Paddling the pink canoe (or whatever you want to call it) not only feels ah-mazing, but it also has a ton of research-proven health benefits. That's because it releases feel-good endorphins, which do everything from ease stress to relieve menstrual cramps. One recent study published in Sleep Medicine even found that masturbation can treat restless leg syndrome (a neurological disorder that causes your legs to jerk around in bed). Uh, we'd love to see the doctor's prescription form for that.

...but not if you do it this way.
A University of Michigan study found that women who masturbate with saliva (i.e., wetting your fingers before you give yourself a hand) have a higher risk of developing frequent yeast infections. Researchers think it's because the saliva may disrupt the balance of bacteria down there. If you want to lube up before you get on with your horny self, choose the bottled kind instead.

We're still keeping it on the DL.
Apparently we can't let go and allow our self-love flag to fly. According to research from Penn State University, women talk more about sex than men do...except when it comes to masturbation. Men are more likely to trade info among themselves on how they do it and what they think about (or watch). We're not saying you need to start updating your Facebook status every time you give yourself an O, but occasionally discussing it with a few close gf's can help you figure out new ways to experience even hotter pleasure.

Lady monkeys need self-loving too.
Scientists have observed a wide variety of animals masturbating in the wild, including deer, monkeys, walruses, and squirrels. In fact, female apes and monkeys have been known to use sticks for, ahem, added pleasure down there.

That old wive's tale about masturbation causing acne? It's kinda true.
That's because when you climax, your body experiences a spike in the hormone testosterone, which can cause zits. The increase in testosterone is (very) small, though, so it's unlikely that you'll have a breakout.

It's possible to think your way to a party for one.
Researchers at Rutgers University have documented women who can climax without touching themselves. In a study, these women "thought" their way to climax while inside an MRI machine; scans revealed that their brains lit up during orgasm in the exact same spots as did women who peaked the old-fashioned way.

And, uh, exercise your way there too.
Some women can hit the high note just by doing crunches that include a leg raise — it causes the pelvic muscles to tighten and release, which can unleash a wave of blissful contractions down there.