Autoeroticism

Autoeroticism (also known as autoerotism or self-gratification)^[1][2] is sexual activity involving only one participant.^[3] It is the practice of sexually pleasuring oneself.

The term was popularized toward the end of the 19th century by British sexologist Havelock Ellis, who defined autoeroticism as "the phenomenon of spontaneous sexual emotion generated in the absence of an external stimulus proceeding, directly or indirectly, from another person".^[4]

The term masturbation has a similar meaning, but is not synonymous; masturbation is only physical stimulation of the genitals by oneself^[5] while autoeroticism encompasses a broader range of activities such as nocturnal emission, sexual fantasy, and sexual arousal to 'sexually-neutral' stimuli (music, scenery, art, risk, spiritual reverie, etc.), which can be maintained by the self.

Autosexuality is a related term. It is a human sexuality directed for the self. It is usually accompanied by autoerotic activities such as masturbation or sexually fantasizing about oneself. ^[6]

It is important to note that the mere act of autoeroticism does not mean a person is autosexual. ^[7] Masturbation, for example, can be done for self-lust, but can also be used to lessen sexual frustration, relieve stress, or to use when a partner is not readily available.