it like a spa day for you and your penis.
- 2: Change up your stroke.
If you’re used to jerking off fast and furious, try slowing it down with deliberate motions and edging.
The same goes for the reverse for those who want to add more intensity.
Variety is the spice of life, right?
- 3: Try new positions.
Instead of just lying down, try sitting on the edge of the bed or couch or even standing up.
Get in touch with your whole body and explore how different positions add to the experience.
- 4: It’s all on the hips.
Try thrusting into your hand instead of letting it do all the stroking.
Getting some motion going in your hips to mimic sex can amp up the intensity.
- 5: Try a new location.
If you’re used to jerking it in one spot, move somewhere different.
Find a private place like your home office or garage to switch up the vibes.
It’s not a good idea to jack off in public unless you’re with adults who have given their consent.
- 6: Have your clean-up materials within reach before you start.
Whatever you use to catch your load, ensure it’s there when you need it.
Don’t break the momentum of needing to get up and find a towel or tissue when you’re about to blow.
It’s easy to clean up cum, but it’s smart to have the things you need on hand and within reach when you’re done.
- 7: Go hands-free.
Humping your pillows may sound juvenile, but using items around the house to hold a toy in place while you thrust away is a great way to level up a basic bit of masturbation.
- 8: Try a new lube.
There are many body-safe lubes that can add a new dimension to pleasing yourself.
Try one that adds a warming or tingling sensation to shake things up.
If you normally use a water-based lubricant, take a silicone-based or oil-based product for a ride instead.
- 9: Try lube, period.
For those of us who have stuck to a minimalist approach to jerking off and never tried using lube, consider picking up a bottle to enhance the experience.
There are plenty of products to explore and there’s nothing better for reducing friction during masturbation than a top-quality personal lubricant — and we’ll share our top recommendations below.
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Best Overall Lube
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Top Pick: Water-Based
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Top Pick: Silicone-Based
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Top Pick: Oil-Based
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$11.95 (2.5 oz)
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$12.99 (4 oz)
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$21.95 (8.5 oz)
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$21.99 (4.7 oz)
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Description: Bottom Line: The best personal lubricants offer a completely natural texture that mimics your body’s own lubrication while being compatible with all condom types, sex toys, and sexual activities. Aloe Cadabra is our best overall lube because it is easy to use, lightweight, highly versatile, and made with 95% food-grade NSF Certified organic aloe — a soothing ingredient that is perfect for those with sensitive skin — plus it’s available in 12+ flavors to sweeten oral sex safely. [Full Review + Video] |
Description: Bottom Line: Water-based personal lubricants are the go-to choice for many people because they are compatible with every sex toy material and condom type, making them incredibly popular among lube enthusiasts. Almost Naked is our top lube in this category because it is made with 95% organic ingredients while offering a long-lasting, gel-like formula that mimics your body's natural lubrication with a delicious vanilla scent and no sweet flavor during oral sex. [Full Review + Video] |
Description: Bottom Line: This is our team's favorite silicone-based lubricant because a little goes a very long way and it feels incredibly silky and smooth to the touch. The need for reapplication is minimal and like most lubes of this nature, holds up well when used in the water. One thing we really loved about Valm is the smart bottle design, which not only features a sleek pump, but a smart locking mechanism that prevents accidental spills or leakage — and it can be activated with just one hand. [Full Review + Video] |
Description: Bottom Line: While often overlooked, oil-based lubricants are as long-lasting as those made from silicone while being equally waterproof, moisturizing, and suited to anal sex. They are not compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms and shouldn't be used with latex or rubber sex toys. Made with the best ingredients, AH! YES OB is a certified 99% organic lubricant that doubles as a sensual massage oil. Formulated to soothe and condition skin, it doesn’t need to be washed off. [Read Full Review] |
Bottom Line: The best personal lubricants offer a completely natural texture that mimics your body’s own lubrication while being compatible with all condom types, sex toys, and sexual activities. Aloe Cadabra is our best overall lube because it is easy to use, lightweight, highly versatile, and made with 95% food-grade NSF Certified organic aloe — a soothing ingredient that is perfect for those with sensitive skin — plus it’s available in 12+ flavors to sweeten oral sex safely. [Full Review + Video]
Bottom Line: Water-based personal lubricants are the go-to choice for many people because they are compatible with every sex toy material and condom type, making them incredibly popular among lube enthusiasts. Almost Naked is our top lube in this category because it is made with 95% organic ingredients while offering a long-lasting, gel-like formula that mimics your body's natural lubrication with a delicious vanilla scent and no sweet flavor during oral sex. [Full Review + Video]
Bottom Line: This is our team's favorite silicone-based lubricant because a little goes a very long way and it feels incredibly silky and smooth to the touch. The need for reapplication is minimal and like most lubes of this nature, holds up well when used in the water. One thing we really loved about Valm is the smart bottle design, which not only features a sleek pump, but a smart locking mechanism that prevents accidental spills or leakage — and it can be activated with just one hand. [Full Review + Video]
Bottom Line: While often overlooked, oil-based lubricants are as long-lasting as those made from silicone while being equally waterproof, moisturizing, and suited to anal sex. They are not compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms and shouldn't be used with latex or rubber sex toys. Made with the best ingredients, AH! YES OB is a certified 99% organic lubricant that doubles as a sensual massage oil. Formulated to soothe and condition skin, it doesn’t need to be washed off. [Read Full Review]
- 10: Try on some good vibrations.
