Masturbation is, without question, a popular activity for both men and women - but mutual masturbation is a much rarer occurrence. Yet sharing one's solo pleasure with another person can be a rewarding experience for both parties. Naturally, male participants will want to make sure that they engage in adequate penis care so that the organ looks good and healthy when displayed in this way. But once any shyness or hesitation about penile appearance is allayed, a man should be ready to plunge head first into the mutual masturbation experience.

Overcoming the taboo

It is undoubtedly true that there is much more openness about masturbation today than in years past. Certainly the subject is discussed more freely. In the past, a man would have been loath to admit that he masturbated, even to his best friend. Today it's a given that men enjoy fondling themselves at least occasionally, and some men are unashamed to admit to their friends that pleasuring themselves is a regular activity. Organized events such as National Masturbation Month help to de-stigmatize a pastime that is enjoyed by almost all.

Nonetheless, there is still a bit of a taboo around the subject of masturbation. This can especially be true when dealing with two people in a sexual relationship. For example, a man and a woman who are regularly coupling may feel awkward discussing the subject of masturbation. If the relationship is one of some duration, it may be increasingly awkward. Many times, a woman may be dismayed to know that the man with whom she is regularly intimate also enjoys masturbating. There can be a feeling that this is somehow "cheating" or that the partner sex is not satisfying enough.

It's natural

In fact, masturbation is part of the menu of sexual activities and a man who masturbates while in a relationship is neither cheating nor expressing dissatisfaction with the pleasure he derives from coupling. Spending some sexual "me time" is a legitimate need, and one that can vary from man to man. One man may masturbate more times in one week than another man does in an entire year.

Getting mutual

Couples who can overcome a reluctance to masturbate together can find that the experience has many rewards, such as:

- Deepening trust. Masturbating in front of another person demonstrates a deep trust in that person. This expression of trust can strengthen an existing bond and make two people feel closer to each other.

- Arousal. By definition, masturbation is an arousing act - but masturbating together with another person increases the arousal quotient considerably. Watching another person engaging in what is considered a very private act can be deeply erotic.

- Education. There is a great deal that one can learn from watching a partner masturbate. One can see how she handles herself and what things she does differently; a man can learn a great deal about what causes pleasurable sensations and can use this information when he is touching her or coupling with her. (And the reverse is also true: She can learn about ways she can enhance the pleasure that she gives to her partner as well.) As a couple progresses, they may move from manually pleasuring themselves to manually pleasuring each other - and that can also be a rather pleasurable educational experience.

Like a bit of everyday solo pleasure, mutual masturbation is more enjoyable for both partners when the penis is in good health. Regular application of a quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can help to ensure that health. For a man, masturbation can get a bit overheated, sometimes leading to a man handling himself too roughly or exerting a grip that is too tight in the quest for release. This can lead to de-sensitization, but a crème with neuroprotective acetyl L-carnitine can help repair the peripheral nerve damage that causes loss of sensation. A well-masturbated penis may also be a bit sore; using a crème with Shea butter and vitamin E can help to alleviate the soreness that comes from being over-aggressive with the penis. And asking one's partner to apply the crème can be yet another way of establishing pleasurable tenderness in a relationship.