The time has finally come!... and almost gone. The month of May is home to one of the most exciting (literally) national observances there is. That's right, May is National Masturbation Month!

But, why do we need to celebrate masturbation? SugarButch explains the background of this holiday, so to speak, quite nicely:

Good Vibes founded National Masturbation Month in 1995 in the wake of the controversy surrounding the firing of former Clinton administration Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, who evoked conservative wrath when she opined that discussion of masturbation might have a place in sex education curricula. Realizing that one simple, sensible mention of solo pleasuring was enough to lose this prominent woman, the country’s first African-American surgeon general, her job convinced Good Vibrations staff that this most basic and accessible form of sex needed a serious image boost.

Some things have changed since 1995, but National Masturbation Month is still a necessary reminder that self-satisfaction is a healthy, accessible form of pleasure engaged in by almost everyone, of every gender and relationship status, at some time of (or throughout) their lives: It’s relaxing, allows people to learn more about their own sexual response, is a basic recommendation of sex therapists that can help people with many different sexual concerns, relieves menstrual cramps, and helps keep the genitals fully functional. On top of that, it’s the safest form of sex a person can have.

So there you have it. And if all of those aren't good enough reasons to masturbate, or to acknowledge that masturbation is healthy and normal, having sex with yourself has also been associated with elevated self-esteem, muscle relaxation, improved bloodflow, headache relief due to the natural release of endorphins, stress relief and more.

Despite all of the evidence that masturbation is healthy and good for you, there is something to be said about the fact that this form of sex still needs 'a serious image boost.' There are still many negative perceptions and messages, and quite frankly, myths, out there regarding masturbation. For many people, masturbation has been associated with feelings of shame, guilt and embarrasment, due to messages that it is abnormal, unhealthy, sexually "deviant," or some other nonsense... and particularly for women or female-identified individuals.

But the fact of the matter is, it's a perfectly normal and healthy activity, it's pleasurable, and as it has already been stated, there are a diverse range of physical and overall health benefits that come along with it.

Masturbation Month is a time to recognize, celebrate and learn more about the positive and beneficial facts we know to be true about masturbation. So this month, and all year long, celebrate yourself. And do it with pride.