Adding even a small bullet-style vibe to the mix is a simple but effective way to add some spice to jerking off.
Take a look at the section on toys above for ways to use a vibrator while masturbating.
- 11: Try new types of porn.
Maybe you have a list of go-to videos or pictures for your porn — or you’ve got a subscription to Adam & Eve Plus — but exploring what is out there can be a fun adventure.
Besides trying new genres of visual aids, dip your toe into things like erotic stories or purely auditory porn like ASMR.
- 12: Watch JOI (Jerk Off Instruction) videos.
JOI (Jerk Off Instruction) porn is like jerking off with a partner.
The performer will tell you what to do and when — with some even having a countdown to your big finale.
These come in various styles and genres, so it is also a good way to explore things like role-playing or Domination without needing to invest in costumes or toys.
- 13: Use your imagination.
If you’ve become bored with porn, try using your mind to create your own.
You’ll have full control over your fantasy and you won’t get any targeted ads afterward.
- 14: Buy a manual masturbator.
Toys like sleeves or Fleshlights — where you control the motion yourself — not only enhance your solo project but also may help you last longer when having actual sex.
- 15: Buy an automatic masturbator.
Who hasn’t fantasized about having a sex robot?
Automatic masturbation toys may be a pricier option, but the results are worth it.
With these, you can just sit back and relax while your new piece of sexy tech does all the work.
- 16: Don’t neglect the rest of your body.
You only need one hand to jack off so use your free hand to please yourself in other ways.
Stroke your body, play with your nipples, or do whatever you would want someone to do to you.
Getting your whole body involved is a great way to get in touch with yourself and experiment with new ways of getting off.
- 17: Don’t neglect your balls.
Not everything needs to be about your penis.
Playing with or massaging your testicles is a great way to bring something extra to masturbation.
- 18: Massage your taint.
The perineum — the spot between your scrotum and anus (also known as the “taint”) — can be massaged while jerking off for even more pleasure.
- 19: Explore prostate pleasure.
Massaging your prostate with either a toy or your fingers can open new doors for your masturbation habits.
Start slow when first trying this and you might eventually be able to orgasm from prostate massage alone.
This is a case where lube is required, however, as the anus doesn’t provide its own moisture.
- 20: Immerse yourself in the experience.
Using a VR (virtual reality) headset to watch porn is incredible.
Thousands of videos put you right in the middle of the action and you might enjoy yourself so much that you forget where you really are.
- 21: Try a media-linked automatic masturbator.
There are automatic sex toys that sync up to either VR or internet porn.
You’ll feel every move the performer on your screen is doing so you can live out your fantasy from home.
- 22: Get in the game.
If you’ve never played a dating roleplaying game or sex simulator game, they’re a great way to get invested in a new world of erotic excitement during masturbation.
- 23: Live on the edge.
Delaying ejaculation, or edging, means getting right to the point of orgasm and stopping for a moment.
The build-up can greatly intensify your orgasm or even give you one without ejaculating to keep the fun going.
Edging is also a good way to practice lasting longer during sex.
- 24: Tease yourself.
You don’t need to get right into things immediately.
Take some time to rev up your engines and tease yourself for a bigger release in the end.
- 25: Get out of your head.
Masturbating for fun should be a way to take care of yourself.
Try to relax and block out distractions or worries from the rest of your day — don’t think about work, bills, or other daily life stresses that might pull you out of the moment.
Masturbating can also be a way to try new things you may not feel ready to share with a partner, so don’t worry about what they might think of the activity you’re about to enjoy.
Jerking off is about you, your body, and what you like.
Don’t let other people’s ideas ruin your fun.
What To Watch Out For
While jerking off is a fun and safe way to enjoy yourself, there are some things to keep in mind.
It is possible to over-indulge when it comes to jerking off.
If you experience chafing from friction or pain, that is a sign to take it easy when rubbing one out.
Using lube can help avoid this, but don’t slather whatever is nearby on your penis, like spit.
Use body-safe lubes or lube alternatives and steer clear of things like soap and creams like IcyHot that cause cooling and burning sensations — they are MUCH too intense to be used during masturbation.
There are safe personal lubricants available for those who want warming, tingling, or cooling sensations, so stick to those.
Another thing to watch out for isn’t so much physical as it is mental.
If you’re ignoring your day-to-day responsibilities in favor of working one out or can’t function without jerking off multiple times a day, that could be a sign of a deeper problem.
If that is the case, it could be time to see a licensed therapist to work through those issues.
Wrapping It Up
If you have a penis, you probably already know how to jerk off.
What you may not know is how many ways there are to do it even better.
Making small changes to your normal masturbation methods, adding a partner, and trying new things can take what used to be a quick fix to an entirely new world of fun.
Try some of the tips and tricks mentioned here to enhance your self-pleasure — you’ll be glad you did.
Remember to be safe and enjoy yourself!
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