Even though it’s easier than ever to shop for sex toys, it’s also totally normal if you feel overwhelmed with options, don’t have the budget to splurge on the latest vibrator, or simply feel uncomfortable using a toy, whether alone or with a partner. But don’t worry, because you already have access to the ultimate sex toy: your thighs.
Syntribation is a discreet way to masturbate that requires no hands, batteries, charging cords, or even lube. All you have to do is squeeze your thighs, says Rachel Zar.
How To Perform The Technique
Now, if you’re thinking, “There’s no way it’s that easy to climax,” you’re right – you can’t just cross your legs and have an orgasm (if only!). But it doesn’t take a sexpert to nail this masturbation technique. It just “entails crossing your legs and squeezing your thighs together, often combined with some rocking or grinding to stimulate the clitoris and vulva,” says Kimberly Thomas.
Squeezing your thighs – especially if you’re also flexing your pelvic floor muscles – brings blood flow to your genitals, increasing overall arousal and pleasure. “For those with a vulva, the clitoris is more than just the little nub (or the glans) you see at the top of your labia,” Zar says. “It actually extends internally along the sides of your vulva, hence why any kind of thigh squeezing can feel really good to your entire vagina.”
Why Syntribation Is A Versatile Masturbation Method
While the technique might take some practice to perfect, syntribation is a pretty simple and versatile way to self-pleasure. “Syntribation is hands-free, so it can be done in a variety of settings, and is accessible for those who might have difficulty using their hands for masturbation,” says Zar. You can also pair it with other pleasurable activities, either by yourself or with a partner (more on that later).
If you’ve utilised this technique before, it’s likely you came across it by accident – perhaps when you were younger and experimenting with masturbation for the first time. It’s very common for people in adolescence to discover the action of squeezing their thighs feels really good, even before they register that it’s a sexual act, Zar says. “Don’t be afraid to borrow this technique in your adult life – committing to pleasure regardless of how you find it is a healthy mindset as you evolve sexually.” Hear, hear (and rub, rub)!
READ MORE: 13 Best Masturbation Techniques For Women, According To Sex Experts
The Benefits Of Syntribation
This masturbation technique provides plenty of perks, both physical and mental. For starters, “syntribation can add a layer of mystery and excitement to your sex life, whether you’re doing it alone or with a partner(s),” Thomas says. Other benefits include:
1. It’s discreet
Many methods of self-pleasure aren’t exactly subtle (think: using a wand vibrator you can hear from the next room), but the most notable perk of syntribation is its discretion. Whether you live with roommates or are on a family vacation, you can go for the big O completely undetected. Just make sure you have ample privacy before engaging in syntribation, because while it is low-key, it is still masturbation. “Please keep in mind that people around you are not consenting to being around you as you masturbate, so opt for more independent settings,” Thomas adds.
2. It’s easy for newbies, as well as people with limited mobility
Syntribation is also incredibly beneficial for sexually-inexperienced people, or even those who don’t feel connected to their genitalia, says Thomas. This method takes the pressure off knowing exactly what to do with your hands and allows you to just focus on what feels good.
Plus, once you develop your sexual preferences, you can feel confident in sharing them with a partner or during other forms of masturbation. “Syntribation is also a safe way to explore your own sexuality, build familiarity and comfort with your sexual self and gain sexual confidence,” Zar says.
Or maybe you’ve got plenty of self-pleasure experience, but it’s difficult to fully enjoy yourself due to limited mobility. Syntribation also allows for people with physical disabilities that impact their ability to touch themselves to experience sexual pleasure manually, Thomas says.
READ MORE: I Wore A Remote-Control Vibrating Thong & My Partner Literally Forgot How To Act
3. It’s good for your health (yes, really)
While no studies have been completed on syntribation yet (it isn’t even an official dictionary word), masturbation, in general, has been known to help reduce cortisol levels and release feel-good hormones like dopamine, endorphins and oxytocin, Zar says. Like more traditional masturbation practices, it’s also a surefire way to relieve stress and improve your mood, Zar adds, citing a recent study from the International Journal of Sexual Health.
4. It’s versatile
Syntribation “can easily be done in conjunction with other pleasurable activities, including using your hands on a partner, using a vibrator on your vulva, touching your clitoris, or even while having intercourse – for example, if your partner is behind you in a spooning position,” Zar says. Think of it as a Swiss army knife of self-pleasure – always a useful item to have in your toolbox.
How To Try Syntribation
If you’re ready to give your favourite vibrator a vacation (she deserves it), consider adding syntribation to your masturbation rotation the next time the mood strikes. And don’t reserve all the fun for your solo seshes – you can use syntribation with your sexual partner(s), too.
Try it with a pillow
“If vibrating is too overwhelming of a sensation, you can also place a pillow or a folded blanket in between your thighs to increase the pressure,” Zar says. Cross your legs around the soft object, grind, roll your hips and let loose.
Try it with your clothes on
Unlike other masturbation techniques (like using a clit suction toy, for example), syntribation is a clothing-optional activity. The friction of clothes can provide additional stimulation to the vulva or clitoris, Thomas says. You can even play around with different textures, such as lightweight linen, denim, or soft jersey, to see what type of material feels best on your bod.
READ MORE: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Clitoral Stimulation
Try it in the bath or the shower
“Lie or stand in a comfortable position and let the soapy water offer a more slippery sensation,” Zar says. This is also recommended if you tend to experience chafing between your thighs. And whether you have a vulva or penis, trying syntribation this way may prove to be the most comfortable, thanks to the water.
Try it with a vibrator
If you like the sensation of vibration when you masturbate, try placing a vibrator against your vulva or between your thighs before you syntribate and use your thighs in addition to the vibration for increased intensity, Zar says.
Try it during outercourse (a.k.a. foreplay)
Try some subtle syntribation when you’re making out and/or otherwise engaged in above-the-waist action. It’s an easy way to warm up before you or your partner head south. “Getting the blood flowing between your legs will allow you to already be aroused and primed for increased pleasure right from the start,” Zar says.
You can also use syntribation to incorporate edging into a sex sesh, Thomas adds. “Edging is a practice used to extend sexual pleasure before orgasming, so, between changing positions, you and your partner can engage in mutual syntribation to keep the sexual tension alive.”
READ MORE: The A to Z Of Sexual Wellness – Literally Everything You Need To Know
Try it during intercourse
First, position your partner behind you, either while you’re in a spooning position or lying flat on your stomach, Zar says. “Cross your legs once they’ve inserted themselves to get the sensation of intercourse in addition to the pressure from syntribation,” she explains.
So, the next time you leave the self-pleasure aisle empty-handed or open your nightstand drawer to find your go-to vibrator completely dead, don’t panic. You don’t need it anyway – you have your thighs.
Meet the Experts
- Rachel Zar, PhD, LMFT, is a sex therapist and couple and family therapist at Avid Intimacy.
- Kimberly Thomas, LPC, CST, is a sex therapist at Transformation Space Therapeutic Services.
This article by Meguire Hennes was originally published on Women’s Health US.
