Where Do Women Masturbate?
Survey data from 10,000+ respondents reveals the most common locations for female self-pleasure—and some surprising spots you might not expect.
Why Location Matters
Masturbation location research tells us something important: privacy and comfort matter more than novelty for most women. While cultural narratives often emphasize adventurous settings, survey data consistently shows that the overwhelming majority of women prefer familiar, private spaces for self-pleasure.
This analysis draws from multiple large-scale surveys, including the TENGA Global Self-Pleasure Report (10,000+ respondents across 9 countries), the We-Vibe Masturbation Report (600 respondents), and several academic studies on female sexual behavior.
The Most Common Locations
The data is remarkably consistent across studies: the bedroom dominates. But within that category, there's nuance worth exploring.
| Rank | Location | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bedroom | 80% | 80% |
| #2 | Bathroom/Shower | 28% | 51% |
| #3 | In Front of Computer | 15% | 31% |
| #4 | Living Room/Couch | 9% | 19% |
| #5 | Car | 19% | 20% |
| #6 | Kitchen | 1% | 8% |
| #7 | Work/Office | 7% | 22% |
The gender gap is most pronounced in the bathroom (51% of men vs. 28% of women use the shower) and at work (22% of men vs. 7% of women). This likely reflects both biological differences in clean-up needs and differing comfort levels with public or semi-public settings.
The Bedroom: Why It Dominates
Eight out of ten women choose the bedroom for masturbation, and the reasons are straightforward: privacy, comfort, and access to tools.
"WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS HOME" was a frequently cited requirement for masturbation among women surveyed, with many emphasizing that privacy trumps all other considerations.
- Locked door available✓
- Comfortable positions✓
- Easy toy storage✓
- Pre-sleep timing✓
- On backMost common
- On stomachSecond most
- On all foursLess common
- Sitting upOccasional
The Bathroom: Water Stimulation
The bathroom ranks second for good reason. Beyond privacy (a locked door is socially acceptable), water provides unique stimulation that many women discover in adolescence.
When I was 13, I discovered the amazing feeling of running the bath over my vulva—my first water orgasm. The gentle pressure provided rhythmic vibrations, leading to my first of many mind-blowing orgasms.
— Anonymous survey respondent, discussing first masturbation experienceThe "bathtub technique" is widely cited as many women's first experience with using something other than hands for stimulation. The combination of warmth, privacy, and hands-free stimulation makes it particularly accessible for those exploring their bodies for the first time.
At Work: The Gender Gap
Workplace masturbation shows one of the largest gender disparities in the data. While headlines have focused on the surprising prevalence of office self-pleasure, the numbers tell a gendered story.
- Men (office)22%
- Women (office)7%
- Gender gap3x higher
- Men (WFH)35%
- Women (WFH)17%
- Felt guilty about it~25%
The COVID-19 pandemic and work-from-home culture appears to have normalized "on the clock" masturbation. A 2020 Yellow Octopus survey of 1,000 workers found that 35% of men and 17% of women admitted to masturbating during work hours while working remotely. Among those who did, only about a quarter felt guilty about it.
A 2022 British survey found 14% of workers have masturbated during work hours—22% of men and 7% of women. Extrapolated to the UK population, that's approximately 7.4 million workers.
In the Car: Regional Variations
Nearly one in five women (19%) have masturbated in a car at some point, according to We-Vibe survey data. The numbers are nearly identical for men (20%), making this one of the few locations with gender parity.
The Midwest's high car-masturbation rate has been attributed to long, lonely drives and rural isolation. As one researcher noted, "those long, long roads with the tumbleweed do have a purpose after all."
A UK insurance survey found that 1 in 4 young drivers (25-34) admitted to masturbating while driving—a dangerous distraction comparable to or worse than texting.
When: Time of Day Preferences
Location is only half the story. Timing matters equally, and the data shows clear patterns in when women prefer to masturbate.
The strong preference for nighttime masturbation aligns with bedroom dominance—women often masturbate as a pre-sleep ritual. The TENGA report found Americans most commonly masturbate between 7:30 PM and 11:30 PM.
Saturday. That is my self-care day. I do my hair and take a long bath and rest. I also masturbate on that day, usually in the afternoon.
— PureWow survey respondentGlobal Variations
The TENGA Global Self-Pleasure Report surveyed 13,000+ people across 18 countries, revealing significant cultural differences in female masturbation rates.
The gender gap varies dramatically by country. In the UK, 78% of women masturbate compared to 96% of men—an 18-point gap. But in Asian countries surveyed, the gap was much larger:
Cultural taboos appear to affect female masturbation rates more than male rates. Countries with more open sexual discourse show higher female participation and smaller gender gaps.
Unusual Locations
While most women stick to familiar territory, 29% of women report having masturbated in a "weird" way—using unusual objects or locations.
Women who report adventurous locations tend to have more positive attitudes toward masturbation overall. As one survey respondent put it: "If you want it, take it" appears to be the motto of those who don't limit themselves to the bedroom.
Key Takeaways
- The bedroom dominates — 80% of women prefer it, primarily for privacy and comfort.
- Water is popular — 28% of women use the shower or bathtub, often their first non-hand method.
- Cars are universal — 19% of women have tried it, nearly matching men's 20%.
- Work is gendered — Men are 3x more likely to masturbate at the office than women.
- Night is prime time — Over 50% prefer nighttime, often as a pre-sleep ritual.
- Culture matters — UK women masturbate most (78%), Chinese women least (48%).
- Midwest loves cars — 35% of car masturbation comes from this region.
- Privacy is paramount — "When no one else is home" is the most common requirement cited.
