Yes, chances are that you (and your partner) masturbate to an ex on occasion. No, it doesn’t spell trouble for your relationship.
Everybody jerks off to whatever gets their nether regions fluttering, often tapping into a mental spank bank that’s been growing since puberty. Maybe a guy’s picturing Flo from Progressive while he goes a few rounds with the bald-headed champ, while a woman’s getting herself off to the thought of Timothée Chalamet whispering sweet, skinny-boy nothings into her ear. It’s normal. Nothing to panic over. Most people can deal with their partner fantasizing about a celebrity during their solo slap time. Hell, it’s practically expected.
The same placidity, however, would be unlikely if one were to discover their partner has been bopping to mental images of an ex. Still, according to a new survey, that’s exactly what’s often happening when they’re, erm, feeling themselves—like, a lot.
“If my girlfriend were doing herself to an ex, yes, I would be mad. And yes, I would probably leave.”
Allen
Pleasure tech company Ohdoki found that 76% of men and 59% of women admit to masturbating to the thought of a former flame, even while in a current relationship. Hang on to your hats, folks, because that means your current partner has likely done it too. I know, I know; cue the rage and hostility. How dare they? The idea that your partner is getting themselves off to the same worthless, idiotic S.O.B. that they’ve been trash-talking since the day you met them is enough to spark a full-blown fight, maybe even a breakup. Hell, torch the whole relationship and start over.
